Bad Queer
Written by Gayathiri Kamalakanthan
Illustrated by Chi Nwosu
Published by Faber & Faber Children’s
I feel invincible.
Like I could run and run
and never stop for breath.
I feel a power in me
I didn’t know I had.
The power to speak,
to say what I need.
Surya knows exactly who they are. Coming out as non-binary to their queer parents and best friend? A total non-event. Catching feelings for Blessing – the boy in drama club whose smile makes their heart race? That’s trickier.
As their final year of school unfolds and the two of them grow closer, Surya starts to question: Does Blessing really see them? Or just a version of them that doesn’t exist? They’d ask their best friend for advice, but she’s busy falling in love too. . .
Primary ISBN:
Publication Date: June 2026
Available As: Paperback
Young Adult, Age 14 or older
Community Represented: Ghanaian/Ghanaian American, Sri Lankan/Sri Lankan American
Themes: Accolades & Awards, Accolades & Awards: Starred Review, Coming of Age, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Food, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Discrimination: Cultural, Discrimination: Gender and Sexual, Education & Literacy, Family Relationship: Grandparents, Family Relationship: Parents, Format: Novel In Verse, Generation: 2nd, Generational Differences, Generational Differences: Gender Roles, Identity: Body Image, Identity: Exploration, Identity: Multilingual, LGBTQIA+, Multilingual: Tamil Featured Words, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Refugee: Persecution, Trauma & Healing, Trauma & Healing: Intergenerational
Setting: England (London)
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Refugee, 1st Generation, 2nd Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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Engagement Materials:
Bad Queer – Discussion Questions
Source: Faber & Faber Children’s