"The Black Flamingo" follows the journey of Michael, a mixed-race gay teenager navigating his identity in a world that often feels unwelcoming. Growing up in London, he grapples with his heritage, his sexuality, and the complexities of being different. As he finds solace and confidence in the art of drag, Michael discovers the power of self-expression and community. Through vibrant verse, the story celebrates the struggles and triumphs of embracing one's true self, offering a heartfelt exploration of love, acceptance, and the journey towards becoming a unique and authentic individual. [Generated by language model - please report any problems].

This book is the winner of numerous awards

This book is aimed at Young Adult readers. The term Young Adult (YA) is used for books which have the following characteristics: (1) aimed at ages 12-18 years, US grades 7-12, UK school years 8-15, (2) around 50-75k words long, (3) main character is aged 12-18 years, (4) topics include self-reflection, internal conflict vs external, analyzing life and its meaning, (5) point of view is often in the first person, and (6) swearing, violence, romance and sexuality are allowed. This book was published in 2020 by HarperCollins .

Named as one of the most influential LGBT people in the UK by the Independent on Sunday and "one of poetry's greatest modern voices" by Gay Times, poet Dean Atta's work has appeared on BBC One, BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service and Channel 4, often dealing with themes of gender, identity, race and growing up. Dean regularly performs across the UK and internationally. He is a member of Keats House Poets Forum and Malika's Poetry Kitchen, as well as a Tutor for Arvon and Poetry School. Dean's debut poetry collection was shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize. His latest book, The Black Flamingo , follows a mixed-race gay teen as he spreads his wings at university as a drag performer; a bold story about embracing your uniqueness and finding your inner strength.