{"product_id":"the-queen-bees-of-tybee-county-isbn-9780063326965","title":"The Queen Bees of Tybee County","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAN APALA HONOR BOOK * NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOKS OF 2025 * \u003ci\u003eBOOKLIST \u003c\/i\u003e2025 EDITOR'S CHOICE * BCCB BLUE RIBBON * \u003ci\u003eSCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL \u003c\/i\u003eBEST BOOKS OF 2025\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBetter Nate Than Ever\u003c\/i\u003e meets \u003ci\u003eDumplin’\u003c\/i\u003e in this charming, poignant debut by Kyle Casey Chu, aka Panda Dulce, a founding queen of Drag Story Hour.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter making the buzzer-beating shot at the Georgia basketball state championships, Derrick Chan becomes the star of Bayard Middle School, and Derrick’s single dad could not be prouder. But there are parts of Derrick that no one knows about, like the toenail polish he wears under his basketball sneakers, his secret lip-sync performances in the bathroom mirror, and the feelings he’s developing for his best friend and teammate, JJ.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs the school year comes to a close, Derrick’s dad takes an out-of-town job and ships Derrick off to spend the summer with his estranged, eccentric grandmother, Claudia. Soon, Claudia introduces Derrick to the world of small-town southern beauty pageants, and Derrick suddenly feels he’s found where he belongs. But when the opportunity arises to compete in the town pageant, Derrick is forced to decide just how much of himself he’s ready to show the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCan he learn to love and accept the most unique parts of himself? And what will happen if others—like his father and JJ—can’t do the same?\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e\"In this emotionally grounded tale about becoming one’s true self, Chu carefully balances an affirming coming-out narrative with honest, approachable accounts of familial secrets, intergenerational trauma, and systemic racism and homophobia.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"A kind contemplation on generational trauma, race, and queer identity in the South, this book sparkles with queer joy.\"  - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"This book tenderly follows the classic coming-of-age formula. Chu’s personal connection to the narrative, as a drag performer and founder of the Drag Story Hour organization, comes through passionately.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBulletin of the Center for Children’s Books\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eThe Queen Bees of Tybee County \u003c\/em\u003eis a heartfelt celebration of authenticity that asks us all to follow our joy. Laugh out loud funny and tear-jerkingly emotional, Kyle Casey Chu has gifted younger and older readers alike with a stunning novel about letting our true selves shine. These characters and their triumphs will stay with me for a long time.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKacen Callender, bestselling and award-winning author of King and the Dragonflies and Hurricane Child\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Kyle Casey Chu has given us a novel about the daring it requires to see our full selves, and the exhilaration and rightness of embracing who we are. A joyful, glittering, loving debut by an author to watch.”  - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNina LaCour, Michael L. Printz-winning author of We Are Okay and Watch Over Me\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e “This sweet and surprising book just ramps up the excitement the deeper it gets. Marked by unforgettable characters, and teenaged joy and angst that feels so real, this is a spectacular debut!” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMichelle Tea, award-winning author of Modern Magic\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Kyle’s debut dazzles with heart in this bold, beautiful story about embracing your true self and the value of having an affirming community behind you every step of the way. Derrick Chan has my vote for queen bee of queer middle grade this year.”\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eTaylor Tracy, author of Stonewall Honoree Murray Out of Water\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"An important book for middle school shelves, and for any reader seeking a positive role model demonstrating courage and strength in the face of challenging situations—even when it’s family who might pose the biggest ­obstacle.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Quill Tree Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48588066259173,"sku":"NP9780063326965","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-queen-bees-of-tybee-county-isbn-9780063326965","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}