The Queen Bees of Tybee County, Kyle Casey Chu
The Queen Bees of Tybee County, Kyle Casey Chu
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The Queen Bees of Tybee County

Author: Kyle Casey Chu

Narrator: Neo Cihi

Unabridged: 9 hr 32 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/15/2025

Synopsis

AN APALA HONOR BOOK * NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOKS OF 2025 * BOOKLIST 2025 EDITOR'S CHOICE * BCCB BLUE RIBBON * SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOKS OF 2025Better Nate Than Ever meets Dumplin’ in this charming, poignant debut by Kyle Casey Chu, aka Panda Dulce, a founding queen of Drag Story Hour.After 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.As 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.Can 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?

About Kyle Casey Chu

Kyle Casey Chu (aka Panda Dulce) is a writer, filmmaker, and one of the founding queens of Drag Story Hour. In June 2022, far-right extremists stormed her Drag Story Hour in an attempt to silence her. She is now using her global platform to tell even gayer stories. She lives in San Francisco, within nagging distance of her families (both drag and biological). The Queen Bees of Tybee County is her first novel.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Bethanie on August 18, 2024

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. I found myself immediately enamored with this book within the first few chapters. The book tells the story of a young Chinese American boy as he discovers his love for drag and his identity......more

Goodreads review by Shannon on March 22, 2025

I absolutely adored this middle grade novel about Derrick Chan, a Chinese American gender-nonconforming tween boy who loves basketball and tries to please his father but also secretly loves wearing nail polish and dressing in drag. When Derrick goes to spend the summer with his grandmother Claudia i......more

Goodreads review by Bethany on May 11, 2025

A true treasure of a book. I was truly obsessed with Derek and his journey. From his feelings, to understanding his queerness, to coming into his own, and learning how to be a better friend…. This book has everything. It’s a truly lovely middle grade and the audiobook was fantastic. The ending had me......more

Goodreads review by Jacqueline on January 01, 2025

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book. This is a great middle grade book, fast and easy read. This book tells the story of a young Chinese 7th grade American boy as he discovers his love for drag and his identity in the community over a summer of yeses. The author did an excell......more

Goodreads review by Trevor Wargo on March 30, 2025

This was a heartwarming coming of age story. This story is so important especially in our current society. I loved all the different forms of representation whether it be from the queer community or your heritage. This book had plenty of humor and tender moments that kept a smile on my face the entir......more

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