Bad Queer: 'A poignant, thoughtful YA verse novel about navigating identity and the joys and pains of...

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Gayathiri Kamalakanthan

Bad Queer

Name: Bad Queer
Price: 22.99 AUD
Availability: OutOfStock
ISBN: 9780571390663

'A poignant, thoughtful YA verse novel about navigating identity and the joys and pains of first...

Gayathiri Kamalakanthan

$22.99

Paperback

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QTY:

English

Faber & Faber
02 June 2026

Poetry (Children's&YA); General fiction (Children's&YA); Romance & relationships stories (Children's&YA)

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. . .

With gorgeous illustrations throughout, Bad Queer draws us deeply into queer friendship, family secrets, and the necessary act of loving yourself. Perfect for fans of Alice Oseman, Dean Atta and Sarah Crossan.

This is a love letter to queer futures - tender, curious, and fiercely alive.

'Fiercely compassionate storytelling.' Sonido Reyes, award-winning and bestselling author of The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School

'Pure trans teenhood - punchy, clumsy and raw.' Sabah Choudrey,

activist, speaker and author of Supporting Trans People of Colour

'Truthful, intimate and powerful.' Laura Dockrill, award-winning author of I Love you, I Love you, I Love You

'Beautifully written verse novel about first love, acceptance and identity.' Abiola Bello, bestselling author of The Love Dare

'Sensual, present and protective. I feel like I made a friend.' Steven Camden, CLiPPA poetry awarding author of Everything All at Once

By: Gayathiri Kamalakanthan
Imprint: Faber & Faber
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: Main
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm,
ISBN: 9780571390663
ISBN 10: 0571390668
Pages: 432
Publication Date: 02 June 2026
Recommended Age: From 12 years
Audience: Young adult , Preschool (0-5)
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Gayathiri Kamalakanthan is a Tamil writer and producer. They are a recipient of the Disabled Poets Prize, the FAB Publisher's Prize and the RSL Literature Matters Award. Their play Period Parrrty opened at Soho Theatre in October 2025. Chi Nwosu is a Black, non-binary, queer, Nigerian artist based in Chicago. Their work is an alchemy of cultural narratives that centres marginalised experiences and utilises potent cultural, political, and spiritual symbols.

Reviews for Bad Queer: 'A poignant, thoughtful YA verse novel about navigating identity and the joys and pains of first love.' - The Guardian

""Kamalakanthan debuts with a scintillating verse novel that chronicles a nonbinary transgender teen's journey toward publicly claiming their queer identity...This poetic slice-of-life portrait is not to be missed.""--Publishers Weekly starred review ⭐ ""This coming-of-age story centering on Surya, a genderqueer teenager from London, offers a thoughtful and nuanced take on relationships within and outside family.""--Kirkus starred review ⭐ ""Affirming and poignant.""--School Library Journal