WALK THIS WAY

Coming out is one thing; coming out as a drag queen is extra, honey.

Sixteen-year-old Josh is pretty fabulous. His drag persona, Siri Alexa, just broke 10,000 followers on Instagram, no small feat for a look queen who exclusively posts images online and hasn’t performed in real life yet. The number of followers gives Josh a confidence boost strong enough to ask out newly out Randall, a hottie-with-a-body at school who cares more about accomplishments at the gym than personality. When Randall cruelly recoils after learning about Siri Alexa, Josh pushes himself to work on his act and reach new heights of drag. This plan hits a hitch when Ivan, a gorgeous ginger hockey player with binary views on masculinity and femininity, enters the picture. What will Ivan think when he meets Siri Alexa? The story’s lighthearted energy and zinger lines create a sitcom-esque vibe where every character is a little larger than life. There are a few poignant moments that add pathos without ruining the over-the-top vivacity. Readers will have a ball and may learn a little about LGBTQ+ history along the way. Josh, Randall, and Ivan read as White; Josh’s friends Kara and Chris are of unspecified Asian heritage.

Sweet, frothy fun for reluctant readers.