A luminous and romantic debut novel-in-verse about navigating first love as a non-binary teenager.

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.

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

Readers who are active in advocating for YA and/or books by diverse authors are especially encouraged to request this!

Please note that the artwork in this DRC is not final.