KINGS OF B'MORE

Two queer Black 16-year-old boys have a transformative adventure on their last day together.

In a Baltimore cemetery one Wednesday afternoon, Linus drops a bomb on Harrison: His father is moving them from Baltimore to South Carolina. On Sunday. He’s known for a few weeks but couldn’t bring himself to tell his best friend until then. Logical, steady Linus turns down the idea of a going-away party, but dramatic Harrison, who is anxious about the future, comes up with the perfect way to say goodbye and cement their friendship. Inspired by Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, his father’s family-movie-night pick, he comes up with Ferris Day. With limited time to plan, Harrison recruits Aparna, his detailed-oriented stage manager friend from school, to bring his idea to fruition and help them evade being tracked by their strict parents via GPS apps on their phones. The day before Linus’ departure, their epic adventure gets off to a rough start, with weird friction between the two and plans that fall apart. Salvaging the rest of their day, though, they attend their first Pride, do things that scare them, and ultimately find their truths. Using third-person omniscient narration, the author deftly explores the weight and the joys of being Black boys, being queer, and being young. Harrison, Linus, and their colorful cast of friends bring heart and humor that will leave readers rooting for the success of their harebrained scheme.

Thoughtful, poignant, fun.