Readers will find themselves both cringing at and relating to Queen, a protagonist whose bossy and superior internal monologue reveals exactly how much she is overcompensating for her own insecurities.
The dialogue captures the specific way middle grade students tease and challenge one another, making the school setting feel immediate and grounded in reality.
The contrast between the gritty urban setting and Leroy’s imaginative claims about being an African prince creates a sense of wonder that keeps the reader guessing about the truth.
Sharon G. Flake uses a distinct rhythmic style of writing that makes every character, from the neighborhood kids to the adults, feel like a real person the reader has met before.
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with social hierarchies at school, perhaps using bragging or a bossy attitude to mask feelings of insecurity or a desire to fit in. Ten year old Queen thinks she is better than everyone else, but her classmates see her as stuck up and mean. Through her interactions with Leroy, a boy who is poor but has a heart of gold and a colorful imagination, Queen begins to see the value in others and the flaws in her own behavior. This is a story about the masks children wear to protect themselves and the transformative power of genuine kindness. It is a perfect choice for teaching humility and empathy to children ages 8 to 12. It serves as a gentle mirror for children who feel they have to prove their worth through status, helping them understand that being a true friend is more valuable than being a queen.
