King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender
King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender is a powerful, award-winning middle grade novel about grief, identity, friendship, and courage. Set in the American South, the story follows Kingston "King" James, a young boy mourning the sudden loss of his brother while navigating his own emerging identity. When a former friend disappears, King must confront painful truths about himself, his community, and the world around him.
This tender, lyrical novel blends realism with gentle magical elements, delivering an emotionally resonant message about love, acceptance, and being true to yourself.
Book Bundle
Perfect for fans of The Deepest Breath, Melissa by Alex Gino, and Ghost by Jason Reynolds ideal for readers ages 10+ exploring themes of LGBTQ+ identity, family, and emotional growth.
Why King and the Dragonflies is a Must-Read:
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Award-Winning: Winner of the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature.
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Emotional Depth: Tackles grief, race, and queerness with sensitivity and honesty.
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Magical Realism: The dragonflies offer a poetic link to the spirit world.
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Empowering Message: Encourages bravery, truth, and acceptance.
Memorable Quote (from the book)
"Maybe being yourself is the bravest thing you can be."
Translation (Sinhala):
"සැමවිටම ඔබම වීම යනු ඔබට කළ හැකි හොඳම, දිරිමත් තීරණය විය හැක."
Translation (Tamil):
"உண்மையிலேயே நீங்களாக இருப்பது தான் மிகுந்த தைரியமான செயல்."
Availability at Booxworm.lk
You can order King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender online from Booxworm.lk or visit our Colombo store to explore this heartfelt story of love, loss, and becoming who you are.
Physical Store Location:
180, W.A. Silva Mawatha, Wellawatte, Colombo 06, Sri Lanka
+94 768 46 2551
Visit: www.booxworm.lk
About the Book
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Title: King and the Dragonflies
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Author: Kacen Callender
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ISBN: 9781338129342
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Publisher: Scholastic Press
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Published Year: 2020
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Number of Pages: ~272 Pages (Paperpack)
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Genre: Middle Grade / Contemporary Fiction / LGBTQ+ / Coming-of-Age
