Kings of B'more

by R. Eric Thomas

Paperback, 2023

Call number

813.6

Collection

Publication

Kokila (2023), 416 pages

Pages

416

Description

Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. LGBTQIA+ (Fiction.) HTML:"Infused with all the joy of the best teen movies, Kings of B'more is sure to be a big hit." �??BuzzFeed Two Black queer best friends face their last day together with an epic journey through Baltimore in this magnetic YA debut by bestselling author of Here for It, R. Eric Thomas. A 2023 Stonewall Honor Book for Young Adult Literature With junior year starting in the fall, Harrison feels like he�??s on the precipice of, well, everything. Standardized testing, college, and the terrifying unknowns and looming pressures of adulthood after that�??it�??s like the future wants to eat him alive. Which is why Harrison is grateful that he and his best friend, Linus, will face these things together. But at the end of a shift at their summer job, Linus invites Harrison to their special spot overlooking the city to deliver devastating news: He�??s moving out of state at the end of the week. To keep from completely losing it�??and partially inspired by a cheesy movie-night pick by his dad�??Harrison plans a send-off à la Ferris Bueller�??s Day Off that's worthy of his favorite person. If they won�??t be having all the life-expanding experiences they thought they would, Harrison will squeeze them all into their last day together. They end up on a mini road trip, their first Pride, and a rooftop dance party, all while keeping their respective parents, who track them on a family location app, off their trail. Harrison and Linus make a pact to do all the things�??big and small�??they�??ve been too scared to do. But nothing feels scarier than saying goodbye to someone y… (more)

Language

Original language

English

Physical description

416 p.; 8.25 inches

ISBN

0593326199 / 9780593326190

User reviews

LibraryThing member m.belljackson
Harrison engineers a Ferris Bueller's send-off when his best friend, Linus, quietly announces that his father is moving him to Charleston, far from their beloved Baltimore and the friendship they had enjoyed and new adventures they had planned.

Various odd complications result in Linus fleeing the
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African American Museum which was Harrison's high priority for him given his love of history. The script of the day flattens out, then picks up wildly when Harrison is mistaken for a Jamal and they proceed with Linus' funny friends and Harrison's protective sister, Corinne, to a swimming pool and on to a rip-roaring Pride Parade and the Gay Heaven Tea House Party!

This is far from their their happy meeting Cemetery high above Baltimore, yet their day ends with the promise to seek out a new cemetery together in Charleston.

Readers may wonder about the bonding conversations the two African American fathers have around their gay kids. As well, it would be welcome to know more about Corinne's personality and motivations.

Both young men discovered that getting so the future doesn't cause fear can be exhilarating and fun. They do rather go on too long with the deep meanings of their love and friendship.

The only "huh?" goes toward the weird white dude allowed to chase them around.
This added nothing to the plot, along with "smooches" and Parent apps.
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LibraryThing member alliepascal
“You got a real star-crossed friendship here, Linus.”

This is a one of a kind book that apologizes for absolutely nothing and I loved it. It’s about two queer black teenagers who are best friends, and it celebrates that friendship so beautifully. It’s also the kind of book I tabbed a lot
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because the writing was charming and excellent.

I love Linus and Harrison’s friendship so much! They way they play off each other and joke around but are able to be heartfelt with each other too is perfect. I do think that their voices blend and get confused at times, even when you’re mid-way through the book and get to know them better. But it’s a bit more true to life, in my opinion. Best friends are usually best friends because they're similar, and sometimes when you really like someone you start to take on their manner of speech and such.

The plot is fun; a little slow but I enjoyed my time with it. One thing I'm not sure how to feel about is the fact that this book is purposefully set in a “post-pandemic” world. I feel like the book would’ve been the same without it, but on the other hand the inclusions makes it a thing of the past and that’s hopeful.
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LibraryThing member shannonkearns
Adorable. Joy filled. Lovely.
LibraryThing member ikarladee
I was so lucky to receive this book right around summer because it is the perfect summer read about friends and it's LGBTQ so put it on your list for June or any other month really
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