The Queen Bees of Tybee County by Kyle Casey Chu

 The Queen Bees of Tybee County by Kyle Casey Chu
Publisher:  Quill Tree Books
Format:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   320 pages
Publishing:  April 15th, 2025 
Source:  Books Forward

Opening Lines:  "I'm open. I'm open! I bellow, laughing myself to the three-point line."

Derrick Chan and his best friend, JJ have been playing basketball together since the third grade.  Derrick became the star player of Bayard Middle School after he made the buzzer-beating shot at the state championships. Derrick's dad couldn't be prouder.  Every summer JJ and Derrick make big plans for their vacation to include a shared accomplishment, like the year that they overcame their fear of climbing, learned to swim or made plans to make the varsity team together.  However, this year JJ while be going to basketball camp alone.  Derrick's dad has taken an out-of-town contracting job and Derrick will be moving in with his dad's estranged mom, Grandma Claudia for the summer.

Once Derrick arrives in the town of Heritage, he's initially surprised with how un-grandmotherly like Claudia seems to be.  She likes disco music, has a collection of old playbills and her house is filled with loud colors and textile quilts.  She even has a craft room filled with fabric, a sketch of a beautiful cheongsam and matching dress.  Claudia reveals that she used to have a fabric and alteration shop and still helps out with the Tybee County Queen Bee Junior Pageant.  Soon Derrick meets Claudia's younger friends, Ro a roller derby enthusiast who is entered in the pageant and Ro's friend Giles who is an accomplished photographer.

Derrick helps Claudia with Ro's gown and starts to volunteer with the contestant's for the pageant learning the choreography and filling in for other participants by performing their dance moves.  Derrick grows closer to Ro and Giles and is surprised when Giles confides that he is gay.  At first the three friends have a falling out over Derrick's surprise and initial remarks.  But Derrick apologizes and he reciprocates Giles trust in him by sharing the things that he's hidden from everyone else, including his father and JJ.  His excitement performing on stage, how at home he has secretly worn glittery blue toenail polish in his basketball sneakers to games and how he feels like he's developing feelings for his best friend. 

Derrick also opens up with Claudia that he knows about a postcard that she sent to his mom and how he would really like her to explain what it means.  Although she initially refuses out of respect for his dad's privacy and her desire to have Derrick receive the information from his father.  She says that his dad's story to tell.  Derrick also confides to Claudia that he thinks that he wants to participate in the Queen Bee pageant and asks for her opinion.  Claudia encourages him to find what gives him joy and soon he enters the competition planning to dress in drag, and perform as Bee Daring.  But when Derrick's dad arrives early with JJ can he truly hold on to his dream and let everyone see his true self?

Kyle Casey Chu, also known as Panda Dulce is a founding queen of Drag Story Hour. The Queen Bees of Tybee County is her debut coming-of-age story inspired by her personal experiences growing up as a queer fourth-generation Chinese American drag artist.  This is a joy filled book about finding one's identity, self-love, acceptance, overcoming fear and being brave.  Side plots include characters who experience racism and hazing, to include Derrick being nicknamed "twinkle toes."  The relationships Derrick shares with the other characters are complicated yet realistically portrayed.  Realistic in that not everyone will accept Derrick, but with strong familial supports and friends that accept you no matter what, Derrick has the potential to blaze his own trail.  Derrick's friends, Ro and Giles are incredibly supportive, loving, and encouraging, just absolutely wonderful.  Everyone would be blessed to have friends like them.  

Oh, and Derrick, loved his passion for clothing, makeup, fabric, and designing clothing.  I think I'm a little more like Ro, I don't hate dresses but have never felt the level of comfort or fierceness that Derrick did on stage, well except maybe a little in my wedding dress with someone else doing my makeup and hair.  I loved how Derrick's memories of his mom lingered on in her magazines, nail polish and the smell of ginger from her cooking. (Cigar smoke always makes me think of my grandfather.)  Derrick is thoughtful, nuanced, and trying to figure things out about themselves.  He illustrates how there are many sides to a person and that we don't have to settle with just one.  Derrick is more than just a basketball player, and he can embrace both sports and drag.  Finding one's happiness in the things that give us joy.   A sequel/companion novel is currently planned, which I can't wait to read.  Read this if you've enjoyed Better Nate than Ever, Dumplin' or are interested in stories about pageants, drag, or just need a joyous story about being bold and fierce.  

**A huge thank you to Books Forward for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review**