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Finding Your Fabulous: Why The Black Flamingo Belongs in High School ELA Classrooms

    The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta has the capacity to challenge perspectives, invite meaningful discussions, and help student reflect on their own identities--and I think it might encourage all three beautifully. This novel-in-verse follows Michael, a mixed-race gay teenager in London, as he navigates questions of identity, self-acceptance, and belonging. 

    The novel was published in 2020 and is 403 pages. The novel is in verse so it's a quick read--at least I turned pages fast as I enjoyed learning more and more about the main character, Michael's, upbringing, coming of age, and ultimately becoming himself so beautifully. 

    I chose the read the Black Flamingo because this graduate course is also a way for me to explore the lives--fictional and real--of those who I'm not necessary similar to. But I find myself, over and over, finding connection even with the people I initially think I may have nothing in common with. Like Michael, I struggled to find my place and belonging throughout my young adult life and I was bullied. Like Michael, my parents love me despite their sometimes misguided comments and perspectives. Like Michael, I am realizing that I will always be working to be myself. 

    I enjoyed this read and am really taking to the poetry-in-verse style as I last wrote in my post about The Poet X. I think these kinds of novels are like graphic novels in that they aren't as long as prose can be. I also think that poetry, in and of itself, can be hard to understand from the perspective of someone who oftentimes has a hard time following more complex pieces. The novel-in-verse is still telling a story, in sequence, which--I think--helps me to follow what's happening. 

Notable Awards & Recognition

  • Stonewall Book Award, 2020
  • CILIP Carnegie Medal, shortlisted 
  • Jhalak Prize, shortlisted
  • Waterstones Children's Book Prize, shortlisted

    The Black Flamingo begins with young Michael wanting nothing else but a Barbie Doll for his birthday. His mom loves on him fiercely and gets him a Barbie Doll for Christmas after he is disappointed that she didn't take his birthday wish for one seriously. The love Michael's mom has for him is so heartwarming, from a mother's perspective. "She smiles and hugs me tightly. I hug her back; I count ten seconds in my head and then drop my arms to my sides but Mummy doesn't let go for nine seconds. Nineteen seconds is the longest hug I have ever had" (pg. 26). 

    Let me just add that I think the novel-in-verse style is so much more engaging than typical prose and I really think that many YA-aged students would agree. The style reminds me of graphic novels in that they seem to be so much more palatable for intermediate grades. 


Awards and Recognitions

  1. Stonewall Book Award, Children's and YA categories (2020)
  2. CILIP Carnegie Medal Shortlist
  3. Carnegie Shadowers' Choice Award (2020)
  4. Jhalak Prize Shortlist 
  5. Waterstones Children's Book Prize Shortlist
  6. Caterpillar Poetry Prize Runner Up
  7. Top-selling debut of 2020

Why This Book Belongs in the Classroom*

  1. Engaging and Accessible Format
    Written in verse, The Black Flamingo is a powerful, poetic, and accessible read. The free verse style makes it appealing to students who might struggle with traditional prose while also offering rich language and imagery for analysis. The novel’s pace is quick, and its emotional depth keeps students engaged. Personally, I really enjoy this style of writing and find it easier to engage with so I don't forget what i just read in heavy prose. 

I love the encouraging tone of Michael in the opening section of the part, Glitterball! In How to Do Drag he gives advice to his reader--to any aspiring drag queen--but also to any of us who need this pep talk for doing the things that truly mater to our own selves. I think the following excerpt would be a great example of tone and accessibility for students; to be used as a read aloud and springboard for the text. "Know why you want to do this. If you don't know why, why the hell are you doing this? Really, why the hell are you doing this? Ask yourself the night before, Why the hell am I doing this? Ask yourself the morning of, Why the hell am I doing this?" (pg. 369). 

  1. A Nuanced Exploration of Identity
    Michael’s journey of self-discovery—through his experiences with family, friendships, and ultimately drag performance—provides students with an intimate look at intersectionality. His struggles with racial identity, masculinity, and sexuality create space for conversations about the complexity of identity and the importance of self-expression.

Here is an excerpt that would be a great read aloud to open discussion--or encourage self-reflection through journaling--in a classroom. The poem is titled, I Come From. "I come from shepherd's pie and Sunday roast, jerk chicken and stuffed grape leaves. I come from traveling through taste buds but love where I live. I come from a home that some would call broken. I come from DIY that never got done. I come from waiting by the phone for him to call. I come from waving the white flag of loneliness. I come from the rainbow flag and the Union Jack...I come from griots, grandmothers, and herstory tellers. I come from published words and strangers' smiles. I come from my own pen but I see people torn apart like paper, each a story or poem that never made it into a book" (pgs. 245-247).

  1. Representation Matters
    Many students rarely see protagonists like Michael in their assigned reading. His story helps normalize diverse experiences and provides representation for students who may share aspects of his identity. At the same time, it offers an opportunity for all students to develop empathy and understanding.

  2. Themes That Spark Meaningful Discussions
    The novel covers important themes such as belonging, gender norms, family expectations, and self-love. These are crucial topics for high schoolers as they navigate their own identities and social circles. Michael’s transformation into the Black Flamingo—his drag persona—serves as an empowering metaphor for self-acceptance and embracing individuality.

* The Black Flamingo contains some mature themes and potentially sensitive content so I'd suggest it be reserved for high school students as young as 14 years old.  

Classroom Applications

  • Literary Analysis: The novel’s poetic structure allows students to analyze figurative language, tone, and structure. It’s a great companion text for teaching free verse poetry. The black flamingo is, in itself, a metaphor for Michael's journey of self-discovery. 
  • Discussion and Reflection: Students can explore themes of identity and acceptance through journal prompts, Socratic seminars, or small-group discussions. See the excerpt above as an example.
  • Creative Expression: Inspired by Michael’s journey, students could write their own identity poems or create visual representations of their personal symbols. Students could examine their own heritage, culture, backgrounds, and family trees as this could also prove to be a fun research project-turned-poetry-project.

Final Thoughts

    The main character, Michael, reminds me of George Johnson's story, the author of the memoir, All Boys Aren't Blue All Boys Aren't Blue. Michael's uncle is a major contributor of love to his upbringing just like George's "Nanny" is for his. Both boys experience racism, bullying, and share their processes of coming of age and into their own sexualities. Michael also--like George Johnson--finds his identity and belonging in college. It's so wonderful to see--it might be the mother in me but I grew very fond of both of them throughout their stories--fiction and non. 💗

    I think the Black Flamingo can be a powerful addition to high school classroom ELA course as it’s a book that speaks to the power of self-discovery, the importance of representation, and the courage it takes to embrace who you truly are. Whether as a whole-class read, a literature circle choice, or an independent reading recommendation, this novel deserves a place on classroom bookshelves near and far.

Have you used The Black Flamingo in your classroom? I’d love to hear how you used it and how your students engaged with the text!

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