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  • Published: 18 February 2020
  • ISBN: 9780525517528
  • Imprint: Nancy Paulsen Books
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $38.00

Middle School's a Drag, You Better Werk!





In this heartfelt and hilarious new novel from Greg Howard, an enterprising boy starts his own junior talent agency and signs a thirteen-year-old aspiring drag queen as his first client.

In this heartfelt and hilarious new novel from Greg Howard, an enterprising boy starts his own junior talent agency and signs a thirteen-year-old aspiring drag queen as his first client.

Twelve-year-old Mikey Pruitt--president, founder, and CEO of Anything, Inc.--has always been an entrepreneur at heart. Inspired by his grandfather Pap Pruitt, who successfully ran all sorts of businesses from a car wash to a roadside peanut stand, Mikey is still looking for his million-dollar idea. Unfortunately, most of his ideas so far have failed. A baby tornado ran off with his general store, and the kids in his neighborhood never did come back for their second croquet lesson. But Mikey is determined to keep at it.

It isn't until kid drag queen Coco Caliente, Mistress of Madness and Mayhem (aka eighth grader Julian Vasquez) walks into his office (aka his family's storage/laundry room) looking for an agent that Mikey thinks he's finally found his million-dollar idea, and the Anything Talent and Pizzazz Agency is born!

Soon, Mikey has a whole roster of kid clients looking to hit it big or at least win the middle school talent show's hundred-dollar prize. As newly out Mikey prepares Julian for the gig of a lifetime, he realizes there's no rulebook for being gay--and if Julian can be openly gay at school, maybe Mikey can, too, and tell his crush, dreamy Colton Sanford, how he feels.

Full of laughs, sass, and hijinks, this hilarious, heartfelt story shows that with a little effort and a lot of love, anything is possible.

  • Published: 18 February 2020
  • ISBN: 9780525517528
  • Imprint: Nancy Paulsen Books
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $38.00

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Praise for Middle School's a Drag, You Better Werk!

Praise for The Whispers:

"This taut, moving tale delves beyond loss into issues of sexuality, conformity and self-acceptance...a masterful exploration into the power of storytelling but also its dangers, including self-denial and escapism." -The New York Times Book Review

"Howard's personal story helps create a fictional narrative both realistic and relevant, while also calling on the fantastical magic of the imagination.... A tale of family, friendship and loss, filled with magic and heart." -The Associated Press

"A dreamy novel recalling Bridge to Terabithia." -Entertainment Weekly

"A heartbreaking, beguiling debut... This poignant journey through the badlands of grief is crammed with tenderness, wit and warmth." -The Guardian

"A realistic tale of coming to terms and coming-of-age, of friendship and loss, with a touch of magic and humor." -Kirkus