42 pages • 1 hour read
King and the Dragonflies
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
259
Novel • Fiction
Louisiana • Contemporary
2020
YA
10-14 years
Super Short Summary
King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender follows 12-year-old Kingston James, a Black youth in a small Louisiana town, as he mourns the death of his older brother Khalid, who he imagines has turned into a dragonfly. King navigates his grief, explores his emerging gay identity, and helps his friend Sandy, who faces abuse at home. The story weaves themes of self-realization, friendship, and family. Depicts incidents of homophobia and child abuse.
Contemplative
Emotional
Melancholic
Inspirational
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
10,015 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender is widely praised for its heartfelt exploration of grief, identity, and friendship. Reviewers commend Callender's lyrical prose and authentic portrayal of a young boy's emotional journey. Some critique the pacing as slow, but most agree the character development compensates well. A poignant, thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read King and the Dragonflies?
Readers who would enjoy King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender are typically young adults and middle-grade readers who appreciate heartfelt, coming-of-age tales addressing themes of grief, identity, and resilience. Fans of The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin or Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes will find this novel equally compelling.
10,015 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
259
Novel • Fiction
Louisiana • Contemporary
2020
YA
10-14 years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.