Becoming a Queen

By: Dan Clay

Narrated by: Dan Clay

This program is read by the author.

A vibrant and emotional novel from debut author Dan Clay about a boy who turns toward love, self-expression, and drag when the unthinkable happens, perfect for fans of Jandy Nelson and Julie Murphy.

If only Mark Davis hadn’t put on a dress for the talent show. It was a joke—other guys did it too—but when his boyfriend saw Mark in that dress, everything changed.

And now, fresh on the heels of high school heartbreak, Mark has given up on love. Maybe some people are just too much for this world—too weird, too wild, too feminine, too everything. Thankfully, his older brother Eric always knows what to say to keep Mark from spinning into self-loathing. "Be yourself! Your full sequin-y self.”

But Mark starts to notice signs that his perfect older brother has problems of his own.

When the source of Mark’s strength suddenly becomes the source of his greatest pain, the path back to happiness seems impossible. Searching for a way out, Mark slips into a dress to just, briefly, become someone else, live a different life. His escape, however, becomes an unexpected outlet for his pain—a path to authentic connection, and a provocation to finally see other people as fully as he wants to be seen.

Beautifully written, heart-wrenching, and ultimately uplifting, Dan Clay's Becoming a Queen is a stunning story about love, loss, and the ineffable power of a purple princess dress.

A Macmillan Audio production from Roaring Brook Press.

©2023 Dan Clay (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“A stunning tale of grief, friendship, loss, and love, Becoming a Queen wraps you up in emotion like the most precious of dresses. Dan Clay’s debut will resonate in the hearts of queens, kings, and everyone in between!”—Jason June, New York Times-bestselling author of Out of the Blue and Jay’s Gay Agenda

"Becoming a Queen is all about finding your true self, even when the path is rocky at times. Real, tender, heartbreaking, and joyful all at once, Dan Clay has delivered a delight of a debut that will keep you turning the pages. Put this one on your shelves!"—Jennifer Mathieu, author of Bad Girls Never Say Die and Moxie

so sooo good

I’m finishing the last hour of this book as i write this. wow! what a great book. The perspective, the depth and story… I could listen to 10 more chapters easily. Thanks Dan for the great book!

Absolutely beautiful

Thank you for touching my heart. This is so beautifully written and speaks to me in so many ways

Feel all the things-love it!

Beautiful and hilarious with deeply sad moments. Diversity, truth, and a real representation of grief.

Transformative experience

This book is filled with lessons wrapped in a great story with wonderful character development. I am sad I won’t have the Davis family in my ears but they will stay in my heart.
I want to say something like read this book if you are dealing with x, y, z but I don’t want to give anything away.
Just read it and enjoy!

Blew my high expectations out of the water!

The story is unique and well written and the performance is better than any other I’ve heard in an audiobook. I didn’t think I’d ever want to begin an audiobook again immediately as soon as I finished it, but Becoming a Queen changed that. I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone looking to expand the universe of their heart!