The Black Queen — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Nova Albright, the first Black homecoming queen at Lovett High, is dead. Murdered the night of her coronation, her body found the next morning in the old slave cemetery she spent her weekends rehabilitating.
Tinsley McArthur was supposed to be queen. Not only is she beautiful, wealthy, and white, it’s her legacy—her grandmother, her mother, and even her sister wore the crown before her. Everyone in Lovett knows Tinsley would do anything to carry on the McArthur tradition.
No one is more certain of that than Duchess Simmons, Nova’s best friend. Duchess’s father is the first Black police captain in Lovett. For Duchess, Nova’s crown was more than just a win for Nova. It was a win for all the Black kids. Now her best friend is dead, and her father won’t face the fact that the main suspect is right in front of him. Duchess is convinced that Tinsley killed Nova—and that Tinsley is privileged enough to think she can get away with it. But Duchess’s father seems to be doing what he always does: fall behind the blue line. Which means that the white girl is going to walk.
Duchess is determined to prove Tinsley’s guilt. And to do that, she’ll have to get close to her.
But Tinsley has an agenda, too.
Everyone loved Nova. And sometimes, love is exactly what gets you killed.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Black Queen appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The story involves the murder of Nova, the first Black homecoming queen, and includes themes of racism and molestation. The narrative addresses serious issues such as murder and grooming, indicating a significant level of violence. No content deemed scary or disturbing beyond the context of the murder mystery.
Does The Black Queen have violence?
The story involves the murder of Nova, the first Black homecoming queen, and includes themes of racism and molestation. The narrative addresses serious issues such as murder and grooming, indicating a significant level of violence.
Does The Black Queen have scary content?
No content deemed scary or disturbing beyond the context of the murder mystery.
Does The Black Queen have religious themes?
No religious content or themes detected in the narrative of the book.
Does The Black Queen have racial/cultural content?
The book addresses themes of modern-day segregation and structural racism, particularly through the experiences of its Black characters. It critiques systemic issues related to race and privilege.
Does The Black Queen have profanity?
No profanity detected in the narrative of the book.
Does The Black Queen have climate change?
No climate-related themes or content detected in the narrative of the book.
Does The Black Queen have sexual identity?
No explicit sexual content detected in the narrative of the book.
Does The Black Queen have gender roles?
No specific gender roles or themes related to traditional or modern gender expectations detected in the narrative of the book.
Does The Black Queen have lgbtq+ themes?
The narrative features a queer Black girl named Duchess Simmons, who navigates issues of prejudice and privilege in the context of a murder mystery. This central character's identity is integral to the exploration of social themes within the story.
