This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
Vincent X. Kirsch
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
Abrams Books for Young Readers • New York
To Carla, whom I love, and who loves me as I am.
The art for this book was created with Pochoir and Acrylic Inks on hot press illustration board.
Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for and may be obtained from the Library of Congress.
ISBN 978-1-4197-7079-1 eISBN 979-8-88707-143-5
Text and illustrations © 2025 Vincent X. Kirsch Book design by Heather Kelly
Published in 2025 by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
Printed and bound in China 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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This is O.K.
That’s short for Olivio Kipling.
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O.K. is glad he met George.
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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
O.K. can’t wait to tell everybody that they belong together.
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I am gay and . . .
And you built a treetop fort with an elevator.
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It’s not what O.K. wanted to say.
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O.K. tries again.
I am gay and . . .
And badminton is your favorite sport.
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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
O.K. tries again and again.
I am gay . . .
And you like to sit in the front seat on roller coasters.
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I am gay . . .
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And you are excellent at drawing dragons.
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And you’re going to be a pirate prince this Halloween.
I am gay . . .
And you never forget to bring binoculars to the ballet.
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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
I am gay . . .
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And you collect dinosaur bones and keep them in your pocket.
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And you recently got a pet tarantula and named it Hairy.
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I am gay . . .
And you know the spookiest story about a two-headed ghost.
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People know a lot about him.
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But no one knows the best part.
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I AM GAY AND . . .
You are glad you met George.
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O.K.!
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I told everyone all about you but waited for us to tell the best part together.
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WE BELONG TOGETHER.
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And that is the best thing of all!
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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.