In anticipation of Pride Month, author Kamryn Kingsberry has announced the June 2025 release of her new young adult novel, Star Fruit. Set in Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles — often referred to as the “Black Beverly Hills” — Star Fruit offers a thoughtful and refreshing exploration of queer identity, resilience, and allyship in the African Diaspora. Already available for pre-sale, the novel is beginning to attract attention among readers for its depiction of complex characters navigating nuanced experiences of identity, friendship, and self-advocacy.
In Star Fruit, high school seniors Ari Scott, Atlas Diaz, and Ya Bayard are brought together by their shared passion for theater and activism. However, the trio faces unexpected resistance from their school’s student theater committee when Ari, a budding playwright, receives yet another rejection of her script for being “too niche” due to its focus on queer people of the global majority. Determined to make Ari’s vision a reality, Ari’s cishet ally Ya negotiates with the school to secure an alternative venue for their production. This effort, however, comes with its own challenges, as the responsibility of funding and coordinating the play falls entirely on the trio, adding additional stress to their personal lives and relationships.
The novel’s plot takes a dramatic turn as their creative endeavor draws the ire of a local parent organization, which launches protests and hate campaigns against the production. Online attacks and protests surrounding Ari’s script escalate, creating a tense and potentially risky environment for the students and their production. Against this backdrop, Star Fruit explores the challenges of navigating homophobia and transphobia while highlighting the power of friendship and allyship in standing up to bigotry.
Told from the alternating perspectives of Ari, Atlas, and Ya, Star Fruit immerses readers in each character’s distinct voice and unique perspective. Ari, a determined playwright, delves into the complexities of self-advocacy as a young gay woman with autism in a world that doesn’t always welcome differences. Atlas, a young trans man, is on a journey to self-acceptance, grappling with both internal and societal expectations about masculinity and his trans identity. Meanwhile, Ya reflects on her role as an ally, striving to support her friends meaningfully while navigating the implications of advocating for queer rights in a less-than-accepting environment. Through Kingsberry’s portrayal of her characters’ inner struggles and triumphs, the story remains deeply affirming of Black LGBTQIA+ joy and determination.
Kamryn Kingsberry, a current student in Columbia University’s creative writing program and the creator of the podcast series Inquizitive Kat Books, brings a deeply personal perspective to the experiences of her characters. Kingsberry’s voice as an author is informed by a commitment to representing overlapping identities with care and authenticity. “I think that we’re living in a time when many marginalized communities may feel uncertain about their right to authentically express themselves and live in alignment with who they are,” Kingsberry said. “Books that remind us to keep advocating for ourselves while finding joy in our individual experiences can be incredibly impactful—especially for LGBTQIA+ youth.”
Kingsberry’s work seeks to provide representation across intersecting identities and aims to address a gap in young adult fiction, which, she notes, often falls short in capturing the depth and diversity of experience presented in Star Fruit. Kingsberry hopes her readers will “feel seen, heard, and acknowledged,” a guiding principle she incorporates in both her writing, podcast work, and forthcoming boutique publishing company for underrepresented narratives, Inquizitive Kat Books. Set against the real-life challenges and complex dynamics faced by young people today, Star Fruit not only addresses universal themes of friendship, loyalty, and courage but also aims to resonate deeply with those experiencing marginalization due to race, gender, and sexuality.
Eagerly anticipated by readers, Star Fruit is already available for pre-order through Kingsberry’s platform, Inquizitive Kat Books, as well as through major booksellers, including Amazon. Through Star Fruit, Kingsberry hopes to contribute to a literary landscape that encourages inclusivity and validates the diverse experiences of readers worldwide.
Pre-order Star Fruit on Amazon or follow Kamryn Kingsberry on TikTok and Instagram @InquizitiveKatBooks for updates.
Published by Drake M.
