Prejudice

In King and the Dragonflies, author Kacen Callender demonstrates to their young readers that prejudice against a person or a group of peoples on the basis of set characteristics is a flawed way to interact with others or form relationships because it hinders one’s ability to connect to another authentically. Instead, the grouping of people and the dismissal of their interests owing to some preconceived notions results in hostility, division, and miscommunication. The most prominent forms of prejudice explored in this novel are racism and homophobia, and King takes a strong stance against both while also demonstrating to readers that the cause of the prejudice is irrelevant, since both types equally harm a person’s relationship to others and result in hatred.

King and his father share a tumultuous relationship which Callender uses as a teaching opportunity for their young readers. His father despises racists...