In the gay community, a young, husky man is known as a "cub," seventeen-year-old Theo fits the definition perfectly, but he is very self-conscious about his body.

So when his best friend signs him up for a cooking competition at Heat, the city's newest trendy restaurant, Theo is nervous. He's confident in his baking ability and dreams of opening his own bakery one day, but he's not a chef, and he hates being in the spotlight.

As Theo survives round after round, he gains the admiration of both the audience and the restaurant owner, a sexy celebrity chef known as KCC. When the owner makes it clear he is more interested in what Theo might do outside the kitchen, Theo has to decide how far he is willing to go to launch his career.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Glitterature writer Paul Coccia is the author of Cub, The Player, I Got You Babe, Leon Levels Up, and On the Line (co-authored with Eric Walters). Paul has a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. You can often find him baking in his Toronto kitchen with his three dogs, nephew, and a parrot who loves spaghetti and French fries. Follow him @pauljcoccia on Instagram and Twitter.

Paul Coccia's profile page

• Commended, Junior Library Guild (JLG) Gold Standard Selection
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens

“Sure to delight young and reluctant readers…especially LGBTQ audiences.”

Must Read Literature: K thru 12

"Fiction for teens that deals with the LGBT experience is in short supply, and this one tackles the important concepts of consent and age appropriateness."

Resource Links

"Short paragraphs and straightforward dialogue make this ideal for reluctant readers. A gay protagonist and a drag queen will resonate with an LGBTQ+ audience…The tough truth of marginalized communities attacking their own is difficult to face but accurate in its exposure of toxic behavior; Theo's shaky navigation is inspiring."

Kirkus Reviews

"Cub allows Theo to fully develop as a young gay man…An encouraging and necessary story, Cub is a book that will start important conversations among younger readers, librarians, and educators."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials