Name: All Boys Aren't Blue
ISBN: 9780374312718

George M. Johnson

In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys. Both a primer for teens eager to be allies as well as a reassuring testimony for young queer men of color, All Boys Aren't Blue covers topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy. Johnson's emotionally frank style of writing will appeal directly to young adults.

A Memoir-Manifesto

All Boys Aren't Blue

Lindsay

Joan

I've come to learn that symbolism is a threat to actual change - it's a chance for those in power to say, "Look how far you have come" rather than admitting, "Look how long we've stopped you from getting here."

While I don’t align with the author on every single identity and space I occupy, our experiences are very similar in a way that has truly resonated for me while reading this. I think it’s very important to explore race, gender, and sexuality and the way they interact with one another. He doesn’t shy away from some of the more heartbreaking aspects of that journey but also highlights a lot of the joyous moments as well, often noting how they’re not necessarily mutually exclusive. He makes it known that these are his experiences and his alone. So, his journey and search for self will not directly match anyone else, but he wants this to be as helpful as it can be to someone who might need it. Finally, I like how open ended it is. He’s very accepting of the fact that he is not the most he will ever be and his life, ideas, and feelings are still evolving constantly — and that’s okay. Honestly I thought the whole thing was just gorgeously written and was something I could relate to. 

Nik ✨

Bria

-1 for all the early childhood stories because eventually they stop adding to the overall book

*An Amazon Best Book of the Year optioned for television by Gabrielle Union!* In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys. Both a primer for teens eager to be allies as well as a reassuring testimony for young queer men of color, All Boys Aren't Blue covers topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy. Johnson's emotionally frank style of writing will appeal directly to young adults.

kayla 

I think the majority fear becoming the minority, and so they will do anything and everything to protect their power.
This memoir was fantastic. The experiences shared were insightful, educational, and full of emotion. The author was extremely vulnerable, which added a heartwrenching layer to this book. When I discovered that this book has been banned in 29 school districts (USA), I was honestly baffled, but it did make me read this book, and I'm so glad I did (even if I cried a handful of times). I will forever recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I've shared a couple of quotes throughout that stuck with me.

As a Black queer person, I've died hundreds of times. Will likely die hundreds more times before my physical death. That is the lesson of death, though - from death comes rebirth. A rebirth in thinking, in processing, in living.

Jasper

This powerful YA memoir-manifesto follows journalist and LGBTQ+ activist George M. Johnson as they explore their childhood, adolescence, and college years, growing up under the duality of being black and queer. From memories of getting their teeth kicked out by bullies at age five to their loving relationship with their grandmother, to their first sexual experience, the stories wrestle with triumph and tragedy and cover topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, inequality, consent, and Black joy. PRAISE FOR ALL BOYS AREN'T BLUE An exuberant, unapologetic memoir infused with a deep but cleareyed love for its subjects. The New York Times An empowering read . . . All Boys Aren't Blue is an unflinching testimony that carves out space for Black queer kids to be seen. Huffington Post Powerful . . . All Boys Aren't Blue is a game changer. Bitch Magazine All Boys Aren't Blue is a balm and testimony to young readers as allies in the fight for equality. Publishers Weekly

Michaella 

4.5 
A powerful personal account on the intersection of Blackness and queerness.

Krystyna 

A raw, honest, and beautiful memoir that really packs a punch. While this book was hard to read at times, it is a powerful and important story. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook for this one because the author narrates it.

Kelsey 

Profound. Unapologetic. Queer. 

George’s story will stay with me. 

anna near

An incredibly important book. There is nothing in All Boys Aren't Blue that warrants the controversy that surrounds its, and I would recommend it to any teenager regardless of racial or sexual identity. George M. Johnson's exploration of growing up as queer and black in America is a fantastic introduction to diverse literature for any middle schooler or high schooler. 

However, the writing was definitely not for me. The author's literary voice was weak and a bit awkward at times. They addressed the reader so much- to the point where I had to put the book down every time they said "I told you so..." or "We will get to that in a minute." They also had the strange habit of using a literary device- and then picking it apart? Metaphors, for example. George M. Johnson would write a metaphor and then proceeded to over-analyze and explain what it meant. Considering these metaphors were often shallow and very obvious, the spoon-feeding readers the conclusion was obnoxious.

While I personally didn't love this book, I believe it was just a matter of me not being the intended audience. I really hope this books opens the gate for more queer and black stories being put in the hands of teenagers. For adults, this a great introduction to non-fiction and memoirs. Overall, it's an important story and I honestly think everyone should read it.

Claudia Ganea

** spoiler alert **
           “Be bold and brave and queer. I know that’s easy to say and much harder to do. I know that some people will never be able to actually exhibit their queer identity in that way for reasons of safety.
But despite the obstacles, we have the opportunity to be a blueprint. We get to make the rules and set the terms for what our love will look like for generations to come.
Love who you want to love and do it unapologetically, including that face you see every day in the mirror.”

This book has been on my radar for very, very long now, and for good reasons. I loved it way more than I was anticipating to, and I am so thankful to George M. Johnson for stepping into their vulnerability like this and for writing from their soul.

Their memoir was decidedly not written for me - but I feel like everyone can benefit from reading it. And I do mean everyone. In reading about George's experiences, watching them mature and step into the person that they are today, I recognized some of those fears and growing pains in myself too, and I also learned how important and life-changing it is to have an environment of love and acceptance supporting you and helping you grow.

I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the writing as well, because I'm of the firm belief that if you can't say something in a way that everyone is able to understand, then you don't know your topic very well and you shouldn't say it at all. George's writing flows extremely well, while being very impactful at the same time - as you can tell, since I flew through this book in two days!

To quote B99, every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place. It's extremely hard, and completely terrifying, but (to now quote the brilliant author), we are the blueprint for what's to come. And this book will contribute in making sure that we make a positive impact.

eve 

nikdy jsem zatím moc nečetla memoáry nebo autobiografie, ale už od první stránky jsem věděla, ze tohle bude něco kompletně jiného než jakýkoliv životopisy. jednak stylem psaní, uvěřitelnou upřímností a hlavně tím, že mi to téma bylo strašně blízký. queer black boys. queer black girls. queer black people. mají všichni special místo v mem srdci. jsem jedna z nich. a taky jim budu pomáhat. svým lidem. doslova. knihu dam precist své mamce, své přítelkyni, svym kamosum, mým budoucím dětem. a lidem, kterým nejde pochopit ta bolest, kterou si jejich nejbližší mohou procházet. při čtení mi kaplo i par slz, protože byly momenty, kdy jsem tu knihu odložila a musela si uvědomit, ze to je memoár, ze se tohle fakt stalo. a bylo mi to tak lito. celkove jsem se stylem autora a autorem v několika věcech ztotožnila. umět si uvedomit, ze nám někdo ublizil a vědět, ze to co udelali bylo spatne, je krok hlavní, potřebný pro ukončení kapitoly. ale jak autor, tak občas i já, se tak oddelime od svých vlastních pocitu, do empatie, a umíme to vidět z jiného pohledu. ze si vsimneme mysich dir. ze i tomu kdo nám ublizoval, mohlo být také ublizovano. umíme najít zdroj akce, pochopit ho, poplakat nad nim, ale stále musíme najít balanci. chapat původ, najít mír, ale neodpoustet za čin. jak má oblibena fantasy série říká: “the water hears and understands, the ice does not forgive”
knihu doporučuji a vždy budu. dala mi toho hodně. rozhodne bude v knihovničce v me budoucí klinice, kde budou deti, jak george, jak thomas, jak já, a budou mi říkat vse to, co mnoho před nimi drželo v sobě. a ja je budu poslouchat. věřit jim. ukazu jim svět plný barev, ze kterych si mohou vybrat, ale taky nemusi. budou moct proste být

Kailey Rios

this was a very important and powerful read. would highly recommend.

Delaney Woods 

this was really good and a very quick read. it’s not my typical genre but i still enjoyed this. i almost felt too old for some of the lessons tho so i think it’s better for younger queer people

Fraser Simons

A memoir from an early thirties black, queer man that highlights explicitly the many ways socialization and education in schools fails queer people. An explicitly for queer people, as the author chronicles how representation has affected them directly, as well as how the inability to find a book exactly like this one would have helped his development a great deal.

Tameka Young

So far my favorite book I've read in 2020. Packs a hell of a punch and is a truly beautiful YA queer memoir. George M. Johnson is a gifted storyteller, and I feel honored to have been invited into their experience. I was sold on the cover alone and the title and completely validated by all of the captivating words.

Sabetha Danes

I picked up this book because the Gov. of Iowa is trying to ban it. I just want to say that I LOVE that so many people are fighting this book. Each person that comes out against it, makes dozens more pick it up. So fight your fight Gov. Kim Reynolds, make this book a best seller for YEARS to come. 

Because it deserves it. It deserves to be placed in the hands of ever lost teenager, every student that feels like they are alone and scared and has no idea what to do with all the feels they are experiencing. Had I had this book decades ago, it would have been life changing. 

But you don't need to be that person to appreciate this book. It doesn't need to be written for you, to be able to sit back and listen to how someone experiences life. 

Maybe if as a society, we stop one starring books because they don't represent us, and instead five star them because we learned something about life that we didn't know, we wouldn't still be fighting this same tired fight. 

I cried so many times throughout this story, and am so thankful that George took the chance on writing this book. It spoke to me in ways I didn't expect, about being true to myself, and living the life that is authentically me. He laid out his trauma, fears and hopes in such raw honesty. I can't even fathom the courage it took to push the publish button on this one. 

Read it. Even if you aren't apart of the LGBTQIA+ community, read it even if you don't think you could relate to it at all. Everyone's life story is worth telling. Slip into someone else's shoes and experience life from their point of view. It's worth the ride.

Flavia Louise

This is a great book that will help many people.

Alexa Jade

I’m am a bawling mess right now. I want to say so much but I can’t even articulate my thoughts right now. 5 stars. Absolutely 5 stars.

priya

2.5 stars

This book wasn’t really meant for me, I can see how gay and Black people would relate to it. 

TW: sexual abuse of a minor, racism -micro aggressions, verbal homophobia, death of family members and friends 

“Navigating in a space that questions your humanity isn’t really living at all. It’s existing. We all deserve more than just the ability to exist.”

“Symbolism gives folks hope. But I’ve come to learn that symbolism is a threat to actual change—it’s a chance for those in power to say, “Look how far you have come” rather than admitting, “Look how long we’ve stopped you from getting here.”

“My father taught me that as much as I feel that straight Black men are often my oppressors, there are moments that I also know they can be my protectors.”

“I went into it all chasing masculinity. I came out realizing that there was nothing for me to chase. That the only thing left for me to do was be this person, but in my full truth. It was time for me to begin letting folk into my sexuality and my sexual space while being a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, too.
It was time for me to define me.”

Rosie

Truthfully I don’t want to give this book a star rating. I don’t think memoirs should be rated, as it is the story of the author the way the author wants to tell it. 

This memoir was an easy read, yet it left me with so many questions about the black community and the queer community. George has a special talent on telling stories without them being boring or being too much to handle. It’s well written and paints you the picture of his life. 

It’s filled with quotes that stuck out to me, and I’m excited to read another of his memoirs!

KADY BURNS

A powerful look into one person's journey while being black and queer. Should be required reading in schools to help people get alternative perspectives on life.

ash (smokedshelves)

i’m truly glad that i’ve finally read this memoir, it held a collections of stories that are so important to read about and often shoved under the rug. this contained a collections surrounding the authors intersections between being a young black person who’s also queer, and what that meant growing up to them. it explores the many ways they experience tragedy and hardships but also love, acceptance, and joy. i really appreciate what this story holds and how it can impact young readers, especially bipoc teens who might be struggling with their own identities.

i want to note one thing. there was a chapter the author wrote about surrounding their family member who is trans (as well as her friend who is also trans). the author deadnames and misgenders those two individuals throughout the chapter, although saying that’s not something you should do. i want to reiterate the importance to not deadname or misgender someone, even for the sake of a story. i understand that we will mess up from time to time, but to actively do that even for the sake of a narrative can be very harmful. 

Caroline Lewicki

A beautiful, wonderful memoir. If you wonder what intersectionality looks like, look no further. Johnson details the experience of a black, queer man in a way that makes the reader face the many realities of what it means to be those three things. I loved "All Boys Aren't Blue" and would recommend it to anyone, but especially those who can check one or all of the boxes that Johnson describes.

Sahi K

This was such a beautiful and brilliant read. A story of the author’s growing up, and ultimately his story of finding himself, this book might deal with many difficult themes but ultimately it’s about a loving family, a brotherhood of amazing friends and full of hope for the next generation of queer Black teens. A must read.

Jessica Williamson

5 Stars.

I don't like the idea of rating someone's life or their experiences so I will be treating this (and other memoirs) like I do poetry. My basis for if I liked it or not is the answer to "did it make me feel something." 

Honestly, this book made me feel a lot of things. I laughed a lot. I cried even more. This was beautifully done. Not just the story, but the telling of said story, the way it was put together was just brilliant. 

I typically refer to myself as a straight, white, cis-gendered woman (you know, your basic white bitch), but this book just hit me in a way. A) I love these stories. I love anything that shows people just being their true selves and the more these stories are told, the better the world will be for my nieces and nephews to grow up in. B) I think I might have realized I'm not quite so basic?

Basically, this book is amazing and I highly recommend it. Especially for teens who fall anywhere on the spectrum of being a racial minority or queer.

All Boys Aren't Blue A Memoir-Manifesto

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