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mhfarmer's review
5.0
Genuinely joyful, page by page. I knew I would enjoy the book because of the writers I’ve read before (Kwame Mbalia, Jason Reynolds, Varian Johnson, B.B. Alston, Jerry Craft) but was especially thrilled to discover science fiction writers that I’m going to go check out (Tochi Onyebuchi, Davaun Sanders, Suyi Davies Okungbowa) and also all of the other writers in this collection.
I also think this would make an amazing film.
I also think this would make an amazing film.
sasha_in_a_box's review
4.0
Read on my phone a little at a time. Perfect for short bursts of reading - and subsequent injections of joy!
It's like any short story collection, some are excellent, some need work. But I can only think of 2 stories I didn't like that much. Everything else fills my heart with happiness and warmth and joy, of course. What an important book! I hope everybody reads it and enjoys the complexities and uniquenesses and freedom of Black Boy Joy.
It's like any short story collection, some are excellent, some need work. But I can only think of 2 stories I didn't like that much. Everything else fills my heart with happiness and warmth and joy, of course. What an important book! I hope everybody reads it and enjoys the complexities and uniquenesses and freedom of Black Boy Joy.
erincreads's review
4.0
I loved this collection of short stories. And the cover is absolute perfection. My favorite was Jason Reynolds, Varian Johnson, and Kwame Mbalia’s contributions. The stories were varied enough to keep me interested and short enough to keep me wanting even more!
gwenby's review
5.0
This started out as a fun, quirky read that my middle school students might enjoy. By the end, though, it became more. Creative, inspiring, hopeful. Props to all the contributing authors.
glendareads39's review
5.0
Amazing short story collection celebrating Black Boyhood by a great group of Black male and non-binary authors. These are stories celebrate Black Joy. Here’s are my favorite quotes:
“The world is harsh. Find your joy, Fortitude, and it’ll be your night-light when everything is dark.”
“These same eyes that get all teary when I’m sad…Also see all the beautiful things around me.”
“The life I want for me is the life I want for all kids like me.”
“When there’s death, there will be life, where there used to emptiness, there will be purpose. And where there is sadness there will be joy.”
“Legs that will stand together to make sure others have joy in their lives, too”
Thanks to Kwame Mbalia and the authors who collaborated to write this beautiful book! Thanks to Colored Page tours and Delacote Press for letting me join this book tour and celebrate this amazingly inspiring book.
“The world is harsh. Find your joy, Fortitude, and it’ll be your night-light when everything is dark.”
“These same eyes that get all teary when I’m sad…Also see all the beautiful things around me.”
“The life I want for me is the life I want for all kids like me.”
“When there’s death, there will be life, where there used to emptiness, there will be purpose. And where there is sadness there will be joy.”
“Legs that will stand together to make sure others have joy in their lives, too”
Thanks to Kwame Mbalia and the authors who collaborated to write this beautiful book! Thanks to Colored Page tours and Delacote Press for letting me join this book tour and celebrate this amazingly inspiring book.
library_ann's review
3.0
The problem with stories of joy is that there isn't always enough conflict to make it spicy.
Some of these stories worked better for me than others.
The powered football game was not for me ; neither was the story about the Jab.
But I really liked the story about the kid who was doing the super-hero team debate.
Some of these stories worked better for me than others.
The powered football game was not for me ; neither was the story about the Jab.
But I really liked the story about the kid who was doing the super-hero team debate.
literary_ya's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
notesonbookmarks's review
5.0
This collection is a layered connection, where each essay builds upon the last and adds dimension and flavor, all while expanding the definition of joy. I loved it.