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njlbo1's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
lacey_wi's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Hate crime, Incest, Police brutality, Racism, Alcohol, Cancer, Cursing, Death, Dysphoria, Grief, Homophobia, Outing, Sexual content, Slavery, Racial slurs, and Rape
Minor: Deadnaming, Colonisation, and Transphobia
jennifyr's review
4.0
Moderate: Cursing, Rape, Violence, Sexual content, and Bullying
deadeye's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Cursing, Deadnaming, Grief, Racial slurs, Transphobia, Hate crime, Incest, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Death, and Homophobia
Moderate: Dysphoria
Minor: Police brutality, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Outing, Alcohol, Drug use, and Medical content
katsbooks's review against another edition
4.5
"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."
"American history is truly the greatest fable ever written."
"Knowledge is your sharpest weapon in a world that is hell-bent on telling you stories that are simply not true."
I always feel weird rating memoirs so take my star rating with a grain of salt. The strangeness lies in giving a star rating to someone's life. Like, how can I do that? So my rating is mostly based on social content and writing style.
I loved a lot of things about this book. I really like that it is written in a way that is accessible to teenagers. It is clear and concise in it's messaging while also being personal and impactful. It also doesn't shy away from tough topics. The author often addresses the sentiment that he wants this book to serve as an example of queer, Black human existing and thriving as a full human with a lifetime of positive and negative experiences. I especially appreciated the chapters on his school experiences. As an educator, it's always good to hear students have experienced the school system.
My only major critique is that tone of the writing felt... immature? I'm not sure if that's the verbiage I want to use but I got the feeling sometimes that I was reading an essay from one of my high school students. That being said, though, it's meant for high school students so I can definitely understand if that was done on purpose.
Graphic: Dysphoria, Misogyny, Police brutality, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Deadnaming, Racial slurs, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Cursing, Drug use, Outing, Terminal illness, Alcohol, Death, and Transphobia
f18's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Death
Moderate: Racial slurs, Transphobia, Violence, Suicide, Incest, and Drug use
Minor: Murder, Slavery, Terminal illness, Cursing, and Outing
I would recommend reading the author's note on content warnings at the beginning of the book rather than or in addition to relying on storygraph. (It is the first page after the copyright so you can read it for free in the ebook preview).kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Incest, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
leahlovesloslibros's review against another edition
4.0
The author uses real-life experience to show others that they are not alone, and that it's OK to feel everything that you feel. I found myself surprised to hear him discuss exactly how deeply rooted racism can be, even within the black community. It will definitely make me think more critically about how American history is whitewashed, and how blacks are often underrepresented and/or tokenized without us even realizing it.
Additionally, the challenges Johnson faced - and continues to face - as a member of the queer community, are sadly relatable to many. He tells of them in such a way that the reader can sympathize or empathize, depending on their own personal experiences. Either way, it made me just want to give the author a hug.
Final thought: I really loved reading about Johnson's grandmother. The way she provided unconditional love for all in her care, and them all feel special in their own way, was just so beautiful. Anyone who has a woman like this in real life, I hope you are grateful and know how absolutely lucky you are.
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Violence, Sexual assault, Death, Transphobia, Racial slurs, Cursing, and Drug use
Minor: Terminal illness, Murder, Deadnaming, and Cancer
Additional TW/CW: HIV/AIDSskudiklier's review
3.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Murder, Outing, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Police brutality, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Fatphobia
letmetakea_shelfie_'s review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Homophobia, and Cursing