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mari1532's review against another edition
4.5
Brief Summary: A memoir that explores the experience of a Black, Queer person growing up. Johnson provides essays about their life that include experiences navigating racism, homophobia, sex, love, and joy.
Thoughts: This is a beautifully written book. Johnson has such a clear understanding of how growing up can be such a difficult process and how learning to love yourself is truly the first step to an enlightened understanding of the world.
I really loved every essay that included stories of Johnson's grandmother. The love and admiration that they have for each other was so touching to read. I also think that it is so important that Johnson highlighted how their grandmother and others in their family may not have had a perfect response to the queer members of the family, but that their love for each other always came first and that love allowed for growth and acceptance on all sides.
I also appreciate the way that Johson discusses their sexual experiences. I think that even in a young adult book it is important to discuss topics like these because making them taboo makes it difficult for people to feel comfortable discussing the topic and asking questions.
Even if you are not a young adult this is a great book to read. It is beautifully and thoughtfully written. I would highly recommend this book
Graphic: Sexual assault, Transphobia, Racial slurs, Medical trauma, Incest, Homophobia, Bullying, Racism, Violence, Rape, and Deadnaming
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
kjofalltrades's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Homophobia, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Incest, Deadnaming, and Death
Moderate: Cancer, Outing, and Transphobia
Minor: Alcohol
behindherpages's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Bullying and Death
thirdtimesacharm's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Rape, and Cancer
Moderate: Bullying and Death
mraddd's review
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Homophobia, Bullying, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Terminal illness, Racism, Transphobia, and Incest
Minor: Outing and Racial slurs
jouljet's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Racism, Sexual assault, Deadnaming, Death, Racial slurs, Homophobia, and Bullying
callidoralblack's review against another edition
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Racial slurs, Medical content, and Racism
havennnofjoyy's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Incest, Death, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Racial slurs, and Bullying
Moderate: Medical trauma, Drug use, and Medical content
bookwormcat's review
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual content, Homophobia, and Bullying
Moderate: Blood, Outing, Cultural appropriation, Deadnaming, Cursing, Drug use, Racial slurs, and Injury/Injury detail
blue_is_at_sea's review
4.0
It deals with so much: race, gender sexuality, death, trauma, family and friendship.
I like that the prose is very accessible and the chapters are short. The subject matter can be fun and lighthearted but can also be heavy at times.
It’s a great read and I do recommend it.
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, Sexual assault, and Homophobia
Minor: Incest, Dysphoria, Outing, Deadnaming, and Grief