Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - All Boys Aren't Blue

It's really fascinating how the black queer experience seems to be no matter what the circumstances. This isn't the first Black Queer Memoir I've read and probably won't be the last. But something that is fascinating is how captivating these stories are despite the similarities. Crazy to think this has been banned in schools? As Black Queer people get little to no guidance in life. Anyways I enjoyed this a lot..kind of moved

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finnthehuman217's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

This book is so important to read. I am kind of shocked that it’s the most banned book in the US. It’s the author’s experience with Childhood sexual assault, relationships with their grandmother and other family members, and experience bottoming for their first time. It was not a good experience and they warn that they wrote about their first encounter with gay sex because they wanted young queer folks to hear about the experience from someone who didn’t like it at first. It is a beautiful reference to the incredible story of Moonlight. Where Juan teaches Chiron how to swim and how they based the title on that quote. It’s such a good read!

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abbeyreads13's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Loved this so much. Really awesome memoir

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alanisb's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense slow-paced

4.0

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dianacarmel's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

I chose this book for the 2023 Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt “a book that’s been book that's been banned or challenged in any state in 2022”. According to the American Library Association, this is the #2 most challenged book. That alone makes it a worthy read.

I’m giving my rating based on my appreciation for Johnson’s openness and on what I learned through his story, but I acknowledge the lower ratings from folks in the Black and queer communities who take issue with aspects of how Johnson frames his experiences.

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