Reviews with content warning for Terminal illness - All Boys Aren't Blue

"We are not as different as you think, and all our stories matter and deserve to be celebrated and told."

"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.

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monalyisha's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.75

All Boys Aren’t Blue is both a memoir and a manifesto, intended for a young adult audience. Its tone is both academic and intensely personal. It’s a lot of things all at once — which makes total sense, given the subject matter (and the nature of humanity)! Specifically, it’s about growing up queer and black in America — as an upper-middle-class person with a loving and supportive family (not a narrative we hear often enough).

Though it feels crummy to say, I didn’t think I was going to like the book at first. The writing, when it’s not erudite in tone, is conversational and it needs sharper editing (the word “though” is vastly overused, for instance). Johnson’s vocal performance is also a bit stumbling. I settled in, however, and I think their goal is accomplished: providing a (sometimes embarrassing) warm, honest, and candid account of life for people who are often ignored. Johnson’s goal is to be a mirror and they shine.

The chapter “Losing My Virginity Twice,” which includes an impassioned call for better — and inclusive!!!— sexual education in America, is vital. Johnson carefully highlights the very real damage that can be (and IS) done by leaving kids ignorant and concurrently teaching them shame. They provide concrete examples from their own life. It’s sometimes difficult to hear but it’s also nigh-impossible to ignore. There’s so much hurt (physical and mental) that doesn’t need to happen, and Johnson leaves us feeling that we can all do better - and that it’s reasonable to work for change, and to hope.

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f18's review

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

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sagarific's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

This book is absolutely necessary reading for everyone. It is, more specifically, a love letter to Black queer kids. George M Johnson recounts their life through personal stories of growing up with multiply marginalized identities, navigating trauma, and critically their relationship to their family and how their love has shaped their journey to living authentically.

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arlangrey17's review

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

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aquakerwitch's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

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leahlovesloslibros's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

This is the story of George M. Johnson, a queer black man. He details his life from childhood, to adolescence, to early adulthood. In this YA memoir, Johnson largely focuses on sharing his stories for teens like himself who do not normally get to hear a firsthand experience. His discussions of the intersection between being black and queer, and what that has meant for George throughout his life, are so open and honest.

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.

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