Reviews tagging 'Violence'

All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson

98 reviews

maggieperrien's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

While this book is a YA memoir of a black queer man, so I realize I am not the target audience, I appreciated hearing his experience and reflecting on what I can do to be a better friend and stand up for people whose voices are so often ignored. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Violence, Homophobia, and Sexual content

brittknee52's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Sexual assault, Racism, and Homophobia

Moderate: Transphobia and Deadnaming

ios_reads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

My oh my I loved this book so much. I have been non stop recommending it to folks especially queer folks. Every single one of us has a story that is so important and can invite conversations around so many different aspects in life, and this book is no exception. If George does ever read this review, I hope he knows that I was inspired and moved (just as it is wished in the afterword) thank you for sharing your story and helping others like me come to terms with their story!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Incest and Sexual content

Minor: Violence

dianacarmel's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Homophobia, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Racism, and Racial slurs

thewordsdevourer's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

3.0

all boys aren't blue is def an important read, esp for bringing more awareness and visibility to queer ppl own their own terms, in their own voice, here thru the words of george m. johnson.

despite being for younger readers, the memoir deals w/ some heavy themes and subject matter - albeit realistic and necessary ones - and it's unsurprising why many scared and prejudiced adults are averse to the book and have been trying to ban it.

while there are certain impactful and memorable lines thruout, i find the writing juvenile at times, perhaps bc of its younger target audience. the overall book also seems a lil scattered, not as cohesive as it could be, and the ending too abrupt imo. nevertheless johnson's memoir is an important one that sheds light on the plight of a group of marginalized voices.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, and Homophobia

Moderate: Violence, Medical content, and Child abuse

Minor: Death and Transphobia

jessspeake's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Homophobia, Racism, Bullying, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

Moderate: Death, Grief, Alcohol, Deadnaming, Medical content, Outing, Transphobia, and Violence

Minor: Blood

dannothedino's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Homophobia, Incest, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cursing, Racial slurs, Sexual content, and Violence

Moderate: Death, Drug use, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Cancer, Medical content, Outing, and Transphobia

Minor: Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, Slavery, and Police brutality

zefancifulreader's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

The fact that this is the #2 Most Banned Book in America this year makes me ill. 
I spent most of the book thinking… “why is this banned??” 
But I realize that, similarly to “Gender Queer” by: Maia Kobabe, the reason this book is banned is because it speaks of something real. 
I wish I had had this book when I was in High School and I am so glad that it remains in libraries, despite the pushback. 

“Will this part of my story be met with pushback?
Absolutely. But I'll be damned if I don't tell it because of fear. My greatest fear is that queer teens will be left to trial and error in their sexual experience. It's worth me feeling a little embarrassed so that you all are a bit more prepared.”

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content

Moderate: Racism, Violence, Homophobia, and Xenophobia

Minor: Domestic abuse

madisone's review against another edition

emotional funny informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Deadnaming, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol, Drug use, Incest, and Sexual assault

traa's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Homophobia, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Death, Death of parent, Cursing, Outing, Drug use, and Racism

Minor: Transphobia, Deadnaming, and Police brutality