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A review by yourbookishbff
All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Written for a YA audience, Johnson's reflections are striking in their vulnerability and transparency - they insist on honesty with themselves and with you, the reader, in an effort to create space for a generation of young LGBTQIAP+ people learning to own and protect their identities in an oppressive and often violent world. Broken into short essays, interspersed with letters and reflections written to, for and from family members, Johnson's stories are as much for themselves as they are for others, a chance to reconcile their Black and queer identities and communities. By the conclusion, it is clear that they see these identities as inextricably linked, essential parts of their whole, existing without conflict when they can exist authentically (outside the oppressive structures of a white cultural and political monolith).
I came away from this read in awe of the gift Johnson is giving young readers, the trust and respect afforded them. That this is one of the most banned books in the United States underscores exactly how rare this level of trust and respect is given young people, particularly young people who identify as LGBTQIAP+. Johnson so clearly navigated their own life without a roadmap and is committed to ensuring others like them don't feel similarly confused and alone.
It's important to note that this DOES entail on-page trauma. I do NOT think this limits its accessibility or appropriateness for young adult readers. I caution ANY reader to be sensitive to content warnings and give themselves grace in what they choose to read. It's appalling, though, that this book has been so frequently banned on these grounds, as though teens are incapable of reading about things they are *already experiencing.*
I would recommend this to any reader, but feel it's particularly powerful for those who work with young people (or are parents to teens).
I came away from this read in awe of the gift Johnson is giving young readers, the trust and respect afforded them. That this is one of the most banned books in the United States underscores exactly how rare this level of trust and respect is given young people, particularly young people who identify as LGBTQIAP+. Johnson so clearly navigated their own life without a roadmap and is committed to ensuring others like them don't feel similarly confused and alone.
It's important to note that this DOES entail on-page trauma. I do NOT think this limits its accessibility or appropriateness for young adult readers. I caution ANY reader to be sensitive to content warnings and give themselves grace in what they choose to read. It's appalling, though, that this book has been so frequently banned on these grounds, as though teens are incapable of reading about things they are *already experiencing.*
I would recommend this to any reader, but feel it's particularly powerful for those who work with young people (or are parents to teens).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Deadnaming, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Incest, and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Medical trauma, Death, Outing, and Medical content