E-Audio, 05:12:03
Narrated by: George M. Johnson
Release Date: April 28, 2020
Published by: Macmillan Audio
Read from: June 1, 2020
Stand-alone
Source: Library (Overdrive)
TW: Cancer, Death of loved one, Sexual assault, Physical assault, Slurs, Sexual Content.
For fans of: Memoirs, Biographies, Tear-Jerkers, Sex in YA, YA, Non-Fiction, Sparkly Covers, Own Voices, LGBTQ+In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys.
Both a primer for teens eager to be allies as well as a reassuring testimony for young queer men of color, All Boys Aren’t Blue covers topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy. Johnson’s emotionally frank style of writing will appeal directly to young adults.
*MY THOUGHTS*
Listen, I don’t read memoirs or biographies, but after seeing this cover, I knew I had to at least try this one. And when I finally got my hold in, I finished it in one day!
I thought this would be hard to review because its a memoir, but not at all. Johnson writes this in a way that will keep you hooked to the pages. I ended up listening to this all in one day without even trying. I was hooked! And then I went upstairs, found my ARC, and re-read some of the best parts. And if you’re like me that listens to the audio, the final copies have photos. It was cool to go back and look at them.
I felt SO MUCH listening to this book. This was definitely the power of #OwnVoices. The family aspect and finding family in the D9 (Divine Nine) and so much more reminded me so much of my own family. The way they interacted and treated each other was almost exactly what we act like.
I also wanted to say “thank you” to George M. Johnson. I’m thankful that brought out so many of his darkest truths so that teens reading this that have questions can get them answered. I know many of the things he wrote about were hard to re-live, but he still put those moments on the page for teens. As a librarian who will use this resource to infinity and beyond, thank you for writing this. I hate that this hurt you to write about, but I cannot tell you accurately in words how much I appreciate that you did.
And the way Johnson told this story was amazing. I found myself laughing, crying, and just so entranced by what he was saying. It’s non-fiction, but its so good and Johnson tells his story so well, that you will forget this fact. It’s definitely a teachy but not preachy kind of book and I LOVED that. His words and advice will help so many teens.
I hadn’t heard of Johnson before, but now after reading this, I’ve followed him on all social media lol His words definitely struck a chord in me and I can’t wait to see what it does for teens all over the country. This was the perfect book for me to start Pride Month with!
Overall, I give this
Do you read biographies or memoirs? Have you read this one? Let me know in the comments!
