Author: George M. Johnson
Publisher & Date: Square Fish, 16 Jan 2024
Page Count: 336 pages
ISBN: 978-1250895561
Age/Reading Level: 11-18/Grade level 6-12
Representation: LGBTQIA+, Black
Other Information: Although the Lexile and ATOS scores for the book place it as appropriate for younger grade school students (ages 11-13), most teachers and parents agree that the subject matter is more appropriate for older grade school students (ages 14-18).
Currently, the #1 most challenged book in America, according to the American Library Association
Book Information
In a series of personal essays, award-winning author and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson’s All Boys Aren’t Blue explores their 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. (Johnson used he/him pronouns at the time of publication.)
Challenges & Bans
This title is currently the #1 challenged book in America. It has been in the top 10 most banned books every year since it’s release. It is most challenged for: LBTQIA+ content, obscenity, being “sexually explicit”, for containing “inaccurate gender information”, and exposing readers to “an unnatural homosexual lifestyle.” In some schools, the book is available in the library, but it requires parental permission to check out.
Specific Challenges*:
Awards & Accolades
2019 Outstanding Books for the College Bound: Literature and Language Arts (selection), 2020 Goodreads Choice Award for Memoir & Autobiography (nominee), Kirkus best young adult biographies/memoirs of 2020, 2021 YALSA Teen’s Top 10 (winner), Amazon Best Book of the Year (2020), New York Times bestseller, Indie bestseller
Named Best Book of 2020 by:
People Magazine (Summer), New York Library, Chicago Public Library
Top 10 Best Books of the Year lists named to:
2020 – New York Public Library, Kirkus Reviews, Chicago Public Library
2021 – ALA Rainbow Book List (2021), Texas TAYSHAS Reading List
