dianacarmel's review
4.0
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.
Graphic: Violence, Homophobia, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Racism, and Racial slurs
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
3.0
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.
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, and Homophobia
Moderate: Violence, Medical content, and Child abuse
Minor: Death and Transphobia
jessspeake's review against another edition
3.5
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
4.5
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
5.0
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.”
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Homophobia, and Xenophobia
Minor: Domestic abuse
madz_lyr's review
5.0
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, Death, and Sexual assault
honeybeewitched87's review
3.0
Graphic: Racism, Incest, Sexual content, Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault
strawberrytheauthor's review
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Alcohol, Sexual content, Transphobia, Blood, Cursing, Deadnaming, Sexual assault, Death, Drug use, Grief, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Bullying, and Incest
Moderate: Gun violence, Medical trauma, and Medical content
Minor: Child death
livreads4fun's review
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Racism, and Homophobia
Minor: Police brutality
traa's review
4.75
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