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
madisone's review
4.0
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Deadnaming, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol, Drug use, Incest, and Sexual assault
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
momogajo's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Bullying, Racism, Homophobia, Violence, and Racial slurs
Minor: Outing, Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, Drug use, and Deadnaming
amazelan's review against another edition
3.5
mais ça c'est que la forme, parce que le fond est vraiment bien, il est important. on a besoin d'autobiographies de personnes LGBT+, de personnes LGBT+ racisé.es, on a besoin d'entendre les histoires des personnes qui nous ont précédées.
et je pense -j'espère- que c'est un de ses livres qui aidera les + jeunes d'entre nous à se sentir vu.es et moins seul.es.
il est rempli d'emotions, mais surtout d'espoir, et l'espoir est si important dans la communauté LGBT+.
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Bullying, Sexual assault, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Cancer, and Medical content
Minor: Police brutality, Murder, and Slavery
emquartz15's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Violence