Reviews tagging 'Racism'

All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson

179 reviews

betweentheshelves's review against another edition

hopeful reflective medium-paced

5.0

This is my second time reading this book, for a book club, but this time I read the physical book instead of listening to it. There's so much in here that's written for teens to see themselves, especially Black queer teens, who don't normally get to see themselves reflected in media. Which is why these kinds of books are so important to include in library collections.

Johnson has an easily accessible writing style, and many of their experiences are ones that teens will be able to relate to and learn from. I highly recommend it if you like memoirs!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Homophobia, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Death, Deadnaming, and Racism

dianacarmel's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

I chose this book for the 2023 Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt “a book that’s been book that's been banned or challenged in any state in 2022”. According to the American Library Association, this is the #2 most challenged book. That alone makes it a worthy read. 

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Homophobia, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Racism, and Racial slurs

thewordsdevourer's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

3.0

all boys aren't blue is def an important read, esp for bringing more awareness and visibility to queer ppl own their own terms, in their own voice, here thru the words of george m. johnson.

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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, and Homophobia

Moderate: Violence, Medical content, and Child abuse

Minor: Death and Transphobia

jessspeake's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

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 against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

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 against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

The fact that this is the #2 Most Banned Book in America this year makes me ill. 
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.”

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content

Moderate: Racism, Violence, Homophobia, and Xenophobia

Minor: Domestic abuse

madz_lyr's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs

Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, Death, and Sexual assault

honeybeewitched87's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Incest, Sexual content, Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault

strawberrytheauthor's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

I read this for a college course and it was so good. I don’t know if I personally would categorize it as YA because the sexual and violent scenes were quite graphic. I identified with the book which surprised me because I am a cisgendered white woman. 

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Content Warnings

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 against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Racism, and Homophobia

Minor: Police brutality