no rating

Memoir

Format: Audio via Libby (Read by Author)

Soundtrack: YA YA – Beyoncé

All Boys aren’t Blue is a raw, coming age of story dletailing the intricacies of being Black and Queer and the challenges Johnson faced reconciling these identities despite coming from an accepting, loving family. The narration by the author was excellent; I particularly enjoy hearing authors narrate their own books.It was challenging, thought-provoking, and a beautiful reminder that everyone should have a chance to see themselves in a book.

I typically feel uncomfortable reading memoirs, and this was no exception. I don’t feel it is possible to criticize how someone decides to tell their story. While I wish this book had been slightly more linear, I understood how Johnson wanted to present his story. There was a mix of joy, sadness, and anger at a world that can be unwilling to accept those who do not fit the preconceived notion of what it means to be queer, black, fraternity member,etc.  While Johnson’s story was filled with love and acceptance from his family, he spent much of his adolescence without the language to define himself. This may not have been my favorite read, but I feel it is an extremely relevant read.  

 I (perhaps selfishly) chose to read this book for two reasons: One, At the beginning of 2024, I decided I wanted to read the top 10 most challenged to be banned books from 2023, and I hadn’t read a single one as of the beginning of June. Second, I wanted to read a nonfiction LGBQ+ book as I seem only to read LGBTQ+ romance.

Finally, I find book bans abhorrent, and I wanted to see what all the hype was about.  This book is more than appropriate for high school students. While there is discussion of intercourse, abuse, homophobia, and racism, those are exactly the topics teens need to hear more about and understand. This book was challenged in my school district, but fortunately the board voted to let it stay.