Book: “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson
Genre: Memoir/LBGTQIA+
Five Word Description: Heartfelt, Powerful, Strong, Unfiltered, Courageous
Blogger’s Note: This post is NOT a review, it is a reflection.
I started this book with a clean slate. I had never heard of the author, nor had I read much work in the LBGTQIA+ genre. With that being said, please see my reflection notes below.
“All Boys Aren’t Blue” details the life experience (thus far) of George M. Johnson. As an activist and a prominent writer, Johnson shares his memories from a black and queer perspective. The book sequentially covers Johnson’s upbringing and follows his journey into adulthood. Topics explore family, friendship, identity, self discovering, sexuality and race.
This book screams bravery to me. Reading this made me realize just how different every person’s life experiences are. Listening to this man’s story helped me to better appreciate those variances and step outside of my own mind to build empathy for others. The author clearly articulates experiences that were most likely extremely difficult to write. His honesty and bravery shine throughout the memoir and make this book something special.
One of the unique qualities of this book is that the intended audience is teens and adults. With clear and simple prose, the book is accessible for different age groups. I imagine that there are many young adults that will struggle with similar problems or that can identify with the author’s experiences. Making this book more inclusive to a range of people will extend its reach within many different communities.
I’ve highlighted several quotes from this book, and it has better prepared me to work with youth that may be experiencing some of these feelings or life experiences.
All I can say is: Wow.
Happy Reading.
Literature & Lattes 