All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto

George M. Johnson

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2022 The New York Times Best Seller

A New York Times Bestseller and the #1 Most Challenged Book in America according to the American Library Association

In a series of personal essays, award-winning author and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson's All Boys Aren't Blue explores their childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia.

From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys.

Both a primer for teens eager to be allies as well as a reassuring testimony for young queer men of color, All Boys Aren't Blue covers topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy. Johnson's emotionally frank style of writing will appeal directly to young adults. (Johnson used he/him pronouns at the time of publication.)

As seen on Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, Today Show, and MSNBC feature stories
Velshi Banned Book Club
Indie Bestseller
Teen Vogue Recommended Read
Buzzfeed Recommended Read
People Magazine Best Book of the Summer
A New York Library Best Book of 2020
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2020 ... and more!

Book Details

Publisher: Square Fish
Publish Date: Jan 16th, 2024
Pages: 336
Language: English
Edition: undefined - undefined
Dimensions: 8.20in - 5.30in - 1.00in - 0.60lb
EAN: 9781250895561
Recommended age: 14-18
Categories: • LGBTQ+ - General• Biography & Autobiography - Cultural & Regional• Boys & Men

About the Author

Johnson, George M.: - George M. Johnson (they/them) is an Emmy nominated, award-winning, and bestselling Black nonbinary author and activist. Their debut memoir, All Boys Aren't Blue, was a New York Times bestseller and garnered many accolades. It was the #1 most banned book of 2024 in the United States, according to the American Library Association. For their work fighting book bans and challenges, the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) honored George with its Free Speech Defender Award, and TIME Magazine named them one of the "100 Next Most Influential People in the World." They also wrote Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known. Originally from Plainfield, New Jersey, they now live in Los Angeles, California.

Praise for this book

A New York Times Bestseller!
Optioned for television by Gabrielle Union
Featured on Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, Today Show, MSNBC and Fox Soul
Velshi Banned Book Club
CNN Summer Read Pick
Teen Vogue Recommended Read
Buzzfeed Recommended Read
People Magazine Best Book of the Summer
An Indie Bestseller
An ALA Rainbow List Pick
A New York Library Best Book of 2020
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2020
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2020
Publishers Weekly Anti-Racist Reading List Pick
2021 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List Pick
A Kids' Book Choice Award Finalist
#1 YALSA Teen's Top Ten List Winner
A Texas TAYSHAS Reading List Title

"An exuberant, unapologetic memoir infused with a deep but cleareyed love for its subjects." --The New York Times

"This title opens new doors, as the author insists that we don't have to anchor stories such as his to tragic ends: 'Many of us are still here. Still living and waiting for our stories to be told--to tell them ourselves.' A critical, captivating, merciful mirror for growing up Black and queer today." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"An absolute necessity . . . the personal stories and the healing and reconciliation of self in this title are all undeniably honest and relatable--a reminder of our shared imperfection and humanity." --Booklist

"The conversational tone will leave readers feeling like they are sitting with an insightful friend . . . This young adult memoir is a contemporary hallmark of the blossoming genre. Johnson anchors the text with encouragement and realistic guidance for queer Black youth." --School Library Journal

"Johnson's debut is a collection of heartfelt personal essays revolving around themes of identity and family . . . In a publishing landscape in need of queer black voices, readers who are sorting through similar concepts will be grateful to join him on the journey." --Publishers Weekly

"Powerful . . . Johnson's book is geared toward young adults--a market that needs this level of realness about everything from finding and harboring joy to bullying to navigating queerness. All Boys Aren't Blue is a game changer." --Bitch Magazine

"A personal examination of what it's like to grow up as a black and queer young man . . . a can't-miss collection." --POPSUGAR