All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson

Amy   

memoir, young adult

All Boys Aren't Blue is a memoir by 33-year old George M. Johnson which describes their personal experiences growing up as a nonbinary, African American person.

While this book did cover important, memorable experiences specific to growing up as an LGBTQIAP+ black kid in New Jersey, it was mostly just about growing up as a middle-class American kid. I mean, obviously, these were Johnson’s stories which were experienced through the lens of their reality as a member of two marginalized groups. But most of their memories were as mundane as any other person’s. However, the fact that Johnson was strong enough to share their own genuine experiences is noteworthy and commendable. Their stated goal in writing this book was to help someone else who may be struggling with similar issues. Johnson wanted to tell other young LGBTQIAP+ people things that they wish they had known when they were growing up queer.

Johnson shared their sense of internal strife at knowing they were different from a very young age. But they seemed to get through it largely unscathed (at least, externally) thanks to a very level head, a supportive, loving family, and an athletic body. Johnson was a likeable person and had an incredible family who accepted them as they were. Johnson didn’t come out as queer until college and, therefore, denied and deflected some potential hatred that might’ve been directed towards them at a younger age. But it's sad that people have to hide a big part of themselves away in order to feel safe in this world.

The last tenth of the novel was the most vulnerable section where Johnson described losing their virginity in detail. But, again, they were hoping to share this information with the goal of helping others. They bravely shared intimate thoughts and experiences.

I read this book because it was the second most challenged book of 2022. It was challenged based on LGBTQIAP+ content as well as explicit sexual content.  Of course, it’s completely absurd to be banning books based on LGBTQIAP+ content but that is a sadly common reason these days.  Johnson wrote this book specifically because LGBTQIAP+ people need more content which contains people like themselves. They need to be able to see themselves depicted in the real world and to absorb stories about situations which are applicable to them. And as for non-LGBTQIAP+ readers, it is also valuable to help us to understand others, as is the case for any reading material. The point of reading about people who are different from us is to learn empathy, broaden our understanding, and have new experiences—to hear other voices in order to expand our own critical thinking skills. As for the explicit sex, yes, it is there. But it’s not rampant or inappropriate in this book.  I wouldn’t recommend this book for required school reading, but it should be available to everyone who wants to read it.

Johnson narrated the audiobook themself. They spoke clearly and had personality. but they lacked of variety in their tempo.  I’ll give them a break because I like when authors read their own words and it’s tough to narrate non-fiction. And I did love when they sang a few bars of the Double Dutch song. I’ll give them an A-.