Reviews tagging 'Cultural appropriation'

All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson

18 reviews

bashsbooks's review against another edition

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informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

Young adult memoirs are a fickle and difficult genre. It's kind of niche, and YA in general is subject to what adults think teens want, not what teens actually want. (Not that I know what teens want, either, but I can postulate about some things they might not want.) I think for the most part, Johnson recalls being a teen better than most adults, and he's franker with teens than most adults are willing to be. I respect this honesty and directness from him, I like that All Boys Aren't Blue tackles CSA, sexuality, gender, abuse, racism, homophobia, death, and toxic masculinity without shying away from them, and with empathy and nuance without making excuses for abusers. At times, he does come off a little stiff and lecturey, but he's above average for the genre. And his anecdotes are well-chosen and well-connected.
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pizzaisjesus98's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.75

A wonderful and important book that can open eyes and hearts
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bookwormcat's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

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jenniferbbookdragon's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

4.5

A powerful memoir about growing up Black and queer, this book has been targeted by those who believe banning books about controversial topics is necessary to protect children. Johnson directly addresses racism,  homophobia,  bullying, and sexual abuse, all of which impact teens in their daily lives. He argues that they need books like this to know they aren't alone and to empathize with peers facing these issues.  I agree.
Johnson describes his introduction to sex in college as difficult due to the lack of sex education for queer youth. 
Their struggles with identity and sexuality are addressed in the  context of a supportive family,  something many young people lack. Johnson's story is one of strength and hope. 
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dannothedino's review against another edition

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

4.5

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peytonktracy's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful informative fast-paced

5.0

This is one of those books I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to read. Or more accurately, listen to. Definitely crappies with some heavy topics but is a book I wish I had access to when I was growing up. 
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dragon_s_hoard's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

3.0

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kirstenf's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

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leweylibrary's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

Such an important book, and it's an important book for YOUNG ADULTS. For some reason, my library, a college library, doesn't have it with all the rest of the YA books, and that really irks me. Yes, there are a few sexually explicit moments, but I really wish people would stop pretending like teenagers don't know about or aren't having sex or at least thinking about it. Like the author said, because he didn't know, didn't have the resources or support to find out, he took a lot of unnecessary and dangerous risks sexually, not to mention how much harder his teen years were not knowing this information. Information is power, especially in areas of sexual and gender identities, and that's the only reason this book has been banned and challenged so much. 

Anywho, this book was very explicitly written for young adults, and the writing style does reflect that. That is not to say that there aren't some really great and powerful moments prose-wise. It was also just a really enjoyable read. I'm glad a book club finally forced me to read it sooner than I might have otherwise. 
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corabookworm's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective

4.0

This book was incredible. As George Johnson narrates  experiences in his childhood and young adult life that helped shape his identity, he shares advice for Black kids and queer kids, explaining what he’s learned and what he wish he’d known. He also comments on some flaws in American society, specifically the exclusion of Black history and queer sex education from most curriculums. All in all, I found this book entertaining, emotional, inspiring, and informative.
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