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equestrian2025's review against another edition
5.0
This is a very good book, well written detail of what he experienced growing up as a gay black kid and adult and his journey of coming out.
rainydaysandstormynights's review against another edition
The description/synopsis of this book says it all.
Powerful, hard to read at times, but such an important memoir.
Powerful, hard to read at times, but such an important memoir.
rtcullen's review against another edition
5.0
BANNED BOOK SERIES:
Listened to this on a long ride today. It is read by the author, which I think adds gravity to the topic. As a common target of recent book bans in the US, I expected it to be all sorts of explicit, but 97 percent of this book is a story of a young man learning who he is, and sharing that journey. The other three percent does touch on sex between men, although the sex acts are in fact often done between hetro couples as well. The discussion is detailed. Regardless, this is an important book for young people to have access to. A book like this has undoubtedly saved young gay lives, and should continue to do so. Not shocking, but banning this book will definitely cause pain/suicide to more than one young queer boy.
Listened to this on a long ride today. It is read by the author, which I think adds gravity to the topic. As a common target of recent book bans in the US, I expected it to be all sorts of explicit, but 97 percent of this book is a story of a young man learning who he is, and sharing that journey. The other three percent does touch on sex between men, although the sex acts are in fact often done between hetro couples as well. The discussion is detailed. Regardless, this is an important book for young people to have access to. A book like this has undoubtedly saved young gay lives, and should continue to do so. Not shocking, but banning this book will definitely cause pain/suicide to more than one young queer boy.
studiokako's review against another edition
Almost 40% through already. It’s a quick listen, but in a good way. There’s a lot of information and emotion packed into his words so I feel like he’s able to get more across in less space.
puzzles_and_pages's review against another edition
4.0
I had this book on my shelf for way too long without reading it. I am so glad I was able to take the time to read it! I actually listened to the audiobook which I felt gave even more depth to George's personality since he read it himself. Some of his experiences are heartbreaking, but the book is so inspiring. He designed it to be read by young adult readers who are struggling with their own identities in order to have an ally who has been there. I understand why Johnson is such a powerful advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community; his passion and message translate easily to readers of all kinds. I highly recommend this one for anyone, but know there are some triggers to be aware of. (homophobia, trauma, racism, sexual assault, molestation)
livinglifeliterary's review against another edition
5.0
If everyone read this book, it could change the world.
nobleroguelib's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! This is a book that MUST remain available to teens, especially black queer teens! As a cisgender white woman, I learned a lot from reading this memoir about George M. Johnson’s journey to accepting themself as who they were meant to be, and I appreciated the glimpse into an experience vastly different from my own. It shares life lessons that are useful for any person — gay, straight, queer, black, white, old, young… Yet despite the differences in our stories, there were so many moments in which I felt a connection to the author on a simply human level. However, the true value in this book lies in allowing teens who are something other than cis-, straight, or white (and especially black queer teens) to feel seen and not so alone on their journey. This book made me cry and laugh. I can’t say I enjoyed every moment of the read, but the moments that were the most uncomfortable to read were the most meaningful. Yes, there is some graphic content in this book, part of the challenges George faced growing up, but too many of our young people experience similar situations, and it is so valuable to them to know they aren’t alone. Please do not ban this book! Rather make it available to all those who need it!
clockworkstars's review against another edition
"American history is truly the greatest fable ever written"
I don't read memoir very often, in fact I do not remember when is the last time that I have read an actual memoir. But now, just having closed George M. Johnson's book, I wish that I read some more often.
Here, the author talks to us about queerness, gender, blackness. Not as independant identities but as a whole, where every part influences the other one, where they are all tied. And it was *so* interesting to read. This book had me on the edge of my seat for most of the chapters, each one giving me more interest or informations into a life that I didn’t know.
Strangely enough, I think that my favorite chapter is the last one, the same way that it's probably the one that made me cry the most. But in reality? I loved each one of them, each one of those pages. This book was a pleasure to read and if I'd listen to myself my review will be 2 line long and includes the words "just read it".
By a pure coincidence, I have ended up reading this book mostly during the banned book week (which I didn’t know about until I had reached half the book). And the author talks about books ban in the introduction of this, they talk about how this book is one of the most banned. They tell us that they have "come to realize that when you're making history, you're rarely doing so because you are choosing to make it.". Because that's what this book did, it made history. So don't let governement silence it, silence you. Read banned books, all day, every day. Talk about it. Because, as the author says (I assure you it's the last quote in this review, promise) "And when they ban books, they are banning Black history. Ain't no American history without Black history. They are banning the portrayal of LGBTQIAP+ people and history. Ain't no America without queer people."
I don't read memoir very often, in fact I do not remember when is the last time that I have read an actual memoir. But now, just having closed George M. Johnson's book, I wish that I read some more often.
Here, the author talks to us about queerness, gender, blackness. Not as independant identities but as a whole, where every part influences the other one, where they are all tied. And it was *so* interesting to read. This book had me on the edge of my seat for most of the chapters, each one giving me more interest or informations into a life that I didn’t know.
Strangely enough, I think that my favorite chapter is the last one, the same way that it's probably the one that made me cry the most. But in reality? I loved each one of them, each one of those pages. This book was a pleasure to read and if I'd listen to myself my review will be 2 line long and includes the words "just read it".
By a pure coincidence, I have ended up reading this book mostly during the banned book week (which I didn’t know about until I had reached half the book). And the author talks about books ban in the introduction of this, they talk about how this book is one of the most banned. They tell us that they have "come to realize that when you're making history, you're rarely doing so because you are choosing to make it.". Because that's what this book did, it made history. So don't let governement silence it, silence you. Read banned books, all day, every day. Talk about it. Because, as the author says (I assure you it's the last quote in this review, promise) "And when they ban books, they are banning Black history. Ain't no American history without Black history. They are banning the portrayal of LGBTQIAP+ people and history. Ain't no America without queer people."
revvalfisk's review against another edition
5.0
As someone works with young people all the time, this felt like an important resource to explore. I have never before encountered a memoir targeted at young adults, and this one feels like an incredible gift. The authors honesty, clarity of thought, and vulnerability with their own experiences will certainly help future young queer people to explore their identities in healthy ways. I am grateful to have learned from listening to Mr. Johnson read me his story, and I look forward to recommending this book to my students in the future.
dancevera's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0