About the book, from Macmillan Publishers:

“In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson’s All Boys Aren’t Blue explores his 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.”

About the Author, George M. Johnson:

“George M Johnson is an Award-Winning Black Non-Binary Writer, Author, and Executive Producer located in the LA area. They are the author of the New York Times Bestselling Author of the Young Adult memoir All Boys Aren’t Blue discussing their adolescence growing up as a young Black Queer boy in New Jersey through a series of powerful essays. The book was optioned for Television by Gabrielle Union.

As a former journalist, George has written for major outlets including Teen Vogue, Entertainment Tonight, NBC, and Buzzfeed. In 2019 was awarded the Salute to Excellence Award by the National Association of Black Journalists for their article “When Racism Anchors your Health” in Vice Magazine.

George was listed on The Root 100 Most Influential African Americans in 2020. The Out 100 Most Influential LGBTQ People in 2021. And in 2022 was honored as one of the TIME100 Next Most Influential People in the World.

Their second memoir WE ARE NOT BROKEN was released in September of 2021. It received the Carter G. Woodson Award which recognizes books that “accurately and sensitively depict the experience of one or more historically marginalized racial/ethnic groups in the United States”. The book also received the Nonfiction Honor Book in the YA category from the International Literacy Association.

In 2021 they wrote and Executive Produced the Dramatic Reading of All Boys Aren’t Blue starring Jenifer Lewis and Dyllon Burnside which received a 2022 Special Recognition Award from GLAAD.

George is also a proud HBCU alum twice over, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.”

Why I selected All Boys Aren’t Blue for the July 2023 Giveaway:

• This is a beautifully moving memoir that shows how young people can come to terms with who they are – and learn to love themselves just as they are ❤
• This book tackles so many tough topics that many young people (especially those who are LGBTQIAP+) face as they grow up in a world that isn’t accepting of them, but George tackles these difficult topics with grace, courage, and candor.
• This book includes many moments of warmth and support from family: George grew up in a largely accepting family atmosphere, and seeing that level of support in action throughout his youth provides a beautiful roadmap for other families that might need to learn a little more acceptance.
• Disturbingly, this has been one of the most banned, challenged, and censored books since it came out. Having read it, this gnome is disgusted that such a beautiful, moving, and honest portrayal of a childhood filled with growth, learning, and (ultimately) pride and acceptance would be met with so much hate. So, as part of our commitment to Unite Against Book Bans and the Book Sanctuary movement, we felt moved to share it with all of you. If you want to learn more about how this book has been challenged, read on:
  • Their Memoir Has Been Removed From School Libraries In 8 States. This Black Queer Author Is Fighting Back
  • The Silencing of Black & Queer Voices: George M. Johnson on 15-State Ban of “All Boys Aren’t Blue”
  • George M. Johnson: What Getting My Book Banned Taught Me About Telling Your Truth
  • Author George M. Johnson: We must ensure access to those who need these stories most
  • George M. Johnson: America Banned My Book, But I Refuse To Stay Silent
  • One of America’s Most Banned Authors Is Appalled by Conservative Censorship — and Liberal Silence
  • ‘They can’t ban all the books’: Why two banned authors are so optimistic