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All Boys Aren't Blue

By: George M. Johnson
Narrated by: George M. Johnson
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Publisher's summary

This program is read by the author.

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

A New York Times Bestseller!

Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, Today Show, and MSNBC feature stories

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.)

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!

A Macmillan Audio production from Farrar, Straus and Giroux

©2020 George M. Johnson (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

NYPL Best Books of the Year, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year, 2020

Featured Article: Audible Essentials—The Top 100 LGBTQIA+ Listens of All Time


While LGBTQIA+ creators have been around for millennia, it’s only recently that we’ve been hearing more diverse, more queer-authored, and more queer-performed stories about the entire spectrum of LGBTQIA+ experiences and identities. This list—just like the community it represents—is meant to be fluid. But most importantly, it’s meant to celebrate and reflect on the issues faced by LGBTQIA+ people everywhere.

What listeners say about All Boys Aren't Blue

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I am disappointed in the pushback. This was a great memoir

I am not a crier, but as a neurodivergent, non-binary, African American/Hispanic individual, this book spoke to me on so many levels. As an SA survivor and an individual who cared for my grandmother as she left this world from metastatic cancer…I am astounded in the well-rounded ness and the tact in describing such sensitive topics. I had some tears, I even had a sob or two as I identified all too well.

This is a book I wish I had when I skulked through my school libraries, as a child who felt they had no place in this world. To know that you can still find acceptance and learn even if you don’t conform to any of society’s norms. I hope any young adult that needs to read this can. I hope they learn and have the opportunity to grow. I hope any adult can also learn and grow. Brava, Mr. Johnson. Thank you for this.

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5 people found this helpful

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A privilege to read

As a 64 year old white woman of some privilege I want to thank those who banned this book…otherwise I might have never read it or had it come into my life. I loved this book from start to finish…George, Matthew and/or MJ you did yourself and many others proud. Thank you.

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2 people found this helpful

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A Queer Must Have!

Recommending to everyone I know! The story is so relatable for any black, brown, poc and a great look into the intersection of being LGBTQ+. ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND

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1 person found this helpful

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Beautiful, raw, and needed.

I wish I had this book as a kid. Some parts were so close to my own experiences I felt like I was reading my own book.

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  • Overall
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Tears, Smiles, Pain, Celebration, Healing

So many highs and lows we’re felt in my mind, heart and spirit. I understand fiercely loving as a mom of queer children. I also know there is so much more to learn about how often I fell short. This book was affirming as well as healing.

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Brilliantly relatable

I want to cover my walls in all the amazing quotes from this book. Thank you for writing it and blessing our ears and eyes with it. Books like this should be mandatory reading.

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Should be available for anyone to read.

A very touching story/memoir. I admire your tenacity. And your grace. I’ve learned so much in such a short book. Thank you!!

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Enlightening and honest

Such an honest story. A courageous storyteller. I hope that these words reach the many people that need to hear them. Nicely done.

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review

loved the first two parts. the third part was harder to listen to. my favorite part was the relationship between the boy and his grandmother.

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amazing

amazing piece of literature. i bought 3 copies for my friends and family. love it

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