Not All Boys Are Blue by George Matthew Johnson


 This is a memoir. This is a message of solidarity. This is a proclamation that says “I see you.” In All Boys Aren’t Blue, Johnson writes about their experience as a queer Black person. All the trials, all the struggles, all the questions, all the confusion, all the hurt, all the wins, all the support, all of it is included in this memoir. George Matthew Johnson delivers a power retelling and reflection that is invoking of so many thoughts and feelings. The story goes all the way from childhood to present, encapsulating nearly Johnson’s entire life, and the journey is worthwhile. 





About the Book                                                                                                      Awards and Recognition

• Title: Not All Boys Are Blue                                                                           • New York Times Bestseller

• Author: George M. Johnson                                        • American Library Association Rainbow Book List

• Genre: Memoir / LGBTQ+                                                                       • NAACP Image Award Nominee

• Year of Publication: 2020                              • Best Book of the Year by Kirkus, SLJ, TIME, and Buzzfeed

• Pages: 320                                                                       • Top 10 Most Challenged Books (ALA 2021-23)


Why this book? 

I chose to read Not All Boys Are Blue because I thought that this book would tell of an experience vastly different from my own. That was certainly the case. I find that reading about other cultures, life experiences, thoughts, ideas, all contribute to a better me. My curiosity drove me to choose this book off of the seemingly endless shelf that is the internet and begin to read… well, listen. 

Teaching and Content Considerations

• This book is probably best read individually. The themes and topics are quite heavy and sometimes graphic. Alternatively, a small, trusted group of students could read this for a book club. I would advise that it is read by an individual and then discussed, with support, after reading. However, excerpts can be used for whole class readings and discussions. 

• I would recommend this to only specific students that are searching for books like this. It is difficult to say, because even Johnson addresses this in the memoir. These are things they went through as a child, an adolescent, a teenager, an adult. So why should young people be restricted from it if they live it? So, I believe it should be recommended intentionally. 

• Content warnings include sexual assault, racism, sexual explicitness, and some strong language. There is a purposeful and delicate delivery of these more jarring events, but they may still be difficult to deal with. 

Instructional Ideas

• Thematic instruction could include themes of Identity, masculinity, family, race, queerness, trauma, bigotry, resilience, isolation, liberation. This book touches on many different subjects, and all of it is thorough. 

• Literary Techniques such as writing in memoir style, creating strong authentic voice, and epistolary styles. It could be interesting and fruitful to have students write letters to themselves after reading this book, even if those letters are not collected or viewed by anyone else. 

• Instruction around conflict could be exceptional as well. There are strong elements of internal and external conflicts throughout the story that could be analyzed and discussed. Also, the conflict of society against society is prevalent. Because this book is NF, we can use it to discuss problems in society, those who want change, those who resist it, those who may want too much or resist too hard, and so on. 

Potential Read-Aloud Passages

• Pages introduction, xiii - xv: These pages are where we get to know who is speaking to us. We find out who George M. Johnson is and what story they will tell. It is important foregrounding. 

• Pages 48 - 51: These pages speak on how as a child, Matthew was expressing different gender identities throughout the day. Matthew was breaking rules as to how a boy should act. But also, Matthew was a child who did not yet even know what gender was. 

Overall Thoughts and Reflection

Honestly, I wasn’t sure what I was getting into. I was initially a bit reluctant, but found that as the book progressed I became more invested in the journey, more curious to hear the author’s thoughts, and more tied in to the story at hand. It was an emotional trip that was simply illuminating. It inspires compassion, kindness, acceptance, and love. The audiobook reading is done by Johnson, the author, and I was very glad towards the end that they made that choice. The delivery was always perfect and it felt as if the tone, inflection, voice, etc, were always perfect for the subject at hand. I really enjoyed this read. 

Next Steps?

I am unsure of where this book will take me. Although, I am realizing that I really enjoy memoirs and find them captivating and moving. So, perhaps I will seek out more of these in the future. 

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