First published 2020
George M. Johnson opens his life to readers through personal essays that span his formative years. The journalist and activist takes us from a brutal playground attack at age five that knocked out his teeth to weekend adventures at flea markets with his grandmother. Johnson navigates the complexity of being both Black and queer as he moves through childhood in New Jersey, adolescence, and his college years in Virginia. He writes about discovering his sexuality, confronting bullies, and finding his place within his family and community. The memoir tackles questions of masculinity, identity, and belonging while celebrating moments of pure joy. Johnson addresses young readers directly, offering both guidance for allies and validation for queer youth of color. His frank approach to difficult topics like consent and structural racism creates space for honest conversations about growing up different in America.
Genres: african-american, coming-of-age, autobiography, biography-memoir, activism
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking, validating
Tropes: coming-of-age, found-family, identity-journey
Setting: New Jersey, Virginia
Period: childhood, college-years
304 pages · Hardcover · Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Content warnings: racism, sexism