On Friday, August 4, at 7 pm, join us for a Banned Book Club conversation about the memoir-manifesto All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M Johnson, one of the most frequently banned books in the U.S.
Banned Book Club provides a safe, open, in-person space to gather and explore books experiencing bans, challenges, and restrictions in public U.S. schools and libraries, according to the American Library Association.
RSVP for this FREE event via Eventbrite.
ABOUT THE BOOK //
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.
From the memories of getting their teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with their loving grandmother, to their 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 BANNED BOOK CLUB: WHAT TO EXPECT //
At Banned Book Club, we examine the themes, characters, cultural context, and personal resonance of books currently being banned and challenged in U.S. public schools and libraries.
We also talk about advocacy, inviting readers to participate in an action to defend books, authors, and our freedom to read.
At the end of each session, we vote on our next Banned Book Club read. Sometimes we follow local bans and challenges, other times we use the ALA’s “Top Ten” list as our guide. In this way, we stay nimble and responsive to challenges and bans happening in Michigan and elsewhere in our country.
Booksweet will donate 10% of the profits from Banned Book Club reads to the PEN America as part of our annual Banned Books Week celebrations in October. Learn more about how PEN America is working to fuel advocates with the research, visibility, and networks they need to support our freedom to read.
Learn more about health and safety at Booksweet.
See you there, readers!