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All Boys Aren’t Blue (George M. Johnson)
A memoir by George M. Johnson, named the most challenged book in the US in 2024 by the ALA. Removed from school libraries in many districts over its LGBTQ+ content; not banned nationwide.
- Status
- Banned
- Country
- USA
- Category
- Books
- Banned since
- 2021
- Last checked
- 18/10/2026
All Boys Aren’t Blue is a 2020 memoir-manifesto by George M. Johnson, a collection of personal essays about growing up Black and queer in New Jersey and Virginia. It is written for young adult readers and covers family, identity, consent, toxic masculinity and Black joy.
The book is not banned across the United States. It has been challenged and removed at school district and library level. The American Library Association (ALA) ranked it the third most challenged book of 2021 and the second most challenged of 2022. In April 2025, the ALA named it the most challenged book of 2024. Reports say it has been removed from school libraries in at least 29 districts.
Why it was challenged: critics mainly object to its LGBTQ+ content and its descriptions of the author’s sexual experiences, which they say are unsuitable for teens. Supporters, including School Library Journal and Common Sense Media reviewers, say it helps marginalised teens feel seen. The ALA reported that in 2024, 72% of demands to remove books came from pressure groups, elected officials, board members and administrators, and 16% from parents.
Current situation: the outcome depends on the district. A board in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, voted to keep the book and five other challenged titles on the shelves. George M. Johnson is also an author plaintiff in PEN America et al. v. Escambia County School District, a federal lawsuit arguing that school book removals are unconstitutional.
Other titles facing similar school-level removals in the US include Gender Queer and The Bluest Eye; see our full list of banned and challenged books.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the book "All Boys Aren't Blue" banned?
It was challenged mainly over its LGBTQ+ themes and its frank descriptions of the author's sexual experiences, which critics say are not suitable for teens. It is not banned nationwide in the US. It has been removed from school libraries in at least 29 districts, and the ALA named it the most challenged book of 2024.
What is the book All Boys Aren't Blue about?
It is a memoir-manifesto by George M. Johnson, told through personal essays about growing up Black and queer in New Jersey and Virginia. It covers childhood, family, college, identity, consent, toxic masculinity and Black joy, and is written for young adult readers.
What age is All Boys Aren't Blue appropriate for?
The publisher suggests ages 14 to 18 (grade 8 and up, per School Library Journal). Common Sense Media recommends 16+ because of the sexual content. Parents and educators know their readers best, so many suggest reading it first or together.
How many pages are in All Boys Aren't Blue?
The print edition has about 304 pages, according to library catalog records. The count varies slightly by edition and format, and some listings show around 288 pages.
What are the reviews like for the memoir All Boys Aren't Blue?
Reviews are mostly positive. It is a New York Times bestseller, a Teen Vogue and BuzzFeed recommended read, and one of YALSA's top 10 teen titles of 2021. Common Sense Media calls it brave, honest and moving. The controversy is mostly about its sexual content, not its writing.