All Boys Aren't Blue
by George M. Johnson
In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. 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.
Genres
Banned or challenged 13 times across 13 jurisdictions.
Related Laws
This book has been banned or challenged under these laws.
Also flagged by 2 challenger groups
These groups have publicly targeted this book for removal. This is NOT a confirmed ban — it’s a signal that the book is on one or more challenger lists, which often precedes formal challenges in specific districts. See methodology for how we distinguish targeting from enforcement.
Timeline
Unified view of laws affecting this book and jurisdictions where it’s been removed or challenged, in chronological order.
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Mar 25, 2022
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May 3, 2023
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May 17, 2023
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Jun 13, 2023
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Apr 23, 2024
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Jun 30, 2024
BanremovedAlachua County School District, FL
Removed per FL Stat. 1006.28(2) — reported in the FL DoE 2023-2024 statewide report.
BanremovedManatee County School District, FL
Removed per FL Stat. 1006.28(2) — reported in the FL DoE 2023-2024 statewide report.
BanremovedMarion County School District, FL
Removed per FL Stat. 1006.28(2) — reported in the FL DoE 2023-2024 statewide report.
BanremovedVolusia County School District, FL
Removed per FL Stat. 1006.28(2) — reported in the FL DoE 2023-2024 statewide report.
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Jun 20, 2025
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Platform availability
11 platforms tracked
Availability at online retailers and library platforms, refreshed by our daily scanner. “Pending review” means the scanner saw the title unavailable but a human hasn’t confirmed whether it’s a stockout or a real removal.
All ban records (13)
Volusia County School District, FL
school · school district
Removed per Florida Statute 1006.28(2) following parent/resident objections during the 2023-2024 school year.
Reported Jun 30, 2024
Central York School District, PA
school · school district
Diversity Resource List banned by school board Nov 2020. Reinstated Sep 2021 after student protests.
Alachua County School District, FL
school · school district
Removed per Florida Statute 1006.28(2) following parent/resident objections during the 2023-2024 school year.
Reported Jun 30, 2024
Escambia County School District, FL
school · school district
Restricted from Escambia County school libraries pending review under Florida HB 1467 / HB 1069 instructional materials policies. Cited in PEN America v. Escambia County School District (filed May 16, 2023) as part of a pattern of restrictions disproportionately affecting books with LGBTQ+, Black, Brown, and Indigenous authors and stories.
Reported May 16, 2023
Fort Worth ISD, TX
school · school district
Under review by committee of master-certified librarians per FWISD book review process.
Reported Aug 28, 2023
Indian River County School District, FL
school · school district
Group claimed books violate state pornography statutes and contain sexually explicit content
Reported Nov 16, 2021
Keller ISD, TX
school · school district
Removed under Keller ISD EFB policy review. Board overruled their own review committee decisions.
Reported Aug 16, 2022
Manatee County School District, FL
school · school district
Removed per Florida Statute 1006.28(2) following parent/resident objections during the 2023-2024 school year.
Reported Jun 30, 2024
Marion County School District, FL
school · school district
Removed per Florida Statute 1006.28(2) following parent/resident objections during the 2023-2024 school year.
Reported Jun 30, 2024
New Braunfels ISD, TX
school · school district
SB 13 non-compliant
Reported Jan 1, 2026
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
prison · state
PAGES 201, 202 & 203 CONTAIN INCEST (COUS/COUS)
Reported Mar 18, 2025
DoDEA (Federal)
school · federal
Removed per executive orders targeting DEI, gender ideology, and 'radical indoctrination' content in K-12 schools.
Reported Jul 14, 2025
Wilson County Schools, TN
school · school district
Removed in October 2024 to comply with Tennessee HB 843 (2024 amendment to the Age-Appropriate Materials Act).
Reported Oct 24, 2024