George M. Johnson (writer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George M. Johnson
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | George Matthew Johnson 1985 (age 38–39) |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Language | English |
| Education | Virginia Union University (BA) Bowie State University (MD) |
| Notable works | All Boys Aren't Blue |
George Matthew Johnson (born 1985), more commonly known as George M. Johnson, is an American author, journalist, and activist. A queer African American, they are best known as the author of the memoir-manifesto All Boys Aren't Blue (2020).
Early life and education
Johnson spent their early childhood in New Jersey and later, Virginia. They described their family as loving and affirming of Johnson prior to them officially coming out at age 25. Johnson attended the HBCU Virginia Union University, where they became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha. They attended graduate school at Bowie State University.
Career
Johnson's writing has appeared in Teen Vogue, Entertainment Tonight, NBC, The Root, BuzzFeed, Essence, Ebony, them, and TheGrio.
They gained wider prominence for their memoir-manifesto All Boys Aren't Blue (2020). The book is a collection of coming-of-age essays describing Johnson's memories of growing up with particular focus on their Black, queer identity. ..... The book was selected for YALSA's Teens' Top 10 and the ALA Rainbow Book List, and received a starred review from Kirkus. The Root included Johnson on their list "100 Most Influential African Americans in 2020."
As of November 2021, All Boys Aren't Blue was one of the most frequent targets of book bans and challenges amid an "unprecedented" period of book banning according to ALA. .....
In 2021, they released a second memoir, We Are Not Broken, focused on Black boyhood and their grandmother, Nanny. The book was named a secondary honoree for the Carter G. Woodson Book Award.
Personal life
Johnson is queer and non-binary.
Works
- The (________) They Don't Teach You About College (2016)
- All Boys Aren't Blue (2020)
- We Are Not Broken (2021)
- Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood (contributor) (2021)
- Property of No State (2022)
- Stonewall, illustrated by Theo Lorenz (2022)
- Five Second Violation (2023)
- Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known (2024)
Awards and honors
| Year | Work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | “When Racism Anchors your Health" in Vice | National Association of Black Journalists' Salute to Excellence Award | Winner | |
| All Boys Aren't Blue | Outstanding Books for the College Bound: Literature and Language Arts | Selection | ||
| 2020 | Goodreads Choice Award for Memoir & Autobiography | Nominee | ||
| 2021 | ALA Rainbow Book List | Top 10 | ||
| YALSA's Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults | Selection | |||
| YALSA's Teens' Top 10 | Selection |
