In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson's
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 tria...
A book excerpt was read on the Senate floor describing graphic sexual content; the speaker expressed disgust at the book's content and its presence in schools.
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I put some lube on and got him on his knees, and I began to s*** into him from behind.
— Episode: Shocking Signs About The 2024 Election (...
Episode: Shocking Signs About The 2024 Election (Ep 2095)
A book excerpt was read on the Senate floor describing graphic sexual content; the speaker expressed disgust at the book's content and its presence in schools.
"
I put some lube on and got him on his knees, and I began to s*** into him from behind.
Episode: Are They Finally Fighting Back? (Ep 2087)
Senator John Kennedy read an excerpt from this book on the Senate floor, which detailed a graphic sexual encounter; this resulted in outrage from Democrats.
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I put some lube on and got him on his knees and I began to into him from behind. I pulled him and kissed him while he asked me to turn over while he slipped a condom on himself. This was my and I was struggling to imagine someone inside. He got on top and slowly and it was the worst pain I think I have ever felt in my life. Eventually, I felt a mix of pleasure with the pain.
This book, 'All Boys Aren't Blue,' was mentioned as another example of a book with sexually explicit content that was found in some school libraries, leading to discussions about appropriateness and parental rights.
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And then all boys aren't blue. I'm looking at all boys aren't blue right now.
— Episode: Unanimous Trump Victory at Supreme Court...
Episode: Unanimous Trump Victory at Supreme Court, and 60 M...
This book, 'All Boys Aren't Blue,' was mentioned as another example of a book with sexually explicit content that was found in some school libraries, leading to discussions about appropriateness and parental rights.
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And then all boys aren't blue. I'm looking at all boys aren't blue right now.
I'm sorry. Can you see this? It's a penis. It's a penis that's being massaged at the end with things to try. And then another one talking about ejaculation.
You then took off your shorts. This is two boys followed by your boxers.
There you stood in front of me, fully erect and said, taste it.
This is what boys like us do when we like each other.
Episode: Unanimous Trump Victory at Supreme Court, and 60 M...
The book 'All Boys Aren't Blue' was referenced as another example of books featuring sexually explicit content deemed inappropriate for elementary and middle schoolers.
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And then all boys aren't blue. I'm looking at all boys aren't blue right now.
I'm sorry. Can you see this? It's a penis. It's a penis that's being massaged at the end with things to try.
And on it goes.
Now, how would you feel if your kid was at that school and they had books like gender queer in there and about the boys, not blue, whatever it's called, the books that I was reading to you now?
The book led one white school board member to call the police on her own district's librarian for keeping it in stock.
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There's books like All Boys Aren't Blue by writer George M. Johnson, whose book led one white school board member to call the police on her own district's librarian for keeping it in stock.
— Episode: It Could Happen Here Weekly 27
Episode: It Could Happen Here Weekly 27
The book led one white school board member to call the police on her own district's librarian for keeping it in stock.
"
There's books like All Boys Aren't Blue by writer George M. Johnson, whose book led one white school board member to call the police on her own district's librarian for keeping it in stock.
Episode: It Could Happen Here Weekly 27
The book led one white school board member to call the police on her own district's librarian for keeping it in stock and was targeted for removal in at least 15 states.
The book was highlighted in two episodes as the most challenged title in libraries, according to the American Library Association's annual report. Both Andrew Limbong and Jack Spear cited the new data, noting its prominence in recent censorship discussions. The podcast presented the information as a news item rather than a recommendation.
Episode: NPR News: 04-08-2025 12AM EDT
The memoir was identified as the most challenged book in libraries according to the ALA's State of America's Library report.
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A new report finds the memoir, All Boys Aren't Blue, by George M. Johnson, is now the most challenged book in libraries.
Episode: NPR News: 04-07-2025 6PM EDT
It was reported as the most challenged book in libraries according to the American Library Association's annual report.
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The memoir All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson is now the most challenged book in libraries. That's according to a new report from the American Library Association.
Walsh listed the title among the ALA's 13 most challenged books of 2022, noting its sexual content.
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Genderqueer, All Boys Aren't Blue, The Bluest Eye, Flamer, Looking for Alaska, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Lawn Boy, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Out of Darkness, A Court of M...
— Episode: Ep. 1151 - They're Coming For Your Child...
Episode: Ep. 1151 - They're Coming For Your Children And Th...
Walsh listed the title among the ALA's 13 most challenged books of 2022, noting its sexual content.
"
Genderqueer, All Boys Aren't Blue, The Bluest Eye, Flamer, Looking for Alaska, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Lawn Boy, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Out of Darkness, A Court of Mist and Fury, Crank, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, and This Book is Gay.
This memoir manifesto, written for young adults, discusses the author's experiences growing up as a Black queer person. It was written because there were limited resources available during the author's adolescence to help them understand their identity and experiences.
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there were no books for me to read in order to understand what I was going through as a kid. There were no heroes or icons to look up to and emulate. There were no road maps or guidelines for journey.
— Episode: Why Are So Many Books Being Banned? -...
Episode: Why Are So Many Books Being Banned? - Beyond the...
This memoir manifesto, written for young adults, discusses the author's experiences growing up as a Black queer person. It was written because there were limited resources available during the author's adolescence to help them understand their identity and experiences.
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there were no books for me to read in order to understand what I was going through as a kid. There were no heroes or icons to look up to and emulate. There were no road maps or guidelines for journey.
The host introduced the title as his own and highlighted that it had just been named the most banned book in America, tying it to Pride Month and the show's advocacy focus. George M. Johnson was quoted describing the distinction, and the discussion emphasized the book’s relevance to current social issues. Overall, the podcast presented the work as an important and timely read.
Highly Recommended
Episode: Hour 1 - The Thunder Win It All
The host introduced the book as his own and noted it had just been named the most banned book in America, linking it to Pride Month and the show's advocacy themes.
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I'm George M. Johnson. And my book, All Boys Aren't Blue, was just named the most banned book in America.
Episode: Hour 2 - Gilbert Arenas
The host noted that the book had just been named the most banned book in America.
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I'm George M. Johnson. And my book, All Boys Aren't Blue, was just named the most banned book in America.
Episode: Hour 3 - Chris Mannix
The host introduced George M. Johnson and noted that his book was recently named the most banned book in America.
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I'm George M. Johnson. And my book, All Boys Aren't Blue, was just named the most banned book in America.
Episode: The Best of The Dan Patrick Show
The host mentioned that George M. Johnson's memoir All Boys Aren't Blue had just been named the most banned book in America.
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I'm Georgian Johnson, and my book, All Boys Aren't Blue, was just named the most banned book in America.
Episode: Covino & Rich - Game 7, Rivalries, CRC from Vegas
The host mentioned that his memoir was recently identified as the most banned book in America.
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I'm George M. Johnson, and my book, All Boys Aren't Blue, was just named the most banned book in America.
Episode: Hour 2 - Jeff Teague, Jim Gray
The host introduced the author and noted that his memoir had just been named the most banned book in America.
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I'm George M. Johnson, and my book, All Boys Aren't Blue, was just named the most banned book in America.
I'm George M. Johnson, and my book, All Boys Aren't Blue, was just named the most banned book in America.
Episode: Hour 3 – Who plays Dan Patrick in a ESPN movie, To...
The host identified the title as his own book and noted it had just been named the most banned book in America.
"
I'm George M. Johnson, and my book, All Boys Aren't Blue, was just named the most banned book in America.
I'm George M. Johnson, and my book, All Boys Aren't Blue, was just named the most banned book in America.
Episode: The Best of The Dan Patrick Show
The host introduced the memoir, noting it had just been named the most banned book in America during Pride Month.
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This Pride Month, we are not just celebrating. We're fighting back. I'm George M. Johnson, and my book, All Boys Aren't Blue, was just named the most banned book in America.
This Pride Month, we are not just celebrating. We're fighting back. I'm George M. Johnson, and my book, All Boys Aren't Blue, was just named the most banned book in America.
It was mentioned as a book that has been banned in 17 states, illustrating the ongoing trend of book banning in schools.
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George Johnson's 'All Boys Aren't Blue' has been banned in I think 17 states.
— Episode: Ginni Thomas’s Unlimited Text Plan
Episode: Ginni Thomas’s Unlimited Text Plan
It was mentioned as a book that has been banned in 17 states, illustrating the ongoing trend of book banning in schools.
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George Johnson's 'All Boys Aren't Blue' has been banned in I think 17 states.
Episode: And We're Back!
It was discussed how the book was being targeted by activists who wanted to stop teenagers from reading it. The author found out about this via Twitter and the book was banned or pulled from libraries in numerous US states.
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Activists is a very cute term to give them I mean they are
They're very active
And so from that one post in late September
We are now at 19 states that have banned
Or pulled the book from high school libraries
And your book is porn
And I'm like yes
And zero people checked it out of the library
You tried to ban it from
In all actuality
It's like your white hetero son
Wants to read about my black queer sex
Maybe you should have a conversation
About that
It recounts the author's lived experience growing up as a queer Black person; it was targeted for removal in at least 14 states, deemed inappropriate for children by conservatives. The author initially laughed at the bans, but as more states banned it, they spoke publicly, leading to a criminal complaint in Florida which was later thrown out.
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When I found out about the first band which was in like Kansas City, I laughed because I thought it was funny because the book had already been out for 17 months.
— Episode: Get Your Bans Off My Books with George M...
Episode: Get Your Bans Off My Books with George M. Johnson
It recounts the author's lived experience growing up as a queer Black person; it was targeted for removal in at least 14 states, deemed inappropriate for children by conservatives. The author initially laughed at the bans, but as more states banned it, they spoke publicly, leading to a criminal complaint in Florida which was later thrown out.
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When I found out about the first band which was in like Kansas City, I laughed because I thought it was funny because the book had already been out for 17 months.
But within about four to six weeks, it had got up to eight states. And that's when I finally said something publicly about it.
And then that following week was when the first criminal complaint was filed against me and the book in Florida.
It's just actually been a pretty wild journey to witness this happening.
apparently there are obscenity laws in there trying to sweep our books into being seen as obscene titles that teens should not be allowed to read.
This book was discussed on the show in the context of its content, which includes graphic depictions of sexual acts and abuse, leading to a debate about its appropriateness for children in public schools. The discussion centered around whether parents should have the final say in what their children are exposed to, particularly in regards to sensitive topics like sexual abuse and LGBTQ+ themes.
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What is the expertise that you have and other Moms for Liberty advocates have to decide that a book, an award-winning book like All Boys Aren't Blue isn't appropriate?
— Episode: Joe Rogan in Shock Over How Much the Cro...
Episode: Joe Rogan in Shock Over How Much the Crowd Hates T...
This book was discussed on the show in the context of its content, which includes graphic depictions of sexual acts and abuse, leading to a debate about its appropriateness for children in public schools. The discussion centered around whether parents should have the final say in what their children are exposed to, particularly in regards to sensitive topics like sexual abuse and LGBTQ+ themes.
"
What is the expertise that you have and other Moms for Liberty advocates have to decide that a book, an award-winning book like All Boys Aren't Blue isn't appropriate?
In what context is a strap-on dildo acceptable for public school?
I don't have to be an expert in what dildos are inappropriate for public school.
Again, we're talking about incest, rape and pedophilia.
If a child feels seen by this story, that means that they have been the victim of a predator.
Episode: Megyn Kelly's Donald Trump Interview Gets Tense as...
This book was also read from during a Senate hearing on book bans. The explicit sexual content was deemed inappropriate for children.
"
I put some lube on and got him on his knees and I began to slide into him from behind. I pulled out of him and kissed him while he masturbated. He asked me to turn over while he slipped a condom on himself. This was my ass and I was struggling to imagine someone inside me. He got on top and slowly inserted himself into me. It was the worst pain I think I have ever felt in my life. Eventually I felt a mix of pleasure with the pain.
It was presented as a book that offers support and understanding for certain young people, specifically those who feel like outsiders due to their identity, but also caused some parental concerns.
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like for example gender queer or uh, all boys are blue Can be lifesavers for certain kids kids who are outliers whose identity? Uh is not accepted in their societies. They pick up a book like this and...
— Episode: Book Bans & Free Speech (with Suzanne No...
Episode: Book Bans & Free Speech (with Suzanne Nossel)
It was presented as a book that offers support and understanding for certain young people, specifically those who feel like outsiders due to their identity, but also caused some parental concerns.
"
like for example gender queer or uh, all boys are blue Can be lifesavers for certain kids kids who are outliers whose identity? Uh is not accepted in their societies. They pick up a book like this and they can Suddenly see that there's somebody like them that there's a way forward and that's why those books were written
The book was highlighted as the most banned title in America, with its author appearing on the show to discuss its recent distinction. The host and author emphasized its focus on pride as a form of protest during Pride Month, framing the memoir-manifesto as a powerful voice in the culture wars. Both speakers presented it as an essential work for readers interested in activism and LGBTQ+ resilience.
Highly Recommended
Episode: 3 and Out - Changes in Pittsburgh, What's Next for...
George M. Johnson mentioned his book was recently named the most banned book in America.
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I'm George M. Johnson, and my book, All Boys Aren't Blue, was just named the most banned book in America.
Episode: The Herd - Hour 3 - Caleb Williams will be fine
The host highlighted the book as the most banned title in America and noted its focus on pride as protest during Pride Month.
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This Pride Month, we are not just celebrating, we're fighting back. I'm George M. Johnson, author of the most banned book in America. On my podcast, Fighting Words, we talk to people who use their voices to resist, disrupt, and make our community stronger.
This Pride Month, we are not just celebrating, we're fighting back. I'm George M. Johnson, and my book, All Boys Aren't Blue, was just named the most banned book in America. If the culture wars have taught me anything, it's that pride is protest.
This Pride Month, we are not just celebrating, we're fighting back. I'm George M. Johnson, and my book, All Boys Aren't Blue, was just named the most banned book in America. If the culture wars have taught me anything, it's that pride is protest.
Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.
