Reviews

Black Boy Joy by Kwame Mbalia

ercamcll's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

pucksandpaperbacks's review

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

CW: mentions of COVID, racism, bullying, grief, death of a loved one, injury, medical content 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Racism, Grief, and Death

hayitshaley's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

in_and_out_of_the_stash's review

4.0

These stories were the right length to tell a story. As there were a number of different authors there are different genres but I don't think that is a bad thing for a book aimed at tweens/young teens.

jwinchell's review

4.0

Yes, we all need this book. But Black boys really need this book. It’s so expansive and human. A must read for anyone who cares about diverse books for real readers.

meaganmart's review

5.0

Black Boy Joy is an instant classic. It should (and I'm sure will) be on the shelves of every library across the United States. It is an incredible collection of short stories by many of the biggest names in middle grades and young adult literature. We see stories by Jason Reynolds, Kwame Mbalia, and Jerry Craft among others.

While the individual stories are captivating, and include something for every type of reader, from a graphic short story to poetry, to realistic fiction, to historical fiction, to fantasy, what I love most about the collection is the overarching theme of "joy." There is so much to celebrate and to be proud of within the rich history of African American culture and I am so happy to see a book that so thoroughly rejoices in that pride and that joy.

charliebnl's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

andeez's review

5.0

Black Boy Joy is necessary. For Black Boys. For those of us who know Black boys. For those who don't know Black boys. We all deserve to be represented - and stories from amazing authors tell the joy of being a Black boy.

Being a Black boy can be scary in this society. But being a Black boy is not all fear. They are beautiful. They are smart. They are our future. Thank you Kwame Mbalia for getting these guys together to collaborate on this amazing piece of work.

annalisenak97's review

5.0

I bawled my eyes out. This is a brilliant collection of short stories ties together by an overarching narrative, which I just love. These stories celebrating black boyhood, childhood, first crushes, winning a game, dreaming big, and so much more. But the reason this book rings true is because it doesn't just celebrate joy, but it celebrates joy in the face of pain and adversity, which is even more powerful.

thenextgenlibrarian's review

4.0

Black boy joy is…