Black boys in the United States have been taught to suppress their emotions, to show strength and most importantly, never show fear. In this affecting collection, author/editor Kwame Mbalia (Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky) brings together the stories of 16 Black male and non-binary authors. Black Boy Joy allows Black boys to see other young Black individuals be fully themselves: vulnerable, happy and free.
"Black Boy Joy" is a term coined by Danielle Young in 2016 that "has grown to encompass the revelry, the excitement, the sheer fun of growing up as boys in and out of the hood." This anthology includes 17 adventurous short stories from Black children's and teen authors such as B.B. Alston, Jay Coles, Julian Randall and Jason Reynolds. In these stories, Black boys are able to cry, laugh, be indifferent, have uncommon interests and even compete in intergalactic races. Black Boy Joy mixes stories of loss, grief and finding one's voice with those that focus on the everyday, like picking out the perfect outfit for the first day of school, playing sports or performing in front of a large crowd.
"The Griot of Grover Street," a three-part story written by Kwame Mbalia, spans realms. It tells the story of 11-year-old Fort (short for Fortitude), who, after the loss of his aunt, must learn how to take over the role of spreading joy across the universe. "Percival and the Jab" by P. Djèlí Clark is about a young Trinidadian immigrant who is followed on his move to Brooklyn by a "c-o-n-s-t-a-n-t-l-y" complaining devil who takes up residence in his closet; "The Gender Reveal" by George M. Johnson introduces readers to 13-year-old Malcolm, who struggles with telling the world who they really are.
Although Black Boy Joy is written for a very specific audience, Mbalia and the other authors tell the stories of young Black men with such vivid, expansive descriptions that all readers can experience the joy that radiates through the pages of this book. Anyone, no matter their age or ethnicity, can feel and have a sense of pride in themselves after reading this excellent anthology. --Natasha Harris, freelance reviewer
Shelf Talker: This anthology for middle-graders is beautifully and unapologetically written, allowing anyone, regardless of age, sex or race, to feel a sense of pride and joy in being true to themselves.