Common Sense Media Review
By Kya Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Poignant, violent tale of Black boyhood, race, belonging.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE INCREDIBLY HUMAN HENSON BLAYZE, Henson Blayze is excited to start the 8th grade. After a summer toiling on the family vineyard with his dad, Deacon, and best friend, Menkah Jupiter, he can't wait to start on the local high school varsity football team and make the townspeople of Great Mountain, Mississippi, proud. He also can't wait to see his crush, Freida St. Louis, but that's his little secret. At school, he's greeted with baffling amounts of praise and adoration from the White residents in town who paint him as their football hero. He's unmoored by this, especially given the history of blatant racism in the town, but he remains optimistic and keeps his focus on his first game. As expected, he dominates the field—but the fantasy is cut short when he‘s met with gut-wrenching news about Menkah during the game. He chooses to cut the game short, enraging the White people in town, who quickly turn on him and demand he play. Heartbroken, Henson turns to the people closest to him for guidance, but, ultimately, he must choose for himself the best way to navigate the situation and reconcile his dreams with his reality.
Is It Any Good?
A timely and tween-friendly narrative of race relations between Black and White people in the United States, this book is powerfully eye-opening. The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze is a dynamic and endearing novel that explores racism in an intelligently age-appropriate way. Author Derrick Barnes does a great job of flipping the "magical Negro trope" on its head and examining the commodification of the Black body in a heartfelt and relatable way. Typically stories that explore systemic and racial violence as honestly as this book does may feel a bit heavy for younger readers, but Barnes is skillful enough with his incorporation of magic and mythology that Henson Blayze's coming-of-age story is as warm and satisfying as it is serious and sobering.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about courage in The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze. Although the town is upset with Henson for leaving during the football game, he shows courage by standing before them to share his decision. When have you had to be brave and share something with someone, knowing they may not like what you have to say?
When Henson hears that Menkah is hurt, he feels compassion toward him and rushes to be by his side. Is there a time you supported a friend through a tough moment in their life?
Despite being treated like an enemy by his community, Henson perseveres with his head held high because of the love of his family and friends. What obstacles have you been able to overcome due to the support of your loved ones?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Sports
- Topics : Family Stories ( Dads , Single Parents ) , Friendship , School ( Middle School ) , Sports ( Football )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Empathy , Perseverance , Self-control
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Viking Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : September 23, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 12
- Number of pages : 272
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : October 27, 2025
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