We Are Not Broken
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that We Are Not Broken is George M. Johnson's (All Boys Aren't Blue) memoir about their grandmother's profound influence on them and their cousins. It celebrates the strengths of Black women as leaders of families and the happy childhoods Black boys have, despite the challenges and traumas Black communities face. There is a murder. Most of the main characters -- adults, teens, and children -- get involved in fistfights. There are several instances of gun use. Violence is presented in a few cases as an acceptable way to solve disputes. A teen experiences sexual abuse at the hands of an older cousin. Some adults are drug dealers, and others struggle with addiction. There are many scenes of excessive drinking, sometimes leading to violence. Strong language includes "f--k," "s--t," "n---a," "damn," "ass," and "bitch." There are a few brief conversations about boys entering puberty and becoming interested in girls.
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What's the Story?
When WE ARE NOT BROKEN begins, the author is a pre-teen who, along with older and younger cousins, spends a lot of his time with his grandmother Nanny, a one-of-a-kind character who holds the family together materially, psychologically, and spiritually. Through a series of vignettes inspired by Nanny's sayings, they trace the family's life through many challenges over about 15 years -- drug use, racism, coming out as queer -- including Nanny's brain cancer diagnosis, illness, and death.
Is It Any Good?
This is a candid portrait of a resilient and unconventional woman and her family. In We Are Not Broken, author George M. Johnson shares stories with two specific goals: to give tribute to the strength and sacrifice of Black women and to send the message that Black boys' lives are about more than trauma and brokenness. The book does a good job communicating that love, joy, and fun don't have to wait until you're in recovery or society is better. At times, however, the examples condone, and even romanticize, violence, substance abuse, and petty crime. For that reason, this book is best for mature readers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the author's grandmother holds the family together in We Are Not Broken. Who are your oldest living relatives? Do you have relationships with them? Do you know their stories?
Crossing the line is a major theme in We Are Not Broken. Has a sense of integrity ever led you to cross a line or break a rule?
We Are Not Broken is a "love letter" to the author's grandmother. Why do you think they chose to include letters and speeches from other family members? Did reading those affect the way you understood the author's perspective?
Book Details
- Author: George M. Johnson
- Genre: Autobiography
- Topics: Adventures, Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Empathy, Gratitude, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-control
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: September 7, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 18
- Number of pages: 240
- Available on: Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: December 13, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto
Moving, explicit look at growing up Black and queer.
-
Gender Queer: A Memoir
Moving memoir of gender identity search has explicit images.
-
At the Edge of the Haight
Gritty, empathetic tale of street kids, dysfunction, murder.
For kids who love LGBTQ characters and stories of dealing with substance issues and
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