Black Boy Joy

 

Bibliography

Mbalia, K. (Ed.). (2021). Black boy joy: 17 stories celebrating Black boyhood. Delacorte Press.

ISBN

978-0-593-37993-6

Plot Summary

Black Boy Joy is a collection of short stories, poems, and comics written by seventeen Black male and nonbinary authors. Because it is an anthology, the book does not follow one main character or storyline. Instead, each selection introduces a different Black boy and explores the people, interests, and experiences that bring him joy. The stories include realistic situations involving family, friendship, school, clothing, music, and grief, along with imaginative adventures involving superheroes, magic, and space. Although the stories are all different, they are connected by their celebration of Black boyhood and the message that Black boys deserve to experience happiness, creativity, love, and freedom.

Critical Analysis

Black Boy Joy celebrates Black boys by showing that there is not just one way to experience growing up. Each story introduces different characters with their own personalities, interests, and families. I really liked that every story was different because it showed that no one person's experience represents everyone else's.

One thing I appreciated most about this book is that it focuses on joy instead of only focusing on difficult experiences. While some stories mention challenges, the main focus is on family, friendship, confidence, and everyday moments that make life meaningful. I think this is important because it allows Black boys to simply be kids and enjoy life.

Since this is an anthology, each author has a different writing style, and some stories include illustrations or comic-style artwork. I liked how the different formats kept the book interesting and showed that stories can be told in many different ways.

Overall, I think Black Boy Joy is an uplifting collection that celebrates Black boyhood positively and authentically. One thing I really enjoyed was seeing how each character found joy in something different. It reminded me that everyone's story is unique and that even small moments can have a big impact.  After reading, I found it very impactful to finish a story, then look back at the author’s picture. I could imagine and see the author as a kid living out the story, bringing a very personal touch to the reading.

Review Excerpts

• "Pick up Black Boy Joy for a heavy dose of happiness." —Booklist, starred review

•  "This book is a must-have in every collection for its variety of topics and its celebration of Black boyhood in all its forms."—School Library Journal, starred review

• "In a world where Black boys' stories are often tragedies, statistics, and stereotypes, this work surely reclaims ownership over the boldness, creativity, and wholeness they possess." —Booklist, starred review

Awards and Recognitions

• An Amazon Best Book of 2021

• A Washington Post Best Book of 2021

• A Boston Globe Best Book of 2021

• A New York Public Library Best Book of 2021

• A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2021

• A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2021

• A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2021

• A School Library Journal Best Book of 2021

• A BookPage Best Book of 2021

Connections

Students compare two selections written in different formats, such as a poem and a comic. They could discuss how the authors use words, illustrations, dialogue, or rhythm to communicate similar themes in different ways.