I loved this collection of stories, specifically aimed at black male kids, all written by black male authors. As a school librarian, black male children are the most difficult to find books for, because there is not a ton out there that they can relate to. However, with this book, and others like it (many written by the authors featured in this collection), that is changing. I loved that, even though all of these stories were written by different authors, there were several common threads among

These are incredible short stories highlighting black boyhood. I enjoyed and appreciated that this collection of works showcased different experiences of being a young black boy. I do feel all little black boys should pick up this book. Each short story have its own unique storyline which was an astonishing, beautiful, diverse collection of stories that brought me joy, laughter and so many memories. This is definitely a must read!

Absolutely beautiful!

A must-read collection of sort stories. Such variety. So much...JOY!!

I needed a short audio book today and this one was on my audio library to download.I wasn’t sure what to expect.This is a middle grade anthology that has different topics in each story, poem, lyric.All were very different and I enjoyed each one.

This is a collection of Middle Grade Short Stories and Poems. I have to say I really loved most of these stories and poems, and I am not someone that reads a lot of short stories and poems. There was about 4 of them out of the 19 that I did not love. I think these stories cover so much important types. This is a great book. I really loved reading this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher or author via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about th...

This collection is a layered connection, where each essay builds upon the last and adds dimension and flavor, all while expanding the definition of joy. I loved it.

E ARC provided by EdelweissI always find it difficult to review short story collections, but this one is excellent. It's somewhat similar to Jon Scieskca's Guys Read books, in that there is a tantalizing array of authors. Some of these are favorites, and I immediately recognized and liked their stories (Giles' fantastic spin on super hero fandom, and Johnson's Definition of Cool, with its spot on depiction of hanging out and dressing the part). Others are new to me, like the YA author Julian Win...

Every story will either make you smile of cry. I absolutely love this collection.

I was extremely excited for this book, but sadly except for a couple of stories this book was disappointing. RTC

Amazing short story collection celebrating Black Boyhood by a great group of Black male and non-binary authors. These are stories celebrate Black Joy. Here’s are my favorite quotes:“The world is harsh. Find your joy, Fortitude, and it’ll be your night-light when everything is dark.”“These same eyes that get all teary when I’m sad…Also see all the beautiful things around me.”“The life I want for me is the life I want for all kids like me.”“When there’s death, there will be life, where there used

Yes to this book. This book feels so important that it exists. When I started, I didn’t know what to expect in terms of diversity and the different ways of being black boy joy. This book even included some no binary joy. What a beautiful book to exist that is positive, fun, silly, powerful, … joy and not just black pain or overcoming some kind of adversity. I hope that black youth can see themselves in this book.

Favorite stories were:• There’s Going to Be a Fight In the Cafeteria on Friday and You Better Not Bring Batman• The McCoy Game• The Legendary Lawrence Cobbler• Extinct• The Gender Reveal• But Also, Jazz• Our Dill• Percival and the Jab• Embracing My Black Boy Joy

Joy. Yup. Disrupted narratives. Yup. Incredible stories: realistic, fantasy, historical, in-verse, graphic. Yup. Yup. Yup. Yup. Yup. I loved everything about this anthology. Each short story took me to a different place - sometimes even to a different world - with characters with whom I wanted to be friends. Each character had their own unique story to tell, yet I don’t have a “favorite” because I was riveted, wanting to get the whole plot of each story in one bite. This book would be a great re...

I absolutely loved this collection. The theme of Black Boy Joy is held together with a story that Kwame Mbalia weaves throughout the collection, and that's what these stories are--stories about the joy of black boyhood! While I loved some stories more than others, there wasn't a single story that I did not like. Early in the collection, I said to myself, "Oh, this is my favorite so far (Legendary Lawrence Cobbler)," but I ended up saying this several times after, so suffice it to say that I real...

A collection of short stories all by Black male and non-binary authors celebrating Black male and non-binary characters and their JOY. There’s a little bit of something for everyone: realistic fiction, science fiction, low-fantasy, poetry, and even a graphic piece. If I were to rate each story separately, some would get 3, 4, or 5 stars. Some were super engaging and memorable while others were… meh (for me). I think this book would appeal to most elementary and middle school readers, and no doub...

An entire collection of short stories celebrating Black culture, boys’ everyday lives, and lessons of family, friendship, love, and life? Pure joy. Among my favorites are "The Griot of Grover Street," “There’s Going to Be a Fight in the Cafeteria on Friday and You Better Not Bring Batman,” “The Legendary Lawrence Cobbler,” and “First-Day Fly” (I just LOVE Jason Reynolds’ narratives). This celebration of Black boyhood is every bit triumphant, nourishing, and essential for diverse readers.

This book is pure magic. A collection of short stories that highlight black boy joy, this book is exactly what the world needs! From science fiction, to celebrating the first day of school; from poetry to comics-this book really has it all. I loved it so so much! You definitely should read this one!

Absolutely a great anthology of stories! Looking forward to sharing this book with so many of my students. I had so many favorites.

"Joy is a fragile thing, my boy, and must be treated as such. Too harsh and it disintegrates. Rush, and it disappears. So we coax it forth. Feed it, like kindling to a fire."The anthologies coming out this summer are absolute fire. This collection is no different. I loved this collection of 17 short stories that celebrate being a young Black boy. Most of the authors I have either read or at least heard of before, and I have a lot of respect for their writing. These short stories made me laugh an...