Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be clear: this is not a book you hand to your 13-year-old without a conversation first. The 'young adult' label is doing heavy lifting here—this is really for older, more mature teens.

That said, for the right reader at the right age, it's genuinely powerful. Johnson writes with the kind of emotional honesty that can make a queer Black teen feel seen for the first time, or help a straight kid understand what their classmate might be going through. The grandmother sections are beautiful. The discussions of consent and healthy relationships are genuinely educational.

But it's also explicit. Like, really explicit. There are detailed sexual scenes and graphic violence. This is why it's the most challenged book in America—not because of some conspiracy, but because it contains content that many parents (reasonably) don't want their 14-year-old encountering without context.

The WISE score reflects this tension: incredibly enriching for its target audience, but with safety concerns that limit its universal appeal. If you have a mature 16+ teen who's queer, questioning, or genuinely committed to understanding LGBTQIA+ experiences, this could be transformative. For younger or less mature readers, wait a few years.

Age Fit

This is genuinely for mature 16-18 year olds, not the typical 12-14 YA audience. The explicit sexual content and trauma narratives require emotional sophistication. It's an important book, but parents should preview it first and have honest conversations about why you're choosing to share it (or not) with your teen.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

75

A memoir rooted in family love, Black joy, and authentic self-discovery. Johnson writes with emotional honesty about supportive relationships (especially with his grandmother) and the journey toward self-acceptance. Models vulnerability and consent. However, includes frank discussions of bullying trauma and sexual experiences that, while handled maturely, are intense.

Imaginative

68

As a memoir, it's grounded in lived experience rather than creative world-building. The essay format invites reflection and self-examination, encouraging readers to think critically about identity, masculinity, and belonging. The 'memoir-manifesto' structure is somewhat innovative for YA, blending personal narrative with social commentary, but it's not primarily about sparking imaginative play or creative exploration.

Safe

45

Contains explicit sexual content including detailed descriptions of first sexual experiences, which is why it's the #1 most challenged book in America. Also includes graphic violence (teeth kicked out by bullies at age 5) and discussions of trauma. These aren't gratuitous—they serve the memoir's purpose—but they're absolutely not appropriate for younger readers to encounter unexpectedly. This is intentionally written for older teens who can contextualize mature content.

Enriching

88

Exceptionally enriching for its target audience. Provides crucial representation for Black queer youth while serving as an empathy-building primer for allies. Tackles structural marginalization, toxic masculinity, consent, gender identity, and family dynamics with nuance. The frank, accessible writing style makes complex topics digestible. For teens grappling with identity or seeking to understand intersectionality, this is genuinely educational and affirming.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Provides crucial, authentic representation for Black LGBTQIA+ teens who rarely see themselves reflected in literature
Teaches consent, healthy masculinity, and self-acceptance through lived experience rather than lecture
The grandmother relationship is genuinely heartwarming—shows family love transcending differences
Serves as an effective empathy-builder for straight/cis teens learning to be better allies
Tackles intersectionality (race + queerness) in ways that feel real, not academic

⚠

What to Watch For

Explicit sexual content including detailed first-time experiences—this is why it's banned everywhere, and parents need to know before handing it over
Graphic bullying violence (getting teeth kicked out at age 5) that may be triggering
Heavy themes of marginalization and trauma that require emotional maturity to process
Best for 16+ despite 'YA' marketing—the frank content is really for older, more mature teens

Conversation Starters

"Johnson talks a lot about different kinds of masculinity. What does being 'masculine' mean to you? Do you think those definitions are helpful or limiting?"
"The book shows how family can be both supportive and complicated. How did Johnson's grandmother shape who he became?"
"What did you learn about consent from Johnson's experiences? How do you think about consent in your own relationships?"
"Johnson faced bullying for being different. Have you seen people treated differently for not fitting in? How do you respond?"
"The book is one of the most banned in America. Why do you think adults are so concerned about teens reading it?"

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