WE ARE NOT BROKEN
New memoir from George M. Johnson, the New York Times bestselling author of All Boys Aren’t Blue—a “deeply impactful” (Nic Stone), “striking and joyful” (Laurie Halse Anderson), and “stunning read” (Publishers Weekly, starred) that celebrates Black boyhood and brotherhood in all its glory.
This is the vibrant story of George, Garrett, Rall, and Rasul — four children raised by Nanny, their fiercely devoted grandmother. The boys hold one another close through early brushes with racism, memorable experiences at the family barbershop, and first loves and losses. And with Nanny at their center,
New memoir from George M. Johnson, the New York Times bestselling author of All Boys Aren’t Blue—a “deeply impactful” (Nic Stone), “striking and joyful” (Laurie Halse Anderson), and “stunning read” (Publishers Weekly, starred) that celebrates Black boyhood and brotherhood in all its glory.
This is the vibrant story of George, Garrett, Rall, and Rasul — four children raised by Nanny, their fiercely devoted grandmother. The boys hold one another close through early brushes with racism, memorable experiences at the family barbershop, and first loves and losses. And with Nanny at their center, they are never broken.
George M. Johnson captures the unique experience of growing up as a Black boy in America through rich family stories that explore themes of vulnerability, sacrifice, and culture.
Complete with touching letters from the grandchildren to their beloved matriarch and a full color photo insert, this heartwarming and heartbreaking memoir is destined to become a modern classic of emerging adulthood.
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Paperback
- January 2023
- 256 Pages
- 9780759554634
Buy the Book
$11.99
About George M Johnson
George M. Johnson is an award winning Black nonbinary writer, author, and activist based in the New York City area and the author of memoirs We Are Not Broken and New York Times bestseller All Boys Aren’t Blue. They have written on race, gender, sex, and culture for Essence, the Advocate, BuzzFeed News, Teen Vogue, and more than forty other national publications. They invite you to visit their Twitter @IamGMJohnson.
Praise
“Deeply impactful. George M. Johnson has done it again!” ―Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin
“A gorgeous love letter to Black matriarchs who give everything to love, care for and protect their children.” ―Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys
“Intimate. Revelatory. Powerful. A must-read journey.” ―Mark Oshiro, award-winning author of Anger is a Gift
“Love—deep, soulful, clarifying love—shines in George M. Johnson’s writing.”―Saeed Jones, award-winning author of How We Fight For Our Lives
“This is lush luxurious art doing hard messy heartwork.”―Kiese Laymon, award-winning author of Long Division
“Striking and joyful. This book is love!” ―Laurie Halse Anderson, New York Times bestselling author of Shout
Discussion Questions
1. We Are Not Broken opens with the Malcolm X quote: “The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman.” How do the women in George’s life support and care for them and their brothers? How, in turn, do George and their brothers uplift the Black women in their lives?
2. Each chapter is titled after a Nannyism, one of George’s grandmother’s pearls of wisdom. Which of these sayings resonated with you the most? Why? What sayings have been passed down through your own family?
3. Garrett, Rall, George, and Rasul consider themselves brothers. How is this closeness reflected in their family dynamic? What makes these cousins as close as brothers?
4. How does everyone in George’s family benefit from intergenerational relationships? How do members of the different generations care for one another? How do these relationships change over time?
5. Why is childhood important? In what ways does society force Black children to grow up too soon?
6. Throughout this book and All Boys Aren’t Blue, George talks about the way boys are taught to behave. How does that gendered conditioning impact George’s navigation of their gender identity? How do models of “traditional” masculinity affect young boys?
7. What does each boy’s letter to Nanny reveal about their individual relationship with her? Did you respond strongly to one letter in particular? Why?
8. What role do faith and spirituality play in George’s life? In Nanny’s? How are their relationships with religion shaped by their identities?
9. Nanny is a singular presence in the lives of these four boys. What do you learn about Nanny through her relationships with her grandchildren? How does she exert her role as matriarch?
10. George repeatedly singles out the importance of Black joy. How is joy expressed in each of these stories? Why is joy so important to celebrate?