Oooh, That Black Boy Joy!

Release Date: August 3, 2021

There have been several books touting the magical magnificence of Black Girl Magic.  From a Phoenix First Must Burn to one of my personal favorites, Legendborn.  Now Kwame Mbalia, author of the Tristan Strong series, has edited an amazing collection of stories celebrating Black Boyhood.  This book is entitled, Black Boy Joy. As an Aunt of 7 boys, this book makes me want to squeal with glee. 

Great, fantastic, beautifully melanated authors like P. Djeli Clark, B.B. Alston, Tochi Onyebuchi, Suyi Davies Okungbowa, and Jason Reynolds, have written stories, poems, and comics that celebrate the joy and power of Black Boyhood.  

Too often, Black boys are asked to grow up way too soon.  And we know that society paints them with stereotypes as soon as they can speak and walk.  But this book strips all of that away. These writings are about the happy, the exciting, the new, the unexpected, and most importantly, the love.

If you have Black Boy in your life, I highly recommend this book to you to give to them. 

Also, you know I had to create a playlist! This playlist embodies the essence to of Black Boy Joy.  It's a mood and a vibe...let it wash over you.

Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖/5

Author Kwame Mbaila