All American Boys
| Company type | Young adult novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder | Jason Reynolds, Brendan Kiely |
| Products | Book |
| Parent | Simon & Schuster |
All American Boys, a young adult novel co-authored by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, was released in 2016 by Atheneum. The narrative centers on two adolescents, Rashad Butler and Quinn Collins, as they confront issues of racism and police brutality within their community. The book gained considerable attention and was ranked as the 26th most frequently challenged title in 2022, primarily due to its exploration of anti-police sentiments, as well as depictions of alcohol use, drug consumption, and profanity.
Background and publication
Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely first crossed paths during a 2013 Simon & Schuster book tour. Sharing accommodations, they discussed the acquittal of George Zimmerman related to the Trayvon Martin case, an event that strengthened their connection. In response to the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, the authors collaborated on All American Boys, aiming to shed light on police violence and racial profiling. The novel was officially published in 2015 by Simon & Schuster.
Plot
The story follows Rashad Butler, a black teenager who suffers injuries after being wrongfully beaten by a police officer who mistakes him for a thief, causing him to miss school and igniting community unrest. Parallelly, Quinn Collins, a white peer and family acquaintance of the officer involved, witnesses the incident firsthand.
Educational uses
Professor Luke Rodesiler identifies All American Boys as an effective resource for exploring topics like police violence, systemic racism, athlete activism, and protest movements. He recommends assignments that examine specific cases of police brutality alongside legal decisions regarding protests to establish connections between the novel’s themes and contemporary American society. Educators such as Jody Pollock and Tashema Spence-Davis incorporate the book into their high school curricula to deepen students’ comprehension of socio-political challenges, particularly supporting majority-minority and marginalized learners by encouraging dialogue about racial prejudice and justice. Teachers can craft discussion prompts that highlight social justice motifs within the story while relating them to current affairs.
Accolades
| Year | Award | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Walter Dean Myers Award | Winner |
| Coretta Scott King Award for Author | Honor | |
| Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award for Young Adult Fiction | ||
| 2017 | Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award for Young Adults | Nominee |
| Rhode Island Teen Book Award | Nominee | |
| Milwaukee County Teen Book Award | Nominee | |
| 2017-2018 | South Carolina Book Award for Young Adult | Nominee |
Reviews
Since its publication in 2015, All American Boys has received acclaim for its candid treatment of police brutality and racial issues. Publishers Weekly described it as “painful and all-too-timely,” emphasizing its pertinence amid ongoing news coverage and the importance of engaging with these subjects beyond surface-level reactions. In a starred critique, Ashleigh Williams from School Library Journal praised the novel’s nuanced depiction of the consequences of police violence through multiple perspectives shaped by racial dynamics and privilege. Likewise, Michael Cart of Booklist highlighted that the book sparks essential conversations about race relations and law enforcement misconduct while standing out as a thoughtfully constructed, psychologically rich, character-focused narrative.
Censorship
In 2020, All American Boys was ranked third on the American Library Association's list of the most frequently banned and challenged books across the United States. The novel encountered prohibitions and limitations due to its use of profanity, depiction of drug use and alcoholism, and concerns that it conveyed anti-police sentiments while tackling contentious or sensitive matters.
South Carolina
In South Carolina, law enforcement officials objected to the presence of All American Boys in an English course at Wando High School, where it was offered as one of eight summer reading selections for incoming freshmen. Police representatives contended that the book fosters mistrust toward law enforcement and expressed concern over students’ susceptibility, especially those lacking prior exposure to police. The school librarian supported the book’s inclusion and criticized local police for resisting challenging but necessary conversations. The National Coalition Against Censorship appealed to the principal to maintain the book in the curriculum. Following this, Principal Dr. Sherry Eppelsheimer agreed to reevaluate the decision to ban the novel.
Cornelius, North Carolina
At Bailey Middle School in Cornelius, North Carolina, two parents—including a police officer—raised objections against All American Boys. A review process was conducted involving law enforcement personnel, school staff, and community members, with officers attending classroom sessions where the book was part of instruction. In September 2019, the school board resolved to keep the novel within the eighth-grade syllabus, emphasizing its importance in educating students about social justice themes and current societal issues.