ParentsPick

All American Boys — Content Guide for Parents

By Jason Reynolds, Brendan KieleyFaber & Faber, Limited2021-03-04ISBN 9780571366750316 pages
All American Boys

Themes present

Violence
Scary content
Racial/cultural content
Profanity

Not found

Religious themesClimate changeSexual identityGender rolesLGBTQ+ themes

Content themes

Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.

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Detailed evidence, confidence ratings, and source citations for every theme.

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Example theme card

Religious themes

PRESENT

Contains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.

About this book

A bag of chips. That's all sixteen-year-old Rashad is looking for. What he finds instead is a fist-happy cop, Paul, who mistakes Rashad for a shoplifter, mistakes Rashad's pleadings that he's stolen nothing for belligerence, mistakes Rashad's every flinch at every punch the cop throws as further resistance and refusal to STAY STILL as ordered. But how can you stay still when someone is pounding your face into the pavement?

Frequently asked questions

  • Is All American Boys appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    The book depicts a brutal assault by a police officer on a 16-year-old boy, exploring themes of police brutality and racial injustice through alternating perspectives. The book addresses the frightening reality of police brutality and racial tensions in contemporary society, which may be unsettling for some readers.

  • Does All American Boys have violence?

    The book depicts a brutal assault by a police officer on a 16-year-old boy, exploring themes of police brutality and racial injustice through alternating perspectives.

  • Does All American Boys have scary content?

    The book addresses the frightening reality of police brutality and racial tensions in contemporary society, which may be unsettling for some readers.

  • Does All American Boys have religious themes?

    No religious content detected in search results.

  • Does All American Boys have racial/cultural content?

    The narrative focuses on the experiences of a Black boy who is a victim of police violence and a white boy who witnesses the event, highlighting the racial divide and systemic racism in America.

  • Does All American Boys have profanity?

    The book includes high school level swearing, which may be off-putting to some teachers and parents.

  • Does All American Boys have climate change?

    No climate themes detected in search results.

  • Does All American Boys have sexual identity?

    No sexual content detected in search results.

  • Does All American Boys have gender roles?

    No specific gender role themes detected in search results.

  • Does All American Boys have lgbtq+ themes?

    No LGBTQ+ themes detected in search results.