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How the Boogeyman Became a Poet
Poet, writer, and hip-hop educator Tony Keith Jr. makes his debut with a powerful YA memoir in verse, tracing his journey from being a closeted gay Black teen battling poverty, racism, and homophobia to becoming an openly gay first-generation college student who finds freedom in poetry. Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, George M. Johnson, and Jacqueline Woodson.
Tony dreams about life after high school, where his poetic voice can find freedom on the stage and page. But the Boogeyman has been following Tony since he was six years old. First, the Boogeyman was after his Blackness, but Tony has learned It knows more than Tony wants to be the first in his family to attend college, but there’s no path to follow. He also has feelings for boys, desires that don’t align with the script he thinks is set for him and his girlfriend, Blu.
Despite a supportive network of family and friends, Tony doesn’t breathe a word to anyone about his feelings. As he grapples with his sexuality and moves from high school to college, he struggles with loneliness while finding solace in gay chat rooms and writing poetry. But how do you find your poetic voice when you are hiding the most important parts of yourself? And how do you escape the Boogeyman when it's lurking inside you?
Tony dreams about life after high school, where his poetic voice can find freedom on the stage and page. But the Boogeyman has been following Tony since he was six years old. First, the Boogeyman was after his Blackness, but Tony has learned It knows more than Tony wants to be the first in his family to attend college, but there’s no path to follow. He also has feelings for boys, desires that don’t align with the script he thinks is set for him and his girlfriend, Blu.
Despite a supportive network of family and friends, Tony doesn’t breathe a word to anyone about his feelings. As he grapples with his sexuality and moves from high school to college, he struggles with loneliness while finding solace in gay chat rooms and writing poetry. But how do you find your poetic voice when you are hiding the most important parts of yourself? And how do you escape the Boogeyman when it's lurking inside you?
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2024
34 people are currently reading
5254 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
October 31, 2023
All Boys Aren’t Blue meets The Black Flamingo in this YA memoir written in verse about a boy who l has to deal with being Black and gay.
I love books written in verse, especially YAs. Their cadence and rhythm calm me; the stories are often intense and beautiful, and at the same time, they’re quickly readable.
How the Boogeyman Became a Poet immediately drew me in. Tony’s anxiety and struggles instantly flooded the pages, and my gut already churned in the first chapters. His story is intertwined with beautiful poems he wrote as a teen. It shows how the cheerful but also anxious boy found a way out in his poetry while having a girlfriend instead of a boyfriend. Found a way to let his words speak in his desire to get into college. It’s a shame the memoir isn’t on anyone’s radar yet. This story is so powerful and lyrical, and I hope many people will pick it up!
I just wish this book had a more striking cover so people would immediately grab a copy.
Thank you, HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley, for this ARC!
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I love books written in verse, especially YAs. Their cadence and rhythm calm me; the stories are often intense and beautiful, and at the same time, they’re quickly readable.
How the Boogeyman Became a Poet immediately drew me in. Tony’s anxiety and struggles instantly flooded the pages, and my gut already churned in the first chapters. His story is intertwined with beautiful poems he wrote as a teen. It shows how the cheerful but also anxious boy found a way out in his poetry while having a girlfriend instead of a boyfriend. Found a way to let his words speak in his desire to get into college. It’s a shame the memoir isn’t on anyone’s radar yet. This story is so powerful and lyrical, and I hope many people will pick it up!
I just wish this book had a more striking cover so people would immediately grab a copy.
Thank you, HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley, for this ARC!
Follow me on Instagram
October 27, 2024
How did this book call-to/find me from its obscure place on the "New Biography" shelf at my local library? Solid 5* realized early here. Autobiography focused on skinny, closeted, poetic, smart, black boy from a struggling family situation trying to play the 'straight script' while wondering:
how old will I be before I kiss another Black boy? when will Blu (girlfriend) find out about me? when will I feel free?
Appropriately recommended by Jason Reynolds, as this book is A+ material for YA. Such honesty, yet zero preachy attitude. Deservedly compared to Elizabeth Acevedo. The use of African-American/Hip-Hop/high-school-90's/lingo pulled me into this story instantly and completely. I inhaled this book in a 36 hours window.
At a very early age, Tony had his poetry pinned to bulletin boards in elementary school. But there were bullies on the playground:
I saved my tears to cry later on the pages, where the poems go: they just be falling on me sometimes like Comet sized hailstones bopping me upside my noggin, ancestral, asteroids, knocking rhythmic words into my noodle.
The author had a military dad so moving was a fact of early life. But problems rocked inside the family, and Tony, his older sister (by a year) and his Mom settled near Washington DC. Schools here can have neighborhood with money, as well as those clearly struggling to live day to day.
The core of this book revolves around high school/first two years of college. (ages 13-19).
I'm terrified that the Boogeyman is gonna hear what I've been thinking about certain boys and what happens to my heartbeat when I'm around some of them.
Tony's gift has always been writing poetry, so this becomes his hidden journal. He keep them in a hidden box. But his classmates know his capability and he recites as key school events, but keeps hidden certain secrets about himself.
He scrambles to get his application together for MSU (Morgan State University), a HBCU where he want to explore his roots. But he is running late with his letter, and third SAT attempt...
I think about who some of those other last-minute candidates are. if any of them are poor, first-generation, possibly gay, Black boys
with a single mother always on the move, and an absent and addicted father.
if any of them sing tenor and write poems to manage their emotions.
Pages 139-141 "I know this script all to well" encapsulates the 'script' that all boys are indoctrinated with: find a Christian girl ... prom night flex our Get Out of Hell Free hall pass ... attend separate colleges ... break up ... busy with other women ... find special one ... married, children picket fence ... and don't forget:
and all of our future children will be straight too.
This book is SO INCREDIBLY readable! Such honesty! It was on the adult biography section of my local library, but I think it deserves the YA room. (I'll talk to my librarian when I return it). But what YA/teens read biographies? This book deserves to be displayed on its own shelf in the YA books.
All teen/YA-readers will relate to the honest pain of the masculine pressure cooker that is high school. LGBTQ boys will completely understand all that is happening here. Tony's actions in early college will inspire you!
You will be rooting for Tony on every page you read.
I loved the subtle poetic-indentations of the text to add inflection/power to certain aspects.
Lots of 90's music references.
The actual poems Tony wrote during these years are perfectly placed in the story.
You just KNOW that there are more "Tony" students out there that need our support. There is so much more going on during those high school/college years besides curriculum!
I will add this to my "_all-time-favorite" shelf!
how old will I be before I kiss another Black boy? when will Blu (girlfriend) find out about me? when will I feel free?
Appropriately recommended by Jason Reynolds, as this book is A+ material for YA. Such honesty, yet zero preachy attitude. Deservedly compared to Elizabeth Acevedo. The use of African-American/Hip-Hop/high-school-90's/lingo pulled me into this story instantly and completely. I inhaled this book in a 36 hours window.
At a very early age, Tony had his poetry pinned to bulletin boards in elementary school. But there were bullies on the playground:
I saved my tears to cry later on the pages, where the poems go: they just be falling on me sometimes like Comet sized hailstones bopping me upside my noggin, ancestral, asteroids, knocking rhythmic words into my noodle.
The author had a military dad so moving was a fact of early life. But problems rocked inside the family, and Tony, his older sister (by a year) and his Mom settled near Washington DC. Schools here can have neighborhood with money, as well as those clearly struggling to live day to day.
The core of this book revolves around high school/first two years of college. (ages 13-19).
I'm terrified that the Boogeyman is gonna hear what I've been thinking about certain boys and what happens to my heartbeat when I'm around some of them.
Tony's gift has always been writing poetry, so this becomes his hidden journal. He keep them in a hidden box. But his classmates know his capability and he recites as key school events, but keeps hidden certain secrets about himself.
He scrambles to get his application together for MSU (Morgan State University), a HBCU where he want to explore his roots. But he is running late with his letter, and third SAT attempt...
I think about who some of those other last-minute candidates are. if any of them are poor, first-generation, possibly gay, Black boys
with a single mother always on the move, and an absent and addicted father.
if any of them sing tenor and write poems to manage their emotions.
Pages 139-141 "I know this script all to well" encapsulates the 'script' that all boys are indoctrinated with: find a Christian girl ... prom night flex our Get Out of Hell Free hall pass ... attend separate colleges ... break up ... busy with other women ... find special one ... married, children picket fence ... and don't forget:
and all of our future children will be straight too.
This book is SO INCREDIBLY readable! Such honesty! It was on the adult biography section of my local library, but I think it deserves the YA room. (I'll talk to my librarian when I return it). But what YA/teens read biographies? This book deserves to be displayed on its own shelf in the YA books.
All teen/YA-readers will relate to the honest pain of the masculine pressure cooker that is high school. LGBTQ boys will completely understand all that is happening here. Tony's actions in early college will inspire you!
You will be rooting for Tony on every page you read.
I loved the subtle poetic-indentations of the text to add inflection/power to certain aspects.
Lots of 90's music references.
The actual poems Tony wrote during these years are perfectly placed in the story.
You just KNOW that there are more "Tony" students out there that need our support. There is so much more going on during those high school/college years besides curriculum!
I will add this to my "_all-time-favorite" shelf!
February 11, 2024
A moving and beautifully written memoir in verse, How the Boogeyman Became a Poet is about the childhood, adolescence, and college years of the author as a closeted gay, Black boy from the American South. It's a powerful coming of age narrative, navigating homophobia and fear of being yourself, religion, having a girlfriend, being the first in your family to attend college, and finding yourself and your voice in poetry. Anyone could read this but high school teachers and librarians should have this one on their radar. The audio is read by the author and is well worth listening to. I received a copy of this audiobook from Libro.FM, all opinions are my own.
Read
February 5, 2024The audiobook is a must!!
February 17, 2025
All the stars, no notes. The audiobook production is phenomenal
February 28, 2025
Thank you to Libro.fm for the audiobook.
February 17, 2024
"How the Boogeyman Became a Poet" by Tony Keith, Jr. is a poignant, memoir in verse that will capture your heart forever. Tony's poetry has sharp edges and cuts you deeply at times but it also scoops you up in a big hug and leads you towards the light of hope. Keith makes you take a long look at the ways that queer Black youth are made to feel unsafe and forced to role play their lives in order to make others comfortable and not want to hurt them.
I loved the format of this novel. It included photos, poems and pages from Keith's notebook. This mixed media form was a perfect way to show how Keith navigated life as an anxious, queer Black boy trying to figure out his own sexual identity and make place for himself in a world that is hostile and violent towards Black people. I loved that the poems gave you a personal glimpse into Keith's thoughts and you are given the opportunity to question what he questions about society.
Reflecting on this one, I am left pondering about:
▪︎the ways that straight performance pervades every aspect of society
▪︎ the ways that queer kids have to hide within themselves and battle their own inner voices of shame because of not having safe spaces to be themselves
▪︎ the ways that poetry can speak what is in the heart and be used to break down systems of oppression
▪︎ the importance of community and acceptance for queer kids
▪︎ the ways that people pleasing create anxieties and heighten fear about showing up authentically and in the fullness of ones identity
▪︎ the ways that self-talk is important when you're learning to take leaps of faith in yourself and get over the imposter syndrome
▪︎ the"coming out" journey as a complex process that is further complicated by racism, homophobia, violence, social stigma & toxic masculinity
▪︎ how HBCU's can foster self esteem and become a safe space for self exploration
▪︎ how language and the arts can create freedom
▪︎ the importance of safe adults to development of self-worth and identity
If you loved The Black Flamingo, When We Make It, The Poet X and All Boys Aren't Blue, then run and go grab this one immediately. There are so many beautiful lines.Thanks to @epicreads for the gifted ARC.
I loved the format of this novel. It included photos, poems and pages from Keith's notebook. This mixed media form was a perfect way to show how Keith navigated life as an anxious, queer Black boy trying to figure out his own sexual identity and make place for himself in a world that is hostile and violent towards Black people. I loved that the poems gave you a personal glimpse into Keith's thoughts and you are given the opportunity to question what he questions about society.
Reflecting on this one, I am left pondering about:
▪︎the ways that straight performance pervades every aspect of society
▪︎ the ways that queer kids have to hide within themselves and battle their own inner voices of shame because of not having safe spaces to be themselves
▪︎ the ways that poetry can speak what is in the heart and be used to break down systems of oppression
▪︎ the importance of community and acceptance for queer kids
▪︎ the ways that people pleasing create anxieties and heighten fear about showing up authentically and in the fullness of ones identity
▪︎ the ways that self-talk is important when you're learning to take leaps of faith in yourself and get over the imposter syndrome
▪︎ the"coming out" journey as a complex process that is further complicated by racism, homophobia, violence, social stigma & toxic masculinity
▪︎ how HBCU's can foster self esteem and become a safe space for self exploration
▪︎ how language and the arts can create freedom
▪︎ the importance of safe adults to development of self-worth and identity
If you loved The Black Flamingo, When We Make It, The Poet X and All Boys Aren't Blue, then run and go grab this one immediately. There are so many beautiful lines.Thanks to @epicreads for the gifted ARC.
April 8, 2024
A beautiful biography in verse about a young black man learning about himself and what makes his experience as a black closeted man unique. I loved that the author read this; it really added to the experience.
Read
February 9, 2024**I do not rate memoirs.
HOW THE BOOGEYMAN BECAME A POET
𝚃𝚘𝚗𝚢 𝙺𝚎𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝙹𝚛
February 6, 2024
💾𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚜:
Poet, writer, and hip-hop educator Tony Keith Jr. makes his debut with a powerful YA memoir in verse, tracing his journey from being a closeted gay Black teen battling poverty, racism, and homophobia to becoming an openly gay first-generation college student who finds freedom in poetry.
Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, George M. Johnson, and Jacqueline Woodson.
💽𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝:
Tony Keith’s genre bending memoir was masterful. This YA memoir, covers his childhood but spends the most time covering his last year of high school and freshman year in college, 1999-2000. It is written in verse and is interjected with poems side-by-side with images of the poems from the author’s original, lined, three-hole notepaper, scratch outs and all, such an authentic aesthetic. The new chapter pages each have that copy machine black corner too… I’m obsessed with it for some reason. Along with the poems we also get AIM chat messages. I could hear the noise while I was reading.
Even though we live in invariably different lives- reading this reassured me that others feel the way I do. That’s why I love reading memoirs. They continue to teach me not just more about others and the world but more about myself.
📝𝚁𝙸𝚈𝙻
All Boys Aren’t Blue meets Poet X
Epistolary novels
Music references
Turn of the century (haha)
FTC Disclosure: Thank you to @epicreads @tonykeithjr @storygramtours for my #gifted review copy.
All thoughts are my own.
HOW THE BOOGEYMAN BECAME A POET
𝚃𝚘𝚗𝚢 𝙺𝚎𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝙹𝚛
February 6, 2024
💾𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚜:
Poet, writer, and hip-hop educator Tony Keith Jr. makes his debut with a powerful YA memoir in verse, tracing his journey from being a closeted gay Black teen battling poverty, racism, and homophobia to becoming an openly gay first-generation college student who finds freedom in poetry.
Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, George M. Johnson, and Jacqueline Woodson.
💽𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝:
Tony Keith’s genre bending memoir was masterful. This YA memoir, covers his childhood but spends the most time covering his last year of high school and freshman year in college, 1999-2000. It is written in verse and is interjected with poems side-by-side with images of the poems from the author’s original, lined, three-hole notepaper, scratch outs and all, such an authentic aesthetic. The new chapter pages each have that copy machine black corner too… I’m obsessed with it for some reason. Along with the poems we also get AIM chat messages. I could hear the noise while I was reading.
Even though we live in invariably different lives- reading this reassured me that others feel the way I do. That’s why I love reading memoirs. They continue to teach me not just more about others and the world but more about myself.
📝𝚁𝙸𝚈𝙻
All Boys Aren’t Blue meets Poet X
Epistolary novels
Music references
Turn of the century (haha)
FTC Disclosure: Thank you to @epicreads @tonykeithjr @storygramtours for my #gifted review copy.
All thoughts are my own.
April 28, 2024
Tony Keith is one hell of a poet, but I'll admit, I was struggling early on in this book. I was thinking that maybe his style of poetry wasn't for me, but then, strictly for convenience's sake, I decided to switch to the audiobook version and holy hell did that make a difference. Hearing the poems read out loud (as I personally think poems are meant to be—but poetry's not my strong suit, so don't @ me if that's a bad take), by the author himself, was such a beautiful experience. The audiobook also includes other sound effects, like a thumping heartbeat, a screeching microphone at an open mic night, and raspy/threatening growling in the background when the titular Boogeyman (a stand-in for the parts of Keith that, while he himself is not ashamed of, the world desires that he be ashamed of) is mentioned, that made for an incredibly rich listening experience. I'm someone who needs something in my ears while I do menial tasks (today it was spring cleaning my apartment), and not once did my focus slip from my tasks/this audiobook, so riveted was I by the elegance of Keith's writing. Definitely someone I plan to look up and see more work from.
August 30, 2024
Excellent book. But definitely listen to it as an audiobook!
April 22, 2024
A YA memoir novel in verse perfect for national poetry month.
👦🏾
Tony Keith Jr. has had the Boogeyman chasing him all his life. First it was after his Blackness then his queerness. Tony wants to be the first to attend college in his family and really loves spending time with his girlfriend, Blu, even though he has feelings for boys. This struggle leads Tony into his young adulthood where he deals with it quietly, despite having a strong support system. How can Tony accept and love himself when he’s hiding so much of it?
👦🏾
This was a powerful story, one that I had to read after @ambsmcbride recommended it at #txla24 last week. @tonykeithjr was able to be vulnerable and dynamic in his writing of this autobiography Fans of The Black Flamingo will really connect with this one as well. Thanks @librofm for the ALC. Tony does a fantastic job narrating it!
CW: homophobia, racism, police brutality, religious bigotry, bullying, death, grief, abandonment, alcoholism
👦🏾
Tony Keith Jr. has had the Boogeyman chasing him all his life. First it was after his Blackness then his queerness. Tony wants to be the first to attend college in his family and really loves spending time with his girlfriend, Blu, even though he has feelings for boys. This struggle leads Tony into his young adulthood where he deals with it quietly, despite having a strong support system. How can Tony accept and love himself when he’s hiding so much of it?
👦🏾
This was a powerful story, one that I had to read after @ambsmcbride recommended it at #txla24 last week. @tonykeithjr was able to be vulnerable and dynamic in his writing of this autobiography Fans of The Black Flamingo will really connect with this one as well. Thanks @librofm for the ALC. Tony does a fantastic job narrating it!
CW: homophobia, racism, police brutality, religious bigotry, bullying, death, grief, abandonment, alcoholism
May 15, 2024
The author explores his childhood and "the boogeyman" that followed him throughout his life, whether it was his Blackness, his economic status, his queerness. I really enjoyed his reflections on spirituality and his relationship with religion as he grows up and comes to terms with his identity.
This feels like it would be a nice companion piece to All Boys Aren’t Blue - another YA memoir exploring growing up Black and queer. I really enjoyed this format and the audiobook was wonderful.
I only wish there had been a little more? Maybe an extended epilogue. I feel like we were left hanging with the "what happens after". I wanted to know more about the author's relationships with his family. Did he come out? How did he navigate that?
This feels like it would be a nice companion piece to All Boys Aren’t Blue - another YA memoir exploring growing up Black and queer. I really enjoyed this format and the audiobook was wonderful.
I only wish there had been a little more? Maybe an extended epilogue. I feel like we were left hanging with the "what happens after". I wanted to know more about the author's relationships with his family. Did he come out? How did he navigate that?
August 5, 2024
I listened to the audio version narrated by the author and that is definitely the way to experience this book! I wasn't wowed or blown away, but I was moved by Keith's poetry. His experiences are so different from my own and I was both informed and inspired by them. I appreciated especially Keith's experiences singing in his church choir and exploring his own faith, as well as his experiences performing his poetry on stage. I loved that he didn't spend page after page blaming others for his problems (he certainly could have placed a lot of blame on his dad), but instead focused on his feelings as he navigated through them. Keith's overall focus is on how his poetry kept him sane during his struggles. The whole thing manages to be uplifting and inspiring, despite the harshness of his reality at times.
I definitely recommend this memoir-in-verse, especially if you can access the audio version!
I definitely recommend this memoir-in-verse, especially if you can access the audio version!
December 6, 2024
Tony Keith Jr. has got the magic to stick lines to the paper that just make the page come to life. Flowing through this memoir in the way of poems was such a wonderful and tasteful surprise. The writing alone makes this book worth reading but once you acknowledge all the rest it’s got going for it, you have to read it. The raw emotion and pure truth that comes through Tony story is a testament of what it means to be a human who faces a society that deems them unfit. Yet Tony wastes no time to explain exactly why we all do fit, and that there’s so much beauty in that truth.
March 30, 2025
Poetry keeps young Tony afloat as he navigates through middle school, high school, and college. He struggles with understanding his sexuality, while also dealing with racist teachers who, year after year, talk down to him. They don’t try to get to know him or understand him. And this is all despite being placed on the “gifted and talented” track. Tony gets his thoughts and feelings out by writing poetry, despite teachers who try to “snatch the voice out of his throat.” Tony dreams of a better life after high school, where he can share his true voice, but the Boogeyman keeps following him, preventing him from sharing the most important parts of who he really is.
Listened to this memoir-in-verse, and SO glad I did. Powerful, beautiful verse that Tony Keith Jr. performs himself.
Listened to this memoir-in-verse, and SO glad I did. Powerful, beautiful verse that Tony Keith Jr. performs himself.
May 3, 2024
In February 2020, Tony Keith Jr. accompanied his friend, author Jason Reynolds, to an event at the University of South Carolina and gave the audience an electric Spoken Word performance. I was fortunate to be in that audience.
In February 2024, Tony Keith Jr.’s debut book, How the Boogeyman Became a Poet, was released. I read it this month for National Poetry Month and was blown away – much like I was seeing him perform his poetry four years ago at USC. How the Boogeyman Became a Poet is a memoir in verse, detailing Tony’s senior year of high school and first few semesters of college at the turn of the millennium. It is a moving narrative of Tony coming to terms with his identity as a Black, first-generation college student and the feelings he has for boys. It is beautifully written and shows how, through the empowerment of poetry, Tony comes to openly embrace the truest parts of himself. Tony also sprinkled images of the handwritten drafts of a few of his poems throughout the book, and I thought that made it even more special.
How the Boogeyman Became a Poet is a 2024 fave for sure! I loved it so much.
In February 2024, Tony Keith Jr.’s debut book, How the Boogeyman Became a Poet, was released. I read it this month for National Poetry Month and was blown away – much like I was seeing him perform his poetry four years ago at USC. How the Boogeyman Became a Poet is a memoir in verse, detailing Tony’s senior year of high school and first few semesters of college at the turn of the millennium. It is a moving narrative of Tony coming to terms with his identity as a Black, first-generation college student and the feelings he has for boys. It is beautifully written and shows how, through the empowerment of poetry, Tony comes to openly embrace the truest parts of himself. Tony also sprinkled images of the handwritten drafts of a few of his poems throughout the book, and I thought that made it even more special.
How the Boogeyman Became a Poet is a 2024 fave for sure! I loved it so much.
January 30, 2025
highly recommend this on audio! the production on this was so fun.
March 16, 2025
At the suggestion of the author himself, I listened to the audiobook of this because he narrates it himself, and I really enjoyed it. So much emotion in this memoir, and I think some of my students would enjoy reading his words.
March 19, 2024
This would be a great read for teens trying to come to terms with their sexuality. The main character is a closeted Black poet. His poetry is sometimes excellent and sometimes decent. His journey is probably commonly experienced and begs us all to do a better job at just being good human beings who are kind and accepting.
April 27, 2024
Gives Poet X vibes. Autobiographical poetry about the journey from high school to collage and accepting all aspects of self. As with any book like this, listening is the way to go since the author is the reader and therefore you get the true reading. For real for real.
July 23, 2024
I was previewing this book to decide whether we would add to our high school library. It was so good that I bought a copy with my own funds and donated it. This book has been wonderfully knitted together visions of a young man trying to find himself while also knowing that he is hiding himself. It is important as a coming of age story and also a book of understanding for those who don't have to hide themselves from them self. I also added it to my books I am recommending for the first semester of school.
September 27, 2025
An honest, bold, truth filled coming of age memoir by author in his debut work of his search for his inner self as he hones his poetic skill and tries to find his niche in the world around him.
Read
March 3, 2024I will admit that I’m a huge fiction girly and very rarely read memoirs. However, the title and the book cover caught my eye at NCTE and I took a look. I love books in verse and when I saw this was a memoir in verse by a spoken word poet I was even more interested. I flipped through the pages, read a few of the poems and I was all in. I grabbed a copy and looked forward to reading this memoir when I had some time. I was not disappointed.
“How the Boogeyman Became a Poet” reflects on Tony Keith’s senior year of high school and his first year of college as he struggles to figure out who he is. It is during this time that Tony is struggling with what he would like for his future and struggling with his sexuality. He opens his memoir with giving a bit of background about his childhood before diving deep into the numerous insecurities young teens may have as they face their last year of high school where the constant talk is about “which college are you going to go to”. Teenage Tony is struggling with the last few months of school as he doesn’t think he has the grades to go to college but knows everyone around him expects him to. He also feels that he is continuing to live his life as a lie as he has a girlfriend, whom his parents know and love, while going to church, and maintaining an image of a “cool, straight Black teen.” It’s this performance he puts on that he calls the Boogeyman because the Boogeyman shows up to remind Tony that he is living a lie. Tony does express himself though his poetry and one highlight from the book is Tony sharing the poems that he wrote during this time period. There is a distinct difference in the style and tone of these younger poems, from the rest of the memoir, that reminds the reader that Tony will eventually find his way. As Tony attends college and is exposed to a wider world, friendships change, he breaks up with his girlfriend, and does begin to be true to himself. He also begins to find his voice in his poetry as he begins to accept who he is.
Overall I enjoyed “How the Boogeyman Became a Poet” as Tony’s voice as a confused teen growing into a confident young man moved me. There were so many passages that were truly moving and drew me into Tony’s story. Tony’s poems are lyrical with a flow that moves with a smooth beat. He weaves imagery into pictures the eyes can see and moments the heart can feel. I hope that this book becomes an audio book and that Tony is the narrator as his memoir was an enjoyable read, that I can only imagine how it would sound.
“How the Boogeyman Became a Poet” reflects on Tony Keith’s senior year of high school and his first year of college as he struggles to figure out who he is. It is during this time that Tony is struggling with what he would like for his future and struggling with his sexuality. He opens his memoir with giving a bit of background about his childhood before diving deep into the numerous insecurities young teens may have as they face their last year of high school where the constant talk is about “which college are you going to go to”. Teenage Tony is struggling with the last few months of school as he doesn’t think he has the grades to go to college but knows everyone around him expects him to. He also feels that he is continuing to live his life as a lie as he has a girlfriend, whom his parents know and love, while going to church, and maintaining an image of a “cool, straight Black teen.” It’s this performance he puts on that he calls the Boogeyman because the Boogeyman shows up to remind Tony that he is living a lie. Tony does express himself though his poetry and one highlight from the book is Tony sharing the poems that he wrote during this time period. There is a distinct difference in the style and tone of these younger poems, from the rest of the memoir, that reminds the reader that Tony will eventually find his way. As Tony attends college and is exposed to a wider world, friendships change, he breaks up with his girlfriend, and does begin to be true to himself. He also begins to find his voice in his poetry as he begins to accept who he is.
Overall I enjoyed “How the Boogeyman Became a Poet” as Tony’s voice as a confused teen growing into a confident young man moved me. There were so many passages that were truly moving and drew me into Tony’s story. Tony’s poems are lyrical with a flow that moves with a smooth beat. He weaves imagery into pictures the eyes can see and moments the heart can feel. I hope that this book becomes an audio book and that Tony is the narrator as his memoir was an enjoyable read, that I can only imagine how it would sound.
May 23, 2025
A moving memoir told in verse about being a poor, gay, black boy and the adversity that one faces from society for just trying to be themself.
Memoirs told in verse are a pretty niche genre, but one that I always end up enjoying immensely. Tony's poems are moving, and it was cool how he still had access to many of the poems that he wrote as a young adult that he could include in this manuscript. This blending of past and future Tony was really neat.
This memoir nails down a ton of lessons about life that can sometimes be hard to grasp in reality. Tony implores us to conquer our demons, rise above our financial standing, and go after our dreams no matter how far-fetched they may seem. I love when people are willing to share so many personal details about their lives in the hope of inspiring others to live their best lives, too.
I think my favorite part about this book is how Tony talks about this script that society expects everyone to follow (which has also been enforced by Hollywood): The boy is supposed to get the girl, prom night is a rite of passage where fourth base should be passed, they're supposed to go to college together, get fancy degrees, have sex along the way, eventually have children, and be successful parents together. This though, is far from anyone's reality and puts so much pressure on people who feel like they have to follow this script but feel like it doesn't capture who they are. I was lucky enough to not care what society thought about me and my early life decisions that affected my entire life, but most people aren't blessed with such strong wills.
Overall, "How the Boogeyman Became a Poet" is a moving memoir told in masterful poetry that explores many deep topics about growing up, embracing one's individuality, and coming to peace with oneself. It also urges us to chase our dreams, conquer our demons, and defy the narrative that society expects from us and thrive while doing so. I would definitely recommend this quick read for lovers of poetry, stories by diverse voices, and inspirational narratives.
Memoirs told in verse are a pretty niche genre, but one that I always end up enjoying immensely. Tony's poems are moving, and it was cool how he still had access to many of the poems that he wrote as a young adult that he could include in this manuscript. This blending of past and future Tony was really neat.
This memoir nails down a ton of lessons about life that can sometimes be hard to grasp in reality. Tony implores us to conquer our demons, rise above our financial standing, and go after our dreams no matter how far-fetched they may seem. I love when people are willing to share so many personal details about their lives in the hope of inspiring others to live their best lives, too.
I think my favorite part about this book is how Tony talks about this script that society expects everyone to follow (which has also been enforced by Hollywood): The boy is supposed to get the girl, prom night is a rite of passage where fourth base should be passed, they're supposed to go to college together, get fancy degrees, have sex along the way, eventually have children, and be successful parents together. This though, is far from anyone's reality and puts so much pressure on people who feel like they have to follow this script but feel like it doesn't capture who they are. I was lucky enough to not care what society thought about me and my early life decisions that affected my entire life, but most people aren't blessed with such strong wills.
Overall, "How the Boogeyman Became a Poet" is a moving memoir told in masterful poetry that explores many deep topics about growing up, embracing one's individuality, and coming to peace with oneself. It also urges us to chase our dreams, conquer our demons, and defy the narrative that society expects from us and thrive while doing so. I would definitely recommend this quick read for lovers of poetry, stories by diverse voices, and inspirational narratives.
March 7, 2025
As is the case with many other readers, I find novels in verse quite appealing since they tend to be deceptively short because of how the lines are presented but they also pack an emotional wallop and often necessitate reading and pondering between the lines. In this one, the author reaches back in time to plumb his memories of his high school graduation in Spring 1999 while he's living in Prince George through Fall 2000 when he transfers from one college to another. The first person in his family to attend college, he deals with racism, homophobia, and economic issues during that period but also during his formative years. He copes with each of these with supportive friends and through his creative expression--poetry. There are actual handwritten copies of the poems he wrote during this period included in the book. Because of his small size and lack of athletic prowess, he's also dealt with bullying. Additionally, he starts feeling as though he's reading from someone else's script or expectations for him, which causes tension in his long-time relationship with Blu, his girlfriend. Part of the problem is that he starts questioning his sexuality and finds a connection in a chatroom. This is one of the most honest memoirs I've read, filled with references to popular music and emerging technology as well as Tony's growing awareness of the inequities around him and how his own dishonesty about his identity may protect him from the judgment of others, but it also mutes his voice. Add this to your to-read pile or move it to the top.
February 15, 2024
How the Boogeyman Became a Poet is a raw, honest, and intentional memoir in verse. This coming of age story follows Tony from childhood to his first year in college as he battles with the Boogeyman. Since early childhood Tony became aware of the Boogeyman lurking in the corners of his life. With his parents divorce, his father's addiction, playground bullies, and his mother struggling to make ends meet, growing up was difficult for Tony. To add to this, from a young age Tony notices how his mind and body changes when he is around boys. Tony is afraid and unsure to admit this. Yet, Tony feels obligated to act out a prescriptive performance of manhood everyday. Tony channels his frustrations, tears, fears, and hopes into his poetry. Tony's writing is safety for him. It gives him the power agency get to the root of his feelings. Tony learns that writing allows him to battle the Boogeyman and his internalized fears.
With precision and pure lyricism readers witness how Tony propels through high school to college by using poetry on his journey of self-discovery and acceptance of being gay Black man.
With precision and pure lyricism readers witness how Tony propels through high school to college by using poetry on his journey of self-discovery and acceptance of being gay Black man.
March 9, 2024
📖My Thoughts📖
You know that feeling when you read a book and hit that last word and find yourself just completely overcome and overflowing with emotions wondering how something could possibly hit you in such a manner? Well, this book is one of those books. The book was written in verse allowing the writing to just seamlessly flow and the words on the pages were just so powerful. The story itself was just so raw and beautiful. I honestly don’t even know how to begin to put into words how I feel about this book because it literally just left me with THE most severe book hangover I’ve ever experienced. I am the complete opposite of Tony, yet somehow I felt so connected to him and his story. I found myself completely lost in this book shutting out the entire world around me. An escape if you will, into someone else’s life. While Tony’s life wasn’t exactly glorious, I really enjoyed being a part of it for just a short time. This is an absolute must read!
Thank you HarperCollins and Tony Keith Jr for the opportunity to read and review this amazing story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You know that feeling when you read a book and hit that last word and find yourself just completely overcome and overflowing with emotions wondering how something could possibly hit you in such a manner? Well, this book is one of those books. The book was written in verse allowing the writing to just seamlessly flow and the words on the pages were just so powerful. The story itself was just so raw and beautiful. I honestly don’t even know how to begin to put into words how I feel about this book because it literally just left me with THE most severe book hangover I’ve ever experienced. I am the complete opposite of Tony, yet somehow I felt so connected to him and his story. I found myself completely lost in this book shutting out the entire world around me. An escape if you will, into someone else’s life. While Tony’s life wasn’t exactly glorious, I really enjoyed being a part of it for just a short time. This is an absolute must read!
Thank you HarperCollins and Tony Keith Jr for the opportunity to read and review this amazing story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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