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Knucklehead: Poems – Electric Young Adult Spoken Word on Hope and Healing for Black Gay Youth
In Knucklehead, author, spoken word poet, and hip-hop educator Tony Keith Jr. pens a love letter to Black boys and men he affectionately calls, “knuckleheads,” a collection of poems created to liberate and affirm the truly expansive expression of Black masculinity.
dear Knucklehead,
perhaps you are like me:
always figuring out if your soul and your skin
are thick enough to protect your body from sticky stones
thrown from the mouths of those who know
that spoken words have the power to spit out freedom
and break-in bones.
While society often assigns the label “knucklehead” to kids with attitude problems, this brilliant and electric poetry collection subverts that narrow way of thinking, and empathizes with young people who are misunderstood, unheard, or ignored.
There are poems about the power of language to transcend the racist and homophobic constructs of a society prejudging Black boys. There are poems that serve as a salve for a world that inflicts hurt, poems that offer a beacon of hope for the curious and questioning, and poems that transform the way people love Black gay boys and men.
This is a journey of self-discovery through history, family, friendship, and falling in love. Knucklehead is a breathtaking work of art that will heal, provoke, and inspire.
dear Knucklehead,
perhaps you are like me:
always figuring out if your soul and your skin
are thick enough to protect your body from sticky stones
thrown from the mouths of those who know
that spoken words have the power to spit out freedom
and break-in bones.
While society often assigns the label “knucklehead” to kids with attitude problems, this brilliant and electric poetry collection subverts that narrow way of thinking, and empathizes with young people who are misunderstood, unheard, or ignored.
There are poems about the power of language to transcend the racist and homophobic constructs of a society prejudging Black boys. There are poems that serve as a salve for a world that inflicts hurt, poems that offer a beacon of hope for the curious and questioning, and poems that transform the way people love Black gay boys and men.
This is a journey of self-discovery through history, family, friendship, and falling in love. Knucklehead is a breathtaking work of art that will heal, provoke, and inspire.
128 pages, Hardcover
Published February 25, 2025
3 people are currently reading
2723 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 27, 2025
This was absolutely amazing. I’ve only ever heard spoken poetry on like talent shows. I listen to this audiobook and it was so powerful and inspiring and beautiful. My favourite ones were the following
“Think Some White Folks Be Crushing on Me “
“ one time I wrote a love poem “
“Think Some White Folks Be Crushing on Me “
“ one time I wrote a love poem “
November 3, 2025
I don't have time to rest until the rest of my poems are written.
You can feel the youthful energy in every single one of these poems. I could not stop reading and finished this in one sitting. This is an ideal book for teens - SO readable! SO relatable! You could open this book up to any page, and you'll find lines to underline/highlight!
Some quick themes/takes from this collection:
- Confidence
- Words have power
- Being picked on as a faggot
- Having unpredictability
- Always on guard
- Feeling pressure
- Stored anger
- Insecurities
- Realizes his writing is dangerous
- Poetry has life-meaning
- Poetry shared to help others
- Poetry chose him
- The universe is his stage
- Kids are cool; being free
- Racism takes its toll
- Black great, great, great, grandparents were auctioned
- White great, great, great, grandparents came from privilege
- Smart and black seen as novelty
- Go forth with your ideas
- Absent addicted father
- Hiding his curiosity for boys
- Fireworks to a child are magical
- Love yourself and stay positive
- Escape stereotypes
- Poetry will awaken listeners
- It’s a new day – fly!
- Unbridled energy
- Dreaming
- What is love
- Love is a hunger
- The world questions black gay love
- I want breathe with him forever.
- Living together with his man
- Love, I’m not afraid of you.
- Dreaming of his man
- Smell the scents in love poetry
- Love – wedding – honeymoon
- Watching his husband sleep
- Worries of publishing
I will seek more from this author!
Easy 5* for me.
You can feel the youthful energy in every single one of these poems. I could not stop reading and finished this in one sitting. This is an ideal book for teens - SO readable! SO relatable! You could open this book up to any page, and you'll find lines to underline/highlight!
Some quick themes/takes from this collection:
- Confidence
- Words have power
- Being picked on as a faggot
- Having unpredictability
- Always on guard
- Feeling pressure
- Stored anger
- Insecurities
- Realizes his writing is dangerous
- Poetry has life-meaning
- Poetry shared to help others
- Poetry chose him
- The universe is his stage
- Kids are cool; being free
- Racism takes its toll
- Black great, great, great, grandparents were auctioned
- White great, great, great, grandparents came from privilege
- Smart and black seen as novelty
- Go forth with your ideas
- Absent addicted father
- Hiding his curiosity for boys
- Fireworks to a child are magical
- Love yourself and stay positive
- Escape stereotypes
- Poetry will awaken listeners
- It’s a new day – fly!
- Unbridled energy
- Dreaming
- What is love
- Love is a hunger
- The world questions black gay love
- I want breathe with him forever.
- Living together with his man
- Love, I’m not afraid of you.
- Dreaming of his man
- Smell the scents in love poetry
- Love – wedding – honeymoon
- Watching his husband sleep
- Worries of publishing
I will seek more from this author!
Easy 5* for me.
February 10, 2025
I’ve already recommended this to everyone I know & I’ll return with a review once I’ve composed my thoughts. Just know this is one of the best collections I’ve ever read.
March 20, 2025
Reading 2025
Book 76: Knucklehead: Poems by Tony Keith Jr.
Another book that I purchased at #NTTBF and started my March physical book reading with for March. This is a high school age book of poems.
Synopsis: In Knucklehead, author, spoken word poet, and hip-hop educator Tony Keith Jr. pens a love letter to Black boys and men he affectionately calls, “knuckleheads,” a collection of poems created to liberate and affirm the truly expansive expression of Black masculinity.
Review: From the synopsis, one can see this book was not penned for me. What I gained from reading this hard-hitting book of poems is perspective. As Percival Everett said at his author’s event I attended last night, reading is a way we gain knowledge of the world. He also said something along the lines of he cannot control his book once it is in the hands of readers, because they bring their own experiences to the prose. I feel that every time I read a book that is not an experience I have had in life. The cover of this book is cool. 3.5⭐️.
Book 76: Knucklehead: Poems by Tony Keith Jr.
Another book that I purchased at #NTTBF and started my March physical book reading with for March. This is a high school age book of poems.
Synopsis: In Knucklehead, author, spoken word poet, and hip-hop educator Tony Keith Jr. pens a love letter to Black boys and men he affectionately calls, “knuckleheads,” a collection of poems created to liberate and affirm the truly expansive expression of Black masculinity.
Review: From the synopsis, one can see this book was not penned for me. What I gained from reading this hard-hitting book of poems is perspective. As Percival Everett said at his author’s event I attended last night, reading is a way we gain knowledge of the world. He also said something along the lines of he cannot control his book once it is in the hands of readers, because they bring their own experiences to the prose. I feel that every time I read a book that is not an experience I have had in life. The cover of this book is cool. 3.5⭐️.
April 21, 2025
minimal blood, but the delivery is incredible in a written medium. i especially liked "poet to the rescue." incredible how i could naturally interpret the flow of this one in particular. i read it twice, both only halfway thru before i gave in (because it was so good, i was too excited to finish reading it) and looked for the vocal performance on youtube. its usually hard for me to imagine things when written, but smth about his style absolutely struck me. the only downside is it doesnt appear a good chunk of his work has been uploaded n i dont use social media lol.
September 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. I wasn't quite sure what I was in for going in...and poetry can be hit or miss for me...but I really liked this. I couldn't relate personally to everything in here but there was quite a bit that hit really hard for me. Not a new favorite...but I'd definitely recommend it and would maybe read this again someday.
August 13, 2025
I would love to read more by this author. I've always lobed books written in poems and this is done REALLY well!
November 27, 2024
Powerful, amazing, brilliant. The strength of voice, power of words. I read and re-read the poems, captivated by story and by love. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!
August 19, 2025
I am a wishy washy poetry person. I have to be in the exact right mood, and the poetry has to be written just so. Even when the poems are well done there often is a part of me that exists separate from the part of my brain that is actually reading that undermines the whole endeavor because it can't help but think that the author is trying too hard to be affecting. I love books in verse, but poetry for poetry's sake, as in this collection, is always going to be a hard sell.
The reason I picked this up and set myself up for failure is not because I enjoy being negative about books that I know I'm not going to like out of petty small-mindedness. Tony Keith Jr. moved me to tears last year with his autobiographical novel in verse How the Boogeyman Became a Poet. Therefore, I thought surely I would adore his next endeavor to a similar degree. Alas, that was not the case.
This collection highlights some of the themes that were addressed in that book, but in a more direct manner. Tony Keith Jr. chooses to face his intended audience - young Black men and young Black queer men - head on in a series of uplifting yet perspicacious poems about what it means to grow up a Black man in America from someone who has been in their shoes.
It's competently written. I deeply admire his purpose. At times it can be quite evocative. If you're a poetry person you're far more likely to derive joy from this reading experience.
The reason I picked this up and set myself up for failure is not because I enjoy being negative about books that I know I'm not going to like out of petty small-mindedness. Tony Keith Jr. moved me to tears last year with his autobiographical novel in verse How the Boogeyman Became a Poet. Therefore, I thought surely I would adore his next endeavor to a similar degree. Alas, that was not the case.
This collection highlights some of the themes that were addressed in that book, but in a more direct manner. Tony Keith Jr. chooses to face his intended audience - young Black men and young Black queer men - head on in a series of uplifting yet perspicacious poems about what it means to grow up a Black man in America from someone who has been in their shoes.
It's competently written. I deeply admire his purpose. At times it can be quite evocative. If you're a poetry person you're far more likely to derive joy from this reading experience.
April 16, 2025
In dieser Gedichtsammlung steht der Rassismus gegen schwarze Menschen in der USA im Mittelpunkt. Man spürt den spoken word/poetry slam - Hintergrund des Autors beim Lesen, da es sich hier meist um lange, wohlklingende Texte handelt, in denen der Rhythmus und die Struktur innerhalb des Textes wechselt. Zwischen den Gedichten finden sich schwarz-weiß Zeichnungen, die sich ebenfalls auf das Thema beziehen lassen.
Der Autor geht auf negative Erlebnisse im Schulsystem ein, wie schwarzen Jungen oft nicht zugetraut wird, zu lernen und eine höhere Bildung zu erlangen, und er thematisiert Homophobie. Dabei ist er auch selbstkritisch und erzählt davon, wie er zurück geschlagen hat, um sich aus der Situation zu befreien. Er betont die Macht der Sprache, wie er eine Stütze für alle sein möchte, die Unterstützung benötigen, und motiviert dazu nicht aufzugeben, sondern weiterhin für Gleichberechtigung zu kämpfen. Zum Ende des Buches hin finden sich noch einige Texte bzgl. seiner Beziehung zu seinem Partner und den Herausforderungen, denen sie sich stellen müssen.
Mir hat dieses Buch sehr gefallen. Die wohlklingenden, teilweise sich reimenden Texte ließen sich flüssig lesen und zugleich habe ich immer wieder inne gehalten, wenn mir eine Beschreibung besonders gut gefallen hat oder mich eine Erfahrung besonders tief berührt hat. Die Zeichnungen dazwischen waren eine schöne Ergänzung. Ich mochte die vielfältigen Aspekte, auf die hier eingegangen wurde und wie auch die Gedichte sehr abwechslungsreich strukturiert waren. Ohne mir anmaßen zu wollen, die Empfindungen des Autors nachvollziehen zu können, hatte ich durch das Lesen der Gedichte dennoch das Gefühl, ihm emotional nahe zu sein.
Ich kann dieses Buch sehr empfehlen.
In English:
This collection of poems focuses on racism against Black people in the United States. The author's spoken word/poetry slam background is evident while reading, as these are mostly long, melodious texts with shifting rhythms and structures. Interspersed between the poems are black-and-white drawings that also relate to the topic.
The author addresses negative experiences in the school system, such as how Black boys are often not trusted to learn and pursue higher education, and he also addresses homophobia. He is also self-critical, recounting how he fought back to free himself from the situation. He emphasizes the power of language, how he wants to be a support to all who need it, and motivates others not to give up but to continue fighting for equality. Towards the end of the book, there are several texts about his relationship with his partner and the challenges they face.
I really enjoyed this book. The melodious, partially rhyming texts read smoothly, and at the same time, I paused every time I particularly liked a description or was touched by an experience that touched me deeply. The drawings interspersed the poems were a lovely addition. I liked the diverse aspects addressed and the varied structure of the poems. Without claiming to be able to understand the author's feelings, I still felt emotionally connected to him while reading the poems.
I highly recommend this book.
Der Autor geht auf negative Erlebnisse im Schulsystem ein, wie schwarzen Jungen oft nicht zugetraut wird, zu lernen und eine höhere Bildung zu erlangen, und er thematisiert Homophobie. Dabei ist er auch selbstkritisch und erzählt davon, wie er zurück geschlagen hat, um sich aus der Situation zu befreien. Er betont die Macht der Sprache, wie er eine Stütze für alle sein möchte, die Unterstützung benötigen, und motiviert dazu nicht aufzugeben, sondern weiterhin für Gleichberechtigung zu kämpfen. Zum Ende des Buches hin finden sich noch einige Texte bzgl. seiner Beziehung zu seinem Partner und den Herausforderungen, denen sie sich stellen müssen.
Mir hat dieses Buch sehr gefallen. Die wohlklingenden, teilweise sich reimenden Texte ließen sich flüssig lesen und zugleich habe ich immer wieder inne gehalten, wenn mir eine Beschreibung besonders gut gefallen hat oder mich eine Erfahrung besonders tief berührt hat. Die Zeichnungen dazwischen waren eine schöne Ergänzung. Ich mochte die vielfältigen Aspekte, auf die hier eingegangen wurde und wie auch die Gedichte sehr abwechslungsreich strukturiert waren. Ohne mir anmaßen zu wollen, die Empfindungen des Autors nachvollziehen zu können, hatte ich durch das Lesen der Gedichte dennoch das Gefühl, ihm emotional nahe zu sein.
Ich kann dieses Buch sehr empfehlen.
In English:
This collection of poems focuses on racism against Black people in the United States. The author's spoken word/poetry slam background is evident while reading, as these are mostly long, melodious texts with shifting rhythms and structures. Interspersed between the poems are black-and-white drawings that also relate to the topic.
The author addresses negative experiences in the school system, such as how Black boys are often not trusted to learn and pursue higher education, and he also addresses homophobia. He is also self-critical, recounting how he fought back to free himself from the situation. He emphasizes the power of language, how he wants to be a support to all who need it, and motivates others not to give up but to continue fighting for equality. Towards the end of the book, there are several texts about his relationship with his partner and the challenges they face.
I really enjoyed this book. The melodious, partially rhyming texts read smoothly, and at the same time, I paused every time I particularly liked a description or was touched by an experience that touched me deeply. The drawings interspersed the poems were a lovely addition. I liked the diverse aspects addressed and the varied structure of the poems. Without claiming to be able to understand the author's feelings, I still felt emotionally connected to him while reading the poems.
I highly recommend this book.
May 5, 2025
In this collection of poems, Tony Keith Jr. writes an affirming and encouraging message to young Black boys and teens. Told from Keith’s perspective and wrought from his own experiences, the poems seek to uplift Black boys to overcome the odds stacked against them and realize their full potential. Using evocative imagery, eloquent yet down-to-earth slang, and vivid vocabulary, Keith touches upon subjects like the prison system, surviving in a white world, positive Black masculinity, being gay, and, most importantly, fighting back with words. The poems take readers on a reflective journey, all centered on self-acceptance and love, proving to young Black men that they have a right to exist in this world, and, while it won’t be easy, they all have the inner strength to endure and become their best selves. Definitely recommended for librarians in predominantly Black schools and communities. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
December 31, 2025
A collection of poetry for kids who are often stereotyped, labeled and misunderstood.
👦🏾
Knuckleheads (Black boys and men Keith refers to in the #book) are the focus of this poetry collection for the upper YA crowd. It focuses on Keith’s perspective as he tries to redefine what Black masculinity should look like through a slam-poetry style.
👦🏾
This title was brilliant. There really isn’t another word to describe it. I didn’t know Keith held his doctorate, but I do now after reading this masterpiece about family, friendship, falling in love and the history of how men are perceived by the world. I loved Keith’s first novel, but I’m obsessed with him now! (Also he’s super sweet IRL!) The audiobook read by the author was PHENOMENAL!
CW: toxic masculinity, homophobia, police violence, generational trauma
👦🏾
Knuckleheads (Black boys and men Keith refers to in the #book) are the focus of this poetry collection for the upper YA crowd. It focuses on Keith’s perspective as he tries to redefine what Black masculinity should look like through a slam-poetry style.
👦🏾
This title was brilliant. There really isn’t another word to describe it. I didn’t know Keith held his doctorate, but I do now after reading this masterpiece about family, friendship, falling in love and the history of how men are perceived by the world. I loved Keith’s first novel, but I’m obsessed with him now! (Also he’s super sweet IRL!) The audiobook read by the author was PHENOMENAL!
CW: toxic masculinity, homophobia, police violence, generational trauma
August 1, 2024
In this book which feels sometimes like a poetry slam, the author talks about gay relationships, the workforce , police brutality, and poverty. When you’re told you’re nothing, he says use the language of your people. He says I’ll fight for you when they try to take our freedoms. Once the author decided to write some “saving words” he knew poetry would help because he writes for everybody and “for you.” The author was afraid to publish until he realized he could speak on stage. This book inspires hope, and he wants people to hear those who are misunderstood.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
May 2, 2025
4.5 stars
Totally recommend the audiobook for this because Tony Keith Jr. narrates it himself and I always thing it's better to hear poetry read out loud rather than read it. Plus, the audiobook adds sound effects and such throughout and it just makes it an excellent listening experience.
This is a short read, but that doesn't make it any less impactful. If you enjoy poetry, I definitely recommend checking it out!
Totally recommend the audiobook for this because Tony Keith Jr. narrates it himself and I always thing it's better to hear poetry read out loud rather than read it. Plus, the audiobook adds sound effects and such throughout and it just makes it an excellent listening experience.
This is a short read, but that doesn't make it any less impactful. If you enjoy poetry, I definitely recommend checking it out!
September 22, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss
Interesting book of poetry, but better suited to high school because of themes and language.
Interesting book of poetry, but better suited to high school because of themes and language.
February 9, 2025
A book of connected, autobiographical poems, musing on masculinity, racism, being gay and Black, and the possibilities of love. EARC from Edelweiss.
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March 30, 2025I think this would be good to have in high school libraries/classes.
April 23, 2025
Knucklehead is well written and emotional. I am not generally a poetry reader, but I found these moving.
May 11, 2025
A series of thought-provoking and emotional poems. Highly recommend.
May 17, 2025
I would love to hear kids reading these poems.
May 24, 2025
This had great moments in its writing, but it was too fast for me to feel truly connected with the narrator. No content that would be too mature for our library, but would not work for a Battle book.
May 29, 2025
Everyone should read this!!!
June 8, 2025
Really enjoyed this view into the author's adult life and love story!
August 12, 2025
Highly recommend everyone read this book. I love how this book demonstrates how in the black community often times black boys are criticized if they do not fit into a specific role in society.
November 20, 2025
My guess that what I'm about to say is true of every person with every collection of another's art in once space. I really liked some...didn't connect with others at all.
December 12, 2025
Well written poetry that is probably over the heads of a lot of teen readers. Probably not a widely popular title, but definitely some strong passages for literature study.
August 20, 2024
I really enjoyed this work of poetry. I found myself directly connecting with many of the poems. Would definitely recommend.
May 31, 2025
A fluid and powerfully voiced set of poetry about being Black, being a boy, being queer, being a body in the world. It reads as letters so it feels more personal. Realistic and pointed about contemporary issues, it feels like a mix of Sharon Flake and Jason Reynolds. And the illustrations that are added provide an extra visual.
"... they aint know I stored all my anger in a barrel with a loose lid. / they ain't know I was a little too cautious and a bit overprepared / for a gay Black kid. / they ain't know I was ready to say terrible things to people / when I permitted my insecurities to fight their battles, / when I decided to let my truth confront their ego / when truthfully, I was afraid they would never let any of our lies go. / I preferred not to be fluent in a language that told me who I really was. / instead, Knucklehead, I chose to throw flames / when my tongue twisted in gasoline / and my heartbeat striking the match, / knowing that I could, / if I wanted to blow it all."
"... they aint know I stored all my anger in a barrel with a loose lid. / they ain't know I was a little too cautious and a bit overprepared / for a gay Black kid. / they ain't know I was ready to say terrible things to people / when I permitted my insecurities to fight their battles, / when I decided to let my truth confront their ego / when truthfully, I was afraid they would never let any of our lies go. / I preferred not to be fluent in a language that told me who I really was. / instead, Knucklehead, I chose to throw flames / when my tongue twisted in gasoline / and my heartbeat striking the match, / knowing that I could, / if I wanted to blow it all."
November 5, 2025
This book was fairly short but it literally took me forever to read it. I felt like i struggled to read this book. It was hard to pick up and finish it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews