About this book
A high school senior navigates messy boys, messier relationships, and the struggle of never quite living up to her Taiwanese mother's expectations. A modern Judy Blume meets Jenny Han, Boys I Know is a raw and realistic look into the lives of teen girls, examining the complex overlap between teen sexuality and Asian American identity. A sharp and unflinchingly honest journey of self-discovery. June Chu has always been the "just good enough" girl. Good enough to line the shelves with third-place trophies and steal secret kisses from her AP Bio partner, Rhys. But not good enough to meet her mother’s unrelenting expectations, or get Rhys to commit. While June’s mother insists she follow in her (perfect) sister’s footsteps and get a (full-ride) violin scholarship, June doesn’t see the point in trying too hard if she’s destined to fall short anyway. Instead, she focuses her efforts on making her relationship with Rhys "official." But after her methodically planned, tipsily executed scheme explodes on the level of a nuclear disaster, she flings herself into a new relationship with a guy who’s not allergic to the word girlfriend. As the line between sex and love blurs, and pressure to map out her entire future threatens to burst, June will have to decide on whose terms she’s going to live her life—even if it means fraying her relationship with her mother beyond repair.
Censorship history
In 2025, "Boys I Know" by Anna Gracia faced bans at the school level in various districts across the United States, primarily due to its sexual content and themes related to race and colonialism. Notably, the book was challenged during a school board meeting in the Los Angeles Unified School District, where parents and community members expressed concerns about its appropriateness for high school students. As a result of these challenges, the book was removed from several school libraries, with ongoing debates about its reinstatement continuing into 2026.
Bans
| Country | Year | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | SexualRacial |
