Excellent piece of work. The writing is well done, and the story was very engaging. Read in two days. This is one of those books that will sit with you and even have you do some research to learn more.

Great story, but so sad our society is like this. Loved the cover. I bought a physical copy for my own library.

I’m a huge fan of historical fiction and seeing how historical events are portrayed. The Color of a Lie does so much with topics such as passing, Sundown Towns, school integration, and white suburban development. This had several really intense moments, especially the last quarter when all the events prior are coming to a head and the danger is breathing down Calvin’s neck. I love that it had such a happy ending for Calvin, Eugene, and Lily, and the ripple effects of their experiences. Kim Johnson is a stellar writer and I look forward to seeing what she’ll publish next.

I liked that this book was not to long and was very fast paced. I enjoyed the pieces of history that were told alongside the main story. The characters were great and I'm satisfied with how it ended. It was an amazing take on the times and I liked the incorporation of historical figures.

I want to thank Publisher and NETGALLEY for this ARC copy



This was such a beautiful read and disturbing at times the story was taking in 1955. Here you have a family trying to start a new after a tragedy happened and relocate to an all-white suburb. My heart went out to Calvin who was trying to fit in both worlds and let's talk about his father. I understand he was just trying to protect he's family, but I felt he took it another level. I just love how Calvin's brother Robert and James was helping with the Teens. this was my first read from Author Kim Johnson but want be my last love it and I highly recommend this amazing Novel.

This was a fascinating story about a Black family in the 1950s that chose to pass as white -- and what the consequences were for such a choice. Eye-opening.

Kim Johnson is an auto-read author for me. I love that she covers topics of social injustice in a manner that's easy for young adults, and adults, to understand. In her latest book, The Color of a Lie, Johnson hits on the issue of passing and the fears that arose with it. When I was the age of many of these readers, this wasn't something that was talked about in the literature I was reading. The main character, Calvin, fells like he's constantly in two worlds and doesn't fit in either of them. When he's faced with the racism from the white population in his new town, he feels compelled to help those in the Black community, where is brother also lives. The more he does the more he puts his own self on the line and the white community finding out the truth about his family. Although this is fiction, there were many people who did this exact thing and, as mentioned previously, I'm so glad stories are being told. As books are being banned and history is being re-written or even erased in the United States, we need to remember our past even if it isn't something everyone wants to face.

The author’s note sealed the deal for me. It was really well thought and she has done her research! It’s a super quick read. Basically A family who is passing tries to live a lie and mesh with the all white community when 💩hits the fan threatening everyone’s life. The ending was a bit dry for me but how else was it supposed to end? Super accurate. I enjoyed it and highly recommend this book. I give this book 3.5/5 stars. Very well done and kept my attention #book #bookreview #netgalley #arc #passing #jimcrow #racism #prejudice #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #yabooks

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

I received a copy of this book as part of a book tour.

Another fantastic book from Kim Johnson! I am always blown away by the sheer amount of research that I can tell go into her books. It’s even more evident in this book, as it is historical fiction, rather than contemporary like her previous two books. I will say though, I did like her other two books a bit more than this one.

In The Color of a Lie, Johnson simultaneously thrills the reader with the built up tension, and educates on a variety of topics, including sundown towns, the Green Book, white passing, Brown v. Board of Ed, and many more!

I think one of my favorite parts of this book was the fact that through Calvin’s character, we see that passing comes with some steep consequences that weigh heavily on him throughout the book. It’s not portrayed as a saving grace that can do no harm.

I would definitely recommend this book to fans of YA historical fiction and social justice, as well as books by Nella Larsen and Brit Bennett.

What an absolutely outstanding, heart-rending book. This should be required reading in high schools for American history. It's engaging, thought-provoking and so well written. HIGHLY recommend.

After tragedy strikes, Calvin and his family relocate from Chicago, Illinois to Levittown, Pennsylvania in search of a new start. Light skinned enough to pass as white, Calvin and his family must hide their true selves in order to fit into their new neighborhood and town. While his mom’s cooking becomes bland and his dad doesn’t listen to the same music he once loved, Calvin perhaps experiences the greatest burden. Going to an all white school means that Calvin never feels at ease, constantly worried he’s going to slip and blow his family’s cover. When a local Black student from the neighboring school starts attending Heritage (high school), Calvin feels like he’s met someone with whom he can be himself. Emboldened by her bravery, Calvin decides there are some risks worth taking and reconnects with his older brother who lives in a neighboring community. Will getting closer to Lily and Robert risk too much, or can Calvin find a way to balance the two parts of his life. With towns observing sundown laws all over the country, and racially motivated crimes escalating, Calvin has to decide if he’ll remain true to himself or the self everyone around him sees. Watching his tongue and hiding who he really is to “play white” proves to be more difficult than Calvin thought, especially when tragedy threatens to strike again.

THOUGHTS: Known for powerhouse realistic YA novels like Invisible Son (2023) and This Is My America (2020), Johnson transitions to historical fiction with ease. YA readers who enjoy historical titles focused on race and familial relations like Last Night at the Telegraph Club, We Deserve Monuments, The Weight of Blood and historical nonfiction titles like Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice, A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School, and March (trilogy) and Run by Lewis will devour this one and be anxious to learn more. Pennsylvania readers will appreciate that Johnson selected the setting in response to her book This Is My America being challenged in Bucks County (PA) which also has a Levittown.

Kim Johnson has done it again. I knew this book was historical fiction, but I wasn't expecting real life characters to appear. The book covers important topics from US history that are not covered in history textbooks, and I can't wait to share this book with my students to teach them about these topics. By the end of the book, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see what would happen.

After a horrific incident, Calvin and his family leave Chicago and settle in a new White suburban housing development in Levittown. Calvin misses his friends and resents that his father insists they 'pass' as White to have a better life. It's 1955, a year after Brown vs. the Board of Education ruling that called for integration in public schools. Calvin hates the life his father has forced on him and fears the truth will be uncovered. When offered a job at Levitt & Sons, Calvin stumbles on an ugly truth. That there are those in town who will do anything to keep Levittown segregated. Can Calvin have the courage to help break down the barriers while he risks the danger of putting himself and his family in danger?

What worked: Powerful portrayal of a painful part of our past during Jim Crow America. Calvin is forced by his father to pass for White to better their way of life. Calvin is resentful but also fearful of this lie. Each day he struggles with fitting in with his new school and neighborhood. Calvin doesn't understand why his father would do this to his family. He helped his father with the Green Book. This was a book that helped Black Americans navigate America during Jim Crow.

All these characters are complex and multi-dimensional.

The author did a lot of research on this era which sadly is still present in our country. Readers see Calvin struggle in an all-white school. He witnesses one girl, Lilly, enroll, and how she's harassed and more. There's scenes of him wanting so much to act on his attraction to Lilly, while afraid this will reveal his 'secret'.

There's the neighbor girl who spies on his every move. There's also the conflict he has with listening to his father and longing to take a stand against discrimination and prejudice.

The scene where Calvin goes to a rally in Virginia to help with integration at his school is very authentic down to the incident where their car breaks down during Sundown. His friends and him are arrested and stay the night in prison. The police officer abuses him without fear of being reprimanded.

At the end of the novel are the author's notes, with references to this period and about places like Levittown. I went to YouTube to watch a video on one such town. The animosity shown when one Black family moved into an all-white housing development is haunting. It's sad to believe such things happened here in the US.

Riveting historical set in 1955 where a teen grasps with a forced identity that conflicts with his desire to stand up to injustices around him. Totally recommend.

At first I had no idea where this story was going, but the writing itself kept me intrigued. If I had not read Kim Johnson's other novels, I might have given up on this one. My previous experience with her writing kept me going, as I knew it was going to get good. In the end, the story did not disappoint. I loved the historical aspect, as that made it very different from her other novels.

I love a good passing book, and this did not disappoint. First of all the feelings I felt for these fictional characters is something you can not bottle up. The way this author made these characters so dimensional. Mind blown. So many layers. The scene where the car broke down, the scene in the woods just had me feeling like I was these characters.

I think the way this book was wrapped up did feel slightly rushed but it makes sense because of the situation. The reveal at the end with Alex? (I believe that was his name) and then to learn of the dad’s motives. NOW that’s how you show redemption in a book where there’s racism.

I was swept up in this story about Calvin struggling to stay grounded while being forced to pass for white. I felt his fear at being exposed & his frustration at hiding his true self. I've heard of the idea of passing, but reading this book gave me deeper insight. I can't imagine being in that situation as an adult, let alone as a teenager!

Calvin's journey is both a deeply personal coming-of-age story and a broader commentary on the pervasive nature of racial bias. The author crafts Calvin's internal struggle as he grapples with his dual identity, the lies he has told, and the truths he must face. I love the way the author expertly weaves historical facts into the story (i.e. Emmett Till 😭).

The Color of a Lie is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that will resonate with readers of all ages. It is a must-read for those interested in stories that challenge social norms and advocate for justice. Thank you to Netgalley and the author for my ARC!

As Calvin navigates the complexities of his dual identity, he also grapples with the guilt of hiding his true self from his family and friends. He struggles with the pressure to conform to societal expectations while also yearning for the freedom to be his authentic self.
The more involved in the black community, Calvin is the more he sees the injustices and discrimination that exist in Levittown. He witnesses the struggles of his new friends and neighbors, and he is forced to confront his own privilege and complicity in perpetuating a system that oppresses others.

Kim Johnson is quickly becoming one of my favorite YA authors. I adored not only this book but Invisible Son and This is My America. She has a way of writing that keeps you turning pages and racing to see what happens next. She has a way of making you connect with her characters that is uncanny. Definitely one of my top books for the year.

The Color of a Lie by Kim Johnson was a wonderful story. It was powerful and engaging.
I do believe this is my most favorite read of the year!

Thank You NetGalley and Random House Books for Young Readers for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the advance Kindle copy of this book. It actually came out already, so check it out! All opinions are my own.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Set in 1955, this follows a family devastated after a fire in their Chicago home killed their daughter. Now, light-skinned Calvin and his parents are starting over in a Pennsylvania suburb - and passing as white. Calvin’s father claims that it is for their safety, but Calvin is miserable. As he learns more about what is going on in Leavittown, he is determined to change it at a cost. Powerful and thought-provoking. Recommended for readers in grades 7+.

This book was so intense and absolutely brilliant. Literally a MUST read!!! If you haven’t read any of Johnson’s books I’m gone need you to get into them expeditiously. The way she weaves historical facts into the narrative makes every book she writes worth the read. We’re given a wholesome story and a history lesson at the same time. The Color of a Lie spoke volumes and Calvin’s character was courageous, conscientious, and outspoken.

White passing wasn’t a new experience for Calvin Greene he’s done it before in the past. But when his father purchases a new home in Levittown which was an all white community Calvin struggles to adjust. It’s hard living a lie when all you want to do is be your true authentic self. When Lily Baker integrates into Calvin’s high school it leaves him torn between two worlds. As he begins to uncover racist secrets about his suburb Calvin’s actions will put his family at risk.

It’s so sad that many Black Americans during the Jim Crow era with lighter complexions had to white pass in order to experience the so called American Dream. Throughout the novel the author focused on many themes surrounding traveling while Black, sundown towns, white communities fighting against integration, mentions of Emmett Till, the story of Levittown, segregation, influencing access to quality education, and the use of the Green book that helped Black Americans find safe travel routes and dining.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book it will have you hooked after the first chapter. For readers interested in historical fiction, social justice, YA books, or the history of Black Americans this book is for you. Special thanks to @cocoachapters  @kcjohnsonwrites @getunderlined for my gifted copy!!!