Kim Johnson's "The Color of a Lie" is a stunning and thought-provoking novel that tackles issues of race, identity, and justice with intelligence and sensitivity. Set in a small town in Minnesota, the story follows the journey of protagonist, Ailey, as she grapples with the aftermath of a racially charged incident that shakes her community to its core.

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its powerful exploration of race and privilege in America. Johnson deftly navigates complex themes such as systemic racism, microaggressions, and allyship, prompting readers to confront their own biases and assumptions.

At the heart of the story is Ailey, a biracial teenager who is forced to confront her own identity and place in the world. As she navigates the challenges of adolescence and strives to find her voice, Ailey's journey towards self-discovery is both poignant and empowering.

Johnson's characters are richly drawn and multidimensional, each with their own hopes, fears, and struggles. From Ailey's supportive family to her diverse group of friends, every character feels authentic and relatable, adding depth and nuance to the narrative.

Moreover, "The Color of a Lie" is a novel with a compelling and tightly woven plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end. From shocking revelations to unexpected twists, Johnson keeps the tension high and the stakes even higher, making it impossible to put the book down.

But perhaps the most impressive aspect of "The Color of a Lie" is Johnson's lyrical prose and vivid storytelling. Through her evocative descriptions and powerful imagery, she brings the town of Lakeland and its inhabitants to life, immersing readers in a world that is at once familiar and unfamiliar.

In conclusion, "The Color of a Lie" is a remarkable achievement that deserves to be read and celebrated. With its compelling characters, timely themes, and gripping storyline, it is a book that will resonate with readers long after they've finished it. Whether you're a fan of contemporary fiction, social justice, or coming-of-age stories, "The Color of a Lie" is a must-read that will leave a lasting impact.

We’ve recommended Kim Johnson’s novels before—she writes excellent mysteries that explore issues of race in America. Her newest piece of young adult historical fiction feels equally fresh, suspenseful, and important, but it goes back in history to the 1950s suburbs.

Calvin has always been able to pass as white, but he’s only done so occasionally: to help his dad research safe places for the Green Book or to get food for himself and his friends. But his ability to pass becomes a matter of life and death when his family moves from Chicago to Levittown, Pennsylvania, an all-white suburb, and his father makes it clear that he is not to let anyone know the truth about their family.

The longer Calvin lives the lie, the more uncomfortable he feels. He must navigate racist comments from his classmates, and he’d much rather spend time with the Black students at the small boarding school his brother runs nearby (and the beautiful Lily, who is bravely integrating his high school). Most importantly, however, he must deny who he really is and what’s truly important to him.

The danger ratchets up as the story unfolds: as Calvin spends more and more time with the Black community, he risks being seen by his white friends from the high school, especially when he attends a CORE meeting and begins investigating the shady dealings his boss, a realtor and the head of the neighborhood association, seems to be taking to intentionally keep people of color out of his “perfect” suburbs.

Johnson’s author’s note explains her intention to explore historical practices like redlining and other exclusionary measures that have kept Black families from home ownership, practices that have contributed to modern racial inequities. While the end of the novel pushes the limits of belief a bit, the novel is an engaging read that explores an important but less discussed part of American history.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are our own.

Will be posted at https://threeheads.works/category/blog/ya-books/ on 5/20/24.

Kim Johnson is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me.

The Color of a Lie, Johnson’s first historical thriller, is a fast paced story of a high school junior caught in the middle of a living lie. After a tragic experience in their home town, Calvin and his parents move to a segregated town under the required guise of a family passing as white. But Calvin realizes almost instantly just how hard it is to live a lie. Stifling himself and his preferences at almost every turn was one thing, but denying himself true love? Impossible.

In this well researched historical tale, Calvin finds himself constantly choosing between the lies he’s been assigned and the truth he so desperately craves.

What I loved most about this book:
1) THE RESEARCH WAS EVIDENT and makes the history accessible to young adults who may be reading about the civil rights movement for the first time.
2) The characters are so reflective of society’s attitude during this time! Also characters were complex.
3) Lily. I would read it again for her.

Thank you to #netgalley for this ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A poignant step back in time when race took center stage in the lives of people in America. Living and learning to PASS, thru the eyes of a teen struggling to just stake their claim to life, is a very moving, real story that can have one questioning their own thoughts about this subject

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Kim Johnson has yet to let me down. I was excited to hear about a YA level historical fiction read. Great storytelling. I loved the ending, would love to see the characters stories continue.

4.5 stars, rounded down

First off, I have to note that "The Color of a Lie" was one of my most anticipated 2024 releases. I loved both of Kim Johnson's previous works, "This is My America" (in my top 3 books of 2020) and "Invisible Son", so I was eagerly anticipating this new book, and it didn't disappoint!

The story follows Calvin, a white-passing Black teenager as he attempts to build a new life in a whites-only Pennsylvania suburb after fleeing the horrors of tragedy in Chicago. I appreciated the thought-provoking narrative, especially since the topic of passing is not often discussed in historical novels. Calvin's inner turmoil is palpable and gut-wrenching, and I liked his character a lot, but by the time I was halfway through the story, I started wishing that we were able to get to know a little more about the other sides of his personality as well. The glimpses that we are given (such as his "playing the trumpet" with Lily in the woods) were great and done really well, and I found myself wishing that there had been just a bit more of that to break up the main storyline and add even more depth to the character.

[spoiler removed - visible on the Goodreads review]

My criticisms here are absolutely nitpicky, though, and "The Color of a Lie" is a powerful read that effectively captures the emotional and societal turmoil that accompanied the early stages of integration following Brown v The Board. I think it will be an eye-opening and unique perspective that perhaps other readers might not have experienced before, which I think is hugely valuable and important. This was another solid read from Kim Johnson, and it just reinforced my commitment to immediately picking up any book she releases!

What a powerful and emotional read. As must read, just like Kim Johnsons other books.

Update review to come closer to release date.

4.5 stars

This book is set in the 1950s and was about a boy and his family who are black moving to Pennsylvania to pass as white.. The first third of the story was interesting and when the protagonist, Calvin, began taking risks to find out if the white neighborhood had plans to keep blacks out, I was all in. Unfortunately, the story began to lose focus.
His brother runs a youth home for musically inclined black kids, and for some reason the decision is made to integrate the local white school where Calvin attends. Then all of a sudden, since Calvin works for the local realtor who is redlining, they need proof of a plan to use force to fight integrating the neighborhood. In the midst of this is a love affair between Calvin and a black girl, which occupies much of the 2nd third of the book, and as a result of this affair Calvin doesn't care who knows he's black. Next, there is a supposed threat of a mob because the redlining papers are stolen from the realtor's office. But the mob never materializes. Then a white kid dies in a fight with a black kid from his brother's school, and the two white boys who befriended Calvin, find out he is black, yet they agree not to tell anyone there other white friend is dead and buried. Wait, what?
At this point the storyline is not believable. The family escapes (from what I don't know since there was no mob) and moves back to Illinois. The ending was a cheap rallying cry over civil rights, and the two years later part was only there to end the story in HEA.

Kim Johnson did it again. The Color of a Lie was a 5 star and I loved it!! Her books have always touched on heavy topics and they have been done very well. I loved the characters and how fleshed out that they were. Getting to see things from the perspective of Calvin who is passing and to see how things work out for him. It was surprising to see how horrible African Americans were treated for the things that I take for granted today. Seeing what the black community had to fight to get what they deserved made me furious because they wanted the same basic things that their white counterpart got.

WOW! This was emotional, layered, engaging, thrilling and fantastic! This was my first time reading from Johnson and I need to read her debut novel next. I loved Calvin's arc, hating moving to a new town and the painful process of passing as white while having to bury all his love for Black music and culture in public. Johnson sinks us deep into Calvin's heart and family dynamic. But when Lily shows up, her perseverance is so inspiring and their chemistry was spot on. I loved how they supported each other, how they talked openly to each other about struggles and developing trust and feelings. It was even great to see minor characters make great changes. There were conversations about the anger and pain of racism, passing as white, not being able to be yourself in public and wanting change. Being in the 1950's, this book shows the beginnings of the Civil Rights movement. I loved reading this book to gain more understanding since I am white. Such a great, balanced and emotional book with an ending that was so fitting!

The Color of a Lie is soooo good! The plot, the writing, the characters all get a 10/10 from me.

This book takes us back to 1955 where our main character Calvin and his family are passing for white in a “Whites Only” town (Levittown community). After a tragedy forced the family to flee Chicago, Calvin’s dad urges his wife and son to embrace their new white lifestyle. Calvin is fully against it. He hates having to pretend and is always anxious about getting caught. At first, he tries to adapt, but ultimately, his desire to freely be himself wins out. Despite the risk, he goes across town (on the Black side) to make friends. Racist secrets about the white town start to reveal themselves which leads Calvin to realize the increased danger of passing.

Below is from the book description and it encompasses the story perfectly.

“Expertly weaving together real historical events with important reflections on being Black in America, acclaimed author Kim Johnson powerfully connects readers to the experience of being forced to live a life-threatening lie or embrace an equally deadly truth.”

I love how Kim tells this story while also shining a light on prominent issues Black people faced during this time such as:
-The greenbook aka traveling while black
-Passing
-The barriers to educational integration
-Sundown towns
-Homeownership discrimination
-Redlining
-Police brutality/harassment

Most of the above are still issues today. A reality that puts progress in the hot seat. How far have we really come being almost 80 years in the future, yet the adversity is the same?

In my experience, passing stories tend to sway towards the potential benefits, so I also really appreciate the pov of a Black person passing who didn’t want to. In addition, focusing on the turmoil that comes with passing. Kim gave us a story that shows pass wasn’t just an easy thing to do; nor was it without increased danger. It was a lie that could put you in an early grave.

Amazing job Kim! I highly recommend!!! I’d love to see this book brought to screen.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced eARC.

Thank you to netgalley and Random House Children's | Random House Books for Young Readers for allowing me to read this book. I've loved Johnson since her debut novel and this book was no different. Johnson has a way of writing hard hitting topics without making you feel overwhelmed this book was so damn good.

Thank you NetGalley & Random House for this arc of The Color of a Lie. This was very interesting take on historical fiction with a YA view. I enjoyed the mystery element and I really enjoyed Calvin's journey. You don't read or see stories of young people's passing journey so I did love that take. Kim Johnson is great author and writes YA very well.

This book deserves to be required reading for high school students!

In this book the author tackles the long contentious subject of “passing.” For Black people, the ability to pass can be both envied and loathed in the same measure. Those who are able to pass often fear being “found out” while those who cannot pass resent those who can/do.

I loved the way the story encourages the reader to really look at their opinions and long held beliefs. My emotions ran the entire spectrum while reading this book. Every character, every interaction, every description was researched and presented with care. I have not read this authors other novels, but best believe that is going to change!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for my honest review. I highly recommend this story to any and everyone.

This book was BEYOND amazing. From the introduction where the author reminded folks FAFO, in the politest way possible. Historically written, she educated and entertained. I was consumed by the need to know what’s gonna happen next and when/how would everything come out for Calvin. Loved the characters, their development and interactions and genuinely cannot find a single flaw with this story. I don’t imagine she’ll do a sequel but there’s definitely room for it. 5 well deserving stars. Kim Johnson does it again!

Powerful novel about life in the early 1960s. Many aspects of race relations are woven into this poignant story.

I received a gifted copy for an honest review.

I read this author’s other two novels. While I enjoyed them both, I didn’t think anything would top my love for This Is My America, yet here we are.

This story was thoughtfully written and heavily researched. Each and every character was written with care. I could feel each one’s emotions - confusion, helplessness, determination, rage, hatred, etc. As a Florida resident, this is a part of history that the department of education is meticulously trying to erase. Yet it shows how society continued to be complicit to the racism previous generations experienced (and carried out). The author beautifully illustrated what it means when we say “the children will lead them.”

I also found it interesting learning the story of passing from someone that did not have input in the decision. We often hear the stories of people passing but never learn about those directly and indirectly impacted. We know that they have to say goodbye forever but how do you explain to a child that their social circle is not only going to be changed but they have to deny everything they have to ever known? How do manage a forbidden love that could potentially threaten not only your life but the lives of everyone close to you?

There is so much more I want to say about this story but I want to be cognizant of spoilers. This is officially my new favorite book by Kim Johnson and I highly, highly recommend it.

My only hope is that the publishing company properly markets this and gives it the support it rightly deserves. Unfortunately, publishing companies do a disservice to not only their Black authors and readers, but to themselves by not utilizing the extensive Black reading company to spread the word about their books. I pray this time is different because this book deserves better.

Books like this bring out all of my emotions but I can never stop reading. This book gripped me from the beginning and I just couldn’t let go. Fantastic read!!!

I'm in my 30s, and I remember reading high school mandatory texts like "To Kill a Mockingbird," "Of Mice and Men," and "Fahrenheit 451." It is appropriate to include this work on such list. It addresses racism, passing, and the wide range of emotions that accompany them in a clear and understandable manner.

The narrative moved quickly and with great emotional impact, ending on a positive note. With the exception of the racist ones, the characters in the novel were interesting, and it truly stirs up powerful feelings.


I heartily endorse this book. Many thanks to NetGalley and Kim Johnson for allowing me to read it. It was interesting as well as educational. As soon as it is released, I want to buy a tangible copy.

Kim Johnson tackles Jim Crow, school integration and housing discrimination in her latest novel. Calvin and his family move to a white neighborhood where he attends a white school but Calvin is Black. His father has decided that that the family should lie and claim to be white, their skin is “light enough”, after Calvin’s sister is killed when their previous home is set on fire because they are Black. His father thinks that a new life will give Calvin a shot at a better future but is it worth it?

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC