The following version of this book was used in the creation of this study guide: Mbalia, Kwame. Black Boy Joy. Delacorte Press. 2021. Hardcover.

In the introduction, the editor Kwame Mbalia says he wants the readers to be happy. So, he brought together a collection of short stories celebrating Black boys growing up.

Part One of "The Griot of Grover Street" introduces young Fort at a funeral for Aunt Netta. He runs into Mr. G., accidentally breaking a jar that Mr. G says contained joy. He convinces Fort to join him in a cosmic space called the Between. They try to catch some joy with a bubble, but it pops and Mr. G. says they can find more.

Then, in "There's Going to Be a Fight in the Cafeteria on Friday and You Better Not Bring Batman" follows Cornell as he tries to name superheroes his classmates have not heard of. His brother's crush suggests that he consider women. His Dad mentions Kazaam, a character in old movies played by Shaq. Pop-Pop says John Shaft, one of the first Black movie stars. In the end, Cornell takes his mother's advice and creates his own hero, Fan Girl, inspired by his crush.

The third story, "The McCoy Game," follows cousins Jamal and Dre as they compete for their grandfather Big Mac's mansion. Soon, it is revealed that they used to be friends and bonded over their and Big Mac's shared love for space. After Jamal saves Dre from a breathworm, the two realize they have to open the door together. Big Mac's voice congratulates them, and tells them to stick together, before announcing that one gets the mansion, while the other will take the rocketship.

The next story is titled "The Legendary Lawrence Cobbler" by Julian Winters and follows Jevon, a young baker trying to win a competition. However, he is developing feelings for a competitor named Noah and Jevon worries that his father will no longer love him if he does not win. After Jevon accidentally swaps cinnamon with Chili Powder in G'ma's family cobbler recipe, Jevon breaks down and admits his fears. G'ma promises he can love whoever he wants and his father says he will always love Jevon and is scared of failing. The chili powder cobbler is a success.

"First-Day Fly" by Jason Reynolds tells the story of an unnamed, young boy in the second person. Even though he hates school, the boy spends weeks creating the perfect outfit to look fly on his first day of the new year.

Then, "Got Me a Jet Pack" by Don P. Hooper follows Rod who discovers his parents are Sundashers. This means that his dad participates in intergalactic races with jet packs engineered by Rod's mom. However, Since these races are used to settle galactic disputes, Rod's father has been taken by the metalloids. Rod joins the race, winning just as his mom rescues his dad.

The next story, titled "Extinct" by Dean Atta is a series of poems written by the nine-year-old protagonist Dylan. Enamored by extinct creatures after a trip to the Natural History Museum, he struggles to understand the concept of extinction. It is later revealed that Dylan and his sister T have recently lost their mother. So, after seeing the dodo at the museum, Dylan collects as much information on his mother as he can to preserve her memory.

"Epic Venture" by Jay Coles tells the story of Wes and his flight with a former military flier, Grandpa Charles. In the end, Wes is inspired to tell more stones and his grandpa encourages Wes to pursue art.

Then, in "The Definition of Cool" by Varian Johnson, middle schooler Des goes with his older brother Roosevelt to a concert. However, Des is desperate to look cool and refuses to bring their father. Des's plans backfire when fellow students mock his outfit and dance moves, but with the encour­agement of two older men and Roosevelt, Des realizes that he does not want to be cool if it means missing out on fun.

Next, in Part Two of "The Griot of Grover Street" Fort realizes that one only experiences joy when they also go through anger, sadness, and fear.

The next story titled "Five Thousand Light-Years to Home" by Sugi Davies Okungbowa follows young Keziah who resents having to move to Lagos. When he inadvertently arrives on a spaceship called the Stone hound, Keziah works with Adarna to solve puzzles to go home and Keziah looks forward to seeing her again in Lagos.

Then, "Coping" by Tochi Onyebuchi follows aspiring skateboarder CJ who struggles with confidence after breaking his arm during a failed trick. While his mother worries for his safety, she pushes him to move past his fears by focusing on the good his talent can do for others.

“The Gender Reveal” by George M. Johnson follows Malcolm as he struggles to tell his dad that he is nonbinary. His best friend Janet encourages him to tell the truth, and Big Nanny helps him complete the flamboyant and feminine piece that he designed. Malcolm finds the courage to announce his preferred pronouns at his birthday and his father says he is proud.

The next story, “Kassius’s Foolproof Guide to Losing the Turkey Bowl” follows Kassius’s elaborate attempts to ask his time-traveling crush, Maya, to the Kwanzaa Ball. It works and she agrees.

Next is “But Also, Jazz” by Julian Randall where Mikkel and his cousin, Brandon, are asked by Pastor Sweat to write a rap to give hope to the congregation after a series of unusual deaths. While both are initially unable to come up with any lyrics that they feel have enough emotion, their mothers inspire them with music by Earth, Wind and Fire. Mikkel writes the best rhymes of his life, and Brandon agrees to perform them himself so that Mikkel will not be overwhelmed by his performance anxiety.

“Our Dill” by Justin A. Reynolds follows Jay as he struggles to comprehend his feelings for his best friend Mia, while helping her get a date with a boy Jay is jealous of. In the end, both Jay and Mia are happy with their potential new relationships, but still resolve to save time for each other.

Then, “Percival and the Jab” by P. Djèlí Clark follows Percival as he is brought to America by his mother after living with his grandparents in Trinidad for most of his life. Percival is accompanied by a mischievous Jab and becomes frustrated by the creature’s attempts to remind Percival of his life in Trinidad as he tries to fit in. However, when Percival is nearly killed by a vampire, he is saved by the Jab and accepts it as a piece of himself. Later, Percival is invited to a club of students with spirit friends that help them defeat monsters threatening others.

“Embracing My Black Boy Joy” by Jerry Craft is told through a series of comic panels as the writer hopes that they can share their joy and show the world that everyone, regardless of race, shares the same emotions and experiences.

Lastly, “The Griot of Grover Street: Part Three” follows Fort as he and Mr. G return to where their story began. Mr. G says that it is time for him to retire, and he believes that he is leaving the Between in good hands. Fort begins to panic, before realizing that his mother has gone into labor during the funeral for Aunt Netta. Mr. G says this is an example of balance, and it will be up to Fort to spread joy to those - like his newborn sibling- who cannot find it themselves. Fort resolves to be the best Griot of Grover Street that he can be.