The following version was used to make this guide: Johnson, George M. We Are Not Broken. New York, New York. Hatchette Book Group, Inc, 2021. This young adult memoir is 216 pages, 14 chapters, but for the purposes of this guide will be broken into five sections. The author identifies as non-binary, so this Study Guide will refer to Johnson as "them" throughout, though Johnson sometimes refers to their boyhood or as themselves as a boy.

The memoir begins with an author’s note. The introduction explains the power of the Black word, passed down by ancestors, and how the memoir is structured around “Nannyisms.” Chapter 1 begins by describing the four brothers around which the memoir is centered - Lil’ Rall, Rasul, Matt, and Garrett. Lil’ Rall and Rasul are Matt’s cousins, and Garrett is Matt’s biological brother, but Nanny (their grandmother) raised them to be brothers. Johnson explains how after an incident with Lil’ Rall and Rasul’s mother, Nanny gained custody of Lil’ Rall and Rasul. After this, the four boys spent their time with Nanny making memories.

Johnson explains how Nanny made them do chores on weekends - starting with a bath, followed by cleaning the house. Between Chapters 2 and 3 is Lil Rall’s letter to Nanny, where he thanks her for taking custody of him. Johnson remembers a particularly vicious fight one Saturday between Lil’ Rall and Rasul, that ended with them breaking Nanny’s brand new coffee table. Nanny whooped Lil’ Rall and Rasul, and Johnson talks about the trauma of beatings.

One year, the family had a big reunion and shot guns out in the wilderness. At first Matt was not allowed since they were too young. Matt decided to ask their Uncle and Mom again - and like the Nannyism for the chapter - they knew Matt would not take no for an answer. Their Uncle relented, but Johnson discusses the dangers of guns and the police for Black people.

Johnson then explains the family business of the barbershop, and how it is a staple for the Black community. Nanny always told them to have other ways of making money. Johnson describes hanging out at the barbershop with their brothers, and singing together. But they also talk about misogyny and homophobia discussed openly at Barbershops. Between Chapters 5 and 6 is Justice’s letter to Nanny.

When Rasul and Lil’ Rall were little they played on a baseball team with white kids. One day, a white woman accused six-year-old Rasul of stealing her daughter’s baseball equipment, but Nanny confronted her and knocked her down. The police were called but luckily it was all family who received the calls so Nanny did not get into significant trouble. Johnson explains how white women weaponize their power to manipulate police into arresting Black folks. Between Chapters 6 and 7 is a letter from Rasul to Nanny in the form of a poem.

Johnson says the highlight of every Black summer is the family cookout. One year at a cookout, while skipping rocks on the water with their brothers, Matt got hit in the head. Matt went to the hospital for stitches, and Nanny held their hand. Between Chapters 7 and 8 is Matt’s letter to Nanny, explaining how much it meant to them that Nanny recognized them as a non-binary person, and loved them no matter what.

Everyone started to grow up and move out, so Nanny moved to a smaller house. Uncle Rall got married in the new house, and everyone participated. At the new house they became young adults, learning to garden with Nanny. Between Chapters 8 and 9 is Garrett’s letter to Nanny - which is the speech he gave at her funeral.

Johnson talks about the important family event of Thanksgiving. One year, Nanny tried a new recipe but did not follow her own Nannyism about tasting food while you make it, and they turned out awful. They explain how food in the Black community is complicated, as many of their foods are passed down from slave ancestors. Johnson says Nanny’s food was her expression of love and part of her soul.

One summer as teenagers, Lil’ Rall, Lil’ Kevin, and Rasul traveled to Atlanta to live with Uncle Kevin and his wife Desiree, during which Rasul and Desiree fought. At a wedding a few months later, Nanny decided to get to the bottom of what happened. But Desiree called Nanny names, and Nanny knocked her out. A few years later they reunited for a funeral and luckily everyone got along.

Everyone was going through puberty in 1997 - 1998 and got in the usual teenage trouble. They also all started to explore their sexuality. Johnson confesses, however, that their first sexual experience was non-consensual with Lil’ Kevin who forced him to have oral sex with them. Rasul meanwhile got into lots of fights, and they sometimes all got drunk together - making typical teenage mischief.

One night before Lil’ Rall left for the Air Force, they all went to a skate rink together and started a brawl. They all defended each other and were able to escape before getting caught. Lil’ Rall left soon after they all went their separate ways. A few years later Lil’ Kevin was shot and killed at a party.

Nanny was a religious woman, who raised them in the African Methodist Episcopalian Church. Johnson admits that the church is intertwined with enslavement and trauma. However, nothing could break Nanny’s faith, even when she was diagnosed with cancer. Johnson moved home to care for Nanny in her final days. At the funeral, Kennedy spoke. Nanny may not be in the physical world but they know her spirit is with them, and therefore, “We. Are. Not. Broken” (210).

In the final chapter, Johnson explains their process for writing the book. They write how Nanny’s death forced them to confront traumas. They write about Black boy joy, and the magic in small moments. They say this book is an ode to Black grandmothers. They finish by talking about how they are descendants of slaves and like their ancestors, will not break. The memoir finishes with the line, “We love you, Nanny” (216).