Posts Tagged: Jason Reynolds

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Jason Reynolds Mini Reviews

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April was basically the month of Jason Reynolds books. We got not one but TWO NEW RELEASES but THE GREAT and since I wasn’t doing that great last month and sucked at reviewing, I FINALLY got around to talking about these great books. Ratings haven’t been included since I cannot make up my mind and regardless, Jason Reynolds writes great books.

For Every One
Jason Reynolds

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Originally performed at the Kennedy Center for the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and later as a tribute to Walter Dean Myers, this stirring and inspirational poem is New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist Jason Reynolds’s rallying cry to the dreamers of the world.
 

 
 
 

I don’t think anyone will ever deny that Jason Reynolds is a creative genius and is deserving of all the hype. For Every One is a poem and a letter spanning 116 pages. It is rousing and empowering and even though it is written for a younger audience, even people beyond that target age range can find something to take from it.

At its core, For Every One is a poem meant to remind you that even when you think that nothing could possibly work out or your dreams seem a million miles away, all hope is not lost. You can achieve your goals and dreams and you can be happy. It is entirely possible to ‘make it’ even in the face of failures. So. DON’T GIVE UP.

Or. If you’re sad and feel like everything is hopeless, read For Every One.

Sunny
Jason Reynolds

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Sunny Lancaster is a winner. Wih-winner. When it comes to the 1600 meter, Sunny can beat anyone by, well, a mile. But for Sunny, winning is boring. Buh-boring. Truth is, Sunny doesn’t like running. Never has. What Sunny really loves… is dancing.

The boom-bap bap of his teacher. Aurela’s dance routines beats the chick chick chick of his track meets any day. Sunny loves his team, though, so he can’t quit, but he also can’t be on a track team not run. And he definitely can’t be on a track team and dance. But it turns out track isn’t just chick chick chick. It’s also whoosh whoosh ahh.

If Sunny lets loose everything he’s been holding inside, will it be his best move ever, or will it be his biggest mistake? 

I think Ghost was actually the first book I read by Jason Reynolds. Ever. And I read it in November last year which just shows you how bad I am at keeping on top of all the hype trains (of well deserving authors.) My library didn’t have a copy of Patina so I was never able to read it but since the books in this series can all be read as standalones, I decided to read Sunny even though I hadn’t read Patina.

Sunny Lancaster is the best runner on his team and yet, he doesn’t actually love running. He wants to dance. While he is scared of quitting running and disappointing those around him, he chooses to pursue his dreams and with the help of coach, finds a new way to fit into the track team.

This book is full of heart and complex relationships. Jason Reynolds knows just how to write a book that younger readers can see themselves reflected in. I have so much love for this series and genuinely hope everyone reads them and gives them they attention they deserve.

Moral of the story: Jason Reynolds is the greatest.