By Carolyn Davis, Senior Page at Central Library
Jason Reynolds, the New York Times bestselling author of children’s and young adult novels, has been appointed as the seventh National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for 2020-2021. He began writing poetry at just nine years old. Reynold’s books have won numerous awards and his writing touches on very real issues that often go unaddressed in children’s literature.
You can find his books by going to your local Onondaga County Public Library or by logging onto www.onlib.org.
“As Brave as You” by Jason Reynolds
When two brothers set out to prove how brave they are, it backfires completely. Eleven-year-old Genie and his older brother Ernie are sent to spend the summer with their grandparents in Virginia while their parents decide how to work things out. Things are way different in the country. Genie finds out that his Grandpop is blind. He believes that Grandpop must be the bravest man he’s ever known until he notices that he never leaves the house. When Grandpop insists Ernie learn how to shoot on his 14th birthday, Genie begins to realize that bravery and becoming a man are not just about proving something, but also about being honest.
“Miles Morales: Spider-Man” by Jason Reynolds
Miles is just a regular teenager. He has Sunday dinner with his parents, plays old-school video games with his best friend Ganke, has a crush on Alicia, and has a scholarship to the prestigious Brooklyn Visions Academy. He’s also Spider Man! Unfortunately, his spidey-sense has been going bad. When an error turns into a school suspension, he begins to question his abilities and purpose.
“Patina” by Jason Reynolds
Patina (or Patty) is one of four kids on an elite middle school track team. They are all from different backgrounds and have personalities that clash. If they can work together though, they just might be able to make it into the Junior Olympics. Patina runs super-fast, but her reasons for running are complicated. She runs to escape insults from the students at the fancy new school she has to go to because her mom could not care for her anymore. Diabetes took her mom’s legs away. Stressed out from everything happening in her life, Patina must learn how to depend on others.
“Sunny” by Jason Reynolds
Sunny is always smiling, chill and kind. Underneath his happy exterior though, is a tortured young man who believes he is a murderer. His mother died giving birth to him and his father does nothing to relieve Sunny’s anxiety. All he can do to please his father is win first place ribbons on the track team. Thing is, Sunny doesn’t like running. One day, he stops right in the middle of a race. Now his relationship with his father is worse than ever. Sunny struggles to work his true passion, dance, into his athletics and takes on the challenge of learning the discus throw.