Jason Reynolds performed this poem at the Kennedy Center for the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Now he brings its stirring words to audio, his voice as rich as his powerful message. He wrote this lyrical letter when he believed he might never succeed. At this low point, he speaks to himself, and to "every one" ready to give up dreams. His deep voice is as calming as his realization that it's just having the dream that's important. "Dreams don't have timelines, /deadlines, /and aren't always in /straight lines. Jump Anyway." His warm “Afterwards” puts this piece in the context of his later successes. when, looking back, he can see the import of "drilling deeper" and "finding joy in the midst of the hard work." S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

06/04/2018
As Reynolds writes in an introductory note: “When I started writing this, I didn’t know what it was.” He goes on to explain that this handsomely presented collection of short, loosely connected poems was first written at a time (in his 20s) when he struggled to hold onto his own ambitions. In extemporaneous, ruminating fashion and in fonts reminiscent of handwriting and typewriter print, the poems confess Reynolds’s insecurities, hopes, and struggles throughout the stages of his personal and professional development: “At sixteen / I thought / I would’ve made it / by now. / Now / I’m making up / what making it / means.” Reynolds asserts that his successes have come by way of perseverance, passion, plenty of missteps, and possibly some luck, suggesting that readers, too, will find their way. He modestly emphasizes throughout that he cannot speak to the experiences of others and that even when it comes to his own achievements: “I don’t know nothing about that.” Yet readers will take to heart both his message of solidarity and his assertion that every person’s journey is theirs alone to discover. Ages 12–up. Agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties. (Apr.)

★ 04/01/2018
Gr 7 Up—Reynolds dedicates this lyrical masterpiece "to the dreamers, to the courageous, and everyone who wants to be," though in his author's note he admits the book-length poem began as a letter to himself "to keep from quitting." He writes "from a place of raw honesty/and love/but not at all/a place of expertise on/how to make your/dreams come true." This same humility and vulnerability permeates the entire work. Reynolds intersperses his own internal battles and unattained hopes as he validates the compulsion to achieve big goals, but that the slog toward them (rather than "making it") may be all there is (and maybe that's enough). The book's unconventionality, tone, spirit, and design will remind Reynolds' most dedicated fans of his first book, My Name Is Jason. Mine, Too: Our Story. Our Way. The notion that even a successful author can doubt themselves will be revelatory to teens. Those seeking a neatly packaged graduation gift book littered with platitudes would be wise to look elsewhere; this latest from Reynolds will challenge readers and undoubtedly inspire, comfort, and validate anyone aspiring to make or do, especially those who have a long road ahead of them. VERDICT A powerful and affirming book-length poem for teens.—Jill Heritage Maza, Montclair Kimberley Academy, NJ

Jason Reynolds performed this poem at the Kennedy Center for the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Now he brings its stirring words to audio, his voice as rich as his powerful message. He wrote this lyrical letter when he believed he might never succeed. At this low point, he speaks to himself, and to "every one" ready to give up dreams. His deep voice is as calming as his realization that it's just having the dream that's important. "Dreams don't have timelines, /deadlines, /and aren't always in /straight lines. Jump Anyway." His warm “Afterwards” puts this piece in the context of his later successes. when, looking back, he can see the import of "drilling deeper" and "finding joy in the midst of the hard work." S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

★ 2018-02-05
A poem provides hope and reassurance to teens as they try to make sense of their own dreams for the future.Award-winning writer Reynolds (Long Way Down, 2017, etc.) offers a letter in the form of a long poem that acknowledges and encourages young people's dreams and aspirations. The poem uses the author's own experiences to show common ground with his readers, making it clear that he is presenting himself as a fellow traveler on the journey: "This letter / is being written / from the inside. / From the front line / and the fault line. / From the uncertain thick of it all." He shares observations of others and the ways in which they coped and speaks of the futility of finding answers in the usual places: "Though the struggle / is always made to / sound admirable / and poetic, / the thumping uncertainty / is still there." This short piece is full of the elements that make Reynolds such a successful writer: honesty, rich imagery, great facility with language, and an irresistible cadence. At times conversational, other times, uplifting, this intimate and powerful piece connects on many levels. Even as Reynolds repeats throughout the poem, "I don't know nothing about that," he is telling his readers a great deal. As a piece that was originally performed, this begs to be heard. However, the printed version will still resonate.Inspirational reading for any occasion. (Poetry. 12-adult)