Born in 1983, Jason Reynolds is an American author who writes novels and poetry for young adult and middle grade readers. His upbringing in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, influenced by rap music, led him to poetry before he transitioned to novels. Reynolds gained recognition for his debut novel, "When I Was the Greatest," in 2014, which earned him the John Steptoe Award for New Talent. He has since authored numerous successful books, including the "Track" series and "Long Way Down," a novel in verse that received critical acclaim. His work often features minority characters and explores themes relevant to contemporary youth. Reynolds served as the Library of Congress' National Ambassador for Young People's Literature from 2020 to 2022 and has received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Margaret A. Edwards Award and a MacArthur Fellowship.

Jason Reynolds was born in Washington, D.C., in 1983 and grew up in Oxon Hill, Maryland. His early exposure to rap artists like Queen Latifah, Tupac, and Biggie profoundly shaped his creative outlook, leading him to begin writing poetry at the age of nine. This early focus on verse was deeply connected to his experiences and the "power of language." He didn't begin reading books until he was seventeen, encountering authors like Richard Wright, James Baldwin, Zora Neale Hurston, and Toni Morrison later in his academic career. These writers, particularly Wright's "Black Boy," significantly influenced Reynolds, offering him a path to write authentically in his own voice and style, moving beyond feelings of inadequacy compared to literary giants.

After college, Reynolds collaborated with artist Jason Griffin, self-publishing "SELF" in 2001, a poetry collection that led to broader publication opportunities. His first novel, "When I Was the Greatest" (2014), received the John Steptoe Award for New Talent. He followed this with a prolific output, including the "Track" series, which features protagonists from an elite track team. "Ghost" (2016), the first book in the series, was a finalist for the National Book Award. Reynolds also co-authored "All American Boys" (2015) with Brendan Kiely, a novel addressing police brutality and racial profiling, which garnered significant attention. His novel in verse, "Long Way Down" (2017), earned multiple honors, including a Newbery Honor and a Michael L. Printz Honor.

Reynolds's dedication to young adult literature has been widely recognized. He served as the Library of Congress' National Ambassador for Young People's Literature from 2020 to 2022, promoting literacy and engagement with books. His contributions have been acknowledged with numerous awards, such as the Margaret A. Edwards Award in 2023 and a MacArthur Fellowship in 2024. Reynolds's approach to writing centers on authentic character voices, and he intentionally includes minority characters to reflect the diversity of the modern world. He also collects significant items related to African-American literature, demonstrating a deep personal connection to the literary tradition.

“the power of language”

“raw and honest”

“their life”

“the floodgates were opened”