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Jason Reynolds

MFA in Creative Writing Faculty

Jason Reynolds

My philosophy is to have a good time getting to know the characters in the stories. Let's all ask the questions, the hard ones, the funny ones, the ridiculous ones, to make sure the characters are breathing. Then, once they are alive, we can be better informed of the development of the plot.

Also, I believe in positive reinforcement. I refuse to edit without highlighting strengths. My job is to serve as sort of a literary "personal trainer."  When you show up to my "gym," I'll be certain to let you know how great you look, and far along you've come. I'm going to tell you how proud I am, and how I can finally see the abs coming in. And then, we're going to hit the weights and work our butts off, pushing you to the limit for the desired goal — a perfectly chiseled story.

Work


Novels 

Ain't Burned All the Bright (2022)

Stamped (For Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You (2021)

Stuntboy, in the Meantime (2021)

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped (2021)

from the BeginningLook Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks(2019)

For Every One (2018)
Sunny (2018)
Long Way Down (2017)
Patina (2017)
Miles Morales (2017)
Ghost (2016)
As Brave As You (2016)
All American Boys (2016, Co-Authored with Brendan Kiely)
The Boy in the Black Suit (2015)
When I Was the Greatest (2014)
My Name is Jason. Mine Too. (2009)

Work Featured In:

The Washington Post, NPR books, Kirkus, Hornbook, School Library Journal, WNYC, Publisher's Weekly, Poets & Writers, Gawker, Wall Street Journal, AM New York, Ebony Magazine.

Awards

Newbery Award Honoree, National Book Award Finalist, Kirkus Prize Winner, Awarded top book of the year by the New York Public Library System, two time Walter Dean Myers Award winner, NAACP Image Award Winner, recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors, Cybilis Award Finalist, Nerdy Book Club Award Winner, inaugural recipient of the Write-A-House residency (declined)

Other Recognitions

2018 National spokesperson for the celebration of School Library Month (American Association of School Librarians)
2017 Spokesperson for Indies First (American Booksellers Association)

 

Education

B.A., English, University of Maryland, College Park

In the News

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