Makes You Want to Run!

I have not been running as much lately...I had a fall and it kinda scared me, so I have been doing the elliptical and the stationary bike and running only a mile or two every day.  But man...the Track series by Jason Reynolds reminds me what it is like to feel the freedom and the strength that comes from running.  Reynolds just has that way....such a wonderful story, such great characters...Mr. Reynolds is just a master.  Lu was an excellent addition for those who run and those who want to run and those who feel and those who want to feel and for black skinned people and for white skinned people and for being who feel good in their skin and for being don't feel so good in their skin and well, just for humans in general.  I think that the best way to read this series or any of his book narrated by Guy Lockhard is to listen, because this man is just so excellent at reading and expressing the words of his friend. 

The Title Gets it Right

For Everyone by Jason Reynolds is, indeed, for everyone.  However, I think that every Jason Reynolds book I have read should be read by everyone.  That's just how good Reynolds is.  The thing is, this is the time of year when people buy all kinds of gift books.  You know the type, those little mini books with a word or picture on each page, that people mean well by giving and are usually an add on, impulse buy at a book or card store.  And then there is Oh, the Places You'll Go!  I feel bad mentioning that because Dr. Seuss was such a nice dude. 
But this is the PERFECT gift for a graduate.  Or a non-graduate or anyone.  What a fantastic, fantastic, thoughtful and powerful, meaningful book. 

Do you have any objection to naming a child Vladimir? Even a girl?

Sunny is the third in the Track series from Jason Reynolds and oh man it was awesome! I loved listening to it.  It was read by one of Reynolds friends, Guy Lockard and he also read the other books in the series for the audio.  It was neat to hear about this at the end.
If you aren't sure about the title of this post it has to do with the name Sunny and the fantastic movie, Arthur (1981).

Jason Reynolds

is truly amazing.  He drew me into a Spider-Man book!  Nothing personal against Spider-Man, I am just SO NOT a superhero person.  So not.  But this whole idea of a "new" Spider-Man, and the personality and the backstory and Miles's best friend and his family, and well, I loved it.  I don't think I will read any more of them, as they are not by Jason Reynolds and so I wouldn't be giving them a fair turn, I bet.  But Jason Reynolds's Miles Morales Spider-Man is awesome!  Actually now that I look closer, the other Miles ones are comic books, so yeah, I won't be doing those.  But I respect them!

Being Brave

As Brave as You is an interesting title.  At first I didn't get why it was the title of the book (which is wonderful, by the way) but then I thought about it for a second and it is a great fit.  There are so many brave actions in this book.  From Genie to Ernie to Grandpop.  Great book about what scares us and what happens when we are brave or when someone is brave for us.  What other wonderful things can I saw about Jason Reynolds!

The Greatest

When I Was the Greatest is by Jason Reynolds, who is for sure, one of the greatest writers out there.  I loved this book and I loved the father who has faults but wow, what love.  I loved the main character and the love that he has for his friends and family.  I loved the reason why the boxing coach taught him how to fight.  Pay careful attention to the conversation that the coach has with Ali that causes him to decide to teach him how to box.  It is pretty beautiful, but so quick that you might miss it.  Great book. 

AGH!!

All American Boys was so good and so real that by the end of the second chapter I had to listen backwards. 
When a book is so heartbreaking/real/frightening I skip to the end and listen backwards, just to make the ending a little easier on myself it is a horrible ending and just to confirm it will "all be okay" if it is a hopeful ending.  I won't give away the ending here, but this was just so powerful, I had to take it in chunks.  Excellent. 

Jason Reynolds Love

I have LOTS of love for Jason Reynolds who has become one of my favorite authors in a short time.  The Boy in the Black Suit was excellent.  Very real and powerful and sorrowful and hopeful and joyful.  After hearing Reynolds on that podcast I fell in love with him and was not surprised at all by the bravery and honesty of his characters.  Once I had the honor of officiating at a funeral like one of Love's grandmother.  And it is something I will remember always and it is something that taught me a great deal and really makes me understand the whole "death where is thy victory" deal.  Because death, you ain't nothin'!

I LOVE Jason Reynolds

And I really loved Patina.  I loved it so much that the ending made me so mad!!!!!  Great, great book!  Lots to think about here, especially the pressure that Patina puts on herself.  What a great kid.  I loved this book. 

A Million Holds

There are a million holds on Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, so I just bought the audio and wow, wow, it was so worth it!  What a book.  I just couldn't wait any longer after hearing him talk about his book on Mashreads this morning.  (this is where I want David "I Hate Fat People" Levithan to know that I was running (albeit slowly) while listening.  Oh yeah, also, Mr. Levithan, I am 123lbs now.  Down 215lbs.  Do you like me now?  
Oh my gosh, I digress!
So sorry.  Anyway...
Long Way Down really, really is Printz worthy.  It has bumped The Hate U Give, maybe.  Or maybe it has tied with it.  (But still, Auma's Long Run is my favorite for both Printz and Newbery.)

Ghosted

Does your neighborhood have that tradition of "ghosting" people?  Putting a ghost on someone's front door with treats?  I have a friend whose neighborhood did that.  I think it is cool!  Probably because I do love fall and Halloween!  We moved to an apartment and so I think I am going to do that this year!

That has nothing to do with Ghost.

Ghost was an incredible book!  If I didn't want Towers Falling to with the Newbery so badly, this would be my choice.  This most certainly has to be an Honor Book.  And if Towers Falling isn't going to win, which will go down as a 1954 moment if there ever was one, by the way...especially if one of those Fox Books wins, then I would hope that Ghost would take the big prize.