Staying in the Mix
I’m currently embarking on a new reading venture after seeing Jason Reynolds interviewed on television. I have been out of the loop of librarianship for a while and one day away can be equivalent to a light year.
New books are being rolled off the presses like steamrollers. When I left the scene some ten years ago, we always referred our older, reluctant readers to Walter Dean Myers. He handled the hard topics on several fronts of inner-city life and its many aspects. Young people who had no link nor like for the printed word took to him like a wildfire.
And though Mr. Myers has passed on, his books remain on the shelves. I am so happy to say that I not only met him at an American Library Association Conference, but I have a picture of him autographing a book for me. And now, a new relay race runner has appeared on the set. Jason Reynolds now holds multiple awards and honors as he reaches the young, teen reader. According to a very knowledgeable YA librarian that I chatted with the other day, Reynolds tells his tales with a humorous twist.
Jason Reynolds is the new dominant voice that is guiding youth as he whispers his words in their ears. The same YA librarian testified that a non-reader in his circles read one of Reynold’s books and wanted more. The family was elated! Diverse writers understand that all readers need to see themselves and familiar situations in books which help them to become hooked on books.
After getting wonderful book talks about Jason Reynolds from the YA librarian, I chose one of his fiction works, called Patina. She is upset with herself for making a false start as a track runner. She is trying to adjust to no longer living with her invalid mother who has diabetes. She and her younger sister Maddy now live with her Uncle Tony and his wife whom they call Momly. Momly is white and cannot do their hair, so Patrina has to braid her hair and her little sister’s hair. Funny!
Reynolds does write with a light tone and sense of humor though Patina is facing some pretty challenging experiences. She is now in another middle school which far from being like her old neighborhood school. She is learning how to mingle and work on projects with children from other races.
I will keep chugging along and see how Patina will deal with the constructive criticism from her track coach. As I stay in the mix, I will see how Patina copes with her new life in her uncle and aunt’s home as she looks forward to seeing her mother on their Sunday church visits. And even more remarkably, she seems to be committed to being a protective, older sister to little Maddy.
Lynn M.
August 8, 2023
