Happy Book Birthday, Coach by Jason Reynolds!

It's time to celebrate another book birthday! Today's read is the fifth in a series, and I've read a couple of the other books before, but not the entire series. These can be read well as individual reads, since each book centers around a different character. However, there are mentions of other events, so they do hang together enough to read as a series as well. If I remember right. Truthfully, it's been a bit about six years since I read one

COACH

About Time...

Track #5

by Jason Reynolds

Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Middle Grade Sports Fiction

256 pages

In this companion to Jason Reynolds’s award-winning and New York Times bestselling Track series, meet Coach as a boy striving to come into his own as a track star while facing upheaval at home.

Before Coach was the man who gave caring yet firm-handed guidance to Ghost, Lu, Patina, and Sunny on the Defenders track team, he was little Otie Brody, who was obsessed with Mr. 9.99 (a.k.a. Carl Lewis) and Marty McFly from Back to the Future. Like Mr. 9.99—and his own dad—Otie is a sprinter. Sprint free or die is practically his motto.

Then his dad, who is always away on business trips, comes home with a pair of Jordans. JORDANS. Fine as fine can be. Otie puts them on and feels like he can leap to the moon…maybe even leap like Mr. 9.99 when he won the Olympic gold medal in the long jump. But one morning he wakes up to find his brand-new secret weapon kicks are missing—right off his feet! And Otie just might have a fuzzy memory of his dad easing them off as Otie was sleeping, but that can’t be right, can it?

Unless all the reasons for his dad’s “gone’s” are very different from what he’s been told… Because now, not only are the Jordans missing, but so is his father.

GOODREADS     /      PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Otie's having a hard time. Not only is his father rarely at home thanks to his job, but one of the kids at school has just made fun of Otie during the lunch talent show and had the entire school laughing at him and his hair. Since Otie's father never seems to have enough time to take him to the barber shop, he decides to tackle the job himself and ends up bald. But that works, since he's on the track team and can claim he's trying to improve his running time by being more aerodynamic. After all, he's a great runner and has dreams of making the Junior Olympic team. When his father returns from the latest business trip with a pair of Air Jordon's in hand, Otie's over the moon. Unfortunately, his mother's fears that they might be stolen are dampening his fun with the amazing shoes. Plus, other oddities are beginning to make Otie wonder if his father got them through questionable means...or maybe, even his job isn't all that it seems. Add the pressures of track and school, and Otie's got a lot to maneuver.

Like the other books in the series, the author hits Otie and his life with natural finesse. Every moment comes across smoothly and lets the reader feel as if they're stepping right into the character's world. The problems Otie faces come across with familiarity and draw sympathy, and his reactions are very understandable...even when he makes mistakes. His family is supportive and loving, but they aren't perfect. Even his school life and friendships are packed with ups and downs. Some themes are a bit more difficult and are brought across with the rawness needed to make the sit. So, it's a well-rounded read with a lot to offer.

It's no problem to sink right into the scenes and enjoy following Otie, family, and friends. It was nice to see the series now shifting to the Coach of the team, and the backstory gives his character quite a bit more understanding and depth. It did take a minute to realize that, unlike the other books, this one jumps back to the late 1980's to visit the Coach in his early teenage years. A quick mention of this would have been helpful in the beginning. But that said, it's an enjoyable read which hits home and provokes thought. Plus, the sport aspect always adds a nice twist.

And here he is...

Jason Reynolds is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, recipient of the MacArthur Genius Grant, a Newbery Award Honoree, a Printz Award Honoree, a two-time National Book Award finalist, a 2024 MacArthur Fellow, a Kirkus Award winner, a UK Carnegie Medal winner, a two-time Walter Dean Myers Award winner, an NAACP Image Award Winner, an Odyssey Award Winner and two-time honoree, and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors, a Coretta Scott King Author Award, and the Margaret A. Edwards Award. He was also the 2020–2022 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. His many books include All American Boys (cowritten with Brendan Kiely); When I Was the Greatest; The Boy in the Black Suit; Stamped; As Brave as You; For Every One; the Track series (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, Lu, and Coach); Look Both Ways; Stuntboy, in the Meantime; Stuntboy, In-Between Time; Miles Morales Suspended; Ain’t Burned All the Bright (recipient of the Caldecott Honor) and My Name Is Jason. Mine Too. (both cowritten with Jason Griffin); Twenty-Four Seconds from Now...; and Long Way Down, which received a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, and a Coretta Scott King Honor. His debut picture book, There Was a Party for Langston, won a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. He lives in Washington, DC. You can find his ramblings at JasonWritesBooks.com.

Review: Stuntboy, In the Meantime by Jason Reynolds

Today's read comes from one of my more favorite authors. While I've especially enjoyed poetry from him and some young adult reads, I was surprised to find this new venture. The blurb also caught my attention on this one—a superhero, whose superpower is to keep others super.

But I won't say anything else. Let's just dive in!

 

STUNTBOY, IN THE MEANTIME

by Jason Reynolds

Illustrated by Raul the Third

Caitlyn Dloughy Books

Middle Grade Contemporary

272 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

NOVEMBER 30th!!!

From Newbery Medal honoree and #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds comes a hilarious, hopeful, and action-packed middle grade novel about the greatest young superhero you’ve never heard of, filled with illustrations by Raúl the Third!

Portico Reeves’s superpower is making sure all the other superheroes—like his parents and two best friends—stay super. And safe. Super safe. And he does this all in secret. No one in his civilian life knows he’s actually…Stuntboy!

But his regular Portico identity is pretty cool, too. He lives in the biggest house on the block, maybe in the whole city, which basically makes it a castle. His mom calls where they live an apartment building. But a building with fifty doors just in the hallways is definitely a castle. And behind those fifty doors live a bunch of different people who Stuntboy saves all the time. In fact, he’s the only reason the cat, New Name Every Day, has nine lives.

All this is swell except for Portico’s other secret, his not-so-super secret. His parents are fighting all the time. They’re trying to hide it by repeatedly telling Portico to go check on a neighbor “in the meantime.” But Portico knows “meantime” means his parents are heading into the Mean Time which means they’re about to get into it, and well, Portico’s superhero responsibility is to save them, too—as soon as he figures out how.

Only, all these secrets give Portico the worry wiggles, the frets, which his mom calls anxiety. Plus, like all superheroes, Portico has an arch-nemesis who is determined to prove that there is nothing super about Portico at all.

GOODREADS   /    BOOK DEPOSITORY   /   AMAZON   /   B&N

MY TIDBITS

This author never ceases to amaze me. Now, digging into the world of middle grade graphic books, he takes an every day kid, Portico, with every day problems and forms him into the most amazing superhero of all...and that with a ton of fun, humor, and reading surprises along the way.

Portico lives in the biggest house on the block, making it almost a castle. Kind of. He has lots of neighbors with quirks, enjoys his life, but suffers from the 'frets'...not only because his parents on the verge of a divorce. When one of his friends has him turn into a pretzel, he discovers his alter-ego, Stuntboy. Stuntboy's purpose is to be super and take on things, which might make those around him less super. But being a superhero isn't always easy.

Yes, this book tackles tough themes kids can relate to—divorce, bullies, etc. But the author manages to turn everything on its head and make it a super-fun way to hit reality. And that in a kid-fashion pure. Portico and his friend have a wonderful imagination, and he allows himself to sink into this 'super' him, not only to deal with his anxiety but to help those around him...in odd ways, maybe. But it's super sweet and kind. Stuntboy is a hero to root for and cheer on the entire way through because he has determination and a true heart of gold even when problems sometimes make things hard.

The set-up of this book is a blast. It's not the usual graphic novel form, but rather, more of a picture book in the form of a middle grade read with some comic areas mixed in. The narration bounces around a bit scatter-brained at times, and then, switches gears into tale fashion. It's an entertaining mix which keeps things from getting to serious and lets the imagination of Portico shine through. The illustrations keep humor high and let Stuntboy's adventure gain goofy, heroic highlights.

Middle graders, especially the reluctant readers in this group, will enjoy this adventure and maybe discover a superhero in themselves.

Review: Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds

LOOK BOTH WAYS

by Jason Reynolds

Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Tween Contemporary

ages 10 - 14

208 pages

From National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds comes a novel told in ten blocks, showing all they different directions a walk home can take.

This story was going to begin like all the best stories. With a school bus falling from the sky. But no one saw it happen. They were all too busy—

Talking about boogers.
Stealing pocket change.
Skateboarding.
Wiping out.
Braving up.
Executing complicated handshakes.
Planning an escape.
Making jokes.
Lotioning up.
Finding comfort.
But mostly, too busy walking home.

Jason Reynolds conjures ten tales (one per block) about what happens after the dismissal bell rings, and brilliantly weaves them into one wickedly funny, piercingly poignant look at the detours we face on the walk home, and in life.

 MY TIDBITS

I've read a few books from Jason Reynolds and have long become a fan...although his writing doesn't even fall into my usually favorite genre. And that says a lot. Every character and every situation leaves a lasting impression, one that touches the heart and means plenty of food for thought.

When school is over, kids are freed from the classroom and halls, but this means different things for different kids. Some are afraid of dogs, others of sick parents, and others need to find tricks to get by. Each tale is somewhat interlinked in so far that some of the characters are mentioned or appear in more than one situation, but each one tells a very individual story. Everyone faces life from a different angle with different challenges and hopes. This collection makes that clear.

There aren't many writers who can start a tale with a booger, change it into a philosophical debate between kids, and have the entire thing roll beside a very sobering sickness. Every day banter mixes with candor and harshness, while still holding the right amount of humor to make it almost sweet. The kids in these stories come across naturally and honestly. Their views on life are humorous even when they face situations which hit quite the opposite. It's fun to read and yet, forces the reader to think. This isn't only a book for tweens but for slightly older readers as well.

And here he is...

Jason Reynolds is a New York Times bestselling author, a Newberry Award Honoree, a Printz Award Honoree, National Book Award Honoree, a Kirkus Award winner, a two-time Walter Dan Myers Award winner, an NAACP Image AWard Winner, and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors, The America Booksellers Association's 2017 and 2018 spokesperson for Indies First, his many books include When I Was the Greatest, Boy in the Black Suit, All American Boys (cowritten with Brendan Kiely), As Brave as You, For Every One, the Track series (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu), and Long Way Down, which received both a Newbery Honor and a Printz Honor. He lives in Washington, DC. You can find his ramblings at JasonWritesBooks.com

Review: Lu by Jason Reynolds

LU

Sometimes You Gotta Jump Anyway...

Track, #4

by Jason Reynolds

Athenium / Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Middle Grade Sports

224 pages

Lu must learn to leave his ego on the sidelines if he wants to finally connect with others in the climax to the New York Times bestselling and award-winning Track series from Jason Reynolds. 

Lu was born to be cocaptain of the Defenders. Well, actually, he was born albino, but that’s got nothing to do with being a track star. Lu has swagger, plus the talent to back it up, and with all that—not to mention the gold chains and diamond earrings—no one’s gonna outshine him.

Lu knows he can lead Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and the team to victory at the championships, but it might not be as easy as it seems. Suddenly, there are hurdles in Lu’s way—literally and not-so-literally—and Lu needs to figure out, fast, what winning the gold really means. 

Expect the unexpected in this final event in Jason Reynold’s award-winning and bestselling Track series.

 MY TIDBITS

I've read some of the other books in this series, and while it's not necessary to read them in a certain order (each works fairly well as a stand-alone), it does make for a more rounded read to have the background information from the books before diving into this one.

Lu is co-captain of the track team, the Defenders, and as so, at constant rub with the captain. But he takes everything more or less in stride. He also is an albino, which has caused problems in the past but has nothing to do with track. Add his diamond earrings and gold chains, and he isn't the shabbiest kid on the team. Plus, he runs well. At least, until it's time for him to run hurdles. Fear holds him back, but soon he learns that the physical hurdles on the track aren't the only thing he's going to have to learn to get past.

This is an easy read centered as much around Lu's family and social life as it is around track. There aren't any huge moments, but rather, a line of difficulties that force him to grow as a person and realign what the real important things are in his life. He does run track, and while his heart is in running, this story focuses more on the other aspects of Lu's life. None of which are earth-shattering, but problems which readers can relate to. 

Lu has some fears to overcome, but learns that the people around him have their own hurdles to jump too. Some have made it, others are still struggling, and others will never get past them. It's a strong life lesson, but one that is wrapped up in an entertaining and, at times, thoughtful read. 

Lu's family sits strong in these pages, one that is more supportive than the families in the books before. His mother especially holds lots of character, and adds a nice flair of fun and humor to the mix. The relationship with the parents is an inspiration while not leaving the realm of reality. It makes for a read, kids will easily see themselves in. And the message, while clear, is subtle in its own way. As to the end of the book—the last twist holds a surprise which allows those warm fuzzy feelings to remain long after the book is closed.

This is a wonderful addition to a lovely series.

And here he is...

Jason Reynolds is a New York Times bestselling author, a Newbery Award Honoree, a Printz Award Honoree, national Book Award Honoree, a Kirkus Award winner, a two time Walter Dean Myers Award winner, an NAACP Image Award Winner, and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors. The American Booksellers Association's 2017 spokesperson for Indies First, his many books include When I was the Greatest, Boy in the Black Suit, All American Boys (cowritten with Brendan Kiely), As Brave as You, For Every One, the Track series (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu), and Long Way Down, which recieved both a Newbery Honor and a Printz Honor. He lives in Washington, DC. You can find his ramblings at JasonWritesBooks.com.

Review: Sunny by Jason Reynolds

SUNNY

Defenders Track Team Series #3

by Jason Reynolds

Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Middle Grade Contemporary / Sports

176 pages

ages 10 and up

Sunny Lancaster is a winner. Wih-winner. When it comes to the 1600 meter, Sunny can beat anyone by, well, a mile. But for Sunny, winning is boring. Buh-boring. Truth is, Sunny doesn't like running. Never has. What Sunny really loves... is dancing.

The boom-bap bap of his teacher. Aurela's dance routines beats the chick chick chick of his track meets any day. Sunny loves his team, though, so he can't quit, but he also can't be on a track team not run. And he definitely can't be on a track team and dance. But it turns out track isn't just chick chick chick. It's also whoosh whoosh ahh.

If Sunny lets loose everything he's been holding inside, will it be his best move ever, or will it be his biggest mistake?

MY TIDBITS

This is the third book in the Track series, but I did not read the other two before diving into this one. Although reading the other two books would have given me more insight into some of the characters and circumstances, I had no trouble connecting with Sunny and his story. In other words, this can be read as a stand alone.

Sunny runs track. He runs track and wins. Always. He loves his team, although he isn't really a fan of running and would rather do something different. Sammy lives with his father, who he doesn't get along with necessarily, and he's homeschooled, which doesn't leave him with a ton of social interaction outside of the team. This tale is a personal venture into Sammy's struggles to balance relationships with sports, while still exploring his own dreams which might not meet others' expectations.

Written in diary form, this took a few entries before the writing style and Sunny sunk in. Sunny is packed full of energy, and his mind bounces around as vividly as he does. Sunny's diary isn't boring. He's humorous and has tons of antics in his thoughts, which guarantee tons of smiles. Yet, there's a very serious side to Sunny too. The story is, at times, bittersweet. This, combined with Sunny's addicting personality, creates a read which grabs and hits the emotional heart strings.

The author has a wonderful ability to set himself into a middle grader's skin and slide into that world. The concerns, reactions, thoughts and emotions come across naturally, making Sunny into a kid living next door. He's easy to empathize with, and the topics he hits never venture far from those faced by many kids that age. It's a book to laugh, roll the eyes with, cheer along with and feel for when unpleasant or sad moments hit.

The sport aspects flow in with the rest of the tale and will come across as very familiar to track (and other sports) fans. Plus, it's a real treat to see track as the main setting in a middle grade series. . .and well done, at that. It's a book for boys as well as girls and is interesting enough to connect with even slightly more reluctant readers.

In other words, this one gets full thumbs up from me.


And here he is. . .

Jason Reynolds is a New York Times bestselling author, a Newbery Award Honoree, A Printz Award Honoree, a National Book Award Honoree, a Kirkus Award winner, a tow time Walter Dean Myers Award winner, an NAACP Image Award Winner, and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors. Reynolds was the American Booksellers Association's 2017 spokesperson for Indies First, and was the national spokesperson for the 2018 celebration of School Library Month in April 2018 sponsored by the American Association of school Librarians (AASL). Jason's many works of fiction include When I Was the Greatest, Boy in the Black Suit, All American Boys (cowritten with Brendan Kiely), As Brave As You, For Every One, the Track (Ghost, Patina, sunny, and Lu), and Long Way Down, which received both a Newbery Honor and a Printz Honor. He lives in Washington, DC. You can find his ramblings at JasonWritesBooks.com.

Review: For Every One by Jason Reynolds

FOR EVERYONE

by Jason Reynolds

Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

YA Poetry
ages 12 and up

112 pages

Originally performed at the Kennedy Center for the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and later as a tribute to Walter Dean Myers, this stirring and inspirational poem is New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist Jason Reynolds’s rallying cry to the dreamers of the world.

For Every One is just that: for every one. For every one person. For every one dream. But especially for every one kid. The kids who dream of being better than they are. Kids who dream of doing more than they almost dare to dream. Kids who are like Jason Reynolds, a self-professed dreamer. Jason does not claim to know how to make dreams come true; he has, in fact, been fighting on the front line of his own battle to make his own dreams a reality. He expected to make it when he was sixteen. Then eighteen. Then twenty-five. Now, some of those expectations have been realized. But others, the most important ones, lay ahead, and a lot of them involve kids, how to inspire them. All the kids who are scared to dream, or don’t know how to dream, or don’t dare to dream because they’ve NEVER seen a dream come true. Jason wants kids to know that dreams take time. They involve countless struggles. But no matter how many times a dreamer gets beat down, the drive and the passion and the hope never fully extinguish—because just having the dream is the start you need, or you won’t get anywhere anyway, and that is when you have to take a leap of faith.

A pitch perfect graduation, baby, or love my kid gift.

MY TIDBITS

Poetry is one of those areas where I tend to be super critical. When I received Reynolds 'letter' to dreamers, I dove in with caution already on high-alert. But I was completely surprised.

This is a letter written in poetry form to dreamers, especially youth, and for those, who are scared to dream because they fear the dreams might never come true. Although the poem is over a hundred pages long. . .something which already had me wondering. . .it is not a long, thick read. Each page holds only a few lines or a short verse of thought. Never long. Never wordy. But packing tons of punch. It wasn't any trouble to read this in one sitting from beginning to end, although it is divided up into four sections.

The words come from the soul, speak clear truth and don't paint a reality which is more colorful than it really is. The words and phrases are easy to follow and hit home. The message is encouraging but at the same time, never allows the reader to believe that life is butterflies, easy or that every dream comes true with hard work. It's a naked truth which rings clear without ever talking down to the audience. The author brings his thoughts across in a way, which is easy to relate to, realistic and honest.

Although I started reading this convinced that it was headed for the dusty corner of one of my book shelves, I ended it knowing that I'd found a book which I'd like to share with several youth who are about to embark on life with hopes of seeking the dreams of their own.

In other words, this is a wonderfully meaningful piece of poetry.


And here he is. . .
Jason Reynolds is a New York Times bestselling author, a Newbery Award Honoree, A Printz Award Honoree, a National Book Award Honoree, a Kirkus Award winner, a tow time Walter Dean Myers Award winner, an NAACP Image Award Winner, and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors. Reynolds was the American Booksellers Association's 2017 spokesperson for Indies First, and was the national spokesperson for the 2018 celebration of School Library Month in April 2018 sponsored by the American Association of school Librarians (AASL). Jason's many works of fiction include When I Was the Greatest, Boy in the Black Suit, All American Boys (cowritten with Brendan Kiely), As Brave As You, For Every One, the Track (Ghost, Patina, sunny, and Lu), and Long Way Down, which received both a Newbery Honor and a Printz Honor. He lives in Washington, DC. You can find his ramblings at JasonWritesBooks.com.