For What It's Worth


Monday, October 15, 2018

monday mini: For Every One by Jason Reynolds




I just have one mini today - For Every One by Jason Reynolds.


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From Goodreads:


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.


Source: Finished copy provided by the publisher via ALA18


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My thoughts:

I have been wanting to try Reynolds books for a very long time. I picked up this book and Long Way Down while at ALA. At just over 100 pages, this was a perfect introduction to his writing.

For Every One is for all the dreamers...it's part poetry, part letter, with pieces of random thoughts thrown in. It's sparse yet heartfelt.

It reads a like an inspirational commencement speech; raw, beautiful and encouraging and the hardcover is gorgeous – making it the perfect gift for a graduate or someone just starting out or embarking on their dreams.

And I love this space that allows you to personalize and pass the book on to future dreamers...




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26 comments:

  1. I think my friend would love this book, thanks for the heads up :)

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  2. Sounds like a great graduation gift, and I like that you can pass it on a few times. Nice touch. I need to read more by Reynolds too!

    -lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. It really would be. And also maybe for an older person going back to school or going through big changes - like divorce. It wasn't specifically about education so it's inspiring for everyone I think.

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    1. It was such a nice detail and I like it - maybe you're done with the book and someone needs it more so pass it on...

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  4. Jason Reynolds is a blessing I swear. I love the format of this one.

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    1. I can't wait to read Long Way Down. Verse is not always my thing but I was able to understand and relate to his writing so easily.

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  5. What a beautiful sentiment or just a lovely gift to pass along to another reader. I love books told in verse, so few words can portray emotions we're still yet to even understand. I've been wanting to read something of his for the longest time and this looks like a perfect place to begin. Lovely review Karen! ♡♡♡

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    1. Verse is always difficult for me but his writing was so accessible for someone like me.

      This is very short and not necessarily deep but I can't wait to read more of his work. I have Long Way Down.

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  6. What a beautiful and inspirational book. I love the sound of this one. Thanks for sharing, Karen.

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  7. What an interesting idea for a book.

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    1. It is and so well done. Short but powerful.

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  8. I will definitely have to get my hands on this one.

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  9. This is the first I've heard of this one! I've never read anything by this author, but I know everyone seems to love him. I may pick this up for my niece!

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    1. I've always wanted to give his books a try and at ALA they had you take two books at his signing. I figured this one was short and would give me an idea of his writing.

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  10. Reynolds amazed me with how much he could pack into so few pages. He's amazing!

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    1. The words were simple but he has an engaging/relatable writing style.

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  11. The pass it on page is fun :) Glad to see you enjoyed it!

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  12. I’ve heard a lot about Long Way Down but this is the first I’ve heard of this one. Sounds pretty powerful... and well worth sharing.

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    1. I picked up that one as well at his signing and can't wait to read it.

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  13. I want to read his novel in verse Long Way Down first, but other than that this one sounds like a very strong book which can truly reach out to the author. I love the mix of formats in telling the story as well!

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