Once a reluctant reader, author Jason Reynolds never imaged that he would become a writer of books for students in middle grades. And not just a writer, a New York Times bestselling author, a National Book Award Honoree, a Kirkus Award winner, a Walter Dean Myers Award winner, an NAACP Image Award Winner, and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors. According to the author, his books — The Boy in the Black Suit, As Brave as You, All American Boys, Ghost – are “slice-of-life stories typically revolving around African-American teenagers, specifically in urban environments.” During the live webcast, Jason Reynolds discusses his reluctance to reading because the classics did not reflect the urban environment in which he grew up. Inspired by Queen Latifah's rap lyrics, he discovered poetry and his writing voice. Jason Reynolds says everyone has a story to tell, but, “You can’t fix it, if it doesn’t exist.” Jason Reynolds also shares his writing tips and philosophy on life.

Originally recorded on 9/28/17