This is a beautifully written and illustrated response to the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement. The writing and the illustrations intertwine in an emotionally evocative manner that wouldn't be as powerful if we had one medium and not the other. My heart hurt in the best way possible. Another must-read that I've already recommended to friends and library patrons alike!

Jason Reynolds forever and ever. His poetry is especially stunning because it feels like how he talks. I adored this collection.

This was a short, engaging read that shined light on what some went through during the pandemic. I appreciated the vivid language and the pace. If Jason Reynolds writes it, I’m reading it!

“𝘼𝙞𝙣'𝙩 𝘽𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 is a gripping, emotional look into the life of a Black family living through the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.”⁣
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In just ten sentences, and 300 pages of powerful art, this book took me by surprise!⁣
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Jason & Jason had me blinking back my tears while reading and every time I read the words “𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙨𝙚”, “𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝” I found myself physically doing just that.⁣
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I have 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 had a book make me feel in real time what I was reading.⁣
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Sheesh!⁣
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I’m speechless, I don’t know what else to say but, READ THIS BOOK!⁣
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Thank you, @simonteen for this gifted copy.

This is a beautiful collection of artwork and words. My students have really enjoyed the intricacies of this book and how the artwork and words flow so well together.

Wow. Jason Reynolds does it again, and I am blown away by this powerful story. Such an important story, and I will definitely be recommending this one all month long during National Poetry Month.

This is a beautifully written poem told through artistic images. I never expected to see such a book, told through a medium such as this. Even a page where it becomes all black ink was so heart felt.

Jason Reynolds does it again! He has a gift for telling an amazing story in so few words. He poetically shares powerful prose to bring light everyday life. The illustrations are pure art. A must read!!

Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds with artwork by Jason Griffin was an unexpected surprise. Now I’m talking about Jason Reynolds, so when I say surprise, I am talking about something on another level. I will give any book by Reynolds an automatic read. Approaching this book, I had no idea what it was about, but from the title and cover I assumed it was a novel-in-verse. I was wrong, but in a good way.

This book was amazing and like a balm (or maybe I should say oxygen) to the soul during a time when everyone is struggling in one way or another. Now, I want you to sit down. Are you ready for this?

Ain’t Burned All the Bright is three long sentences. There is no punctuation and the sentences are run-ons. And every single part of this book from the words to the art is brilliant and timely.

Now, I probably/hopefully have your attention. So keep walking with me. The sentences are representative of three long breaths.

I listened to the StacksPod podcast episode with Jason Reynolds and he explained his inspiration like this.

Everything in 2020 attacked the respiratory system. COVID-19. Protests for George Floyd.
The idea of an oxygen mask. We all needed one – some of us metaphorically and some of us literally. But what was our idea of an oxygen mask?
What you do in a panic attack. You are always told three deep breaths. Which ties everything back to breathing and surviving during the last few years.
Ain’t Burned All the Bright is categorized as young adult, but I think both teens and adults should read this book. This book just made sit, think and…breathe. I think, because we are still going through this pandemic, it’s a challenge for us to just stop, reflect and remember to breathe during a time when it is so difficult to keep doing so.

Also check out the audiobook. You will get to hear Ain’t Burned All the Bright read by Jason Reynolds and then re-read with a group of actors. You also get a bonus conversation between the best friends, Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin.

So I hope you check out this book. I hope you breathe. I hope you peeped what I did with the power of three during this review.

I am still floating existentially out of my body after the new lyrical work by Jason Reynold. This long form poem is excellently and brilliantly illustrated by Jason Griffin. This story is a reminder to breath. It looks at the cycle of news that never seems to stop. The way the news effects people differently, but also how it is seen through the eyes of one. The mask mandates are seen through new eyes. It is just so hard for this reader to express how fantastic this work not only read, but made one feel. It’s all about FELL. And live, and hope, and pray, and survive. And most important, BREATH.

I'm not sure words can express how much I love this book! Between the short but meaningful pieces of poetry, to the quiet then loud artwork, it is a brilliant book. It is hard to even think of what the age range would be. Before reading I assumed it was a YA or adult book, but after reading I can even see 5th grade or older. It is truly a beautiful book.

This book was beautiful perfection. The proses are powerful and thoughtful, while the art is perfectly crafted to complement the book's message. This book was amazing, and I can't recommend it enough.

I LOVED this new work from Jason Reynolds! The format is a departure from the prose of his other books, but the messages remain powerful and poignant. This will definitely resonate with a lot of younger readers who want and deserve to see themselves represented in texts but who also appreciate art, illustrations, and concise, poetic prose.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-arc!

The two Jasons. A writer and an artist. Combine to create a 300 page work of art. This is a book of illustrations, words, themes, frustrations, and immediacy. It’s a notebook that contains the thoughts and emotions of a young black man living through 2020, the pandemic and the incidents of police brutality and racial injustice. One common thread links the two oppressive situations: breath. When can people live freely, breathe freely?

This work can be shared just as easily in the English classroom as it can in the Art room. I can see high school students gaining inspiration to take their own stories to the page using their own images and words to evoke their own themes during these times. To be honest, I’m a little torn and I’m sure it’s the English teacher in me wanting more text, ha! But I also appreciate the haunting art. It truly evokes the empathy that everyone needs to practice during this time.

A strong and emotional piece of art that I will be talking to my library about asap!

4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster, and the creators for an advanced copy for review.

This compelling and unique book is a creative collaboration of text and art. Utilizing minimal words and striking artwork, it is stunning in both its simplicity and depth. Through the eyes of a black teenager, the reader explores a black family’s experience in 2020. With racial tensions, family who are sick with Covid, isolation, and climate change it feels like the world is bleak. Although the story brilliantly captures the despair, grief and horror it also manages to convey a hauntingly beautiful sense of hope and healing. Although short, it is impactful. This is truly a standout that is visceral and insightful, a powerful melding of words and art not to be missed.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautiful and powerful book. It’s incredibly short and each page is filled with art and it looks like a collage. The book is a very short collection of poems exploring 2020 through the eyes of a child. I thought it was powerful and beautiful.

Can 3 sentences be spread throughout 300 pages? How does that happen? Just look at what Griffin and Reynolds did in this masterpiece! Only three sentences in the whole book but the art and meaning come into play when they are spread throughout the 300 pages. This is a book that can be utilized in a large span of grades and for many different reasons. Writing prompts, analyzing and interpreting words, symbolism and also enjoying the art. Do yourself and your children/students a favor and include this book in your classroom library!

Quite simply this book is stunning. A visual and lyrical masterpiece which moves the reader to feel the experience of this black boy taking in the news and the scary world around him. I read this on a large tablet bit I couldn't wait to have the real book in my hands. This book should be bought by everyone as it' is a piece of history marking this time .

Diving into a new Jason Reynolds book is opening up your heart and mind to wisdom, pain, and astounding beauty. AIN'T BURNED ALL THE BRIGHT is no different: once again Reynolds gets to the heart of a well-known but too often ignored problem, this time police brutality. But Reynolds has a unique ability to bring broad, complicated ideas down to a micro level, and smashing any biases wide open by reminding us how children see things, how simple it could be to just do good, be good, and never stand for injustice. Paired with Jason Griffin's evocative art, Reynolds's message becomes visceral, heart-stopping, and unforgettable. This is a short read, but it packs a huge punch, and I know that I will return to certain spreads again and again.

Happy publishing day to Jason Reynolds! His new book Ain't Burned All the Bright is out today! It's a beautiful story in verse complimented by moving art pieces throughout. It follows a young boy whose dealing with all of the trauma of the current COVID crisis and the social unrest of the 2020 summer after George Floyd's murder. It is a short and quick read, but you will cry multiple times. This is exactly the book we needed after these last two years. Jason Reynolds, as always, is a brilliant writer! I can't wait to share this one with. my students!