Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book!

Ain’t Burned All the Bright follows an unnamed narrator as his family responds to both the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing violence against Black-Americans in the United States. Told in fragmented lines of prose accompanied by thought-provoking artwork, it is a story about finding hope in “the little things” when the systems of oppression you live under become too overbearing to deal with. The hauntingly beautiful art style Jason Griffin used throughout the novel matched the mood of the storyline and subject matter perfectly. I loved the different art techniques used, from the scattered splotches of paint to the collage work; it created a multidimensional atmosphere that helped amplify the themes of the story. Jason Reynolds, as always, has masterfully created another tender, heartfelt love letter to both Black struggle and Black prosperity; I’m almost in tears just thinking about how phenomenal this book was. From Reynolds’ emboldening prose to the little details about growing up Black, like having a cookie can at home that’s actually used to store sewing materials, made my heart swell with both sorrow and warmth. I appreciate Reynolds for discussing how mind-numbing it is to see horrible atrocities happen to your community on the news every day, especially during the social uprisings that occurred at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The experience of living as a Black person in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic is an exhausting, oppressive one and I laud Reynolds’ for bringing awareness to a facet of the Black-American experience that hasn’t been highlighted in mainstream media as much as it should be.

Jason Reynolds has done it again! Ain't Burned All the Bright is a beautifully heart-wrenching poem that is enhanced by the brilliant artwork of Jason Griffin.

Reynolds is able to capture all of the feelings that overwhelmed humanity during 2020. This poem takes readers through pandemic life and protests following the murder of George Floyd. The narrator is struggling to find an oxygen mask to help him breathe. As the poem progresses, he begins to realize that normal, everyday things around him may be life-giving: the books on the shelf, amongst the crumbs of memories, or in the laughing, bickering, and bothering.

I have a feeling that I will be returning to this book often to help revive my search for an oxygen mask.

Reynolds books always make me pause to think about what message he is trying to deliver through his words and this newest book of his really has me thinking. It’s a quick read that could be completed in a class period and discussed thoroughly in a couple of class periods. We all take breathing for granite, but Reynolds makes us think about the things in our lives that calm us and help us breathe fully and think about what startles us and keeps us from breathing. This would be great for high school classes or book clubs.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Jason Reynolds is always amazing. This book takes his words, his poetry, and brings it to life with hundreds of pages of art.

The book takes the news (protests about police killing Black men, and COVID-19), and shows one family experiencing both.

If you enjoyed Long Way Down by Reynolds, you will enjoy Ain’t Burned All the Bright.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, NetGalley, and LibroFM's Educator ALC program for review/complimentary ebook and audiobook copies of this book.

I know I keep saying this, but Jason Reynolds has done it again. This book is short on words, but Reynolds's impactful choice of words combined with Jason Griffin's stunning artwork pack a powerful punch. The audio narration is spectacular. Not only does is Reynolds the narrator, but there is a bonus reading by a full cast and it is wonderful! After both versions of the book, there is also an interview between Reynolds and Griffin where listeners can hear how the book came to be. I enjoyed both versions of this book but I think it would be great if teachers and librarians could project the text & illustrations while playing the audio. Any audience would be riveted!

Jason Reynolds just has a way of getting into the head of the reader, and helping you make sense of everything you are feeling. Ain't Burned All the Bright is incredibly timely, full of touching illustrations and perfectly capturing so many of the thoughts and struggles of the past 2 years. I cannot wait to have the physical copy in-hand and on the shelf of my library, and I know this is a title that I will often recommend to teen patrons. I didn't think it was possible, but this may take top spot as my favorite Jason Reynolds work to date.

jason Reynolds is going to inspire a lot of children (and adults) to create poetry and to find their voice from this book. Using a creative format, he questions how things never change yet how they could change through visual images and written word. Recommend. I was provided a free copy via #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jason Reynolds does it again. Both timely and timeless, this story is poignant and thoughtful. I love the way Reynolds uses repetition to shift meaning, and Griffin’s images greatly enhance the reading.

This book may appear simple or short with few lines or words scattered on the pages, but the depth and complexity of thoughts will sit with many readers long after reading. It is astounding to me that the author and illustrator are not the same person, merely because they seem to be telling the exact same story. These two artists are so in sync with the same vision that their visual and poetic stories compliment each other. They add additional layers to the story the other is telling. A lot of youth will identify with and relate to these feelings and perspectives. A powerful read with memorable visuals.

A beautifully rendered illustrated poem that asks the questions so many teens must be asking themselves right now. Timely, relevant, and comforting without denying what teens are actually seeing all around them. Once again, Jason Reynolds sees and honors what young people are going through right now.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this stunning, beautiful collaboration. 5/5 stars.

Will I ever not cry from a Jason Reynolds book? I'm so excited to get my hands on this when it releases in January to truly appreciate the beautiful artwork by Jason Griffin. Reynolds weaves a verse story (as he does) over current events, COVID, families, BLM, etc., while reminding all of us to take a breath and bask in the small moments that bring us joy -- even if it's just a commercial break for our lives.

The actual composition of this book is stunning. Pieces of text like paper are laid over Griffin's art work that seems more surreal yet abstract yet also perfectly pairs with Reynold's verses. There are AMAZING quotes in this, and it flows so beautifully together. I could hear Reynold's voice in my mind as I was reading it, and it is just a stunning look at society and remembering to breathe when everything is crushing in on us.

Ain't Burned All the Bright discusses several important current events and circumstances, such as race relations, Covid, and stay-at-home orders. I always look forward to whatever Jason Reynolds puts out but this one had very little text and instead was melded perfectly with beautiful full pages of artwork. Despite the fact that there was limited text, Reynolds was still able to express an incredibly complex and layered story. This is a must purchase and a highly recommendable title.

My students have been chomping at the bit to get their hands on another Jason Reynolds verse novel. I was so excited to see this one in the works, and was thrilled I was able to get access to an ARC.

After Long Way Down, I was surprised that we hadn't had more verse from Reynolds. His voice and style are SO powerful, and when you add in Jason Griffin's artwork, it becomes even more striking.

Though simple, the story of one boy's family simply existing and surviving and BREATHING while the world around them is filled with prejudice and violence is quite moving. Seeing the narrator's normal, day-to-day life (his brother playing video games, his father fighting illness) is so necessary right now, and it feels even more impactful when shown in juxtaposition with the real-world violence constantly coming from their television.

Another must-read from Reynolds.

Jason Reynolds does it again. Such a powerful book. I can't wait to share in my classroom. The artwork is stunning

So simple and so good. The illustrations in this book were amazing. Jason Reynolds is amazing. A great commentary in what is/has been going on in the US for the last few tears. I’ve already added this to my “to buy” list for my high school library.

This will be popular with our students because it is short and packs a punch. I would love to have our English teachers analyze it as well -- it is such a perfect blend of poetry, art, and a well-love author who can hook students' interest. We have already added this to our library's order list for the spring.

Wooowwwww!

This book really shows off Jason Reynolds’s gift of words, poetry, and storytelling. He encapsulates so much of the fear, repetition, unknown, anxiety, and despair of summer 2020. Which was surely even more extreme for Black folx. I hope that many English teachers use this as a teaching tool in their classrooms!

I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I must begin by saying that when it comes to Jason Reynolds I am in no way an impartial judge. I have loved everything from this author that I have read so far. "Long Way Down" was a gateway drug into books in verse for me. So when I saw that he was releasing another book in verse you could say that I was more than a little excited. (An aside for those who fear books in verse as I once did: If you are looking for a short but impactful and lyrical story they are the way to go). This story is no exception. Reynolds in a no holds barred kind of writer. He will not sugar coat things for you in order to make you feel better and I think it is good that he did that with the story of "Ain't Burned All the Bright". The story explores the emotional toll that the last couple years have taken on us as a society and as families in beautiful prose:

"And what is left when the
Whole world is wheezing
and worry is worn like a knit sweater in summer
and can't nobody breathe
in a knit sweater in summer"

The writing is paired with absolutely phenomenal illustrations which raise the story up to a whole new level. The artist, Jason Griffin, uses images and at times even emptiness to tell the story of love and loss on each page. This is a book that I cannot wait to get a physical copy of because it is something that I will definitely be using in my art classroom. It will be an excellent resource for teaching students about multi-media art. As well as, the impact of different contrasts of colors and the brutal truth of a roughly drawn line. Every stoke of the brush in this book speaks loudly.
It is an honest portrayal of how we all begin to exist in a world that has completely changed from the one we once knew. This is something that I cannot recommend enough for both artists and readers.

This isn't so much a book as it is an absolute piece of art. What a soft and beautiful expression of what it means to be a black family in the midst of COVID-19 and 24 hours news coverage of the George Floyd protests. Through the anxiety and darkness, there are glimmers of hope and themes of finding strength in family. As always, Reynolds nails his tone and packs a punch -- this is definitely a quick read that will resonate with teenagers.

This is a pretty stunning the book. The combination of Reynolds' words and Griffin's gorgeous art is truly powerful. A book to be savored and reflected on.