by Jason Reynolds

YA Poetry, 2022 by Atheneum, 384 Pages 

What I Didn’t Like:

• This is so minor and it won’t affect my rating but the hardcover is HEAVY! Just a heads up.
• If you’re tired of thinking about, talking about, or reliving COVID … skip this one. 
• If you’re looking for a quick poetry read but don’t like art or want to look at art but don’t like poetry, you probably won’t appreciate this blend. 

What I Did Like:

• As a poetry fan … wow. Reynolds uses words to snag those emotions right out of you and give you chills. The turn of phrase is powerful on its own. But it’s not on its own …
• The artwork is just as well done. Color and imagery blend together to tell a story that goes deeper than the words on the page. 
• The line breaks add to the story in a great way. That’s important in poetry, of course, but from reading the afterword I also know that Reynolds left this up to Griffin. That’s pretty cool. 

Who Should Read This One:

• Every poetry fan should have this one. It’s such a beautiful way to bring the art form to another level. 
• High School teachers with poetry units need this one. It’s not stale and old, which is what kids always accuse poetry of being before they love it. Instead it’s relatable and modern. 

My Rating: 4 Stars