{"id":40982,"date":"2022-04-30T22:37:15","date_gmt":"2022-05-01T03:37:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=40982"},"modified":"2022-04-30T22:37:15","modified_gmt":"2022-05-01T03:37:15","slug":"review-of-aint-burned-all-the-bright-by-jason-reynolds-artwork-by-jason-griffin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=40982","title":{"rendered":"Review of Ain’t Burned All the Bright, by Jason Reynolds, artwork by Jason Griffin"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Ain’t Burned All the Bright<\/em><\/p>\n

by Jason Reynolds
\nartwork by Jason Griffin
\nread by Jason Reynolds and a full cast<\/p>\n

Atheneum, 2022. 384 pages.
\nAudiobook: Simon & Schuster Audio, 2022. 30 minutes.
\nReview written April 12, 2022, from a library book and eaudiobook.
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

Ain’t Burned All the Bright<\/em> is an illustrated poem about a kid and his family at home during the pandemic. That doesn’t sound very exciting — but the poet is Jason Reynolds. And his long-time friend Jason Griffin did 384 pages of art to go with it.<\/p>\n

I put a hold on the audiobook before I realized it was an illustrated poem and not a novel. And decided that both listening to the audiobook and looking at the artwork was the perfect way to experience this book.<\/p>\n

The audiobook performs the text twice — first with Jason Reynolds reading it, then with a full cast. And then there’s a discussion between the creators at the end (which is also printed in the book). The whole thing only takes 30 minutes, so this is a quick read, but has lovely play with images and language.<\/p>\n

Jason Reynolds said this book began thinking about oxygen masks. The way he plays with that image is surprising and lovely.<\/p>\n

We’ve got a kid wondering why his mother doesn’t change the channel, a brother playing video games, a sister talking on her phone, and a father ill in his bedroom. And the kid has thoughts about it all.<\/p>\n

I’m not even sure how to describe this book. But it’s Jason Reynolds’ poetry along with striking images, and I would really like to talk with a kid who reads this book to find out all the things they notice that I miss. It feels like there’s more than meets the eye here. But I do know I like it.<\/p>\n

jasonwritesbooks.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Teens\/aint_burned_all_the_bright.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

Tweet<\/a>