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| Jason Reynolds | |
Author Jason Reynolds's term as National Ambassador for Young People's Literature is being extended to include a third year--for the first time in the history of the program, which is run by the Library of Congress, Every Child a Reader and the Children's Book Council to foster a love of reading in young students.
Organizers praised Reynolds's work in the role, saying, "Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Reynolds connected virtually with thousands of students in rural areas of the country to engage in meaningful discussions. In 2022, Reynolds will meet in person with students in rural communities to continue his work of encouraging young people to share their own narratives. In addition, Reynolds will create an archive of student voices, encouraging students to share their creations via his Grab the Mic: Tell Your Story platform."
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden added, "Jason's Grab the Mic platform has proven that connecting with kids on their level empowers real world growth in reading and writing. I am eager to see how Jason will expand his message, encouraging kids to share their own stories in and beyond their own communities."
Reynolds said, "I can't believe I'm even being afforded the opportunity to extend my ambassadorship a third year. If the goal has changed at all, it's to be even more present in the lives of the young people I'm serving. More storytelling, more cultural exchange, more creativity, more connection--and this time, in person. Like I said at the start of this, this appointment is not an obligation, but an opportunity to put a spotlight on the collective stories of young America, all while encouraging them to hold those stories, and mold them into whatever they want them to be."
This November and December, Reynolds will go on a third virtual tour to schools across the country as National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. In support of the tour, the Library purchased paperback copies of Reynolds's Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks for participating schools, with the support of Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing will also continue its support of the National Ambassador program.
Among other achievements as National Ambassador, in April 2020, Reynolds launched a 30-part video series for kids, Write. Right. Rite, which offers fun and engaging prompts to express creativity. In March 2020, Reynolds launched Brain Yoga, a weekly Instagram Live video series during which he invited young people to join him onscreen to participate in a game that stretched the imagination. Brain Yoga is now a card game.