About This Book
Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin deliver an extraordinary "young adult picture book" that blends sparse, poetic prose with powerful mixed-media collages across 384 pages. Narrated by an African-American youth, the book viscerally explores the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racism in America. It's a contemplation, a manifesto, and a testament to resilience, capturing the fear, frustration, and hope of a family navigating challenging times. This acclaimed work is designed to be experienced, offering a raw yet comforting look at identity, justice, and the enduring human spirit, making it an essential read for teens and a powerful tool for family discussions.
Prepare yourself for something unlike anything: A smash-up of art and text for teens that viscerally captures what it is to be Black. In America. Right Now. Written by #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jason Reynolds. Jason Reynolds and his best bud, Jason Griffin, had a mind-meld. And they decided to tackle it, in one fell swoop, in about ten sentences, and 300 pages of art, this piece, this contemplation-manifesto-fierce-vulnerable-gorgeous-terrifying-WhatIsWrongWithHumans-hope-filled-hopeful-searing-Eye-Poppingly-Illustrated-tender-heartbreaking-how-The-HECK-did-They-Come-UP-with-This project about oxygen. And all of the symbolism attached to that word, especially NOW. And so for anyone who didn't really know what it means to not be able to breathe, REALLY breathe, for generations, now you know. And those who already do, you'll be nodding yep yep, that is exactly how it is. - Publisher.
Discussion Prompts
1
The book uses only three sentences of text across 384 pages. How does this unique format impact your reading experience and understanding of the story?
2
The title "Ain't Burned All the Bright" and the original working title "Oxygen Mask" both relate to the theme of "breathing." What does "oxygen" symbolize in this book, especially in the context of the Black experience in America?
3
The narrator and his family are coping with both the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic racism. How do these two "pandemics" intersect and affect their lives as depicted in the book?
4
The book is described as "hope-filled" and "hopeful" despite its heavy themes. Where do you find moments of hope, comfort, or resilience in the artwork and sparse text?
5
Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin describe their collaboration as being like jazz musicians improvising. How do the illustrations and text "riff" off each other to create a deeper meaning?
External Reviews
NYT Bestseller
Young Adult Hardcover (3 weeks on list)
If Your Family Enjoyed This
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