For Every One

by Jason Reynolds Narrated by Jason Reynolds

Overview

“A lyrical masterpiece.” -School Library Journal (starred review)

Originally performed at the Kennedy Center for the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and later as a tribute to Walter Dean Myers, this stirring and inspirational poem is New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist Jason Reynolds's rallying cry to the young dreamers of the world.

For Every One is exactly that: for every one. For every one person. For every one who has a dream. But especially for every kid. The kids who dream of being better than they are. Kids who dream of doing more than they almost dare to imagine. Kids who are like Jason Reynolds, a self-professed dreamer. Jason does not claim to know how to make dreams come true; he has, in fact, been fighting on the front line of his own battle to make his own dreams a reality. He expected to make it when he was sixteen. Then eighteen. Then twenty-five. Now, some of those expectations have been realized. But others, the most important ones, lay ahead, and a lot of them involve kids, how to inspire them: All the kids who are scared to dream, or don't know how to dream, or don't dare to dream because they've NEVER seen a dream come true. Jason wants kids to know that dreams take time. They involve countless struggles. But no matter how many times a dreamer gets beat down, the drive and the passion and the hope never fully extinguishes-because simply having the dream is the start you need, or you won't get anywhere anyway, and that is when you have to take a leap of faith.

A pitch-perfect graduation, baby, or inspirational gift for anyone who needs to me reminded of their own abilities-to dream.

Editorial Reviews

APRIL 2018 - AudioFile

Jason Reynolds performed this poem at the Kennedy Center for the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Now he brings its stirring words to audio, his voice as rich as his powerful message. He wrote this lyrical letter when he believed he might never succeed. At this low point, he speaks to himself, and to "every one" ready to give up dreams. His deep voice is as calming as his realization that it's just having the dream that's important. "Dreams don't have timelines, /deadlines, /and aren't always in /straight lines. Jump Anyway." His warm “Afterwards” puts this piece in the context of his later successes. when, looking back, he can see the import of "drilling deeper" and "finding joy in the midst of the hard work." S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2018 - AudioFile

Jason Reynolds performed this poem at the Kennedy Center for the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Now he brings its stirring words to audio, his voice as rich as his powerful message. He wrote this lyrical letter when he believed he might never succeed. At this low point, he speaks to himself, and to "every one" ready to give up dreams. His deep voice is as calming as his realization that it's just having the dream that's important. "Dreams don't have timelines, /deadlines, /and aren't always in /straight lines. Jump Anyway." His warm “Afterwards” puts this piece in the context of his later successes. when, looking back, he can see the import of "drilling deeper" and "finding joy in the midst of the hard work." S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2018-02-05
A poem provides hope and reassurance to teens as they try to make sense of their own dreams for the future.Award-winning writer Reynolds (Long Way Down, 2017, etc.) offers a letter in the form of a long poem that acknowledges and encourages young people's dreams and aspirations. The poem uses the author's own experiences to show common ground with his readers, making it clear that he is presenting himself as a fellow traveler on the journey: "This letter / is being written / from the inside. / From the front line / and the fault line. / From the uncertain thick of it all." He shares observations of others and the ways in which they coped and speaks of the futility of finding answers in the usual places: "Though the struggle / is always made to / sound admirable / and poetic, / the thumping uncertainty / is still there." This short piece is full of the elements that make Reynolds such a successful writer: honesty, rich imagery, great facility with language, and an irresistible cadence. At times conversational, other times, uplifting, this intimate and powerful piece connects on many levels. Even as Reynolds repeats throughout the poem, "I don't know nothing about that," he is telling his readers a great deal. As a piece that was originally performed, this begs to be heard. However, the printed version will still resonate.Inspirational reading for any occasion. (Poetry. 12-adult)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170802548
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster
Publication date:	04/10/2018
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

Read an Excerpt

Chapter One ONE

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