By Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin

This beautifully poetic and artistic book is a collage of the two artists’ early works while struggling to make it in Brooklyn shortly after the two former college roommates graduated and moved to the “big city”. Reynolds’ poetry is often superimposed over Griffin’s painting/collages in a way that helps the reader feel the raw excitement, terror, & sometimes loneliness that comes with making a big leap of faith in yourself in a new place. At the time of this collection, both were unknowns trying to make enough money to eat and pay rent so they could keep making their art. Fans of Jason Reynolds will enjoy this look back at his early years of personal struggle while also discovering the mixed media style of his friend Jason Griffin. Whereas current work is more fictional in nature, this is raw him. Anyone struggling to stay true to themselves while fighting all the doubts that come with it will be able to relate. I also really like the message of these two very different looking young men finding such a strong connection with each other as they lean in & support each other during their struggles to make it. There was not much I didn’t like about the book though the artistic style of Griffin’s work may not appeal to everyone, I really liked it. I’m sure my middle school readers who are fans of Reynolds and poetry are really going to like this book, and there is nothing that makes it inappropriate for middle schoolers other than the book is about people in their 20s.