Twenty Twenty was not an easy year to love…but it was
pivotal. A year marred with the threat, shut-downs and reality of Covid-19, the
particular murder of one George Floyd and the storming of the US Capitol in an
attempted Coup d'état to name a few dilemmas.
Anxiety was hallmark and in many way no real end in sight of the near
future. A newly released young adult
fiction “Ain’t Burned All The Bright”
attempts to give it a different texture, tone and perspective. It is the seminal
words of Jason Reynolds and groundbreaking pictures of Jason Griffin that succeeds
in unusual and excellent form. It is
much, much more than good. It thrives and refreshes in a grand fashion.
The book is in many ways an attempt at understanding events
that we try to come to terms and understanding of within ourselves and through
the media. Their obsessive fascination with the horrors of contemporary life
along with our own as viewed within our households and with our families. The words and images of “Ain’t Burned All The Bright” flow in a clarity much like
the drum beat of a Jack DeJohnette solo using just snare and a single cymbal.
Steady, rhythmic and consistent with the occasional perfectly placed
accent. This flow while steady and paced
is one of focused interest and a delight in it’s unfolding narration.
and why the news won't change the story and why the story won't change into something new
or the way we treat each other
“Ain’t Burned All The Bright” is from the collective efforts of two of today’s brightest young stars. They have individually and collectively received much praise, commissions, accolades and successes including; New York Times Best Sellers, NAACP Image Awards, residencies and world-wide exhibitions.
The two Jason’s met and bonded while in college and since have become brothers in creativity and spirit. They have collaborated once before on another young adult novel. It has been very well received effort; “My Name Is Jason Mine Too.”
