Jason Reynolds is a middle-grade and young adult author focusing on fiction and poetry. Born and raised in the DMV and currently residing in Washington D.C., Reynolds' writing is influenced by rap and spoken word poetry, particularly his early works, which included poetry collections. His first novel was published in 2014, and was called When I Was the Greatest. He has published over a dozen books, including a young adult adaptation with Ibram X. Kendi of Kendi's Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, a Miles Morales Spider-Man story, and of course, Long Way Down.
The source material for this production, Jason Reynolds' 2017 young adult novel in verse Long Way Down won the Newbery Honor Award, was named a Printz Honor Book and a Coretta Scott King Honor Book, and it was longlisted for the National Book Award.
These interviews with Jason were incredibly insightful and are great resources for those curious about his background, writing Long Way Down, and his other works:
Dear, Dreamer: A Portrait of Jason Reynolds (10-minute short film/interview): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74Y8IKlFMhA
2015 Interview w/Jason and NBC: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/graceful-power-novelist-jason-reynolds-n399721
Article in Publisher's Weekly (Jason Reynolds: From Kid Poet to Award-Winning Author): https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/73381-jason-reynolds-from-kid-poet-to-award-winning-author.html
NPR Article/Interview about Reynolds' work with Kendi: https://www.npr.org/2020/03/14/814630039/a-history-book-that-isnt-finding-a-way-to-teach-racism-to-a-new-generation
Kennedy Center Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuXNsJvNaFs
Article in Publisher's Weekly (Jason Reynolds Is The Hardest-Working Man in Washington): https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/74244-jason-reynolds-is-the-hardest-working-man-in-washington.html
BUILT Series 30-Minute Interview w/Jason Reynolds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58hF22Yz9gs