Books in the Chat

Coming to my library, and you, in 2021!

All American Boys
by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Published by Simon and Shuster
Published August 29, 2017
Ages 12 & up
Lexile Level 770L
Awards: CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children’s Book Council), Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers’ Choice Master List, South Carolina Picture Book Award Nominee, Keystone to Reading Book Award Reading List (PA), CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book, ALA Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book, Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominee, Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Master List, ALA Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Nutmeg Book Award Finalist, Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award Nominee, among many more.

With the New Year upon us the Teen Department staff is working on creating new and innovative programming and services for all of our county students. Youth in Clinton County may look forward to a brand new program designed to accommodate their busy schedule. Books in the Chat will be hosted on Discord, and members are encouraged to live chat as they read. Books in the Chat is also available on several other social media sites including: Facebook (FCPL Teens), Instagram (@myfcpl or @theYALibrarian), Twitter (@projectlitFCPL), and TikTok (@FCPLTeens). Additionally, a live chat about the book will be held on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m. on Instagram (@theYALibrarian).

Our first Books in the Chat event will be hosted for the Michigan Road Library, but readers everywhere are invited to participate and all interaction will take place virtually, online. The program features award-winning and New York Times bestseller, All American Boys, by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. All American Boys is the story of Rashad and Quinn, the only two witnesses of a violent act that will change lives forever. The narrative transfers from one boy’s voice to the other. The book is a quick read, recommended for grades 7 and up, and ages 12 and up. It is a Lexile level of 770. The books may be picked up at the Michigan Road Public Library. Alternatively, the novel is available for download as an e-book or e-audiobook from FCPL. This program is made possible through a grant from the Indiana Humanities with funds from the Lily Endowment, Inc.

Jason Reynolds is one of the top authors in young adult writing. According to his website, Reynolds’s goal is to “Not write boring books”. Currently Jason Reynolds is serving as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. This representative is chosen by the Library of Congress, Children’s Book Council, and Every Child a Reader. Reynolds began as a reluctant reader who grew up to become an award-winning author. Readers appreciate that he is able to capture the voice and issues faced by today’s youth so naturally. We are excited to feature a Reynolds’s title for our first Books in the Chat. To join Books in the Chat on Discord message Rachel at rmilburn@myfcpl.org for an invite or find us on Discord.