Jason Reynolds is a New York Times bestselling author, a Newbery Award Honoree, a Printz Award Honoree, National Book Award Honoree, a Kirkus Award winner, a two time Walter Dean Myers Award winner, an NAACP Image Award Winner, and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors.

"When Davenport [Public Library] asked if we wanted to work with them in bringing bestselling author Jason Reynolds to the Quad Cities, we jumped at the chance to get involved. We knew that Jason Reynolds' books and experiences would really connect with Rock Island students, and we are so grateful to the grantors, teachers, librarians, and others who have worked with us to make this event possible," said Emily Tobin, a young adult librarian at Rock Island Library.

Rock Island Public Library presentations are occurring on Friday, March 29 at the Rock Island High School, thanks to a partnership with the school district. Both the 9:30 am and 1:00 pm presentations are open to the public, as well as to students. Mr. Reynolds will be speaking and signing a limited number of books in the Rock Island High School Auditorium. Community members should reserve for either the 9:30 am session, with seating available on the main floor, or the 1:00 pm session, with seats open in the balcony. Guests visiting Rock Island High School should enter via the auditorium doors located at the northwest corner of the building.

To reserve a seat for either presentation, visit the Rock Island Public Library website, and select the online calendar at "find events." To register by phone, call the Rock Island Public Library reference desk at 309-732-7341. 

Reynolds' appearance in Rock Island follows a speaking engagement at Davenport Public Library one day earlier, on Thursday, March 28. He will speak at the Davenport Library's Main Street location (321 Main Street, Davenport) at 6:00 pm, with a book signing immediately following. Due to time constraints Reynolds will personalize one book per person and will autograph all additional items. Mr. Reynolds also encourages photos but will be unable to pose due to time constraints. Books-A-Million will be in attendance selling Mr. Reynolds’ books and will accept cash or credit. Registration for Mr. Reynolds’ presentation at the Davenport Public Library is appreciated to provide staff with an approximate number of attendees, but is not required. Space is limited. For more information or to register, visit the Davenport Public Library website or call (563) 326-7832.

Both the Davenport and Rock Island Libraries have hosted book discussions about Reynolds' work. (Rock Island Library is offering an additional discussion on March 19, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at Cool Beanz Coffeehouse in Rock Island.) Print and digital copies of Jason Reynolds' books are available for checkout through the respective libraries' catalog systems and online media services. The Rock Island Library has also ordered multiple copies of Ghost, Long Way Down, and The Boy in the Black Suit, for distribution to students at Rock Island High School, Thurgood Marshall Learning Center, Edison Junior High, and Frances Willard.

Reynolds was named the American Booksellers Association’s 2017 and 2018 spokesperson for Indies First, and served as the national spokesperson for the 2018 celebration of School Library Month in April 2018, sponsored by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). Jason’s many works of fiction include When I Was the Greatest, Boy in the Black Suit, All American Boys (co-written with Brendan Kiely), As Brave As You, For Every One, Miles Morales: Spider Man, the Track series (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu), and Long Way Down, which received both a Newbery Honor and a Printz Honor. He is on faculty at Lesley University, for the Writing for Young People MFA Program and lives in Washington, DC. You can find his ramblings at JasonWritesBooks.com.

Davenport Public Library Jason Reynolds programming made possible by The Friends of the Davenport Library.

Rock Island Public Library Jason Reynolds programming made possible by support from the Rock Island Public Library Foundation, Rock Island/Milan PRIME grant, The Sedona Group, Rock Island Community Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Rock Island and Junior Board of Rock Island.

For more information about the March 28 and 29 visits by Reynolds, and associated events, visit the respective library's websites. The phone number for Davenport Library is 563-326-7832; the Rock Island Public Library number is 309-732-READ.