This event is co-hosted by Portage Public Schools, Portage District Library, and this is a bookstore | Bookbug

Last year, students throughout Portage read and discussed "Long Way Down," written by Jason Reynolds in anticipation of hosting him for a March 2020 Portage CommuniTeen event. Though that event could not take place, the enthusiasm for Jason's work was palpable from both youth themselves and a broad scope of the CommuniTeen community, which welcomes all families, educators, and individuals across Kalamazoo County into conversations inspired by a single book.

We are now thrilled to welcome Jason back for a newly-envisioned format and a dedicated live online conversation with his close friend and co-author of "All American Boys", Brendan Kiely.

Jason and Brendan will speak to their experience of both creating a necessary story and their charge to build better understanding across distinct American coming-of-age experiences. Their conversation will offer a glimpse into their friendship, creative collaboration, and continued work towards greater racial justice in America.

Copies of Jason's and Brendan's books can be purchased via this link.

Thanks to Miedema & Associates for its generous support of this program.