A poem provides hope and reassurance to teens as they try to make sense of their own dreams for the future.Award-winning writer Reynolds (Long Way Down, 2017, etc.) offers a letter in the form of a long poem that acknowledges and encourages young people's dreams and aspirations. The poem uses the author's own experiences to show common ground with his readers, making it clear that he is presenting himself as a fellow traveler on the journey: "This letter / is being written / from the inside. / From the front line / and the fault line. / From the uncertain thick of it all." He shares observations of others and the ways in which they coped and speaks of the futility of finding answers in the usual places: "Though the struggle / is always made to / sound admirable / and poetic, / the thumping uncertainty / is still there." This short piece is full of the elements that make Reynolds such a successful writer: honesty, rich imagery, great facility with language, and an irresistible cadence. At times conversational, other times, uplifting, this intimate and powerful piece connects on many levels. Even as Reynolds repeats throughout the poem, "I don't know nothing about that," he is telling his readers a great deal. As a piece that was originally performed, this begs to be heard. However, the printed version will still resonate.Inspirational reading for any occasion. (Poetry. 12-adult)

Dreamer, / if you are like me, / you / jump / anyway.

A poem provides hope and reassurance to teens as they try to make sense of their own dreams for the future.Award-winning writer Reynolds (Long Way Down, 2017, etc.) offers a letter in the form of a long poem that acknowledges and encourages young people's dreams and aspirations. The poem uses the author's own experiences to show common ground with his readers, making it clear that he is presenting himself as a fellow traveler on the journey: "This letter / is being written / from the inside. / From the front line / and the fault line. / From the uncertain thick of it all." He shares observations of others and the ways in which they coped and speaks of the futility of finding answers in the usual places: "Though the struggle / is always made to / sound admirable / and poetic, / the thumping uncertainty / is still there." This short piece is full of the elements that make Reynolds such a successful writer: honesty, rich imagery, great facility with language, and an irresistible cadence. At times conversational, other times, uplifting, this intimate and powerful piece connects on many levels. Even as Reynolds repeats throughout the poem, "I don't know nothing about that," he is telling his readers a great deal. As a piece that was originally performed, this begs to be heard. However, the printed version will still resonate.Inspirational reading for any occasion. (Poetry. 12-adult)

As Reynolds writes in an introductory note: -When I started writing this, I didn-t know what it was.- He goes on to explain that this handsomely presented collection of short, loosely connected poems was first written at a time (in his 20s) when he struggled to hold onto his own ambitions. In extemporaneous, ruminating fashion and in fonts reminiscent of handwriting and typewriter print, the poems confess Reynolds-s insecurities, hopes, and struggles throughout the stages of his personal and professional development: -At sixteen / I thought / I would-ve made it / by now. / Now / I-m making up / what making it / means.- Reynolds asserts that his successes have come by way of perseverance, passion, plenty of missteps, and possibly some luck, suggesting that readers, too, will find their way. He modestly emphasizes throughout that he cannot speak to the experiences of others and that even when it comes to his own achievements: -I don-t know nothing about that.- Yet readers will take to heart both his message of solidarity and his assertion that every person-s journey is theirs alone to discover. Ages 12-up. Agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties. (Apr.)