Jason Reynolds writes powerful young adult fiction focusing on youth experiences and social issues. His notable works such as Long Way Down and Ghost engage young readers with compelling characters and authentic narratives.
If you enjoy reading books by Jason Reynolds then you might also like the following authors:
Readers who enjoy Jason Reynolds will appreciate Kwame Alexander, an author known for engaging young voices and real-life challenges. Alexander’s novel The Crossover is told through energetic and vivid poetry. It captures the rhythms of basketball courts and family life.
The story follows twins Josh and Jordan, whose bond is tested by sibling rivalry, ambition, and unexpected family pressures. Alexander’s lively verses speak directly to young readers about identity and growing up.
If you were moved by Reynolds’ style, Alexander’s storytelling is likely to resonate with you too.
Angie Thomas is an author who writes powerful stories for young adults about social issues and identity, with a style that fans of Jason Reynolds will find familiar and engaging.
Her book The Hate U Give follows Starr Carter, a sixteen-year-old girl who moves between two different worlds—her home in a predominantly Black neighborhood and her suburban prep school.
After witnessing the fatal police shooting of her childhood best friend, Khalil, Starr faces pressure from all sides. She must find her voice to speak up for justice and navigate complicated relationships within her family and community.
Thomas captures authentic teen dialogue and emotions, giving readers a real and honest look at timely issues, personal courage, and community strength.
Elizabeth Acevedo is an author who writes engaging novels in verse and vivid prose that often explore themes of identity, family and community. Readers who appreciate Jason Reynolds’ honest and powerful stories might find Acevedo’s voice equally captivating.
In her novel The Poet X, Acevedo introduces Xiomara Batista, a teenage girl from Harlem who discovers slam poetry as a way to express herself and handle the complexities of adolescence.
Xiomara faces strict parents, her own changing desires, and the pressures of school and neighborhood expectations. As she writes down her thoughts and begins to find her own voice, Xiomara’s experiences unfold in poems full of rhythm, emotion, and honest reflection.
Nic Stone is an author known for her authentic storytelling that resonates deeply with teen readers, especially fans of Jason Reynolds.
Her novel Dear Martin follows the story of Justyce McAllister, a smart and talented student who is sharply confronted by racial injustice and discrimination, despite his accomplishments.
Through letters addressed to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Justyce questions society, looks for answers about his own identity and wonders about his future.
The book takes a thoughtful and honest look at race, equality, and the complexity of teenage life today, making it a great choice for readers who appreciate Jason Reynolds’ realistic and impactful style.
Books by Ibram X. Kendi offer readers thoughtful reflections on race, society, and how to challenge injustice. If you’ve enjoyed the honest and engaging style of Jason Reynolds, you might appreciate Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning.
This book explores the history of racist ideas in America. Through stories of influential figures, Kendi illustrates how beliefs about race have shaped policies and culture over time.
It traces issues deep into American history yet speaks directly to conversations people are having today. Kendi emphasizes the possibility of change by revealing the roots of racism clearly and honestly.
Tiffany D. Jackson is an author who crafts powerful stories that speak directly to young readers, especially those who enjoy Jason Reynolds’ honest and relatable style. Her novel Monday’s Not Coming tells the story of Claudia, whose best friend, Monday, suddenly disappears.
Claudia seems to be the only person concerned about her absence. As Claudia searches for answers, she uncovers deeper issues around friendship, family, and the silence that can surround missing young girls from her community.
This book is intense and moving, with details that will make it hard to put down. If you’re drawn to realistic and emotionally charged storytelling, Tiffany D. Jackson’s work might resonate deeply with you.
Lamar Giles is an author known for realistic characters and relatable stories, especially appealing to fans of Jason Reynolds.
His young adult novel Not So Pure and Simple follows Del, a funny and thoughtful teen who impulsively joins a purity pledge at church to get closer to his lifelong crush, Kiera.
But things quickly get complicated when Del finds himself in unexpected situations and realizes relationships aren’t as simple as he thought. Giles’s engaging writing style, sharp humor, and authentic portrayal of adolescence make this book enjoyable and insightful.
If you appreciate Jason Reynolds’s storytelling, Lamar Giles may become a new favorite.
Readers who enjoy Jason Reynolds might also appreciate Sharon M. Draper, an author known for stories filled with emotional depth and authentic portrayal of young people’s lives. Draper’s book Out of My Mind follows Melody, an eleven-year-old girl with cerebral palsy.
Melody can’t speak, walk, or write, but she has a sharp mind filled with observations, humor, and deep insight. When Melody gets access to a device that helps her communicate, she finally shows those around her the intelligence and courage they’ve overlooked.
Draper’s honest characterization and realistic scenarios make Melody’s journey memorable and heartfelt.
Walter Dean Myers was an author known for honest and authentic portrayals of young adult experiences, especially within inner-city communities. His book Monster is one many fans of Jason Reynolds often appreciate.
Monster tells the story of Steve Harmon, a teen awaiting trial for his possible involvement in a robbery-turned-murder.
Through Steve’s eyes we see his courtroom experience uniquely presented as a film script complete with camera directions, dialogue, and his personal journal entries.
The book is filled with tension, realistic dialogue, and a clear look at how a young person’s life can change through choices and circumstances. This approach gives the novel a sense of immediacy and emotional depth that Jason Reynolds’ readers often connect with.
Readers who enjoy Jason Reynolds may also appreciate Jacqueline Woodson. She tells stories that highlight the strength and resilience of young people facing tough situations.
Her book Brown Girl Dreaming reflects beautifully on her own childhood spent between South Carolina and New York.
Told in vivid, poetic verse, Woodson shares her experiences as an African American girl navigating family relationships, friendship, dreams, and identity during the civil rights movement. The book captures how belonging can exist across different places and conflicting emotions.
Woodson’s voice is clear and authentic—it draws readers into moments filled with genuine hope and courage.
Kekla Magoon is an author whose books speak honestly about the lives and challenges young people face today. Her novel The Rock and the River is set in 1968 Chicago and follows Sam, a boy caught between two paths.
His father pushes peaceful protest for civil rights, while his older brother joins the more militant Black Panther Party. Sam must decide where he stands as tensions rise and struggle fills his community and his own family.
Magoon writes openly and directly about complex issues of race, family loyalty, and personal identity, making her stories resonate deep and feel very real—something that fans of Jason Reynolds often appreciate.
Ibi Zoboi is an author whose stories reflect real-life experiences and challenges urban teens would recognize, similar to Jason Reynolds.
In her powerful novel American Street, Zoboi introduces us to Fabiola Toussaint, a young Haitian immigrant adjusting to a new life in Detroit.
When her mother is detained by U.S. immigration, Fabiola must navigate life with her American-born cousins, confronting tough choices around friendship, family loyalty, and identity.
Through moments of heartbreak and strength, the book thoughtfully explores the immigrant experience and the meaning of home. Readers who appreciate Reynolds’ Long Way Down or The Boy in the Black Suit will quickly connect with Zoboi’s honest storytelling.
If you enjoy Jason Reynolds’ authentic voice and meaningful stories, then Justin A. Reynolds might catch your attention too. His novel Opposite of Always pairs humor and heartache in a unique take on young love and second chances.
Jack, the main character, meets Kate at a party, and they instantly click. But when Kate unexpectedly dies, Jack finds himself thrown back in time to their first meeting, faced with the daunting yet hopeful task of rewriting their story.
Justin A. Reynolds explores themes of friendship, love, and tricky moral choices. The playful conversations combined with thoughtful questions about life’s priorities make Opposite of Always a memorable read.
Renée Watson writes novels that explore the real-life struggles and joys faced by young people navigating life and identity. If you enjoy Jason Reynolds, her book Piecing Me Together might catch your interest.
It follows Jade, a talented teen growing up in a poor neighborhood in Portland. She attends a prestigious private school across town, on scholarship. Jade longs for opportunities rather than pity, wanting recognition for her strengths, not her obstacles.
Through an unexpected mentorship program, she learns more about who she is and what she truly values. Watson tells Jade’s story with honesty and warmth, making readers root for Jade’s growth and triumph.
Readers who enjoy Jason Reynolds might want to check out Matt de la Peña. His book Mexican WhiteBoy tells the powerful story of Danny, a teenager torn between two cultures.
Danny spends a summer with his father’s Mexican-American family in San Diego, hoping to better understand himself and his mixed heritage.
The novel explores identity, friendship, and the challenges Danny faces as he searches for a sense of belonging through baseball and family bonds.
Matt de la Peña offers a strong narrative voice and deep characters, giving readers authentic, heartfelt stories like those Jason Reynolds fans often appreciate.