Jason Reynolds is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and 2024 MacArthur Fellow who writes books for young people – but he didn’t finish a book until he was 17. Instead, Jason found his literary voice in the rap lyrics printed in cassette tape liner notes.

In this episode, Jason traces his journey from a kid disconnected from his assigned reading in school to becoming one of the most influential voices in young adult literature. He opens up about his fraught relationship with his father, spinning Bob Marley records by hand on a broken turntable, and why he doesn’t want to be a parent despite having “dedicated [his] life to kids.” Here are his songs.

Queen Latifah - U.N.I.T.Y.
Goodie Mob - Soul Food
Tracy Chapman - Talkin' Bout a Revolution
Bob Markey & The Wailers - Is This Love
Camp Lo - Luchini AKA This Is it
Billy Joel - Vienna
Clarence Carter - Patches

Best-selling author Jason Reynolds writes the YA books he never had