MacArthur Fellow to visit campus Sept. 29 to discuss his acclaimed Long Way Down
Jason Reynolds, who has won the Newbery Medal, NAACP Image Award, and 2024 MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, is the keynote speaker for Cheshire Academy’s annual All School Read program on Tuesday, Sept. 29. As required summer reading for all Cheshire Academy students, the entire community will read his acclaimed book Long Way Down as a stepping-off point for a series of related events.
Reynolds, a 2016 National Book Award finalist, will speak to the student body in the morning and take part in a Q&A before leading two informal small group discussions. A book signing is scheduled for later in the day.
“Cheshire Academy’s Center for Writing is delighted to welcome Jason Reynolds for our 2026-27 All School Read day!” said Allison Bass-Riccio, dean of curriculum and faculty development. “CA’s All School Read program centers around joy, community experience, and upholding our school values of belonging, collaboration, growth, and engagement. It was recognized at the National Conference for Teachers of English in 2024 for being unique as an immersive program. Jason’s visit will only amplify these community experiences.”
Born in Washington, D.C., Reynolds was raised in Maryland and calls rap an early influence. He wrote many poetry collections before penning his first novel, 2014’s When I Was the Greatest, which won the John Steptoe Award for New Talent.
Reynolds has concentrated on works for young adults and middle-grade students, and is the author of the popular Track series of New York Times bestsellers: Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu. Look Both Ways was a National Book Award finalist and a Carnegie Medal winner and was named a best book of 2019 by NPR, The New York Times, School Library Journal, and more. The Boy in the Black Suit won the Coretta Scott King Honor from the American Library Association.
In his works, Reynolds aims to depict the rich inner lives of children and teens of color and ensure that they find themselves and their communities represented in literature. He’s also known for the popular 2017 Marvel Comics novel Miles Morales: Spider-Man.
Sometimes he is inspired by his own life. Long Way Down is a novel told in verse, drawing on memories of his own experience of having a friend murdered when he was a teen. He wrote the book after visits to several juvenile detention centers.
The novel has been well-received and was named a 2018 Newbery Honor book and best young adult work at the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Awards. It was a finalist for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for Youth/Teens. It was adapted for the theater and, in 2020, a graphic novel edition of Long Way Down was published with art by Danica Novgorodoff.
“Whether you have heard about him through his work with the novel Miles Morales: Spider-Man, through engaging with his texts that have long been part of CA’s Expressions classes curriculum, or through his Track series, you know Jason is sure to delight and engage with our community,” Bass-Riccio said. “Get ready for an amazing experience!”
Learn More
Download the All School Read guide to dive deeper into Cheshire Academy’s dynamic, collaborative annual event.
