Today's Book Recommendation
Title: Twenty-Four Seconds From Now
Author: Jason Reynolds
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range: 14+
Summary:17-year-old Neon met Aria 24 months ago when her dog ran through the middle of his grandpa's funeral. Since then, through the yearbook committee, gifts of chicken tenders, and easy on-going chats, they have realized they are...ready. Through flashbacks in increments of 24 (24 months, 24 days, etc.), Neon and Aria's love story unfolds through the honest conversations, trust-building, and teenage attraction that have led them to this moment.
Teaching with Twenty-Four Seconds From Now
Add it to your classroom library shelves for students who:
- Want to read a book where a Black boy gets a love story (Reynolds specifically calls out this motivation in the acknowledgments).
- Should read a realistic story where a teenage relationship is built on consent, trust, vulnerability, and attraction.
- Are Jason Reynolds super-fans and want to see how he narrates the anxieties and aspirations present in modern teenage romances.
Recommended Resource
Book Love Foundation Grant: Grow your classroom library by applying for a grant of up to $2,000. Don't wait: applications are due on April 1, 2025!
Have a good one and learn everything you can,
Hannah
PS: Have you read James?
