On January 13, 2020, the Library of Congress and Every Child a Reader announced the appointment of Jason Reynolds as the seventh National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for 2020-2021. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden offered the following remarks on Reynolds' appointment:

I am thrilled our next National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature is the dynamic, positively electric Jason Reynolds. Jason and his work galvanize readers to believe in themselves, ask critical questions, and create stronger communities.

An inauguration ceremony, presided by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and attended by both Jason Reynolds and 2018-19 National Ambassador Jacqueline Woodson, took place on Thursday, Jan. 16, at 10:30 a.m. in the Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress's Thomas Jefferson Building.

Throughout his term as National Ambassador, Reynolds, who regularly talks about his journey from reluctant reader to award-winning author, has championed “GRAB THE MIC: Tell Your Story,” his signature platform that empowers students to craft and share their own personal stories. Reynolds said:

My mission is to take a different approach: Instead of explicitly encouraging young people to read, my goal is to get them to see the value in their own narratives—that they, too, have a story, and that there's power not just in telling it, but in the opportunity to do so. I’m excited to create spaces around the country for this to happen—spaces where young people can step into their voices and become their own ambassadors.

Almost immediately after his term began, the pandemic forced Reynolds to pivot and he responded quickly, getting his ambassadorship online. Ultimately, Reynolds debuted a digital tour connecting him with thousands of students across the country—from Gillette, Wyoming, to Leland, Mississippi; from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, to New Hope, Minnesota. He also launched “Write. Right. Rite," a 30-part video series that offers fun and engaging prompts to express and build creativity, and a newsletter series. Between 2020-2021, Reynolds served as a key innovator while continuing to delight teens, teachers and families by demonstrating the incredible—often life-changing—value of literature.  

On September 20, 2021, Reynolds was appointed to an unprecedented third year as National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. During his third year as Ambassador, Reynolds will meet in person with students in rural communities to continue encouraging young people to create and share their narratives. He will also partner with the digital publisher and education platform Short Edition External to bring their innovative short story devices to select participating schools.

Schools taking part in the Spring 2022 tour will each receive a Short Story Cube External, a stand-alone device that allows students to create, edit and print stories of their own making. Short Story Cubes are specifically designed for classroom use and offer educators a fun, immersive way to inspire creative thinking and analysis. At the push of a button, the Cubes allow a tactile way for students to share their stories with their peers and communities. 

The locations Reynolds will visit during his spring tour include:

• Dutton/Brady Junior High and High School, Dutton, Montana
• Ronan Middle School and High School, Ronan, Montana
• Shields Valley Schools, Clyde Park and Wilsall, Montana

To learn how to participate in Reynolds's Fall 2022 tour or to learn more about our program partner, Every Child a Reader, please visit everychildareader.net/ambassador External.