My Name Is Jason. Mine Too.: Our Story. Our Way.
Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Saunders
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun, inspiring memoir by best friends chasing their dreams.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When MY NAME IS JASON. MINE TOO. begins, college best friends Jason Reynolds, a Black poet, and Jason Griffin, a White painter, move to Brooklyn together to live as roommates and pursue their dreams of becoming artists.
Is It Any Good?
This beautiful, inspiring autobiography encourages young people to hold their dreams close -- and their friends closer. In My Name Is Jason. Mine Too.: Our Story. Our Way. Reynolds and Griffin (who previously collaborated on Ain't Burned All the Bright) each display playfulness and humor in their work. Griffin's art communicates a childlike spirit through the use of collage, handwriting, bright colors, and borderless shapes. And Reynolds' poetry uses simple words and observations to raise existential questions young readers can relate to. Most of all, these best friends show readers how great it can be when somebody has your back, no matter what, and how rewarding it is to be that kind of friend.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of friendship in My Name Is Jason. Mine Too. How are the two Jasons good friends to each other? What does friendship mean to you?
Why do you think the two Jasons initially decided to create this book? How have their lives changed over the course of their friendship?
Persistence is one of the main themes in My Name Is Jason. Mine Too. What kind of support from other people helps you persist when you experience a setback?
Book Details
- Author: Jason Reynolds
- Illustrator: Jason Griffin
- Genre: Autobiography
- Topics: Arts and Dance , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models
- Character Strengths: Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Atheneum
- Publication date: April 21, 2009
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 10 - 18
- Number of pages: 96
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: July 31, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
What to Read Next
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate