Header Image

Review: Patina by Jason Reynolds

Title: Patina (Track #2)
Author: Jason Reynolds
Year Published: 2017


Genre: YA fiction
Pages: 233
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Location (my 2018 Google Reading map)USA (NY)

FTC Disclosure: I received this book as a gift.


Summary (from the inside flap of the book): Patina "Patty" Jones is the fastest girl n the Defenders track team. Makes sense; she's got a lot to run for.


She runs for the kids at the fancy new school she's now begin sent to, to show the ones who taunt her that she's gonna be someone some day. She runs for her fellow Defenders newbies--Ghost, Sunny, and Lu--to make them proud. She runs for her little sister, Maddy, who relies on Patty to show her how to be brave and strong. And she runs for her mother, who can never run again.

Like Ma says, Patty ain't no junk. And she's out to prove it. But when the pressure becomes too much, can she outdistance it?


Review: I have been reading only YA non-fiction since January 1 since I am a judge for the CYBILS and I desperately needed to read a YA novel. I knew this book by Jason Reynolds would be just the thing as it's middle grade, a great story, and... seriously. It's Jason Reynolds. Enough said.

It was nice to return to the characters from Ghost by Jason Reynolds, but to hear the story from one of the other characters' perspectives and get to know her a bit more. I look forward to reading the third book in the series as well. Reynolds has given us strong young characters who are facing tough situations, but don't let it count them out. They are not turning to drugs, drink, and gangs. They figure out a way to make it work, to love their families, and to better themselves. And they have good strong adults helping them do it all.


These novels are quick reads (for an adult) and I was hooked from page one. I care about the main character as well as the support characters and I want them all to do well in school and in track. 


Challenges for which this counts:


No comments