Book Title: All American Boys by Jason Reynolds
Instructions:
YOU MUST COMPLETE ONE NUMBERED ACTIVITY & ONE LETTERED ACTIVITY
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BOOK REVIEW
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CREATIVE ACTIVITY
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FIRST CHAPTER ACTIVITY
The answer
1. Numbered Activity
Letter to the Author
Dear Mr. Reynolds,
Hi, I’ve just finished *All American Boys*, and wow—what a
powerful story! Thank you for writing something so honest, emotional, and
deeply real.
I especially loved how you brought Rashad and Quinn’s
perspectives together and showed the impact of police brutality not only on
individuals, but on entire communities. The raw, honest storytelling really
drew me in and made me care deeply about both characters.
Quinn’s internal conflict hit home for me—struggling with
ideas of justice and loyalty, and feeling the pressure to stay silent. It made
me reflect on my own community and how easy it can be to ignore things instead
of speaking up.
I really appreciated the authenticity of the characters and
the world you created. The pacing felt a little slow for me in the middle, but
I realized that the slower build-up made the emotional ending even more
powerful. It was completely worth it.
Thank you for creating a book that challenges readers to
think, to feel, and to act. This story is going to stay with me for a long
time.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
2.
Lettered Activity
Book Jacket Description
Front Cover Title: All American Boys – Jason Reynolds
Back Cover Hook:
What would you do if you saw injustice right in front of you?
Rashad's life abruptly changes after a police officer severely beats him as a
Black teenager. Quinn, a white youngster who saw the incident, must make the
painful choice to speak up or remain silent.
Set in a modern American town, *All American Boys* is a gripping, unforgettable
story about race, loyalty, and the courage it takes to stand up for what's
right.
If you believe that silence equals violence, this is a story
you must read.
3.
Book Review
*All American Boys* by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely is a
powerful work of realistic fiction featuring characters like Rashad Butler,
Quinn Collins, Paul Galluzzo, and Spoony Butler.
The story revolves around police brutality and the legacy of
racial injustice. Rashad, a Black teenager, is falsely accused of stealing and
is violently beaten by Officer Paul Galluzzo. Quinn, a white teenager who
witnesses the event, struggles with the fact that Paul is like family to him.
As the story unfolds, both boys are forced to confront issues of justice,
identity, and the pressures of staying silent.
I praised the emotional honesty and strong character
development throughout the novel. Although I felt the pace was somewhat slow in
the middle, it allowed for a deeper build-up to the powerful moments at the
end.
I would highly recommend this book to teenagers and adults
interested in themes of social justice, current events, and finding the courage
to stand up for what’s right. It offers valuable insight into racial dynamics
in America and leaves a lasting impact.
4.
Creative Activity
Dear Diary (Rashad’s Perspective)
Dear Diary,
Today was supposed to be like any other day. I had ROTC practice, and then I
was going to grab a snack at Jerry’s. Instead, I ended up in the hospital. I
still can't believe it happened.
One minute, I was reaching for my wallet. The next minute, Officer Galluzzo
slammed me to the ground, hitting and kicking me like I was some kind of
criminal.
I feel broken. Not just physically — although everything hurts — but inside
too.
Why did he look at me and only see a threat?
I keep thinking about my Dad. He always believed that if you followed the
rules, you'd be safe. But that’s not true anymore. Not for people who look like
me.
I’m scared... but I’m also angry. And I know now — I have to speak out. I have
to stand for something, or nothing will change.
Rashad
5.
First Chapter Activity
First Steps into the Future (Chapter One)
Title: New Beginnings
Chapter One: First Steps into the Future
The morning after graduation, I woke up feeling free and
terrified at the same time.
No bells, no homework, no teachers calling my name. Just me and an endless
summer ahead.
College was waiting in the fall— a brand-new city, new people,
and a new identity to build. But right now, I was standing in my room, staring
at packed boxes, wondering how it had all passed so quickly.
This summer time might be my adventure. I planned to work
part-time, save money, and maybe travel a bit before the next big chapter began.
I had already secured a job at a local coffee shop. It wasn't glamorous; however,
it felt like the first actual step toward independence. I imagined the early
mornings, the smell of fresh coffee, and the busy rush of customers. It made me
both excited and a touch fearful.
In July, I deliberate my first solo experience. It was not
anything grand—just a weekend getaway to a nearby seaside town. But booking the
hotel myself, managing the money, and planning the days felt like a main step.
For the first time, I was making decisions purely for myself.
As the summer flew by, college move-in day crept closer. I
spent hours online looking up dorm room ideas, tips for making friends, and
study hacks. Packing was harder than I thought—it wasn’t just clothes and
books; it was packing up a piece of who I had been for eighteen years.
When the day finally came, my parents and I made the
two-hour drive to the university. The campus buzzed with nervous
energy—students dragging suitcases, parents giving last-minute advice, the air
filled with a mix of excitement and fear. I smiled, but deep down, my heart
raced.
Meeting my roommate for the first time was surprisingly
easy. She was from another state, and like me, was eager to make the most of
this new beginning. We stayed up late that night talking about
everything—family, dreams, fears. It felt good knowing that even though
everything was changing, I wasn’t alone.
Classes started a week later. The first time I sat in a
massive lecture hall with 300 students, I felt invisible and tiny. I missed the
familiarity of high school hallways. But I reminded myself: this was the
point—to grow, to stretch, to become more than I was.
There were days when homesickness hit hard. I missed my
mom’s cooking, my little brother’s jokes, and even the simple comfort of my own
bed. But there were also days filled with discovery—finding a hidden coffee
shop downtown, joining a campus club, attending my first football game, and
pulling an all-nighter for a test and realizing I was stronger than I thought.
Looking back, that first year wasn't about huge victories or
perfect moments. It was about small wins—surviving a tough class, making one
good friend, choosing to stay when it would have been easier to quit. Every
little step mattered.
Like Rashad, I wanted to stand up for what was right. I
found small ways to do that—volunteering at a local shelter, speaking up when a
classmate was being treated unfairly, learning to listen more than I spoke.
I knew the road ahead would still carry struggles, but it
also carried the hope of new beginnings, growth, and discovery. The world was
bigger than I had ever imagined, and somehow, I was becoming bigger too.
I couldn’t wait to see where this journey would lead me.