Patina by Jason ReynoldsDescription
Patina is the second book in Jason Reynolds' Track series. Patina (Patty) has joined a new track team, and her first meet doesn’t go as she imagined. Her reaction does not garner any admiration from her coach. At the same time, she is adjusting to a new school, a private all girls school that is quite different from her old public school. She feels like she doesn’t fit in with the “hair flippers” and her new group project, she's the only one doing any work.
These current challenges are built on top of more difficult family wounds. Patty’s father died in his sleep when she was little and her mother’s health problems make it too difficult for her to take care of Patty and her sister. Instead, they live with Patty’s uncle and aunt.
Track is Patty’s reprieve from her life. And at track practice, she has Ghost, Sunny, and Lu—the other newbies on the team who look out for her as she looks out for them. But now, she has been placed on the relay team and she must learn to work--no, run--in tandem.
These current challenges are built on top of more difficult family wounds. Patty’s father died in his sleep when she was little and her mother’s health problems make it too difficult for her to take care of Patty and her sister. Instead, they live with Patty’s uncle and aunt.
Track is Patty’s reprieve from her life. And at track practice, she has Ghost, Sunny, and Lu—the other newbies on the team who look out for her as she looks out for them. But now, she has been placed on the relay team and she must learn to work--no, run--in tandem.
Would I Teach This Book?
Would I teach this Patina? I currently teach Ghost, the first book in the series, and it is a student favorite. I can see offering Patina as a choice for students who already read Ghost. Patty has strength and determination as well as vulnerability. Her challenges with fitting in at a new school would resonate with many students. She would be also a great character to focus on her growth. Not to mention that Jason Reynolds is just an all around great writer, and I enjoy reading and teaching his books.
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