AFT Book Club: A Conversation with Jason Reynolds (2026)

Stories have the power to connect generations, strengthen communities and help us better understand ourselves—and one another.

Join AFT President Randi Weingarten for a special AFT Book Club conversation with bestselling author Jason Reynolds and StoryCorps founder and president Dave Isay as they reunite for their third annual discussion on the enduring power of storytelling.

This year's conversation celebrates StoryCorps' newest book—featuring a foreword by Jason Reynolds—which highlights the diverse voices of the everyday people that make up America. Together, Weingarten, Reynolds and Isay will explore:

• Why preserving family and community stories matters;
• How listening builds empathy and belonging; and
• What educators can do to help students discover the power of their own voices.

The discussion will also spotlight The Great Thanksgiving Listen, StoryCorps' nationwide initiative that invites middle school and high school students to interview a family member, mentor or someone they admire, preserving those conversations as part of the StoryCorps Archive at the Library of Congress. Since its launch, hundreds of thousands of participants have helped create a living oral history of our nation, while developing listening, interviewing and communication skills. 

Drawing on Reynolds' continued call for young people to embrace curiosity, imagination and authentic storytelling, and Isay's lifelong mission to preserve the voices of everyday Americans, this conversation will explore how stories help students understand history, strengthen civic learning and recognize that every voice has value.

As part of AFT, the Albert Shanker Institute and Share My Lesson's America250 initiative, educators will leave with practical ideas for bringing storytelling into classrooms across subjects while helping students make meaningful connections between their own lives, their families and the broader American story.

Bonus! Everyone who registers will be entered for a chance to receive 1 of 25 copies of the new StoryCorps book, Home of the Brave, releasing this November and featuring a foreword by Jason Reynolds.

Join us for an inspiring evening celebrating listening, learning and the stories that connect us across generations.

Learn more about the AFT Book Club. Register for all sessions here.

Missed an AFT Book Club with a favorite author? Access all webinars for free: https://gateway.on24.com/wcc/eh/931978/aft-book-club-series

Executive Summary via On24's AI: 

The discussion centered on the value of storytelling and deep listening as essential parts of literacy, learning and human connection. StoryCorps founder Dave Isay explained how the organization helps people record meaningful conversations with loved ones and preserve them at the Library of Congress, including through classroom use of the Great Listen. Jason Reynolds emphasized that StoryCorps works because it removes pressure, allowing authentic stories to emerge, and argued that listening should be treated as a core literacy skill alongside reading and comprehension. 

The conversation also explored how educators can use audio, oral history, graphic novels, excerpts and student choice to engage reluctant readers, support banned-book access and build stronger classroom connections. Reynolds discussed his recent and upcoming work, including Soundtrack, and encouraged educators to read broadly, including literature from outside the United States, to expand students’ understanding of storytelling and the world.