When Was Justin A. Reynolds Born?

Justin A is an American children’s book author best known for his young adult (YA) and middle-grade novels that tackle complex themes with humor and heart. Reynolds’ breakout debut novel, The Opposite of Always, has received widespread critical acclaim and solidified his reputation as an exciting new voice in children’s literature.

Quick Facts About Justin

Full Name:	Justin A. Reynolds
Relationship Status:	Married
Spouse Name:	Ashley Woodfolk (author)
Nick Name:	Justin
Date of Birth:	November 20, 1983
Birth Place:	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Age:	39 years old
Zodiac Sign:	Scorpio
Net Worth:	$3 Million
Occupation:	Writer
Citizenship:	American
Alive:	Yes
Social Media:	LinkedIn, Twitter & Instagram

Biography and Early Life

Justin A. Reynolds was born in November 20, 1983 and grew up in the south side of Chicago. From an early age, Reynolds enjoyed reading and demonstrated a talent for writing and storytelling. Reynolds accomplished the dream of publishing a novel when The Opposite of Always was released. 

The book earned rave reviews, winning multiple awards and cementing Reynolds’ status as an author. Now writing full-time, Reynolds continues to publish new middle-grade and YA novels marked by their nuanced characters, witty dialogue, and resonant themes.

Family

Born to middle-class parents, Justin was raised alongside a younger brother in Chicago. His parents nurtured his passion for reading and writing, encouraging speech and drama. Reynolds married Ashley Woodfolk in 2018, who published acclaimed YA novels. They live together with their dog. They have a cute son. Reynolds occasionally collaborates with his graphic designer brother on concept art and book covers.

Education

Reynolds attended Chicago public schools and graduated from a selective enrollment magnet high school. He excelled in storytelling and public speaking and later pursued a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Read More: Sharon Randall Age

Career & Achievements

After earning his business degree, Justin A. Reynolds worked in marketing and product development roles for companies like McDonald’s and Intuit.

However, Reynolds remained devoted to becoming a published fiction author. He spent over a decade studying the craft of writing, taking classes, attending conferences, and joining critique groups.

Reynolds’ literary career took off when he completed his debut YA novel, The Opposite of Always. The innovative time-travel story was published by Katherine Tegen Books in 2019.

The Opposite of Always earned significant praise from critics, who lauded Reynolds’ ability to blend sci-fi elements with nuanced characters and resonant themes. The novel won multiple honors, including:

William C. Morris YA Debut Award Winner

• Kirkus Best Book of 2019
• Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2019
• Shelf Awareness Best Book of 2019

The success of his first novel enabled Reynolds to become a full-time author. His subsequent books have also earned strong reviews, further establishing Reynolds’ reputation in children’s literature.

Some other published works by Reynolds include:

• Early Departures (YA novel, 2020)
• Miles Morales: Shock Waves (Marvel YA novel, 2020)
• Boyz n the Void (YA novel, 2022)
• The Lovely Bones (middle-grade novel, 2022)

In just a few short years, Reynolds has already amassed an impressive authorial resume. He is considered a rising star in the children’s literary world, with critics praising his resonant stories and appeal to young readers.

Awards and Recognition

In just the first few years of his literary career, Justin A. Reynolds has already earned numerous accolades:

• William C. Morris Award Winner: This major honor from the American Library Association recognizes his debut novel, The Opposite of Always, as a new author’s best young adult book.
• Children’s Africana Book Award Honor: Reynolds received this honor for his novel Early Departures, which explores themes of police brutality.
• Edgar Award Nominee: Reynolds was nominated for this prestigious mystery writing award for his novel Boyz n the Void.
• Indies Choice Book Award Finalist: This award from the American Booksellers Association honors the best books published by independent publishers. Reynolds was a finalist in 2020 for The Opposite of Always.
• Multiple Best Book of the Year selections: Reynolds’ debut novel was named the best book by Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, NPR, Amazon, and Shelf Awareness.

Reynolds has also been honored as an author on the rise through selections for the Forbes 30 Under 30, Root 100, and Nerdy Award for Book Nerd of the Year.

Read More: Anne Frank Date of Birth

Reasons for Popularity

FOR SEVERAL REASONS, Justin A. Reynolds has quickly gained popularity and acclaim in children’s literature. His books feature relatable, diverse protagonists, allowing young readers to see themselves reflected in stories. Reynolds also crafts uniquely imaginative narratives involving sci-fi or magical realism elements that appeal widely to teens and middle-grade readers. 

However, his books balance these creative concepts with resonant real-world themes like grief, racism, and identity. Reynolds explores these meaningful topics with nuance, grace, and age-appropriate language. He infuses his stories with humor and heart, blending serious themes with wit and warmth.

This combination of diverse perspectives, creative ideas, powerful messages, and lighthearted storytelling crafts reading experiences that deeply resonate with youth audiences. As a result, Reynolds’ novels strike a chord with readers that has fueled his rapid rise in popularity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion:

Justin A. Reynolds is a rising star in children’s literature, known for his imaginative stories and relatable protagonists. His debut, The Opposite of Always, gained critical acclaim. Reynolds, a Black author, champions diversity in publishing and brings new perspectives to children’s and YA fiction. With more books in progress, Reynolds’ career is promising for future success.