My Name is Jason. Mine too: Our Story. Our Way. by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin.

My Name is Jason. Mine Too. tells the genuine story of two men -- black/white, poet/artist -- struggling to get by and find some food and some happiness in a world of creativity. Drawings and words mingle together to lead the reader through a real life experience of what it's like to have a dream, but not necessarily a plan.

This is my favorite poem from the pages in this book; it reminds me of an artist friend of my own, and sometimes of myself, too:

It's so hard

To explain to people

The beauty in brokenness

The scarring in sweet salvation

The lovely lacerations

Of the unlimited

Unlaminated

Illuminated

Few

Who dare to do don'ts

Miss a few meals

But will to do won'ts

While well-to-dos

Whisper questions

Regarding

Who I think I am

And who they think I should be

I laugh and hope

They leave

Me alone

Because it's just

So hard

To explain to people

That my life

Is not unhard

But not unhappy

--[from My Name is Jason. Mine Too: Our Story. Our Way.]

Visit the authors online, too.