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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
I waffled a bit on this review, but ultimately, Jason Reynolds is SO GOOD at what he does and at capturing such a variety of kid experience in a voice that speaks to them, that I had to round up.
The format of each block being a separate kid’s story is super fun. I don’t know that it was super effective for me as an individual reader since I wanted the stories to feel a bit more intertwined rather than like more distinct vignettes. Some of the stories are more moving and affecting than others. Some are straight-up goofy, some are subtly heart-wrenching. Jason does a great job at balancing the struggles of growing up with the unbridled joys. The kids all feel distinct and unique, from diverse backgrounds and experiences. And Jason’s writing, as always, is just spot on. He jumps from hilarity to heartbreak in the span of two sentences, but it never feels forced or false. His ability to capture the spirit of middle school kids is a total gift that makes all his books so fun to read.
Even if the format wasn’t spot on for me, I know that this book will definitely speak to its intended readership, which is really what counts!
The format of each block being a separate kid’s story is super fun. I don’t know that it was super effective for me as an individual reader since I wanted the stories to feel a bit more intertwined rather than like more distinct vignettes. Some of the stories are more moving and affecting than others. Some are straight-up goofy, some are subtly heart-wrenching. Jason does a great job at balancing the struggles of growing up with the unbridled joys. The kids all feel distinct and unique, from diverse backgrounds and experiences. And Jason’s writing, as always, is just spot on. He jumps from hilarity to heartbreak in the span of two sentences, but it never feels forced or false. His ability to capture the spirit of middle school kids is a total gift that makes all his books so fun to read.
Even if the format wasn’t spot on for me, I know that this book will definitely speak to its intended readership, which is really what counts!
A story about life in a neighborhood told in ten different vignettes - kinds headed home from middle school.
Ten short stories, different but connected. Every story hooked me in, and each ended with a twist that speaks to our biases. We need to see each other in order to share our humanity - this is hard to do when bias and prejudice get in the way. We never truly know what burdens others carry.
Brilliant! I LOVE Jason Reynolds! He really challenges the reader's thinking and biases.
Ten short stories, different but connected. Every story hooked me in, and each ended with a twist that speaks to our biases. We need to see each other in order to share our humanity - this is hard to do when bias and prejudice get in the way. We never truly know what burdens others carry.
Brilliant! I LOVE Jason Reynolds! He really challenges the reader's thinking and biases.
MPSRC - A book you read in one day
I picked this book up because I so enjoyed Long Way Down, also by Jason Reynolds. I liked this book too. Short stories are not my favorite, and as with most collections, I liked some more than others. There were none that I disliked, one or two that were OK, several that I liked and a couple that I really liked. I think Chestnut Street was my favorite. The characters were well developed within their individual stories. What I liked most about the book was the way the author strung the stories together. It wasn't linear - he wove the stories together so you had to pay attention to understand the connections. It lent an overall complexity to the book as a whole.
I picked this book up because I so enjoyed Long Way Down, also by Jason Reynolds. I liked this book too. Short stories are not my favorite, and as with most collections, I liked some more than others. There were none that I disliked, one or two that were OK, several that I liked and a couple that I really liked. I think Chestnut Street was my favorite. The characters were well developed within their individual stories. What I liked most about the book was the way the author strung the stories together. It wasn't linear - he wove the stories together so you had to pay attention to understand the connections. It lent an overall complexity to the book as a whole.
I read this to see if it will be good for my kid's bookclub. We will do it. I'll post a review then.
2020 Aug/Sept: Read it again, this time out loud to tween. She loved it. I can't wait to discuss with the other 4 tweens.
2020 Aug/Sept: Read it again, this time out loud to tween. She loved it. I can't wait to discuss with the other 4 tweens.
This was charming. 10 vignettes of kids walking home from the same middle school, on the same day, and all the things that happen to them. A fun and quick "slice of life" read. Definitely meant for a younger audience but I thought it was lovely and enjoyable.
I liked this book. It confused me and then wrapped it up neatly at the end. It’s deep- most middle schoolers I work with don’t get it. But it’s an important book with an important message that I loved.
Not really a fan of short stories and this book did not change that