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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
This was the perfect book to even out my reading list of non-fiction, thrillers, and chick lit. It all boils down to the theme of human connection and the friendships and relationships we all have - a reminder we all need, even if we're no longer in middle school.
In Look Both Ways Jason Reynolds creates ten related short stories about middle school students living in a neighborhood of about 10 blocks. Each story gives us a sense of the issues and feelings middle schoolers experience. Probably more importantly, the characters in these stories are primarily students coming from difficult situations-they are living in poverty, have family members battling health issues or incarcerated, and are from marginalized populations.
I enjoyed this book, and the stories were engaging. I love the way Reynolds tied the stories together by mentioning characters from one chapter/ short story in other character's stories, but especially the references made-in one way or another-to a school bus falling from the sky (you have to read the book to understand!)
I have to admit that as brilliant as this book is-and it is brilliant, powerful, and poetic- the book often left me feeling sad. This is appropriate, I think, given that the stories point out some of the issues marginalized individuals must cope with.
The stories in this collection might only be little, but they have so much heart. Filled with love, acceptance, grief, identity, friendship and so much more, I loved how Reynolds has managed to portray such important topics and include so much depth in the smallest - and at times simplest - moments of a child’s day.
Sadly, I didn’t get the chance to read many of the Carnegie Medal shortlist this year, but Look Both Ways ended up winning the award and I can absolutely see why.
It was a cute middle grade story that had some important messaging throughout!
