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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Reynolds shows an understanding of the inner lives of young people that few authors so artfully articulate. This book is obviously influenced by his poetry--the language is descriptive and evocative and hilarious and expertly situates the reader in a specific time, place, and mindset. The 10 connected short stories build out this small neighborhood and school with colorful characters. Their successes and failures run the gamut from trivial to earth-shattering, and readers will laugh and cry in equal measure.
adventurous
fast-paced
One day. Ten different experiences and perspectives while walking home from school.
I read this book for my Children's Literature book club. I don't read short stories very often. This one seemed to be full of great fodder for discussion. It's one of those books that makes me wish I taught older kids. When I was reading it, I told a lot of people about it and it was fascinating that they had never heard of it as it has won a number of awards. They were all very curious about the stories though. There are lots of surprises in the stories which can serve to remind you to be more compassionate towards kids and the challenges they face. Challenges ran the gamut: cancer, bullying, phobias, tragedies like your mother being hit by a bus, your sister dying, and more. My favourite one was where the kids were making money to buy ice-cream. My brother just died of cancer and that one got me right in the gut.
Every chapter mentions a bus falling from the sky. The symbolism of that was brought out in the very last story with all the things a bus is.
I think I'd enjoy more by this author.
Every chapter mentions a bus falling from the sky. The symbolism of that was brought out in the very last story with all the things a bus is.
I think I'd enjoy more by this author.
I loved all of the little glimpses of all of the characters we got from chapter to chapter. Reynolds does an amazing job building 3-dimensional characters in just a few pages.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have seen the theatrical production of this book two times and both times, it was amazing. Reynold's short story collection is filled with humor, heart, and a whole lot of similes (Reynolds loves his similes).
Everything Jason Reynolds writes is magic and beauty.
I started this by the hotel pool at ALA and finished it a day later. The short story format works well for the glimpse into the lives of one neighborhood, but each character is so well drawn that I wanted a full-length book on every one of them! Typical Reynolds awesomeness.
This is a fun middle school fiction that follows a bunch of middle schoolers on their way home from school. It reads like a collection of short stories that have nothing to do with each other- and I wish they were more tied together. At the end they’re all kind of tied together, but I wish there had been more connection throughout the book. But overall very enjoyable! I loved how much you could learn about a kid just by their walk home from school.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
1. ✨Marston St - [Story: 5 | Narrator: Heather Alicia Simms]
2. ✨ Placer St - [Story: 5 | Narrator: Chris Clark]
3. Bastion St - [Story: 4 | Narrator: Bahni Turpin]
4. Portal Ave - [Story: 4 | Narrator: Adenrele Ojo]
5. Burman St - [Story: 4 | Narrator: Kevin R. Free]
6. ✨ Chestnut St - [Story: 5 | Narrator: JD Jackson]
7. ✨ Nestle St- [Story: 5 | Narrator: Guy Lockard]
8. ✨ Southview Ave - [Story: 5 | Narrator: January LaVoy]
9. ✨Rogers St - [Story: 5 | Narrator: David Sadzin]
10. ✨The Corner of Portal Ave - [Story: 5 | Narrator: Jason Reynolds, author]
2. ✨ Placer St - [Story: 5 | Narrator: Chris Clark]
3. Bastion St - [Story: 4 | Narrator: Bahni Turpin]
4. Portal Ave - [Story: 4 | Narrator: Adenrele Ojo]
5. Burman St - [Story: 4 | Narrator: Kevin R. Free]
6. ✨ Chestnut St - [Story: 5 | Narrator: JD Jackson]
7. ✨ Nestle St- [Story: 5 | Narrator: Guy Lockard]
8. ✨ Southview Ave - [Story: 5 | Narrator: January LaVoy]
9. ✨Rogers St - [Story: 5 | Narrator: David Sadzin]
10. ✨The Corner of Portal Ave - [Story: 5 | Narrator: Jason Reynolds, author]
- Story Total: 4.70 rounded up to 4.75
- Narration Total: 5/5