Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds is a fast-moving collection of short stories that weave together. Each chapter tells the tale of a kid on a different block's journey home after school. Each kid is facing their own battles completely unaware of each other's battles. It's an eye-opening read that's heartwarming and funny.
Look Both Ways will probably most closely resonate with 3rd to 6th graders. The humor may not have the same effect on older ages. But, I still recommend giving the book a read at any age.
Look Both Ways will probably most closely resonate with 3rd to 6th graders. The humor may not have the same effect on older ages. But, I still recommend giving the book a read at any age.
emotional
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I wasn't super engaged by the "school bus falling from the sky" imagery--but to be fair I was listening at 1.25 speed and in short, awkward segments. If I had created a more cohesive listening experience for myself, it might have made more sense. That said, there are a lot of strengths. I think middle schoolers will be drawn to the episodic nature and the sense of getting in someone's head, but then later seeing them through someone else's eyes. Lots of heavy topics, all being touched on just briefly in the course of this one day after school--parents with cancer, parents who are never around, severe dog phobia, a kid getting jumped, etc.
Ok. Everyone go get a book by Jason Reynolds right now. This was the perfect blend of fiction astutely grounded in truth & world-building that pulled me out of my reality. Funny & poignant. Been searching for reading like this
funny
reflective
So, real talk: I am not the target demographic for this book. But in his book "On Writing," Stephen King says that "Reading is at the creative center of a writer's life." To become better writers, we need to read, everything and often. It's how we learn the good from the bad. What is trite and what is timeless. It gives us the ability to learn, grow and adjust our styles. Humans are fluid and the way we write is no different.
So, what brought me to "Look Both Ways" you may ask? To help enhance my own writing, I was seeking good examples of how to write children.
It's become a trend I've noticed in books written for adults, which is where I spend a good portion of my reading time. This is not a knock on any writer in particular, and I understand it's hard to be an equally authentic voice for every type of person. But I feel like on several occasions, when a story features kids, they act or speak in a way that really doesn't seem to match up to their acknowledged age. It's frustrating both as a reader and a writer.
That's why I sought out "Look Both Ways." Jason Reynolds specifically writes for kids and teens and has been highly decorated for his work. And from the moment we enter the first "block," I was absolutely enthralled.
These kids are layered, nuanced and unfiltered. They sound like real children you'd hear bantering as they walk home from school and each unique audiobook narrator (including the author himself!) helps these short stories sing. Each "block" spotlights a child's walk home after school and it's really cool to see how the other characters weave in and out of the stories. It's shows they are all part of one cohesive world.
The adults are also full of heart, even though we spend less time with them. They don't fall prey to stereotypes (i.e. one pair of parents seem to be gamers!) and are just as layered as the kids.
This book was incredibly well-done and despite being a "middle grade" story, it holds no punches and doesn't talk down to its audience.
I'm absolutely seeking out more of Jason Reynolds' work. Not only for more examples of well-written younger characters, but for great writing in general.
So, what brought me to "Look Both Ways" you may ask? To help enhance my own writing, I was seeking good examples of how to write children.
It's become a trend I've noticed in books written for adults, which is where I spend a good portion of my reading time. This is not a knock on any writer in particular, and I understand it's hard to be an equally authentic voice for every type of person. But I feel like on several occasions, when a story features kids, they act or speak in a way that really doesn't seem to match up to their acknowledged age. It's frustrating both as a reader and a writer.
That's why I sought out "Look Both Ways." Jason Reynolds specifically writes for kids and teens and has been highly decorated for his work. And from the moment we enter the first "block," I was absolutely enthralled.
These kids are layered, nuanced and unfiltered. They sound like real children you'd hear bantering as they walk home from school and each unique audiobook narrator (including the author himself!) helps these short stories sing. Each "block" spotlights a child's walk home after school and it's really cool to see how the other characters weave in and out of the stories. It's shows they are all part of one cohesive world.
The adults are also full of heart, even though we spend less time with them. They don't fall prey to stereotypes (i.e. one pair of parents seem to be gamers!) and are just as layered as the kids.
This book was incredibly well-done and despite being a "middle grade" story, it holds no punches and doesn't talk down to its audience.
I'm absolutely seeking out more of Jason Reynolds' work. Not only for more examples of well-written younger characters, but for great writing in general.
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No