Reviews

Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds

kim_j_dare's review against another edition

5.0

The dismissal bell has rung at Latimer Middle School, and it’s time for the rest of the day to begin. Look Both Ways is ten interconnected stories about the walks home. As we get to listen in on conversations between friends, or thoughts in the lone walkers’ heads, Jason Reynolds leads us (as he’s so good at doing) to that realization that there is so much more going on below the surface, and we need to get over making assumptions about people, about kids, about intentions, about motivation.
Just the right blend of humor (water bears! trajesty! Vick’s VapoRub!) and poignancy.
Easily 5 stars after the first reading, but there’s such humanity in these ten journeys that the richness, the artistry of the storytelling, truly reveals itself in subsequent rereads.

Thanks to Edelweiss for the digital ARC.

jenmangler's review against another edition

4.0

I adore Jason Reynolds and was thrilled to get this book as a gift. It did not disappoint. I loved this collection of short stories.

liz_morgan73's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

mackenzie72's review against another edition

2.0

Audiobook listen

devany's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

liaashryver's review against another edition

1.0

DNF
I’ll come back some day
Maybe

novelette's review against another edition

3.0

3.7 stars.
I felt this book really needed to be read all in one swoop, otherwise you lose the thread

tracie's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

serenereader9's review against another edition

hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

It was ok, I read it for class. I liked that certain characters made appearances in multiple stories and that the school bus falling from the sky always came just before something changes within the character or they come to some sort of decision (usually about an internal conflict). There was lots of themes and symbolism to unpack which I appreciated. My favourite story was probably 'Ookabooka land,' which deals with dementia. Overall though, I didn't feel particularly connected to any of the characters, to the point that I was really rooting for them. I also don't in general find this particular sense of humor very funny. So lots of the jokes didn't land for me. I enjoyed the overarching theme that your first impressions of people aren't going to be accurate. For several of the stories when we are first introduced to the main characters, we don't nessacarilly like them that much. But as the story progresses we see why the characters act like they do and the depth in their personalities.   

moon_rose's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75