Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks

Jason Reynolds

What's The Story?

From Jason Reynolds, the National Book Award finalist and #1 New York Times bestselling author, comes Look Both Ways, a novel that turns an ordinary walk home from school into an unforgettable journey through ten distinct blocks. Each block tells its own story, but together they form a mosaic of the quirky, chaotic, and sometimes heavy moments that shape a day in the life of middle schoolers.

Reynolds teases readers right from the start with a promise of an epic tale involving a school bus falling from the sky—but don't blink or you'll miss it. The kids? They’re far too engrossed in their own dramas to notice. Between booger discussions, pocket change pilfering, handshakes more intricate than a secret code, and skateboard wipeouts, Look Both Ways gives us ten interconnected tales that are as funny as they are deeply reflective.

In this masterful narrative, every chapter offers a slice of life filled with Jason Reynolds' signature style: humor, heart, and a deep empathy for the awkwardness and triumphs of growing up. As these kids navigate the everyday streets, they’re also navigating the broader, bumpier road of life—full of detours, surprises, and a lot of heart. Whether it’s braving tough moments or finding joy in the small victories, Look Both Ways invites readers to walk in the shoes of ten unforgettable characters and shows that every block, and every journey, has a story.

Awards

Selected Awards

  • A National Book Award Finalist
  • Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book
  • UK Carnegie Medal winner
  • An NPR Favorite Book of 2019
  • A New York Times Best Children’s Book of 2019
  • A Time Best Children’s Book of 2019
  • A Today Show Best Kids’ Book of 2019
  • A Washington Post Best Children’s Book of 2019
  • A School Library Journal Best Middle Grade Book of 2019
  • A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2019
  • A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of 2019

Editorials

Editorials

On StoryGraph, Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds has received highly positive reviews for its creative and unique storytelling format. The book consists of ten interconnected stories, each set on a different block as middle schoolers walk home. Readers appreciate how Reynolds masterfully weaves humor and heart into these slice-of-life vignettes, with some chapters being laugh-out-loud funny and others bringing a tear to the eye. The diversity of characters and their experiences, including friendships, family dynamics, and personal challenges, are often highlighted as strengths.

Some readers were initially confused by the shifting perspectives in each chapter but quickly came to enjoy the way the stories subtly connect. Many found the portrayal of middle school life authentic and relatable, and the emotional range—from lighthearted moments to deeper themes like bullying and resilience—was widely praised. Despite the different stories, Reynolds' consistency in tone and his ability to evoke both laughter and thoughtfulness stood out to readers.

Overall, Look Both Ways is seen as a heartwarming, poignant, and humorous exploration of the small, everyday moments that make up life, and it resonates with both young readers and adults alike. Many reviewers also noted that it’s perfect for middle school audiences, with its age-appropriate themes and diverse cast of characters making it a must-read for fans of short stories and Jason Reynolds' work in general​

  • “One of the most exciting, constantly surprising voices in children’s literature…is back with another book that’s as innovative as it is emotionally arresting.” -- EW.com ― May 3, 2019
  • "Reynolds' gift for capturing the voices and humanity of urban teens is on full display....Brims with humor, pathos, and the heroic struggle to grow up." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review
  • "This is storytelling at its finest, a true masterpiece." -- Booklist, starred review
  • "Each story rings with emotional authenticity and empathy." ― Publishers Weekly, starred review
  • "Reynolds proves once again that he has a knack for marrying the emotionally gripping to the unabashedly silly in ways that read as both new and familiar....Charming." ― BCCB, starred review
  • "The perfect book to hand to reluctant middle grade readers, who will relate to the hectic and uncertain lives of these characters." -- School Library Journal, starred review
  • "Superb storytelling." ― BookPage, starred review
  • "Filled with the heart and humor." ― Horn Book, starred review
  • "An unconventional, clever exploration of the secret trials and tribulations of middle schoolers." -- Shelf Awareness

About the Author

About the Author

Jason Reynolds is a #1New York Timesbestselling author, a Newbery Award Honoree, a Printz Award Honoree, a two-time National Book Award finalist, a Kirkus Award winner, a UK Carnegie Medal winner, a two-time Walter Dean Myers Award winner, an NAACP Image Award Winner, an Odyssey Award Winner and two-time honoree, and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors and the Margaret A. Edwards Award. He was also the 2020–2022 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. His many books includeAll American Boys(cowritten with Brendan Kiely);When I Was the Greatest;The Boy in the Black Suit;Stamped;As Brave as You;For Every One; the Track series (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, andLu);Look Both Ways;Stuntboy, in the Meantime;Ain’t Burned All the Bright(recipient of the Caldecott Honor) andMy Name Is Jason. Mine Too.(both cowritten with Jason Griffin); andLong Way Down, which received a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, and a Coretta Scott King Honor. His debut picture book,There Was a Party for Langston, won a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. He lives in Washington, DC. You can find his ramblings at JasonWritesBooks.com.
Hardcover
$4.50 USD $17.99

Genre:

  • Short Stories
  • Humor
  • Realistic Fiction

Diverse Voices:

  • African American/Black
  • Disability

Curricular Connection:

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