Look Both Ways ~ Jason Reynolds
Well, Riley’s face pretty much says it all! 😂. We shared that expression at the end of most chapters in this novel, which is full of beautiful surprises and twists.
Each chapter of Look Both Ways is a window into the world of a different middle schooler as they walk home from school. Some stories will make you laugh, others will make you cry, and some will leave you speechless. Through each narrative, Reynolds does a magnificent job of encouraging readers to put aside assumptions and look beyond what appears to be true about a person at first glance (a much-needed reminder for so many middle schoolers).
Although every chapter of this novel could stand alone, as the novel progresses, subtle connections between characters are sprinkled into the story, adding another interesting layer to the book as a whole. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and love that Reynolds provides readers the opportunity to peek into the lives of a beautiful variety of characters.
However, as I consider sharing this novel with middle schoolers, two thoughts come to mind….
I would hesitate to recommend this novel to struggling or reluctant readers. Many chapters are written in a style similar to vignettes (but longer, in most cases) and end in a way that leaves a lot up to interpretation. I imagine this could be frustrating and confusing to struggling readers. I also imagine this novel being problematic for reluctant readers. Each chapter in the book stands alone, with some chapters far more compelling than others. Though beautifully written, this novel is not a page turner, and may lose the attention of your reluctant reader kiddos.
I see this novel working really for students who are introspective, curious about the world, and willing to do some critical thinking independently. I also think that this novel is a fabulous tool for read-alouds or studying narrative. Individual chapters of this novel could be pulled and used for mini lessons, relaxation, or discussions.
Maturity: 1/4
This novel is ideal for students age 10+. Though this novel addresses very “real” issues of cancer, poverty, and bullying, there is no explicit or mature content.
Pages: 188
Lexile: 750L
Lexile is a score that helps educators and parents match students with an appropriate text. A Lexile score is a measure of both a child’s reading ability and a text difficulty. However, Lexile does not take into account the content of a novel. So, pairing readers with a text is a complex process, and knowledge of a novel’s themes and plot is necessary to make a high-quality recommendation.
If you are curious about the grade-level equivalent to Lexile scores, check out the conversion chart here!
Sending more hugs and encouragement to take some time for yourself,
♥ Kara & Riley
