Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks

Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks

• Genre: Fiction; middle grade realistic
• Originally Published: 2019
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 750L; grades 5-8
• Structure/Length: 10 chapters; interconnected short stories set in 10 city blocks; approximately 204 pages; approximately 3 hours, 58 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: Ten interconnected short stories detail the lives of students walking home from school. Each story explores the thoughts, experiences, and challenges faced by different characters as they navigate their daily journeys. The stories explore friendship, family, identity, and the power of community.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Friendship and family conflict; bullying; illness; death, including that of a sibling; diverse experiences

Jason Reynolds, Author

• Bio: Born 1983; American author and National Ambassador for Young People's Literature; known for his contributions to middle grade and young adult literature; often explores themes of identity, race, and the experiences of young people
• Other Works: All American Boys (2015); Ghost (2016); As Brave As You (2016); Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You (with Ibram X. Kendi; 2020)
• Awards: National Book Award for Young People’s Literature (finalist; 2019); Coretta Scott King Honor (2020)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Coming of Age
• The Power of Perspective
• The True Meaning of Friendship

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Gain an increased understanding of the social and psychological contexts around stereotypes that drive the author’s theme of The Power of Perspective.
• Discuss paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of Coming of Age, The Power of Perspective, and The True Meaning of Friendship.
• Plan, develop, and present a map of the neighborhood in the novel based on text details.
• Analyze and evaluate plot and character details to draw conclusions in structured essay responses regarding the significance of a recurring motif, relative character arc, and other topics.