69 pages • 2 hours read
Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Book Brief
Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2019204
Novel • Fiction
Middle School • Contemporary
2019
Middle grade
10-14 years
750L
Super Short Summary
In Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks by Jason Reynolds, ten interconnected stories chronicle the diverse experiences of adolescents from Latimer Middle School as they navigate friendships, family dynamics, and personal struggles while journeying home across ten blocks from school, with each narrative providing a unique perspective on their lives.
Contemplative
Nostalgic
Playful
Heartwarming
Reviews & Readership
20,978 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
In Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks, Jason Reynolds crafts a compelling narrative through interconnected short stories that resonate with youthful authenticity. Critics praise Reynolds' deep character development and engaging prose. However, some note a slight inconsistency in story impact. Overall, it's a thoughtful exploration of urban adolescence.
Who Should Read Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks?
Readers who enjoy relatable, character-driven stories about diverse, urban youth will cherish Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks by Jason Reynolds. Ideal for fans of Wonder by R.J. Palacio and The Crossover by Kwame Alexander, this book captures the essence of middle school life across ten intertwining tales.
20,978 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Terrence (TJ) Jumper
Terrence (TJ) Jumper
A charismatic and confident young man who moved to Marston Street at the age of six and became best friends with Jasmine. He is outgoing and makes Jasmine laugh, while loving the spotlight.
Britton (Bit) Burns
Britton (Bit) Burns
A confident and small-statured boy at Latimer Middle School with a quick temper. Despite family struggles, he shows toughness and navigates life with his friends, the Low Cuts.
Pia Foster
Pia Foster
A soft-spoken skateboarder who isolates herself after her sister's passing. She finds freedom in skateboarding and begins to connect with others after an unfortunate incident.
Stevie Munson
Stevie Munson
A student at Brookshire Boys Academy who experiences bullying. He hides the truth to avoid disappointing his mother who sacrifices a lot for his education.
Fatima Moss
Fatima Moss
A regimented girl who desires spontaneity, living life by strictly following routines set by her parents. Her interaction with a unique woman named Benni encourages her to embrace change.
Bryson Wills
Bryson Wills
A confident and principled student with a strong sense of self, known for his screen name "AfroGamer." He stands up for his best friend Ty against school rumors.
Ty Carson
Ty Carson
A talented gamer at school who enjoys playing war video games. He conceals his personal challenges while navigating school gossip and his complex feelings.
Simeon Cross
Simeon Cross
A large and outgoing student at Latimer Middle School known for his humor. He enjoys chaos alongside best friend Kenzi Thompson, whom he regards as a brother.
Kenzi Thompson
Kenzi Thompson
A small-statured boy who dreams of becoming a lawyer and relies on his friendship with Simeon Cross. He values the freedom and connection they share.
Satchmo Jenkins
Satchmo Jenkins
An imaginative boy named after a jazz musician, who harbors a fear of dogs after a childhood incident. He devises careful plans to avoid them.
Cynthia “Say-So” Sower
Cynthia “Say-So” Sower
A natural comedian who entertains her classmates daily while caring for her grandfather with dementia. She longs for her mother's attention.
Gregory Pitts
Gregory Pitts
A boy known for his poor hygiene who enlists the help of his friends to impress a girl he likes. Despite setbacks, he remains determined.
Canton Post
Canton Post
A boy coping with anxiety after his mother's accident, finding solace in a makeshift broom dog. Observing the world around him helps him move beyond his fears.
204
Novel • Fiction
Middle School • Contemporary
2019
Middle grade
10-14 years
750L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.