# data[].attributes.body
Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds, Look Both Ways is a book with a collection of ten interconnected short stories. These short stories explore the middle school life and its challenges. Each story that I have read takes place after school usually in the character's neighborhood. The stories usually include some sort of challenge or difficulty that the characters overcome, also it shows the experiences of other kids in the same neighborhood. Look Both Ways also demonstrates that friendships can be one of the strongest bonds.

# data[].attributes.body
I selected friendship as the theme of these short stories. I selected friendship because all of the short stories including Water Booger Bears, The Low-Cuts, etc. have either two people or a group of people who are the best of friends. These friendships are a powerful bond, they can say or do anything around each other comfortably and not worry about it. They also would do things to each other that only very close friends would do. Some quotes that help explain this are "Whatever we all boogers anyway" (Reynolds 119). Another quote is " TJ had used his T-shirt the one he was wearing as a tissue" (Reynolds 10). "Trash yes, but Jasmine and TJ called them friendship flags" ( Reynolds 2). These quotes from Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds show the close bond, comfort, and kindness between each other.

# data[].attributes.body
In the book Look Both Ways, Jasmine and TJ develop through their friendship. TJ is more of a goofy, funny, childish character we see this through the humor and jokes he makes throughout the short stories. Jasmine on the other hand is more serious. But she likes the funny things her and TJ do. They are both motivated to maintain their bond and strong friendship. TJ being funny and Jasmine being more serious they get along well a quote from the short story that supports this is " and Jasmine would always laugh because his jokes were always funny even though she knew they were almost never jokes" (Reynolds 2)

# data[].attributes.body
In the short story "Water Booger Bears", friendship flags are used to symbolize the friendship between the main characters, TJ and Jasmine. These friendship flags help enhance the reader's understanding of how this bond between the 2 main characters is unique by explaining how booger jokes are playful. Also, it demonstrates how they are comfortable with each other and have a deeper trust than they do with anyone else. One quote that helps support this is, "Friendship flags the litter of love and because Jasmine has been gone for a while they were basically notes that said I've missed you in Cheeto dust" (Reynolds 3).

# data[].attributes.body
Look Both Ways in my opinion is mostly relevant in today's world. The novel/short stories remind us that even though you are not the same as everyone, everyone isn't the same as us, we are all different. Friendships can build bridges with people who are different, and unique people. Friendships can provide support and understanding to people who are going through problems and challenges. These stories of students in middle school facing their different challenges can be inspiring to other middle school students also!