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Look Both Ways is a collection of ten short stories written by Jason Reynolds. The stories revolve around different black middle school students as they walk home from school. The main topic of this book is friendship and my thesis states "Friendship helps you through life if you have the right people with you, they will show that they are there for you no matter what. "

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My theme exploration is friendship. My first quote and example is from the chapter "Water Booger Bears." " That's what you think TJ went on as they swapped backpacks His was light. Jasmines was packed with every classes textbook and all the worlds notebooks and makeup work. She could've carried it but TJ was concerned about her back." (Page 4) This is a great example of how friendship is expressed through small but meaningful actions particularly in moments of concern or care. This demonstrates when you have the right people by your side they'll go out if their way to show they care even if its something simple as carrying a bag.

My second quote is from "Water Booger Bears" " The floor of his locker was littered with empty snack bags that Jasmine had slid through the door vent between classes over the last two days. Trash...yes but Jasmine and TJ called them "friendship flags." The litter of love." (Page 3) This demonstrates how friends can express care in unique ways. Rather than a typical way of affection, Jasmine's trash or friendship flag reminds TJ of their close bond and shared experiences. It shows that true friends know how to make you smile, even through small or silly gestures. Which traces back to my thesis that friendship helps you through life if you have the right people with you, they will show that they are there for you for you no matter what.

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" Simeon bent his knees, squatting just enough for Kenzi to get a running start...to jump onto his back. And off they went, out into the busy hallway of stumbling awkward bodies pin-balling around, bouncing into one another and off lockers. Simeon, bigger than the rest was untouchable. He couldn't be knocked down or pushed out of the way. "Ready?" Simeon asked Kenzi over his shoulder. Kenzi had his arms wrapped around Simeons neck, tight enough to hold on, but not tight enough to chock him "lets do it!" Kenzi called back. And off they went." (Page 100 -101)

When Simeon carries Kenzi to class it symbolizes his willingness to support Kenzi. They show and share emotional support, encouragement, loyalty during hardship and shared experiences with each other. They also know they can trust and depend on each other. This gesture of Simeon carrying Kenzi on his back reflects trust. Kenzi feels safe enough to rely on Simeon when he needs help. Showing an important part of strong friendships is the ability to lean on one another without hesitation. This circles back to my thesis " Friendships helps you through life if you have the right people with you, they will show that they are there for you no matter what."

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My quote is from "Water Booger Bears" " The floor of his locker was littered with empty snack bags that Jasmine had slid through the door vent between classes over the last two days. Trash...yes but Jasmine and TJ called them "friendship flags." The litter of love." (Page 3)

The friendship flag is a empty potato chip bag. It's important to them because it means I miss you. TJ left them in her locker when she came back from the hospital and she left some in TJ's locker. That was their way of communicating TJ" Hey I missed you." And Jasmine leaving a couple in his locker when she came back from the hospital saying "I missed you too." This demonstrates how friends can express care in unique ways. Rather than a typical way of affection, Jasmine's trash or friendship flag reminds TJ of their close bond and shared experiences. It shows that true friends know how to make you smile, even through small or silly gestures. Which traces back to my thesis that friendship helps you through life if you have the right people with you, they will show that they are there for you for you no matter what.

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Look both ways relates to the real world now in so many ways. The multiple conflicts the characters dealt with in the story are some individuals conflicts today. Such as dealing with a family member who is severely ill and you try to find solutions to take care of them or having to ponder when a family member might get out of jail. The way this book relates to my life is...... I've experienced a family member falling servily ill, divorce parents and a family member being in jail. I felt exactly how these kids in the book felt it almost felt like I wrote the book, but the point I'm trying to tell is I had a good support system to help me keep going. From the little things like checking if I was ok to walking me to my classes I felt at peace knowing I had someone who was there for me no matter what. That is why I had this thesis friendship helps you through life if you have the right people with you, they will show that they are there for you for no matter what. Because I experienced the thesis