Look Both Ways Padlet Project by Jack Jennissen

Introduction

jackjennissen — 2024-10-21 18:03:47 UTC

In Look Both Ways, it is a collection of short stories made by author, Jayson Reynolds. It is about the lives of students from middle school life. All of their stories are based upon friendship and how they connect with each other. Friendships bring trust and support.

Theme Exploration

jackjennissen — 2024-10-21 18:06:06 UTC

Friendship is a very strong theme in all of these short stories. A specific quote from "Water Booger Bears" is, "She could've carried it herself, but Tj was concerned about her back, her muscles because she was still recovering from the attack" (Reynolds 5). This is good example of friendship since TJ helps carry Jasmine's stuff. He does this because he cares about her as thats a clear sign of friendship. Also friendship is presented in the story "The Low Cuts Strike Again". A specific quote from the story is, "They all cut their hair down to almost bald-a sign of solidarity- and started stealing" (Reynolds 22). This also a sign of friendship as they care and support each other in the safe effort they are going through. They all also do this for their parents and showing that they care about each other.

Character Analysis

jackjennissen — 2024-10-21 18:06:18 UTC

Kenzi is a middle school kid who is short and skinny. Everyday when the school bell rings he attempts to go to his locker, however its not so easy. He is usually hit in the face or elbowed in the stomach since he has a small stature. Although he gets help from Simeon, who is a kind, loving, and big kid who will helps Kenzi get to his locker safely everyday. A specific quote from the story is, "Not because he had some kind of special love for life science- I mean , it was okay- but because he knew he'd never make it to his locker with the hundreds of other kids traffic-jamming and bumper-car'ing around, not paying attention to the fact that their elbows were right by his face"(Reynolds 99). However though he always gets there and continues to do it with a little help.

Literary Devices & Structure

jackjennissen — 2024-10-21 18:06:57 UTC

Symbolism is represented all through out each short story. There is all sorts of symbolism that relates to friendships in "Water Booger Bears". A specific quote from the story is, " 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. (Reynolds 3). These "friendship flags." symbolize friendship because its literally in the name and its a way Jasmine and TJ stayed connected to one another.

Personal Reflection & Conclusion

jackjennissen — 2024-10-21 18:07:28 UTC

All these short stories relate to what a middle schooler might have experienced during middle school life. In my case, i always had a kid who had my back like TJ to Jasmine. Matthew who we've been best friends since 1st grade at St. Odilia. He is always someone i can ask a question or talk to him and tell him how my day was.