Thank you for this amazing book that has taught me many valuable lessons and has changed my perspective on the world. I grew up in a neighborhood where everybody knew each other like a family but didn’t really know each other. This book has changed my perspective on how I see these people every day. All the stories I see happening all around me. It just occurred to me that I have known these people since I was 4, but I don’t really know. I am now taking the time to learn more about these people. Finally, I also just love this book with all the plot twists and moments that hit you like a bus falling out of the sky. I loved the book so much but I personally have 1 recomendation. This book is spectacular and the ending doesn't to it justice. It is great don't get me wrong but I feel it could be improved. I felt like I had unanswered questions. We never learn what happens to Bryce and Ty, or Marcus and Pia, or Bit and the low cuts, or Gregory and Sandra. I think a great last chapter would include an ending that involved all of the characters with the questions left unanswered. Maybe we see Gregory and Sandra on a date. On the date, they sit at Cynthia’s show laughing along with many people. In the stands, Gregory sees Bit and his mom enjoying their time. Maybe even Bryce and Ty are going on a date or we see them as best friends. Gregory turns his head and sees Pia teaching Marcus how to skateboard. Satchmo is sitting in the park playing with a dog. Simeon and Kenzie are being a best friend duo laughing around their favorite street. This book was amazing but with this ending, I would love it even more!

With great thanks,

Molly Brisman

From,

         Michael Fuhrmann

 

Thank you for giving me the chance to read the stories where people with different adversities overcome their situations. I learned that I shouldn't judge a person based on their looks because I might not know what they might be going through. In my opinion, this book provides inspiring stories that present unique characters and their perspectives as they face different situations. One aspect I very much enjoyed about the “school bus falling from the sky” image was that in its uniqueness and mystery, the word “school bus” frequently appeared in the novel. This book also contained many morals that I can learn. In the book, the characters demonstrate that they are highly dependent on their friends and that makes friendship one of the most important themes of the novel. Additionally, this book motivated me to take action when bullying occurs. 

 

Thank you,

Dianne Peck

 

Thank you for entertaining me with the fascinating novel Look Both Ways. It was very suspenseful and I like how you used different character’s points of view to mix up the story and show the backgrounds of others. It shows me that people shouldn’t be so harsh on others since you don’t know about the whole story. I will take that into consideration and I hope others will too. I can relate to Satchmo's fear of dogs since I’m paranoid and scared of bees. I have gotten stung before but I will man up and make a plan like Satchmo did to get over my fear of bees and to make sure to not give up on it. Also throughout the ten chapters, the theme of getting over fear was used. Like how Greg asked out his crush and Canton using a stress broom dog thing for helping his anxiety. I have learned that fear clouds your judgment and thoughts. I will take away from this novel not to let fear get the best of me. Thank you for writing a great novel to read with my class!

From, 

Dylan Entner. 

“H-hey, I…I’m sorry. It’s just that I thought that maybe I could have finally walked home, without bumping into Marcus.” Stevie stuttered. 

Pia willingly turned around. Maybe, just maybe she would have ran faster, ignoring his pinching voice that tattooed onto her ear. 

“An apology can’t help with anything!”

 

Tears started streaming down her face. Her voice broke, 

“Skitter, she was my skateboard. My…. life-” 

Stevie trembled with two broken halves in his hands. It felt like he was holding an aching heart broken in half. Slowly, he placed the two pieces down and kneeled to place his backpack on the sidewalk.

“W-what are you doing?” Pia sniffed, wiping her shining eyes. 

Maybe if he hadn’t glued the two pieces together, wrapped it up with a green tie, Pia Foster wouldn’t have thanked him. And maybe if he didn’t realize the warm feeling of helping another, Skitter would still be laying on the road. Until maybe a school bus falls from the sky.  

Thank you for entertaining me with this amazing book. This book was so good because it was exciting and funny. This book has made me want to come to school every day and be excited for this one class and read the book. I don't usually want to even get out of bed to go to school. This book has taught me a lesson to not judge someone of their appearance. For example, when everyone thinks that bit is a bully but he really is a thoughtful person and loving for his mom. This funny book was inspirational because it shows me how you can change the world with one little thing. Thank you for writing this spectacular book.
From, 
Benny Hurewitz

Sincerely,

Jake Aronson

“I am not ready for the smooching part yet but we can hug,” Sandra said awkwardly

“Alright,” Gregory sighing

Thinking that he will take whatever he will get

Gregory was jumping up and down like he was playing Hopscotch

His friends were chanting in the distance “Sandra and Gregory sitting on a tree K-I…”

Gregory ignored them as he had a huge smile on his face.

Jason Herz

       I have just finished reading your book “Look Both Ways,” and I think it is a great book. I really enjoyed reading it. The idea of making ten different stories was truly amazing. Plus the way they all connect and affect each other’s lives. Not only does it show the thoughts of the main characters in each chapter but their friends or companions too. I think that the social issues used were perfect for the readers' age group, not too complex, and not too bland. Every chapter was entertaining and interesting. This book really taught me about friendship and what makes good friends. 

Thank you for inspiring and teaching me that everything can be seen in different ways from everyone's perspective. While I was reading the last chapter, “The Broom Dog”, I felt very moved and the way the narrator used his imagination to explain the school bus really made me think about the environment around me. I can connect to this because while my class and I were reading “Look Both Ways” everyone interpreted each chapter in their own way as we had our daily discussions. Each chapter that I read all gave me a sense of creativity. I really loved that about the book. The final chapter was definitely my favorite because I loved the way the narrator used metaphors to explain the school bus. Another thing I would like to thank you for is making me passionate and inspiring me to think “how am I gonna change the world”. While I was reading the chapter about Fatima and her idea for her project I was really motivated by her thought and feeling of how she wanted to make everyone's lives better.  I was really inspired by your book and I am looking forward to reading more of your books.

Sincerely,

     Addison

These characters in Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds are bullied and harassed in many ways. For example, Pia gets bullied by Marcus and his gang which leads them to break her skateboard. Stevie, who is a part of the gang even though he doesn’t want to be, tells his mom about all the things that have happened. How Marcus and his gang bullied, harassed, and blackmailed him by making him join the gang or they would keep harassing him. How Ty is bullied and called names for kissing a guy which happened because the other guy ,Slim, kissed him. Bryson steps in and stands up for Ty and even kisses him to show it’s not weird. After reading this book many different situations and chapters have bullying and harassment which show how much people have to learn to not do this. As a result of this problem many kids like Pia, Stevie, Bryson, and Ty have been bullied and harassed. This book shows the discomfort of these things so in the real world they have to stop.

Which character do you think deals with the problem in the healthiest way?

Stevie deals with his problems in the healthiest way possible in my opinion by finally telling his mom. He told her about how he was bullied, harassed, and even blackmailed. Since he was blackmailed he was a part of the gang when Marcus broke Pia's board so he tried to repay her. Stevie tried to give Pia her board by going to her school and giving the pieces of her skateboard back but she left out the backdoor instead of the front. This shows that Stevie was trying to help Pia get over the accident and try to explain what happened. In my opinion these are the most healthy ways someone in this book has dealt with their problem. Stevie is a good kid but was forced and bullied to be someone he isn’t.

“you didn’t have to do all of this for me.”

“Really?”

“Yes”

“I will love to be your girlfriend”

“Oh”

Gregory started sweating. Then Sandra looks at Gregory, and that is when they fell in love. Gregory looked confident and leaned in to kiss her. But then she dodged the kiss and said “I don’t think I’m ready for this Gregory.” 

“Oh...ok...whatever.”

Finally, they went home peacefully and exchanged numbers.

I would like to thank you for writing this incredible story. The novel “Look both ways'' emphasizes the importance of really “Looking both Ways”. You have really considered all the possibilities of what kids around the world might be hiding under smiles or anger. So many people have gone through the same grief and pain as many of these characters. I am forever grateful that you spoke up for many people afraid to. Some people may seem like troublemakers, but have the right intention. Some people may be always laughing and making jokes, but are burying their feelings deep beneath. I know from experience that hiding the way you feel only makes everything worse. I now see things. All the problems, pain, grief, sickness, anxiety, I feel my eyes have finally opened up. I now see the world through new and more open eyes than I did before. It’s always better to learn the reasons behind people’s actions or behavior. Mr. Reynolds, you are truly an inspiration. This novel has taught me so much in so little time. All of your characters may be fictional, but the problems they face are real. Bullying, money struggles, illness, anxiety and death are all very serious problems faced in this Novel. I feel I can relate to all of these characters in some way, like Bit, for example. Someone very important to me was diagnosed with Cancer twice. I would’ve done anything to make them feel better. It hurts knowing there is someone close to you that has to deal with an illness like Cancer. I couldn’t do anything at all to help them. Knowing that people are going through something hard like that too makes me wonder what everyone’s reasons are for acting like they do. I realize now that I should not judge people by their attitudes or actions but by the motives behind them. Thank you for teaching all these important lessons in your Novel.

Sincerely,

Jordyn Patnoi

       Thank you for speaking up about anxiety and stress in your novel, “Look Both Ways”. You were able to show readers about different types of anxiety, like Fatima writing stuff down in her notebook, to Canton and his panic attacks. We even got to see Satchmo deal with his anxiety about dogs through his imagination. It brings more attention to anxiety, and shows how all the different characters handle it. It also shows kids some healthy ways, and also some unhealthy ways to deal with stress. In addition, thank you for teaching people that there is more than one side to everyone, and you can’t judge someone by their first impression. In conclusion, thank you for bringing more attention to anxiety and first impressions.

Sincerely,

Evelyn Ricci 

I wanted to thank you for writing this amazing book. This book has inspired  me to think about each person in my life and what may be their point of  view. You made me realize that everyone has a different backstory, and that you shouldn’t stereotype people. In addition, I read a book the other day that wasn’t nearly as good. Look Both Ways incorporated many different interesting things. For instance, the other book I read was in the same genre as this one, and still didn’t include a story about kids questioning their sexual identity. I found this was very  interesting in Look Both Ways. In conclusion, thank you for creating such an extraordinary novel.

Sincerely,

Carney Cohen

I just wanted to thank you for bringing up important issues in your book. As well as being an inspiration to me and giving me ideas for when I’m older, and what I want to  attempt to become. The important issues you bring up can probably change the way we act today. Less bullying, less violence during childhood, and other things like that. I have been through pretty bad stuff in the Bronx. I've been through the fighting between my mom and dad, bullying when I was in kindergarten and fourth grade, and the list goes on. But, you have taught me a lesson. The lesson was to look up from all of the bad in the world. In the book you made with characters I can relate to with similar issues. I find this book entertaining because of the adventures in all ten chapters. 

I just wanted to say that I thank you for teaching me to “look both ways”. Although this might have not been your purpose for writing the book, you taught me, and many others, to not just look at one side of a person’s perspective, but to also look at multiple perspectives of the person. You taught me that the world isn’t black and white, but colorful and diverse. Fatima, Pia, Canton, and all other characters were all different, but managed to tell one big lesson, and I applaud you for doing something like that. Lessons like these made me inspired to change myself. I want to be able to get to know people better and to know what they have been through. I hope you can change other people like you changed me. Again, thank you for inspiring and teaching me and many other people through your wonderful books.

I am happy that I read your book “ Look Both Ways”  because it taught me so many important life lessons. The book was very entertaining and full of detail. It is very inspirational in so many ways. You show how to be a better person by not bullying and not stereotyping people based on how they look. This made me think about what life is really like. Friendship, truth, faith, success, failure, bullying and many things that can lead you to be who you are. This book has so much to it that can teach children how to look at life and how to be a better person. 

Regards, Shelly Koblenz 

Hello. 

I think the book you wrote, Look Both Ways is very inspirational for young readers like myself. I like how you made each chapter with a different main character who is suffering from health issues, family matters, or bullying. This book spoke up for a lot of different people and I am sure some could relate to the characters. A lot of people don’t realize that people around them could be suffering, or feeling alone. Actually, some days ago, I approached another student who was walking alone from school. I talked to them until we parted different ways. That moment reminded me of some characters from the book walking home from school. They helped their friend do something or cheered them up. This book taught me the importance of having friends to have your back and help you in different situations. I learned that some people need a little push for them to face their fears. 

Sincerely, 

Madison 

But he did.

And after Marcus’s long, stuttered apology, he nervously fidgeted with his tie. Stevie stood behind him, patting him on the back “It’s the thought that counts bro,” he reminded him. 

Pia looked him straight in the eye, as if trying to read his mind. Then, she punched him in the arm. Not exactly a hard punch, but hard enough to make Marcus’s arm sore for a few minutes.

“OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!?” Marcus complained, cradling his arm like a baby.

“There. Now we’re even.” Pia responded cooly.

“Sooo….That’s it? You’re not even going to say thank you to us for fixing Skittles?” Marcus asked. Stevie punched him.

“OW! AGAIN? THAT’S THE SAME SPOT MAN-”

Pia cut him off, “Her name is Skitter. And no. I deserved her back.”

Marcus laughed, “You name your board? And it’s a girl?”

Stevie elbowed him in the gut, “That’s the same old bully routine, slow down Marky.”

“Look, Marky.” Pia started, glaring at him, “You don’t understand half of what Skitter means to me, and our history. Don’t even start. You don’t know anything about me or Santi.”

“W-who’s Santi?” He asked. Stevie nodded in agreement.

“You wanna know who Santi is? You wanna know what happened to her? Well she was my older sister. She was the smartest, kindest, most beautiful girl I knew. She was my role model.But a stupid boy, who you remind me a bit of, got jealous of how well she skated, and that stupid boy was stupid enough to send her straight into oncoming traffic. Are you happy?”

Marcus gulped, as if searching for words. “I’m sorry. For you. For Santi. For the boy being stupid enough to do...that. And I’m sorry for what I did. I was the stupid boy. And neither you, nor Santi deserved that.” Stevie nodded in agreement, standing to the side. “Oh, and I’m sorry Stevie. For all those months of bullying and for pressuring you into helping me.”

There was a moment of pin drop silence, before Pia spoke.

“Do you wanna come to her grave with me?” she whispered.

Stevie and Marcus exchanged glances, “Sure.” Marcus responded quietly.

The beginning of the walk to the grave was filled with quiet conversations. By the time they got there, there were shrieks of laughter, loud conversations and jokes echoing through the streets. Pia had punched both of them gently in the arm multiple times, this time playfully.

“How’d you ever learn how to skate?” Stevie asked Pia.

“Santi taught me. I fell a lot at the beginning. That’s how I got this.” she rolled up her sleeve, showing them the moon-shaped scab on her elbow.

Marcus opened his mouth like he was going to say something, then quickly closed it again.

“What were you going to say?” Pia encouraged him.

“Can you teach me? How to skate?” he said, hesitantly.

Pia grinned, looking down at Santi’s grave fondly, “Maybe.”

Thank you for writing this wonderful life-lessoned novel. This really made me understand that people should never pick on someone because they might have another side of their story. This story is very entertaining, especially the first chapter, with the booger story. This novel causes me to think differently about friends. I found it very inspirable for many people. I think this novel also helped other kids besides me realize who you should always look to both sides of someone's story. Thank you again for all the inspirational lines you wrote.

From,
Zoe

Thank you for writing such great books for me to read. I love the style of writing you have included in all of your books. I have read “Look Both Ways”, “Stamped”, and my favorite book, "Ghost." The book I have just read with my class is “Look Both Ways.” In this book, I love the way you use 10 different perspectives because it shows different people and what they all are going through. Also, it teaches me different life lessons every chapter. The title, Look Both Ways, always means something different in each character’s story because they are all different and going through different things in their life. You have taught me to “Look Both Ways” for everything in life. Your writing style is very unique and very enjoyable to read. 

Keep up the good work!

Sincerely,

Ryan Cho (Demarest Middle School, NJ)

A long silence followed for a minute or two. Gregory thought, should I say it? Finally, after a couple of seconds, Gregory got the courage to just say it out loud. “Hey, Sandra...I've been wanting to tell you this for a long time...I-” A phone rang. “Oh, sorry give me a second,” Sandra interrupted. 

Gregory waited patiently for Sandra to finish the phone call. He fixed his hair making sure it looked ok. He rehearsed his line in his head. I've been wanting to tell you this for a long time. I like you. No no no! Umm...I am starting to develop feelings for you. Wait but what if she rejects me? Ugh

“Hey!” Sandra came running back. “Im back. Sorry. So uh what were you saying before?” Gregory shook again. “I uh… listen, I've started...uh developing...feelings for you” I… said it He thought. Sandra's face froze and she was shocked. Did I hear that right? She thought. Gregory's heart skipped a beat, waiting for her reaction. “I...um...what?” Sandra was definitely speechless. “Um...are you being serious?” Gregory replied nervously, “y-yes” Sandra said, “O-oh...really? I'm so sorry...I don't...feel the same way.” Gregory was heart-broken. He felt awful. “Well u-uh I have to go. Sorry, bye-” And he ran off with a feeling of despair. Sandra just stood there, feeling very bad for him. Sigh

“No, no!” Gregory’s voice jumped an octave. Maybe two. Almost whistle-high. Gregory’s face turned red like a tomato, his lips still puckering, puckering from the VapoRub. 

“Yuh-huh. Definitely.” Sandra responded sarcastically. She gave Candace a look saying: Yo, he ain’t going crazy, is he? Sandra tried to keep in a laugh so big that her face turned as bright as Gregory’s. 

Once she calmed down, she stared at him, up and down, over and over, until everyone got dizzy. 

“Hey you, this ain’t some joke or nothing, right?” Sandra rolled her eyes. Remi and Joey exchanged looks. 

Joey stepped forward, angry, looking like he was about to “knock some sense” into Sandra, but Candace stopped him. Sandra slowly stepped backward with a face of disgust. 
“This is ridiculous, I don’t got no time for this. I’m going back inside.” Sandra said while nodding her head “no”, the “walking backward” turning more into a “turning around and running away.” 

The door slammed behind her as Gregory fell to the ground. Remi and Joey went up to Gregory as Candace ran towards Sandra’s front door. 
“Open up, Sandra!” Candace roared while banging on the door. 

No response. 

“This ain’t funny. Look at him, he got all ready for you!” Candace called out, still banging on the door. Candace looked back to see Gregory sitting on the floor on the verge of tears. Candace backed away from the front door and started walking to Gregory. 

“Listen, Greg, she didn't deserve you anyway. Cheer up.” Candace announced, in a panic. 

“Nah, nah. I didn't deserve her.” 

Thank you for writing a truly inspirational novel that impacted my point of view of the world dramatically. I have learned from your book that nothing is black and white. For example, the metaphor “A school bus is a science lab” got me thinking about how diverse the world can be. Reading your book made me realize that you need to dig deeper before making assumptions about someone. I love how the story all adds up to an ending where it all comes together. The use of third-person makes the story even stronger because it builds to the idea that from an outside perspective we get to focus on each individual student and the adversity they face after the school bell rings. This book also introduces many important causes. To sum it up, this book has made me think about the importance of not judging someone until you get to know them and has inspired many other students too. 

Thank you, 

Sophie Gutter

The next day at school, it was quiet, no one was saying nothin’ about what happened. Ty was relieved. After the bell rang everyone ran out of school. Bryson went over to Ty and said, “hey again, is your hand better?”. “Yeah, it’s all good, thanks again,” said Ty, beginning to walk away. “Hey are you free to come over?” Bryson said, looking at his feet. “Yeah, of course, I am always down for bro time!” When they get to Bryson’s house they sit down on Bryson’s bed and start to play video games. 

After Ty has dinner he got a text, he checked it under the table and blushed at Bryson’s name. The text read, “Hey man thanks for coming over today.” Ty texted back, “Yeah no problem like I said I love to have bro time”. When Ty ran upstairs and went to his locked diary. Ty unlocked the diary and wrote, “one day you will find out, one day you will”

After Bryson had dinner he texted Ty, “Hey man thanks for coming over today”. Then he impatiently waited for Ty to respond. Ding! “Yeah no problem like I said I love to have bro time”. When Bryson saw the text Ty slowly sent he blushed, Bryson walked upstairs and opened the door to his bedroom. Bryson opened his computer and wrote in his safe notebook and wrote, “I wish I could tell you, one day.” Bryson and Ty wanted to tell each other something, what could it be?