Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks

Look Both Ways documents the experiences of various middle-school age adolescents who struggle to understand their changing selves and the changing world around them. Each vignette chronicles a different story that follows the protagonist on a journey. These journeys range in size and scope but all culminate in a growing sense of self. The outcomes of these stories usher in a burgeoning transition into adulthood.

Jasmine Jordan and TJ Jumper reflect on what it means to be human. They come together and compromise to form a new recognition of humans as “water booger bears” (14). Though seemingly childish, this understanding of humanity as multi-faceted and individual demonstrates Jasmine and TJ’s change. They look outside of their own experiences and begin to place themselves in each other’s shoes. This journey carries through each chapter and culminates in the last vignette, which features the story of Canton Post. Previously frightened and overcome with anxiety, Canton begins to think outside of himself and understand his own unseen growth. He notes the interactions between characters throughout the novel and, through this look outside of himself, comes to the realization that he no longer needs the broom dog.