Middle school life is on display in ten interconnected short stories set in a single neighborhood, on a single day, and zeroing in on the individual lives of young African American adolescents. Each story is set on a different block in the neighborhood, and the kids and their lives are compelling, varied, and vivid; sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, often both. Although the kids are all particular and distinctive, their thoughts and interactions will ring true with most American teens whose lives are mainly focused on themselves and their peers, even as they reflect broader truths about friendship and family and community, and struggles and triumphs small and large. Although each story can stand alone, taken as a whole readers will find recurring themes, images, and characters that also create a cohesive whole in this neighborhood of stories to relish and devour. (Ages 10–14)

A National Book Award Finalist
Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book
Carnegie Medal winner
An NPR Favorite Book of 2019
A New York Times Best Children’s Book of 2019
A Time Best Children’s Book of 2019
A Today Show Best Kids’ Book of 2019
A Washington Post Best Children’s Book of 2019
A School Library Journal Best Middle Grade Book of 2019
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2019
A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of 2019
“As innovative as it is emotionally arresting.” —Entertainment Weekly

From National Book Award finalist and #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds comes a novel told in ten blocks, showing all the different directions kids’ walks home can take.

This story was going to begin like all the best stories. With a school bus falling from the sky. But no one saw it happen. They were all too busy—

Talking about boogers.
Stealing pocket change.
Skateboarding.
Wiping out.
Braving up.
Executing complicated handshakes.
Planning an escape.
Making jokes.
Lotioning up.
Finding comfort.
But mostly, too busy walking home.

Jason Reynolds conjures ten tales (one per block) about what happens after the dismissal bell rings, and brilliantly weaves them into one wickedly funny, piercingly poignant look at the detours we face on the walk home, and in life.