Look Both Ways is divided into short stories told about adolescents from Latimer Middle School.
The first story tells the tale of Jasmine Jordan and friend Terrence Jumper (TJ). TJ is a foster child and has had a long time to think about life. Jasmine is struggling with sickle cell anemia, and has faced her own set of hardships. The friendship between the characters leads to a discussion of the true meaning of life and being human.
The Low Cuts is a bully group from Latimer Middle School with the lead bully being Bit Burns. Characters John, Francy, and Trista are part of the bully groups, and what unites them is that they are all the children of parents that have struggled with cancer. Instead of stealing for themselves, they steal ice cream for Bit's mother, who has just completed a round of chemotherapy.
The next chapter focuses on Pia Foster and Stevie Munson. While Stevie is from private school, Pia is an avid skateboarder. Stevie is bullied at school and Pia is struggling with the loss of her older sister. The two bond over their struggles.
Fatima Moss is a student that is always overwhelmed and wants to prepare herself for any eventuality. She records all of her movements on her way to and from school. When she meets a joyful woman named Benni, she changes her ways and begins to think about the impact she wants to leave on the world.
