51 pages • 1 hour read
Jason ReynoldsA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Chapter Summaries & Analyses
The elevator stops at the second floor. Will repeatedly hits the button for L, trying to get the doors to close. At the last minute, fingers grip the door, and it pops open. Shawn gets in. Everyone hugs him, greets him—they all look so happy to see him. But Shawn won’t talk to Will. Will asks him what to do, who killed him, if he is doing the right thing. Shawn says nothing. Suddenly, Shawn starts crying. Will is shocked: “I thought you said / no crying / Shawn” (298). But Shawn lets himself cry, in front of everyone. Will realizes that despite Shawn’s tears, he still loves his brother. The elevator doors click open at the lobby, and everyone gets out. Shawn looks back and finally speaks: “You coming?” (306).
Shawn finally appears in the last chapter. Though he doesn’t say anything to Will, he sets the most profound example for his brother. After many years of being taught not to cry or express his grief in a way that doesn’t harm others, Shawn openly weeps in front of his brother. It isn’t clear why Shawn is crying—it could be for his own life, the lives of all the people he lost, the fate he was dealt, or Will’s current predicament.
By Jason Reynolds
Ain't Burned All the Bright
Ain't Burned All the Bright
Jason Reynolds
All American Boys
All American Boys
Brendan Kiely, Jason Reynolds
As Brave As You
As Brave As You
Jason Reynolds
Eraser Tattoo
Eraser Tattoo
Jason Reynolds
For Every One
For Every One
Jason Reynolds
Ghost
Ghost
Jason Reynolds
Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks
Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks
Jason Reynolds
Lu
Lu
Jason Reynolds
Miles Morales: Spider-Man
Miles Morales: Spider-Man
Jason Reynolds
Patina
Patina
Jason Reynolds
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
Ibram X. Kendi, Jason Reynolds
Stuntboy, in the Meantime
Stuntboy, in the Meantime
Jason Reynolds
Sunny
Sunny
Jason Reynolds
The Boy in the Black Suit
The Boy in the Black Suit
Jason Reynolds
There Was a Party for Langston
There Was a Party for Langston
Jason Reynolds
When I Was the Greatest
When I Was the Greatest
Jason Reynolds