Take Back the Block

In these final chapters, Wes’s breakthrough in his outlook and his research allows him to overcome his pessimism, and as his efforts finally bear fruit, his determination emphasizes The Importance of Youth Activism and Leadership, for despite his age and relative lack of social influence, he is nonetheless able to effect great improvements in his community. The epilogue occurs on Wes’s 12th birthday in order to present a clear contrast with Wes as he was on his 11th birthday. Now, Wes is more mature, a better friend, and he is more committed to social justice. He has also realized that activism and social justice are not contrary to friendship and fun. For example, rather than complaining that attending a protest rally takes away from his birthday celebrations, he has invited his friends to a protest as part of his birthday party, thereby pursuing aspects of social justice while simultaneously spending time with his friends and community. All of these changes help Wes to reorganize his priorities and become a more well-rounded person. His new priorities are also shared by Alyssa, with whom he is gradually developing the beginnings of a romance. Wes’s romance with Alyssa also rounds out in this section and adheres to common middle grade conventions. As the romantic subplot culminates with Wes and Alyssa walking home and holding hands, this image reflects an age-appropriate level of romance for younger readers. Because the characters are eleven, the romance is understated and slow-burning, but the growing connection between the two characters is still important to the plot.

The novel’s setting and chronology, especially with respect to holiday milestones, continue to reveal Wes’s shifting ideas about The Significance of Community and Cultural Heritage. On Thanksgiving, Wes struggles to maintain positivity about the future because the holiday is disappointing. With Kari in a bad mood and refusing to stay for the weekend as planned, this marks a low point for Wes, who hits many roadblocks on the way to saving Kensington Oaks. However, at Mya’s Christmas party, Wes’s attitude about his community improves again because he rekindles his friendship with Mya even though he previously worried that this would be impossible. By the end of the novel, at Wes’s 12th birthday party, not only has he mended his friendships with both Mya and Kari, but they have made up with each other as well. As a result, Wes’s entire group of friends is together again, and this repaired dynamic implies that communities can heal even after suffering significant hardships.

The symbolism of puzzles and the meaning of community continue to evolve in this final section. Previously, Wes worried that the community of Kensington Oaks would never again be complete because former residents, including Brent’s family, have moved away. Now, he realizes that Brent is still part of the community even though he has physically moved. This new understanding broadens the meaning of community, which is not necessarily limited to a group of people who live in the same place. Instead, a community can consist of people who share the same moral values, interests, commitments, or mutual affections. This idea is further emphasized through Mya and Kari, both of whom Wes regards as puzzle pieces clicking back together when they rekindle their friendship.

Wes’s definition of “community” also evolves to account for the fact that communities change over time. The designation of Kensington Oaks as a historic place is a major success, but the author injects a note of realism when the protagonist understands that his solution, while effective, will not completely prevent gentrification, nor will it prevent residents from selling their houses and moving away. However, the possibility of change does not mean that Kensington Oaks is doomed as a community. Kensington Oaks has already survived for over 70 years and has endured many changes in its structure and population. Despite these changes, there is still a connection between the past version of the community and the present one. This connection is symbolized through the fountain, which has remained intact throughout the decades. Wes also learns that despite the positive and negative changes that will continue to occur in Wes’s community, it will remain a community because of the level of dedication that its members contribute to its improvement. At the end of this journey, Wes realizes that it is important for him and others not to give up on Kensington Oaks or on the friendships they have made through that neighborhood. The mere fact that the current and former residents still have shared values and interests means that the community still exists.