I LOVE Jason Reynolds' Long Way Down novel in verse. The power of this text comes from the rhythm and pace created by free verse narrative. Jason Reynolds masterfully creates a riveting narrative full of emotion and suspense. Excellent.

Written in prose, Long Way Down is a read you can’t put down or stop thinking about. The story takes place in a single elevator ride that determines fifteen year old Will’s future. He lost his brother Shawn through gun violence just the day before and hops on the elevator with the intent of avenging his brother, when he starts to see people of his past join him on the ride each floor he reaches. Throughout the story, I found myself crying for Will and his life experiences, while wondering if he was going to carry out his revenge. I also loved how the writing was written in prose because it allowed the book to shine through with artisticness and let the plot unfold in the perfect way. If you’re looking for a mature, gut-wrenching read, I recommend Long Way Down.

To be honest I was really on the fence about this book. I kind of liked it and at the same time I felt like this story was completely unfinished. If you are the type of person that at the end of a book you like things to be wrapped up, nice and neat and you like when all your questions are answered, THEN THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR YOU! This book had the biggest cliff hanger ending. I believe the author Jason Reynolds wanted readers to come to their own conclusion about how the story would end. I personally hated this! I need all my questions answered or it will literally keep me up at night. In this novel a boy named Will is riding on an elevator, getting ready to shoot the man he thinks is responsible for this brothers death. As he rides the elevator down to where he knows the man is hiding the elevator stops on each floor and a different ghost gets on the elevator. Each ghost is somehow related to Will the main character's past. The ghosts tell Will how they were also gun shot victims the story of their own deaths. I found this book to be really repetitive, which I guess was the point... but I just found it to be boring and predictable. This book is written in short verse, so it was a relatively quick read, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. Like I said I like things to have somewhat of an ending and this book ended very much up in the air and as a reader you will receive no answers. I loved the writing style immensely, but I just didn't love the repetitive plot or the ending.

Modern Mrs Darcy

Middle school/teen book

Love the counting down as the elevator lowers for each chapter. Don't let the poetry intimidate you. Read it anyway. Powerful ending. This would make a great "add another chapter for the end" writing activity, as it could go so many ways.

Jason Reynolds nails it. Know someone who thinks reading is boring? This book isn’t. Know someone who thinks poems are for old people? Not this one. Know someone who thinks grownups don’t know anything about the real world? Not this grown-up. Jason Reynolds’ writing changes opinions, minds...and hearts. Spread the word.

After hearing Jason Reynolds speak at a virtual librarian event, I had to check out his writing. This was raw, powerful, and empathetic, the immediacy of verse pairing well with the tight quarters of a potentially life-altering elevator ride. Phenomenal in audio (read by the author himself) and followed up with an equally powerful interview.

I never cried over books. Once I read it it's over. It doesn't stay long in my heart in mind. But this time it was different. The story made me curious. The moment I started reading, I couldn't stop. The book was just like a part of me. It made me cry, it made me feel the pain of the main character. I am impressed. I adore it. I recommend it. A book similar to this one is All American Boys.

A powerful story told in verse about a boy named Will, who has to decide if he will follow the rules that have been set for him or not. Recommended for ages 13+.

I enjoyed this story because I love poetry, but also because I couldn't wait to see what would happen as the elevator stopped on each floor. It's a tough read, one filled with gun violence, gang rivalries, and poverty, but that shouldn't stop kids (or adults) from reading it. Even if your life doesn't look like Will's, this short read will give you a window to see what it would be like if it was.