Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

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Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds



Told in verse Long Way Down is the story of Will, a fifteen-year-old boy who just lost his brother, Shawn, in a shooting. His mother is in mourning and he is convinced he needs to follow the rules and go after the guy he knows killed Shawn. Grabbing the gun his brother hid in the middle dresser drawer, Will leaves his apartment and takes the most important elevator ride of his life.
This book speaks to a certain mentality. A hood mentality. It’s one of the rules in this book, get revenge. The problem with getting revenge is that the cycle never stops. That’s the lesson Will hasn’t learned yet. It’s the lesson all the people that join him in the elevator are trying to teach him. Reynolds laid this theme out so succinctly, never wasting a word, a moment, a page. Not a lot of world building goes into an elevator, yet and still I was in that elevator with Will and quite a bit happens. It’s an incredible and chilling ride, laced with a truth so many young people lose their life before realizing.
I didn’t realize this book was written in verse until I began reading and what an experience. The prose was incredible. The pacing was done extremely well, constantly leading to the next moment, to the next floor, to the next truth. I loved Will’s cadence because it was so very believable and his naivety was so very heartbreaking. Long Way Down is a one-sitting type of a book. Once you pick it up, once he gets in that elevator, it’s hard to put down. You’re as curious to find out who will get on next as Will is. This is definitely a story I would recommend. I’ve lost close friends to gun violence. I’ve seen how this cycle can continue and more people lose their lives. This book is so incredibly important. I give this 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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