52 pages • 1 hour read
Long Way Down
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Book Brief
320
Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction
Elevator • Contemporary
2017
YA
12-18 years
HL720L
Super Short Summary
In Jason Reynolds’s Long Way Down, 15-year-old Will Holloman grapples with the murder of his brother Shawn and plans to seek revenge. As he rides his building's elevator to confront the supposed killer, he is visited by ghosts from his past who challenge his understanding of violence and revenge, leading him to reconsider his choices in a powerful narrative that ends on a cliffhanger.
Suspenseful
Dark
Emotional
Challenging
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
132,037 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds is widely praised for its powerful, poetic verse and raw, emotional narrative. The novel effectively captures the protagonist's internal struggle and the impact of violence. Critics commend its gripping, timely themes and innovative storytelling. However, some note the story's brevity might leave readers wanting deeper character development.
Who Should Read Long Way Down?
A reader who would enjoy Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds is typically a young adult interested in contemporary, poignant narratives tackling themes like violence, grief, and morality. Comparable to readers of Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give and Nic Stone's Dear Martin, they appreciate powerful, thought-provoking storytelling in verse form.
132,037 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
320
Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction
Elevator • Contemporary
2017
YA
12-18 years
HL720L
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