Long Way Down

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds is a powerful, emotionally gripping story that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. Taking place over the course of sixty seconds in an elevator, it follows Will, a 15-year old on a mission to avenge his brother’s death. The novel meticulously explores themes of morality, growing up, and gang violence through raw and vivid storytelling. It has earned critical acclaim from The New York Times, The Washington Post and School Library Journal, among many others.

The entire story takes place in one enclosed space: the elevator car of the apartment building where Will lives. Although it lasts just 60 seconds, this ride feels much longer as Will grapples with his own inner demons and the complex moral dilemma he faces. He’s determined to get revenge for his brother’s death, but is also confronted with memories and other people’s stories that make him question what justice really looks like. As secrets are slowly revealed and time quickly runs out, tension builds throughout the narrative.

Reynolds does an excellent job of conveying emotions through carefully crafted language and dialogue. His use of metaphor is particularly effective; readers can feel the weight of Will’s grief even when it isn’t explicitly stated. This emotionally charged tale is written in verse form, which lends itself well to the suspenseful atmosphere and helps capture the passage of time within each scene.

Overall, Long Way Down is an engaging read that will leave you thinking long after you finish turning its pages. Its poignant exploration of difficult topics makes it a great pick for teens looking for thought-provoking fiction or adults seeking a powerful story about resilience and redemption. In order to better understand this book, let’s take a look at its summary next.