Mar 17, 2025
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds is a fast-paced novel in verse about grief, revenge and tough choices. It follows Will, a teenager whose brother was killed. Following the neighborhood’s unspoken rules: no crying, no snitching and getting revenge, Will grabs a gun and heads to settle the score. During an intense elevator ride, Will meets the ghosts of people from his past, each sharing their own tragic stories. As he goes down each floor, he’s forced to question whether revenge is the right path. The book’s raw, emotional style pulls readers into Will’s mind, leaving them to reflect on cycles of violence and the power of choice.