Genres
Collection
Publication
Atheneum Books for Young Readers (2019), Edition: Reprint, 336 pages
Description
As Will, fifteen, sets out to avenge his brother Shawn's fatal shooting, seven ghosts who knew Shawn board the elevator and reveal truths Will needs to know.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member fingerpost
Absolutely brilliant.
In Will's ghetto neighborhood, everyone follows the rules. There are three rules: 1) Crying. Don't. Ever. 2) Snitching. Don't. Ever. 3) Revenge. Do. Always.
When Will's older brother is gunned down in gang violence, he is obliged by "the rules" to kill his brother's killer. He
And then, the bulk of the book takes place during the two minute elevator ride down. On each floor, the ghost of someone Will has known who was killed by neighborhood gun violence gets on the elevator with him. They have a few seconds of conversation before the elevator gets to the next floor, letting on another ghost.
Like Ebeneezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol" these ghosts seem sent to deliver a message to Will. Will he get the message?
The last page, which consists of two words, is absolutely perfect.
Loved this book!
(As a novel in verse, and mostly very short verse at that, know that this is a 300 page book that you will read in the time it normally takes you to read a 50 page book.)
In Will's ghetto neighborhood, everyone follows the rules. There are three rules: 1) Crying. Don't. Ever. 2) Snitching. Don't. Ever. 3) Revenge. Do. Always.
When Will's older brother is gunned down in gang violence, he is obliged by "the rules" to kill his brother's killer. He
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gets a gun. He goes to the elevator of his building to take him down to lobby level so he can do the deed.And then, the bulk of the book takes place during the two minute elevator ride down. On each floor, the ghost of someone Will has known who was killed by neighborhood gun violence gets on the elevator with him. They have a few seconds of conversation before the elevator gets to the next floor, letting on another ghost.
Like Ebeneezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol" these ghosts seem sent to deliver a message to Will. Will he get the message?
The last page, which consists of two words, is absolutely perfect.
Loved this book!
(As a novel in verse, and mostly very short verse at that, know that this is a 300 page book that you will read in the time it normally takes you to read a 50 page book.)
Show Less
LibraryThing member msf59
“MY MOTHER USED TO SAY,
I know you're young,
gotta get it out,
but just remember, when
you're walking in the nighttime,
make sure the nighttime
ain't walking into you.”
Will is fifteen. His brother was recently killed. He wants revenge. That is the rules. This excellent novel, told in verse, all
"I FELT LIKE CRYING
which felt like
another person
trapped behind my face
tiny fists punching
the backs of my eyes
feet kicking
my throat at the spot
where the swallow
starts.
Stay put, I whispered to him,
Stay strong, I whispered to me.
Because crying
is against
The Rules."
I know you're young,
gotta get it out,
but just remember, when
you're walking in the nighttime,
make sure the nighttime
ain't walking into you.”
Will is fifteen. His brother was recently killed. He wants revenge. That is the rules. This excellent novel, told in verse, all
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happens in one minute, as Will rides an elevator, to avenge his brother's death. This is my first experience with Reynolds and it will not be my last. I am glad to see how prolific he is. This also worked wonderfully on audio, with the author nailing the delivery. "I FELT LIKE CRYING
which felt like
another person
trapped behind my face
tiny fists punching
the backs of my eyes
feet kicking
my throat at the spot
where the swallow
starts.
Stay put, I whispered to him,
Stay strong, I whispered to me.
Because crying
is against
The Rules."
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LibraryThing member amyghilton
Wow.....just wow. Written in free-verse, it proves that books with just a few words can be as powerful or even more so, than books with thousands of words. I haven't read many books like this, but this author really makes an impact, especially with the ending.
LibraryThing member acargile
A novel-in-verse, Long Way Down elucidates the “rules” of living.
Will talks to the reader, telling us that what he’s saying is true, so believe him. Then, the action begins:
AND THEN THERE WERE SHOTS
Everybody ran,
ducked,
hid,
tucked
themselves tight.
Did what we’ve all
been trained
Pressed our lips to the
pavement and prayed
the boom, followed by
the buzz of a bullet,
Ain’t meet us.
AFTER THE SHOTS
me and Tony
waited like we always do,
for the rumble to stop,
before picking our heads up
and poking our heads out
to count the bodies.
This time
there was only one.
Shawn.
Shawn, Will’s brother, is dead. The rules of this world are that you don’t cry or mourn, but you get even. Shawn’s gun takes up residence in Will’s back waistband of his pants. He will settle this injustice. The rest of the novel takes place on the elevator. On the 7th floor, Will enters the elevator. At each level, the elevator opens and a person gets on. Each person is dead, leaving Will information that he didn’t know. When he gets to the first floor, what does he do?
The novel’s amazing use of words and phrases achieve vibrant, heart-breaking, real emotions. The way Mr. Reynolds uses words and figurative language is inspiring and effective. Because it’s a verse novel, it reads quickly. I highly recommend reading it in one sitting because it’s easier to keep the characters straight in your head. When the novel ends, there are questions. I have no idea what happens next--that is what the reader has to determine, based on what is learned. Not having lived in a world as Will does, I had a hard time relating to the novel and found it redundant. I don’t think students will, however. Give the novel a try if you want some gritty, realistic reading.!
Will talks to the reader, telling us that what he’s saying is true, so believe him. Then, the action begins:
AND THEN THERE WERE SHOTS
Everybody ran,
ducked,
hid,
tucked
themselves tight.
Did what we’ve all
been trained
Show More
to.Pressed our lips to the
pavement and prayed
the boom, followed by
the buzz of a bullet,
Ain’t meet us.
AFTER THE SHOTS
me and Tony
waited like we always do,
for the rumble to stop,
before picking our heads up
and poking our heads out
to count the bodies.
This time
there was only one.
Shawn.
Shawn, Will’s brother, is dead. The rules of this world are that you don’t cry or mourn, but you get even. Shawn’s gun takes up residence in Will’s back waistband of his pants. He will settle this injustice. The rest of the novel takes place on the elevator. On the 7th floor, Will enters the elevator. At each level, the elevator opens and a person gets on. Each person is dead, leaving Will information that he didn’t know. When he gets to the first floor, what does he do?
The novel’s amazing use of words and phrases achieve vibrant, heart-breaking, real emotions. The way Mr. Reynolds uses words and figurative language is inspiring and effective. Because it’s a verse novel, it reads quickly. I highly recommend reading it in one sitting because it’s easier to keep the characters straight in your head. When the novel ends, there are questions. I have no idea what happens next--that is what the reader has to determine, based on what is learned. Not having lived in a world as Will does, I had a hard time relating to the novel and found it redundant. I don’t think students will, however. Give the novel a try if you want some gritty, realistic reading.!
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LibraryThing member ecataldi
Easily one of the best books I've read so far this year! Utterly compelling, impossible to put down, and packs one hell of a punch. This teen novel in verse discusses gun violence in such a way that leaves no room for argument, it demands to be heard and felt. Will's older brother Shawn has been
1. No crying
2. No snitching
3. Get revenge no matter what
It's what his brother would have done. So he takes his dead brother's gun and heads to the elevator to leave the building and take out his brother's killer. But it's a long way down and he must pass seven floors. On each floor, a victim of gun violence enters on the elevator. Sixty seconds. Seven floors, Three rules. One gun.
AMAZING! Seriously can't stop thinking about this book. It's giving me the chills.
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shot and killed and it falls on Will to exact vengeance. He has to he has no choice. It's part of the rules. 1. No crying
2. No snitching
3. Get revenge no matter what
It's what his brother would have done. So he takes his dead brother's gun and heads to the elevator to leave the building and take out his brother's killer. But it's a long way down and he must pass seven floors. On each floor, a victim of gun violence enters on the elevator. Sixty seconds. Seven floors, Three rules. One gun.
AMAZING! Seriously can't stop thinking about this book. It's giving me the chills.
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LibraryThing member khaddox
A novel in verse, Long Way Down tells the story of Will, a black teenager, whose brother, Shawn, was killed less than 24 hours ago. Will gets on the elevator with his brother’s gun tucked into the back of his pants, planning to kill the man he thinks killed Shawn. He feels he has to do this
Over the course of the next minute (the time it takes to get from his apartment on the 7th floor to the lobby) Will is joined on the elevator by six ghosts, all victims of gun violence, and all with some kind of connection to his brother. In that minute, Will is shown the larger impact an act of vengeance can have.
If you’re not familiar with Jason Reynolds, Long Way Down is a good place to start. What I like about this book is that, while it’s ultimately about the futility of gun violence and revenge, there’s no preaching. A kid can read this book without feeling that he is being lectured or beaten over the head with someone’s idealistic notions of what is right or wrong. It’s one thing to tell a small child not to hurt someone else because it’s wrong, but as kids get older, it’s important to help them see big pictures. Authors like Jason Reynolds are helping teens think about the impact of their actions on the world, rather than just how consequences will affect them.
This book will appeal to readers of all ages, reluctant readers, and teenagers who see violence in their day to day lives.
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because there are rules, and the third (and most important) rule is get revenge.Over the course of the next minute (the time it takes to get from his apartment on the 7th floor to the lobby) Will is joined on the elevator by six ghosts, all victims of gun violence, and all with some kind of connection to his brother. In that minute, Will is shown the larger impact an act of vengeance can have.
If you’re not familiar with Jason Reynolds, Long Way Down is a good place to start. What I like about this book is that, while it’s ultimately about the futility of gun violence and revenge, there’s no preaching. A kid can read this book without feeling that he is being lectured or beaten over the head with someone’s idealistic notions of what is right or wrong. It’s one thing to tell a small child not to hurt someone else because it’s wrong, but as kids get older, it’s important to help them see big pictures. Authors like Jason Reynolds are helping teens think about the impact of their actions on the world, rather than just how consequences will affect them.
This book will appeal to readers of all ages, reluctant readers, and teenagers who see violence in their day to day lives.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Susan.Macura
Wow! This is the quick and amazing look into the results of what happens when teens get involved in gang violence. Told in short sections, almost in the form of poetry, this is simply one of the best YA books I have ever read. I won't say any more because I don't want to give the brilliance of this
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book away, but just would say to every teen and parent - read it! Show Less
LibraryThing member ShellyPYA
As Will, fifteen, sets out to avenge his brother Shawn's fatal shooting, seven ghosts who knew Shawn board the elevator and reveal truths Will needs to know.
LibraryThing member mjspear
Free verse account of a young man's contemplations on the shooting death of his best brother, Shawn. In a long fantasy-filled elevator ride, Will considers the rules of his inner-city world: 1) don't cry; 2) don't snitch; 3) seek revenge. He's got a gun in his waistband: now what? Beautifully
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written --even poetic-- Author Reynolds takes a hard look at the cycle of violence inherent in many young black men's lives. Show Less
LibraryThing member CJPG
Again, Jason Reynolds does not disappoint.
Written in verse, this is the story about Will, who's older brother, Shawn was shot dead. For Will, this means following the rules, but sometimes the rules are meant to be broken.
Kudos to the publisher for printing this book - I love the feel of the
Written in verse, this is the story about Will, who's older brother, Shawn was shot dead. For Will, this means following the rules, but sometimes the rules are meant to be broken.
Kudos to the publisher for printing this book - I love the feel of the
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pages...for me, it was like touching Will's hands... Show Less
LibraryThing member ewyatt
Finished this book and felt like I had to talk to someone about it. What happens when the elevator door opens? The lesson given is clear to the reader, but does it have the same impact on the main character?
After his brother is murdered, Will is following "The Rules" and feels the need to get
Sparse and powerful, a quick read I didn't want to put down.
After his brother is murdered, Will is following "The Rules" and feels the need to get
Show More
revenge and kill the guy who killed his brother. Or at least the guy he thinks kills his brother. In a kind of "Christmas Carol" device he meets others in his life who have been killed on the elevator ride down to street level and interacts with them to kind of put a lens to his own situation. The cycle of violence his family has been in that is revealed during this ride is heartbreaking. Sparse and powerful, a quick read I didn't want to put down.
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LibraryThing member electrascaife
A young man caught in the seemingly endless cycle of gang shootings and retaliations spends an elevator ride with the literal ghosts of his past on his way to avenge the death of his brother.
Whoa, what a powerful message, and so brilliantly written. This novel cements Reynolds place as a master of
Whoa, what a powerful message, and so brilliantly written. This novel cements Reynolds place as a master of
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free verse, as well. Like Thomas' The Hate U Give, this one is so, so important and comes with an ending that will leave your innards most definitely feeling bruised. Highly, highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member PaperDollLady
When fifteen-year-old Will’s brother, Shawn, is shot dead, Will knows there are rules of the street that must be followed. No crying. No snitching. Take revenge. He also knows who’s responsible and Will has his brother’s gun and a plan. But then, as the seven-floors elevator ride descends it
Creatively told in verse, the 2018 Edgar YA winner, LONG WAY DOWN, by Jason Reynolds conveys the heartbreak that comes with losing a sibling due to crime on the streets. Rich in simile, the story is so uniquely told and on the whole it is a metaphor on the downfall of seeking revenge. This fast-paced book is one of those that’ll stay with you long after its final page, so if a copy comes you way, know that you’ve got an extremely worthwhile read in your hands.
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begets the unexpected. Creatively told in verse, the 2018 Edgar YA winner, LONG WAY DOWN, by Jason Reynolds conveys the heartbreak that comes with losing a sibling due to crime on the streets. Rich in simile, the story is so uniquely told and on the whole it is a metaphor on the downfall of seeking revenge. This fast-paced book is one of those that’ll stay with you long after its final page, so if a copy comes you way, know that you’ve got an extremely worthwhile read in your hands.
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LibraryThing member LibraryGirl11
Unfinished--the audio became WAY too real for my commute to work. Raw, definitely speaking to the current social climate.
LibraryThing member HeidiSki
Told in short, fierce staccato narrative verse, Long Way Down is a fast and furious, dazzlingly brilliant look at teenage gun violence, as could only be told by Jason Reynolds.
LibraryThing member tartanlibrary
As Will, fifteen, sets out to avenge his brother Shawn's fatal shooting, seven ghosts who knew Shawn come to him to reveal truths Will needs to know,.
LibraryThing member Perednia
Excellent free verse novel about a young teen grappling with his brother's death, and what he should do.
LibraryThing member thelibraryladies
Thank god for bookclub! It’s books like this that remind me how lucky I am to be in a club with such a great group of ladies who love to read and know their stuff about what’s out there. The only other Jason Reynolds book I read was for bookclub (was great), but per my norm, since he writes the
During our meeting, there was a persistent theme of us all having read it in one sitting (most of us the very day of bookclub, my bad!) due to the story being written in verse. But this decision was so much more than a device that made the book quick to read! Reynolds masterfully binds together all the strengths that can be gleaned from versed-novels, while deftly avoiding some of the pitfalls, such as melodrama and pretentiousness.
Instead, the limited number of words created an almost claustrophobic atmosphere that mirrored Will’s journey down the elevator. From page to page, the words would be laid out differently across the page, sometimes mimicking the topic that was being discussed, such as a jagged splatter of words about an earthquake and a question mark shape drawn in words themselves. The line breaks, and even page turns, were also effective in giving weight to moments and certain words, leaving them to fall hard on the unsuspecting reader.
Beyond the style of the book, Reynolds tackles a tough and nuanced topic in his exploration of gun violence in a poor, black neighborhood. His story is a frank reveal of the limited choices and persistent cycles that exists, without casting judgement or freeing characters from the responsibility of their actions. Again, the decision to write in verse just further supported this exploration. As the number of words are limited, Reynolds’ language is precise, clear, and devastating.
My only criticism is with the very end, and even there, I’m not entirely sure how I feel. I like the ambiguousness, but I also feel like it wrapped up rather suddenly. However, I also don’t know how else a story like this could have been finished, and the ending itself speaks to the limited and challenging options available in these communities.
----
I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Jason Reynolds while at ALA’s Annual Conference in 2017, and when I met him I got an ARC of “Long Way Down”. I hadn’t known what to expect from that book, but I knew that the concept sounded very intriguing to me. When I finally opened it up a couple months later I was pretty much blown away. I hadn’t expected to be as taken with the book, only because it’s written in verse and DAMN am I not a poetry fan. But I read it one sitting and said ‘wow’ as I set it down at the end. So when we did the B-Sides theme, I KNEW that I needed to pick “Long Way Down”.
Will is a character that the reader can instantly relate to, even if your circumstances don’t match his. He’s a person who has just suffered a great personal loss, and his grief, rage, and helplessness are pushing him towards making a huge mistake: shooting the man who he thinks killed his brother Shawn. As mentioned, this entire story, from his brother’s murder to the aftermath to Will’s experiences in the elevator, is told in poetry form. The poems split up the story into little segments, and you get the full span of anger and deep grief that Will is experiencing. Even though I don’t like poetry, it’s use in this book is incredibly evocative, and in some ways makes it more powerful because of the way Reynolds structures each poem. You know that Will is a boy who deeply loves his brother, and is within a community where cycles of violence can affect, and embitter, anyone.
I also really appreciate the way that Reynolds shows the different victims of gun violence in Will’s life, from his brother to his father to his uncle to a childhood friend. They all have different scenarios that led to their deaths, some because of a direct choice, and others because of sheer circumstance and randomness. The one that hits the hardest is that of Dani, a girl who was friends with Will when they were eight, and who died because of a stray bullet meant for someone else. But that isn’t to say that Reynolds makes any of the other victims less of a victim by including her, no matter what choices they may have made. As Serena mentioned above, Reynolds shows that they are all victims in one way or another, be it victims of gun violence of victims of a society that has forgotten about them. There are lots of greys in this book, and, as Serena mentioned, lots of ambiguity, and I think that given that life is filled with greys it hits the point home.
Reading “Long Way Down” for the second time cemented it as one of my favorite YA books as of late, and Jason Reynolds is a master who is telling stories that really need to be told. I can’t wait to see what else he brings to the literary world.
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type of fiction that I don’t usually pursue on my own, it’s likely I would have missed out on this great read as well.During our meeting, there was a persistent theme of us all having read it in one sitting (most of us the very day of bookclub, my bad!) due to the story being written in verse. But this decision was so much more than a device that made the book quick to read! Reynolds masterfully binds together all the strengths that can be gleaned from versed-novels, while deftly avoiding some of the pitfalls, such as melodrama and pretentiousness.
Instead, the limited number of words created an almost claustrophobic atmosphere that mirrored Will’s journey down the elevator. From page to page, the words would be laid out differently across the page, sometimes mimicking the topic that was being discussed, such as a jagged splatter of words about an earthquake and a question mark shape drawn in words themselves. The line breaks, and even page turns, were also effective in giving weight to moments and certain words, leaving them to fall hard on the unsuspecting reader.
Beyond the style of the book, Reynolds tackles a tough and nuanced topic in his exploration of gun violence in a poor, black neighborhood. His story is a frank reveal of the limited choices and persistent cycles that exists, without casting judgement or freeing characters from the responsibility of their actions. Again, the decision to write in verse just further supported this exploration. As the number of words are limited, Reynolds’ language is precise, clear, and devastating.
My only criticism is with the very end, and even there, I’m not entirely sure how I feel. I like the ambiguousness, but I also feel like it wrapped up rather suddenly. However, I also don’t know how else a story like this could have been finished, and the ending itself speaks to the limited and challenging options available in these communities.
----
I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Jason Reynolds while at ALA’s Annual Conference in 2017, and when I met him I got an ARC of “Long Way Down”. I hadn’t known what to expect from that book, but I knew that the concept sounded very intriguing to me. When I finally opened it up a couple months later I was pretty much blown away. I hadn’t expected to be as taken with the book, only because it’s written in verse and DAMN am I not a poetry fan. But I read it one sitting and said ‘wow’ as I set it down at the end. So when we did the B-Sides theme, I KNEW that I needed to pick “Long Way Down”.
Will is a character that the reader can instantly relate to, even if your circumstances don’t match his. He’s a person who has just suffered a great personal loss, and his grief, rage, and helplessness are pushing him towards making a huge mistake: shooting the man who he thinks killed his brother Shawn. As mentioned, this entire story, from his brother’s murder to the aftermath to Will’s experiences in the elevator, is told in poetry form. The poems split up the story into little segments, and you get the full span of anger and deep grief that Will is experiencing. Even though I don’t like poetry, it’s use in this book is incredibly evocative, and in some ways makes it more powerful because of the way Reynolds structures each poem. You know that Will is a boy who deeply loves his brother, and is within a community where cycles of violence can affect, and embitter, anyone.
I also really appreciate the way that Reynolds shows the different victims of gun violence in Will’s life, from his brother to his father to his uncle to a childhood friend. They all have different scenarios that led to their deaths, some because of a direct choice, and others because of sheer circumstance and randomness. The one that hits the hardest is that of Dani, a girl who was friends with Will when they were eight, and who died because of a stray bullet meant for someone else. But that isn’t to say that Reynolds makes any of the other victims less of a victim by including her, no matter what choices they may have made. As Serena mentioned above, Reynolds shows that they are all victims in one way or another, be it victims of gun violence of victims of a society that has forgotten about them. There are lots of greys in this book, and, as Serena mentioned, lots of ambiguity, and I think that given that life is filled with greys it hits the point home.
Reading “Long Way Down” for the second time cemented it as one of my favorite YA books as of late, and Jason Reynolds is a master who is telling stories that really need to be told. I can’t wait to see what else he brings to the literary world.
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LibraryThing member Starla_Aurora
Beautifully written book about a boy named Will and his older brother Shawn growing up in a dangerous neighborhood. But then his brother is murdered. So Will has to follow the rules, he has to shoot the person who shot his brother. but as he rides the elevator down from where he lives on the 7th
This story is beautifully written in lyric and portrays the struggle so many urban teens have to deal with on a daily basis. What do you do when you lose your favorite person? Your only person? Your Brother? Tragic and enlightening and I hope it helps someone who needs this book.
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floor, he encounters souls from his past. What will happen when he reaches the lobby?This story is beautifully written in lyric and portrays the struggle so many urban teens have to deal with on a daily basis. What do you do when you lose your favorite person? Your only person? Your Brother? Tragic and enlightening and I hope it helps someone who needs this book.
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LibraryThing member LibrarianRyan
Jason Reynolds has gotten my blood pumping in this unputdownable, never forgettable, utterly conscious altering work of genius. Will is just a 15 year old boy grieving the loss of his older brother Shawn. He has grown up with a set of rules: 1. No crying, 2. No Snitching 3. Revenge. And will goes
This book is written entirely in verse. It is so masterfully done you speed read to know what happens next. At times this book makes me think of the movie Scrooged with the ghosts of Christmas past telling you in a mocking sort of what, that what you knew was not always correct. This is life. Life in an area I have never experienced. But Jason Reynolds put me in this life body and soul. I could talk about this novel for longer than I spent reading it. I would love to talk it over with current 15 year olds, to see how it stands up to their experiences. Its a moving and powerful work that I am sure to read again and again.
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to seek his revenge. However, he has the longest lasting elevator ride ever. Each floor someone new gets on the elevator, and it causes Will to question everything he knows and believes. This book is written entirely in verse. It is so masterfully done you speed read to know what happens next. At times this book makes me think of the movie Scrooged with the ghosts of Christmas past telling you in a mocking sort of what, that what you knew was not always correct. This is life. Life in an area I have never experienced. But Jason Reynolds put me in this life body and soul. I could talk about this novel for longer than I spent reading it. I would love to talk it over with current 15 year olds, to see how it stands up to their experiences. Its a moving and powerful work that I am sure to read again and again.
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LibraryThing member Teri-Ann
Long Way Down is such powerful novel. I loved reading about all the people that came into the elevator.
At some points I did get confused with the way it is written in verse, but other then that the writing is incredible.
At some points I did get confused with the way it is written in verse, but other then that the writing is incredible.
LibraryThing member mahsdad
Listened to this on audio. Will just found out that his brother has been shot and killed. There are 3 rules in his family; Don't Cry, Don't Snitch and always Get Revenge. Will find's his brother's gun and goes out fully intending to seek vengeance for the death. He gets on the elevator at 9:08am
This is an excellent (albeit short) novel about gun violence and its impact on black youths (or any youth for that matter). Oh and did I mention that it entirely in verse? I honestly didn't realize until I was almost done. I'm not one for poetry, but this was a very effective decision, it was almost a song.
Reynolds' and this work won a lot of acclaim and awards in 2018, including being a Newbery Honor book and a Printz Award Honor book. Highly Recommend.
9/10
S: 1/26/19 - 1/26/19 (1 Day)
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and presses the button for the lobby. What follows is the longest minute of his live as the elevator proceeds to stop at each floor going down and picks up a passenger (ghost?) from Will's past to tell their story of gun violence and the consequences. When he finally reaches the ground, will he or won't he carry out the 3rd rule? The style/conceit of the story brought to my mind some of A Christmas Carol, or Mitch Ablom's Five People You Meet in Heaven, but much deeper and more profound in impact, in my humble opinion.This is an excellent (albeit short) novel about gun violence and its impact on black youths (or any youth for that matter). Oh and did I mention that it entirely in verse? I honestly didn't realize until I was almost done. I'm not one for poetry, but this was a very effective decision, it was almost a song.
Reynolds' and this work won a lot of acclaim and awards in 2018, including being a Newbery Honor book and a Printz Award Honor book. Highly Recommend.
9/10
S: 1/26/19 - 1/26/19 (1 Day)
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LibraryThing member justagirlwithabook
So, like I’ve said before: Jason Reynolds.
That's really all I need to say, but since I'm reviewing books as I go this year, I should probably give you a little bit more, so I'll just give you a few lines from the Goodreads blurb that should stop you thinking for a second, and then you can add it
"An ode to Put the Damn Guns Down" and "sixty potent seconds—the time it takes a kid to decide whether or not he's going to murder the guy who killed his brother."
So good. So powerful. Read it, and better yet, listen to it.
That's really all I need to say, but since I'm reviewing books as I go this year, I should probably give you a little bit more, so I'll just give you a few lines from the Goodreads blurb that should stop you thinking for a second, and then you can add it
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to the "audiobooks read by the author that I have to listen to ASAP" list:"An ode to Put the Damn Guns Down" and "sixty potent seconds—the time it takes a kid to decide whether or not he's going to murder the guy who killed his brother."
So good. So powerful. Read it, and better yet, listen to it.
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LibraryThing member sleahey
A book-length elevator ride, as Will leaves his apartment, armed with a gun, to avenge his older brother's shooting death. On the way down, important people in his life get on the elevator to heighten his awareness of what has happened and the path he's planning to take.
LibraryThing member StilesIsMyBatman
It was a really quick read and pretty good, just not amazing.
ISBN
1481438263 / 9781481438261