Long Way Down

Long Way Down

Jason Reynolds

Overview

Set in a city where street rules demand retribution, this novel-in-verse follows fifteen-year-old Will who steps into an elevator with a gun in his waistband. The sixty-second descent becomes a tense reckoning as ghosts from his past board one by one, each with unfinished business. Written in spare, rhythmic stanzas, the story compresses grief, anger, and the weight of choices into a single minute. Reynolds keeps the clock ticking while questioning whether cycles of violence can be broken. The result is a taut, unforgettable ride that lingers long after the doors open.

Who it's for

• Teen and adult readers drawn to contemporary urban realism
• Teachers seeking verse novels for classroom discussion
• Fans of fast-paced, emotionally charged stories

Key features

• Language: English
• Format: Novel-in-verse
• Author: Jason Reynolds