This is a powerful novel in verse. The entire thing takes place during an elevator ride. The young protagonist is on his way out so that he can kill the guy who murdered his brother. The 60-second trip seems inspired by A Christmas Carol as the ghosts of family members past join him. A power reflection on cyclical violence.

I had read the original, but the graphic novel brings it to life and makes it accessible to additional readers.

I didn't think a graphic version could do the original justice, but it is amazing! I think they both offer a different vantage point at the same story and would be interesting to read together to compare and contrast.

Long Way Down has always been one of those books I recommend to every student. No matter what kind of reader my students are I know they would love this book. Now, to have this book with gorgeous illustrations . . . we are so lucky to have this, and lucky to be able to add this to our classroom library. A must have in any classroom library.

Long Way Down tells the story of Will, whose brother was just shot and killed, presumably by a neighboring gang. Will was taught 3 rules that have been passed down through their family generation after generation; 1) no crying, 2) no snitching, and 3) get revenge. Will decides to get revenge on who had to be Shawn's killer, following the rules laid out by those before him. While on the elevator to complete his task, he is visited by those in his life who have all lost their own lives to gun violence. His uncle, his childhood friend, his father, his brother's 'brother', their killers, and finally, his brother. During his journey down, each reveals their real story of how they died, their connection to Will or Shawn, and the lessons they learned from their actions. One even killed the wrong person. And when our story ends, everyone gets off the elevator, and Shawn speaks the only words he says to Will from the 'after': you coming?

A very powerful story that leaves the end handing, leaving the reader to decide what course of action our protagonist takes. It was deep and moving, and shows just how cyclical gun violence can be in some communities. Each character was interwoven with the other and gun violence connected them all. It is also heartbreaking how young Will was but how many people close to him he had still lost to gun violence, especially those close to him. The ambiguous ending allows each reader to create their own ending for Will and his story. And maybe it's the optimist in me, but after seeing Shan cry, I believe Will would have the power to break the rules and not seek revenge.

I forgot to give feedback on this title before it was archived, but I did read this book and REALLY enjoyed it. Jason Reynolds can do no wrong in the eyes of my students, and this is an easy sell in my library! We actually ended up getting a whole class set of it for teachers to borrow and to use for literature circles. The novel version is popular, but this one even moreso because it is so accessible to so many of our more reluctant readers at the high school level.

I love that I can talk to them about the ending and what choice they think the main character made (and why). It’s been a great way to connect with so many students. In fact, the class set novels are most often used for when I do booktalks of this book for classes who come into the library — I always need multiple copies to meet the demand after I give them a taste of the art and the story!

Students loved this easily digestible version of Jason Reynolds's Long Way Down. It is no surprise just how many young people can identify with these themes and it is a HIT for book circles. Highly recommend anything by Jason Reynolds, but this one takes the cake!

Long Way Down the graphic novel is an amazing adaptation of a very important story. Our main character has to decide between breaking the cycle of violence or avenging his brother. On the way down from his apartment, he meets characters on each floor stop in the elevator and has to think about his choices.

A wonderful telling of a horribly tragic story. Grab your Kleenex and snuggle up with this amazing book.

Great version of this story. The artwork adds depth and highlights different understandings of the novel. It brings the poetry to life.

A beautifully illustrated graphic novel adaptation of Jason Reynolds' searing novel-in-verse. The imagery from the original novel is masterfully conveyed.

Oh my gosh....this book is absolutely gorgeous!! I am typically not a fan of graphic novels but Long Way Down blew me away. I loved the original novel in verse but the graphic brings the story to life. Amazing illustrations added to an amazing story!! Multiple copies have been purchased for my high school library.

Long Way Down is just as compelling as a graphic novel as it is in regular verse. Perfect for long-time fans who are familiar with Reynolds and anyone who reads Angie Thomas, Nic Stone, Kwame Alexander, or Jacqueline Woodson. Although the images and added dialogue are not necessarily improvements to the narrative, the added graphics and other visual elements add more complexity, and the emotional beats hit even harder.

Jason Reynolds is a master of writing. Long Way Down was an excellent book written in verse and it's just as amazing as a graphic novel. I purchased it immediately and every student in my class had read it within a week. Stunning!

I loved the original Long Way Down book and was thrilled to hear it was being adapted into a graphic novel. The illustrations were phenomenal and enhanced this terrific story even more.

Long Way Down is always a hit with my students and this adaptation will be too. The poetic nature, story and images create a immersive experience. I would highly recommend for reluctant readers.

Long Way Down is gold. I read it a few years ago and was excited to receive the ebook/graphic novel version. I can't wait to give this book to my nephews. I feel that this book is great for little black boys in my black community.

Amazing!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Thank you so much @SimonAndSchuster & @NetGalley for giving me this eARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 13 October 2020)

SYNOPSIS | Will's older brother (Shawn) has been shot and as per the rules of his neighbourhood he mustn't cry, he mustn't snitch and he must get revenge. The story takes place over 1 minute as he is taking the elevator deciding if he should go after his brothers killer.

WHAT I LIKED:
- the water-colour illustrations were hauntingly beautiful
- the core message of cyclical violence & thinking before you act
- the ending & lack of closure

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- the whole story felt very short but that makes sense as it is a graphic novel

A story of loss and deciding if The Rules are the answer.

Will lost his brother, Shawn, in a drive-by shooting one night on the basketball courts. Following The Rules, Will plans to kill the man who he thinks killed his brother. However, with the gun in his back pocket on the elevator ride down to the lobby, he is visited by ghosts from his past who died following The Rules.

An already popular novel converted into a graphic novel beautifully. The work translates well as a graphic novel and maintains the somberness of the story. The dialogue captures the emotions in the scenes and is reflected in the illustrations of the characters. The colors are muted and moody, reflecting the tone of the story. The pace was well maintained and draws readers into the story with a slow introduction. The ghosts are quickly introduced and the illustrations capture the loss Will feels.

A good alternative to the original novel.

Beautifully illustrated, the graphic version of Long Way Down elevates Reynolds' writing even higher. The story itself shines and with the addition of the illustration the words have a pulse and a beat. Highly recommend.