I knew this story well going into it. I have read the novel numerous times. My husband has read it. My 3 children have read it. I have purchased copies for my children’s friends to read. But as soon as I saw the images of Will on page 7 – pieces… splintered… I was prepared for a fresh look at this very long, very short trip in an elevator.

The illustrations are full of shadow and suggestion, highlighting the text, adding to it. They complement each other well; adding enough of an idea of background as Will encounters figures from his past - Buck, Dani, Uncle Mark, his dad… but not too much as to take away from the readers own vision.

But The Rules are The Rules and this story of evaluation, of contemplation, of Will – so many layers and so much heartache, but still just a boy – is haunting. You are given his background, you are given his mindset, and you are given a glimpse of his heart. You are given a glimpse of how and why it will never end. Brilliantly retold and illustrated, it makes the reader feel the struggle to make sense of the senseless. If that is even possible.

Jason Reynolds is a wonderful author and his books always have such depth. This is such a heartbreaking story, but so so relevant and needed.
This graphic novel is done really well and shows how racism affects so many people, not just the family of the victim.
I had to put this one down and come back to it a few times because it just made me think and was pretty intense too.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! I can't wait to see it and hold the book in my hands when we get here at my library.

This graphic novel adaptation of Jason Reynolds' award winning novel is perfection. The watercolor illustrations really to help bring the story to life even more, perfectly complimenting Reynolds' rich prose. This version is just as powerful, striking, and heartbreaking as the original. I highly recommend this, whether you have read the original novel or not.

Beautiful and brilliant. I loved rereading this story in a new way and I'm so happy to have experienced it this way. I look forward to adding this to my classroom collection. Thank you netgallry for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I read Long Way Down for the first time a few years ago and didn’t think that it could be improved upon in any way—Jason is such an unmatched and powerful voice. I was wrong. It could be improved. This graphic novel is a testament to that. This was absolutely the best graphic novel I have ever read. The illustrations are simply masterful and make this story even more powerful and unforgettable. The choice of watercolor style...the color choices....the paint bleeds and the way it moves from complexity to simplicity and back....this is truly a work of art. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to listen to Jason read this as you take in this graphic novel. I can’t even say more than...read this.

Many thanks to Hear Our Voices Tour, Simon & Schuster, and Athenem/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books for my gifted e-ARC.

This was a powerful and heartbreaking loss about a loss of a brother and the quest for revenge. Will and his mom try to deal with Shawn’s loss to gang rivalry in different ways – his mom turns to bottles and Will gets out Shawn’s gun to go kill who he believes was responsible for Shawn’s death. On his way, he gets into the elevator and during the long ride down, different people come on and they give Will new perspectives and insights.

The peculiar thing about all the fellow passengers is that they’re all dead. They all died as a result of gun violence and gang rivalry, and they’re all related to Will in one way or another. I won’t be giving any more spoilers to who the passengers are, you’ll have to read for yourself to find out. I’m really glad I read this and I believe everyone else should read it, because it’s so important.

One of the central points in this book is a set of rules that’s supposed to guide your reaction to a person getting shot/killed. I felt it was very full of toxic masculinity, as crying is supposed to be a natural and welcome reaction to death and loss.

The illustrations in this book were very beautiful, graphic, and detailed. I highly recommend this book, and everyone should check it out!

The novel takes on a whole new life with this graphic novel. The illustrations are an incredible compliment to what was already the most read book in my classroom library. I will not hesitate to put this into my students' hands.

“The rules weren’t meant to be broken they were mean for the broken to follow”

This is an awesome graphic novel. actually my first one. It digs
deep into the topic of he attempt of being hard in the streets and not only that but the fact that the pattern of violence that keeps going and going. An awful pattern going from friend to friend and generation to generation. I think the elevator with the different floors was symbolic in so many different ways bringing someone back from his past that was in one way or another connected to him and shows just exactly how his actions that he pre planned could be one big mistake. The fact that he reached the lobby and had his brother asking if he was “coming” was saying way much more than just that. Just an excellent graphic novel would love to see more from this author. Thank you @netgalley and @hearourvoicestours for providing this book for an honest review. #netgalley #longwaydown #graphicnovel #ARC

5 stars

I love _Long Way Down_, and I like the graphic novel even more.

The plot and characters are straightforward but interact with complex issues, social structures, relationships, and expectations. While the original is excellent, the added visuals highlight some of the scenes that can be more challenging to visualize, especially for younger readers. The bedroom and elevator scenes are particularly noteworthy in terms of who is present. Also, every image of the sky is incredible. So...basically every page is awesome.

Jason Reynolds is a genius and a central voice of our time, and I really like how the shift into this genre highlights his work instead of overpowers it.

Readers who enjoy the original will find even more texture here. Readers who don't know there is an original...you're in for two treats.

I first read Long Way Down two years ago. At the time, I had just graduated from high school and my daily routine included waking up and reading until my eyes grew too heavy to continue. I read a lot of books that summer, but this one always stuck out to me.

The way that Jason Reynolds crafts a story is absolutely enticing. There's never a dull moment. Each word has an impact. Each scene is to be remembered. Danica Novgorodoff did an amazing job of bringing that to light in her illustrations.

This is a book that needs to be in every middle and high school library. It should hold a spot in classroom libraries. It needs to be accessible to ALL students, especially the ones who can relate to Will's story.

https://educatednegra.blog/

This graphic novel interpretation is just as powerful as the original text. The artwork was beautiful and rich. Brought tears to my eyes again.

I am beginning to think that the best novels to adapt to graphic form are novels in verse, because this was just as wonderful as the graphic novelization of Kwame Alexander's The Crossover. This story was already a gut-punch in its original form. The addition of the art does add something visceral to the narrative, and the art itself is really beautifully done.

Excellence.

Damn. Just as good as the original book, but comes to life with gorgeous watercolor art. Violence begets violence and this book does such a beautiful job of bringing you into a world of a dark legacy. I love the ending, which still gives me chills. I had a teen throw the original book at me once (not hard and he immediately apologized and then we got into a nice discussion) bc he was so emotional about the conclusion. Best compliment I ever received for a recommendation.

The graphic novel will not disappoint. The lush illustrations combined with the elevator ride stand tall. The dialogue is sharp and crisp and the end asks that ever so important question that begs for discussion.