A review by marissasa
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This book written in verse is just as powerful as the first time I read it in graphic novel version. Even without illustrations, the words and their structure paint vivid images of the story being told. The way that every page, every line, and every stanza is formatted so that it never misses a beat and hits you with forceful emotion and the stark realities of gun violence and its impact on young people, is a testament to how talented Jason Reynolds is and how important his works are. It's the kind of story that you won't stop reading until you're completely finished, and that will leave you in awe of how many complex emotions and feelings can be portrayed within the span of the 1 minute in an elevator that the story takes place in.
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