Why I Chose to Read Long Way Down

Having lived in a house with a sweeping view of Columbine High School from my backyard in 1999, it’s hard not to be curious about gun rights in the U.S.A. I picked up this book hoping to diversify my perspective on national viewpoints. Long Way Down addresses gun violence and has strong critical acclaim.

Teaching Considerations

Audience: Booksellers list this as “ages 12 and up.” The book has next to no profanity. It navigates violence in society with grace, avoiding graphic details. It’s a quick read and relatable for teens who are beginning to really embrace autonomy in big and small life decisions.

Key Themes: cycles of violence, trauma, masculinity, community, and choice vs. destiny.

Instructional Ideas:

STRUCTURE

Long Way Down is a structural masterpiece. The elevator floors serve as a mechanism to introduce new characters, press down deeper into Will’s history, and keep readers rooting for Will to prove he’s not an “L” button loser. For 230 pages, the ticking seconds add up to a single minute, keeping readers engaged.

CHARACTER

Who is Will? Why do we root for him? Which of his flaws does this text take a magnifying glass to? What tools does the author use to flesh out this character?

TWISTS

With every new floor traveled and character introduced, the author pulls readers in closer by revealing shocking, heartwrenching details about the characters, the story, and the plot.

THE ENDING

Why might an author end a book with a question instead of a rigid conclusion?

*Note: The back of this book includes a great reading group guide from Simon & Schuster.

Key Excerpts

“Shawn.” – page 12

A single word on an otherwise empty page, sealed with a period, to show gravity.

“THANK YOU

THANK YOU

THANK YOU

THANK YOU

THANK YOU

THANK YOU

THANK YOU

HAVE A NICE DAY” – page 24

Repetition as an emotional force.

“A WARM SENSATION” – page 230

The protagonist’s lowest point.

“this cell

this coffin

this elevator“ – page 302

One of many lessons in symbolism. (Will, Pop, the middle drawer, the “L” button, smoke, beef, etc.)

My Thoughts and Reflections

★★★★★

This was a quick, heartwrenching read. I enjoyed the rythm of the book and the creativity of its thoughtful structure. I also appreciate its universal message to young adults about the difficulty and necessity of choosing the best path forward for yourself, despite peer, family, society, and generational pressures. It’s an emotional read with a shocking ending that’s guaranteed to get students thinking and (hopefully) talking. I see this as an important text, one that will open the conversation about gun violence in schools the U.S.

Topics/Ideas/Books/Authors I’m Curious About As a Result of Reading Long Way Down

I want to read more of Jason Reynolds’ work! Many of his books are critically acclaimed, which doesn’t surprise me after finishing Long Way Down. He writes deep, thought-provoking stories for young people, and often teams with illustrators for graphic collaborations, such as Stuntboy and Spider-Man.

I’d also be interested in reading more YA books that address gun violence from different perspectives. If there was anything that would make me hesitate to make teaching an occupation, it’s school shootings. However, I have two kids in school, and how can I expect them to attend while I hold tight to debilitating fear?