Long Way Down

By: Jason Reynolds

Narrated by: Jason Reynolds

Length: 1 hr and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Jason Reynolds’s Newbery Honor, Printz Honor, and Coretta Scott King Honor–winning, number-one New York Times best-selling novel Long Way Down is now a gripping, galvanizing graphic novel, with haunting artwork by Danica Novgorodoff.

Will’s older brother, Shawn, has been shot. Dead. Will feels a sadness so great, he can’t explain it. But in his neighborhood, there are THE RULES:

No. 1: Crying. Don’t. No matter what.

No. 2: Snitching. Don’t. No matter what.

No. 3: Revenge. Do. No matter what.

But bullets miss. You can get the wrong guy. And there’s always someone else who knows to follow the rules....

©2017 Jason Reynolds (P)2017 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

not to be missed

Much of the power in this poetry lies in the emotional and beautiful narration by the author himself.

great for YA or Book Clubs

Narrated by the author, which I loved. Written in prose, which is cool. Interview with author at the end is helpful!

great story

.took me a second to understand the end. but the story was powerful. I believe YA should be aware of this book. especially black urban youth

Beautiful!

I loved, loved, loved this book. Haunting and creepy, Reynolds tells a complex story in a short time.

Haunting and beautiful

Jason Reynolds is a powerful writer, and hearing him read his own work is a treat. The premise of this story is creative and unexpected. It is poetry in the truest sense of the word.

We should all have and take advantage of the opportunities to glimpse lives different from our own. This book helps to make me a bit more aware of my own misunderstandings and prejudices, and I hope, more empathetic and accepting.

Thank you, Mr. Reynolds.

A Long Way Down

Jason Reynolds has a great narrating voice. His writing has such poetic flow like a good poetry slam. Each character has such personality. How can such a dire story be so entertaining?

Wow

Great story and even better narration, definitely recommend, i felt so many emotions while listening, it was a really great experience

Unique Plot and Format

I listened to this short book on audio, and I think it had a bigger impact on me in this format. The author read the book, which i normally am not a fan of. However, in the interview with the author that is part of this audio book, he explains that he didn't trust the narration to anyone else because the words have to have certain inflects. In this case, I agree with him 100%. His narration added to the impact of the story and he did an excellent job bringing the story to life.

I had a different impression of what the story would be from the description, but I enjoyed it immensely. The story opens with a description of the killing of the main character's brother, along with their life. When he goes to avenge his brother's killing, he meets various people in the elevator from his life and they have discussions relating to his brother.

This was a unique story line, told in an interesting format. I am still pondering the ending, as it leaves some room for interpretation/imagination.

Terrific performance

This will make your commute zip by in no time. Great recording by Interface Media

Amazing and very powerful!!!

Thank you so much for this powerful story and for you being the narrator to perform it. The way that you use the different styles of writing to express the poignant nature of the significance of this story is extremely impactful. You manage to tell a tale that invariably touches the lives of so many in a way that is very thought provoking and in a format that may engage the minds and thoughts of so many that may need to reflect deeper prior to stepping into that elevator/vertical coffin. My wish is that through this book and many of the others you have written/ are yet to write that you may still continue to embrace and reach out to the minds of those who otherwise would not have taken the opportunity to engage in and been touched by your work. I love you Brother.