Fall 2021: Wild Readers Group 5 discussion

The book I chose for this review was "Long Way Down" by Jason Reynolds. I actually really enjoyed the way this book was written. Reynolds wrote it in a verse style, it was like a long poem.
This book is about a teen boy who witnesses his brothers murder in the neighborhood they live in with their single mother. From the get go, you learn that the area where they live is not safe. Crime is so common that people don't react to murder scenes.
Will was very close to his brother and knows that he must "follow the rules." This meant taking care of the person who killed his brother. But it is very clear that Will is not the type of person to get caught up in this type of world, but feels that he must do what he was taught.
"Long Way Down" represents the journey he takes in the elevator from the floor of his family apartment to the lobby with a loaded gun in his waste band, on his way to find the man who he thinks killed his brother. During his time in the elevator you learn so much about his family history, and those who fell victim to the same crime his brother experienced the evening before.
I highly enjoyed this book and felt that it was an easy read. If I were a high school English teacher I might consider this book as a class assignment...It could be disturbing to some teens but could really reach others in an impactful way. This book took a turn that I was really not expecting (I don't want to spoil it...those who join him in the elevator are not who I expected!) I don't think I have ever experienced a bigger cliffhanger from any book in my life! It really threw me for a loop; I sat there irritated for a minute afterwards and then realized how cool that was. It allowed me to put so much extra thought into the story. Instead of just closing the book and being done with it, it sat with me for awhile! I think that is so awesome! It left me wanting more, so I did a little research and discovered that this book is actually a play! I would LOVE to see it!
Honestly, if you enjoy crime books or want a simple read, I would recommend this book! It was sad, interesting, and sweet in so many different ways!