Books Like Long Way Down
Families who loved Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your teenager is processing the heavy weight of community violence, the complexities of grief, or the pressure to conform to unspoken social codes. It is a vital tool for starting deep conversations about the cycle of retaliation and the split second decisions that define a life. The story follows fifteen year old Will as he enters an elevator, gun in hand, intending to avenge his brother's murder. On the way down, he is visited by the ghosts of people he lost to similar violence, each challenging his resolve. While the premise is intense, the graphic novel format and verse structure provide a visceral yet accessible way to explore profound emotional themes of accountability and trauma. It is most appropriate for high schoolers due to its depictions of gun violence and mature themes. Parents might choose this book to help a child understand the human cost of 'the rules' and to encourage them to imagine a different path forward when faced with impossible choices.
