Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Bibliography 

Reynolds, J. (2017). Long way down. Altheneum. ISBN 978-1481438261 

Plot Summary 

Will has a gun in the waistband of his jeans. He is headed out to enforce the rules. 3 rules for the neighborhood. No crying. No snitching. Revenge. Will’s brother was recently murdered, and Will is determined to carry out rule #3-revenge. He steps onto the elevator and has the longest ride of his life.  

As he heads to the lobby the elevator stops on every single floor. People from Will’s past step onto the elevator to offer him advice. The problem is the people are all dead. With each floor a new stop and a new visitor to the elevator.  

Will these people influence Will to continue with his mission to get revenge for his brother’s murder?  

Critical Analysis 

This was my first Jason Reynolds book and I have to say I can’t wait to read another. The subject matter of the book is not a genre that I particularly prefer to read, but the way in which Reynolds writes makes you want to read just for the beauty of the writing. The poetry allows the story to flow so quickly that you are finished with a “floor” or chapter in a matter of minutes.  

When I got to “At the Elevator” I did not realize that there had not been chapter numbers before this and then to go from 7 to 6 made me think something was wrong. He is so very smart to take a story that lasts not even two minutes and fill 230 pages with gripping text. We are introduced to characters that are no longer in Will’s physical world as they have been killed, mostly murdered and they are all in the elevator with Will to discuss what he is about to do when the elevator gets to “L.” We all hope that Will makes the right decision, but is his right the same as the readers?  

Review Excerpts 

“An intense snapshot of the chain reaction caused by pulling a trigger.” —Booklist (starred review) 
“Astonishing.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) 
“A tour de force.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) 
 
A Newbery Honor Book 
A Coretta Scott King Honor Book 
A Printz Honor Book 
A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021) 
A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Winner for Young Adult Literature 
Longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature 
Winner of the Walter Dean Myers Award 
An Edgar Award Winner for Best Young Adult Fiction 
Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winner 
An Entertainment Weekly Best YA Book of 2017 
A Vulture Best YA Book of 2017 
A Buzzfeed Best YA Book of 2017 

Connections 

Books by Jason Reynolds can be found here. This site also has a podcast where Jason and his mom talk about their history together. It can be found at the same site as his books.  

Discussion of rules and choices.  

Writing connection. Write the next scene of Will’s actions at the end of the book.  

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Bibliography 

Thomas, A. (2017). The hate u give. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780062498533 

Plot Summary 

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.  

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.  

But what Starr does – or does not – say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life. 

Critical Analysis 

The Hate U Give is a powerful story about a strong girl, Starr, who lives a double life. Thomas develops Starr’s character well by giving the reader a strong picture of what her life is like at her prestigious school with her well-to-do friends and then gives us the Starr that lives in Garden Heights with the gangs and thugs. Starr is a model of bravery and courage for the readers. Thomas does an exceptional job with developing Starr’s family as well.  

Starr must deal with racism and police brutality in Garden Heights. As a typical teen she is embarrassed by this and hopes that her friends from Williamson Prep do not connect her with the shooting that happened to her friend. The killing of her childhood friend causes her stress and want to make things right. Teens can identify with Starr’s character because Thomas makes her so real. This book is certainly one to get teens talking about issues of racism, bravery, and standing up for what is right.  

Review Excerpts 

Eight starred reviews ∙ William C. Morris Award Winner ∙ National Book Award Longlist ∙ Printz Honor Book ∙ Coretta Scott King Honor Book ∙ Number-One New York Times Best Seller! 

“Absolutely riveting!” (Jason Reynolds) 

“Stunning.” (John Green) 

“This story is necessary. This story is important.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) 

“Heartbreakingly topical.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) 

“A marvel of verisimilitude.” (Booklist, starred review) 

“A powerful, in-your-face novel.” (The Horn Book, starred review) 

Connections 

Books by Angie Thomas can be found here.  

YouTube video by Angie Thomas on diverse literature for young adults.  

This is a great website of a teacher who has used this book in her English class. She lists the pros and cons of using such a controversial book. This provides a wealth of information. https://itslitteaching.com/teaching-the-hate-u-give-a-case-study/ 

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Bibliography  

Yoon, N. (2016). The sun is also a star. Ember. ISBN 9780553496710 

Plot Summary  

Daniel, 18, is the son of Korean immigrants to New York. Next year, he will certainly integrate the prestigious Yale University. 
 
Natasha, 17, arrived from Jamaica ten years ago. Tonight, she may leave the United States forever. 
 
He believes in poetry and love. 
She believes in science and explainable facts. 
 
They have 12 hours to meet, get to know each other, and love each other. 
Beyond the differences. 

Critical Analysis  

Each chapter of this book is from either Daniel or Natasha’s perspective, or we are getting information needed for the story to continue. It almost seems like three shorter stories all interrelated. We see situations from each of the character’s perspective and wish that they would communicate a little better. For example, on page 101 Daniel sees that Natasha opens her hand and he thinks she will take his hand, but instead she walks on down the sidewalk. In the next chapter, from Natasha’s perspective, we learn that she really does want to take his hand but does not. Young adults can recognize themselves in these characters.  

The short chapters keep the story moving along quickly.  

Review Excerpts  

With appeal to cynics and romantics alike, this profound exploration of life and love tempers harsh realities with the beauty of hope in a way that is both deeply moving and satisfying.  Kirkus 

“Fresh and compelling.”  —Horn Book, starred review 

“Lyrical and sweeping, full of hope, heartbreak, fate. . . and the universal beating of the human heart.”  —Booklist, starred review 

Connections  

More books by Nicola Yoon.  

Discussions about immigration. Depending on what part of the country you are in the conversations will be vastly different. Natasha’s immigration story is different than that of people living in south Texas.