Long Way Down

Fifteen-year-old Will is full of grief when he gets on the elevator on the 7th floor of his apartment building.  His older brother Shawn is dead, murdered in the street.  Will knows the rules; Shawn taught him a long time ago.  No crying.  No Snitching. Get revenge.

The gun is weighing down the waistband of his jeans that morning as will sets out to take care of number three on that list, but the elevator doors open on another floor to admit someone from the past.  Buck used to look out for Shawn after their father died, so why isn't Will happy to see him?  Buck is dead.

As Buck's cigarette smoke fills the elevator, he talks to Will about how and why and he died.  At first, he's terrified, thinks maybe he's crazy.  But then the doors keep opening admitting more ghosts from his past, victims of gun violence.

As he listens to their stories, he begins to doubt his resolve, and a pattern of revenge based gun violence becomes clear.  The only question now is whether Will will join these ghosts.  It's one minute from the 7th floor to the lobby.  One minute to make the decision of a lifetime.

Jason Reynolds's Newbery and Prince Honor book is a painful and revealing look at the causes and traps of gang violence.  This is an excellent book for discussion.  Recommended for grades 8 and up because of language.