Dramatize through the presence of new ghosts who usher in new or revised rules how will has been altered by the decision to either enact revenge by killing riggs or by some alternate decision he may have. Told in short, fierce staccato narrative verse, long way down is a fast and furious, dazzlingly brilliant look at teenage gun violence, as could only be told by jason reynolds. A long way down is a novel written by british author nick hornby, published in 2005. The theme is very clear throughout the novel, but i have chosen this passage from the ending of the book, on page 254. In long way down, the ghosts of gun violence chill a. Jason reynolds is the new york times bestselling author of all american boys, the track series, long way down, for everyone, and miles moralesspiderman he is an american author who writes novels and poetry for young adult and middlegrade audiences, including ghost, a national book award finalist for young peoples literature born in washington, dc and raised in. The underwriting throughout the book is the question of whether or not to kill ones self. By the way, jason reynolds narrates the audio book for long way down and hes got such a honey baritone that makes the story come alive. I will focus mostly on the last theme in this short analysis. The main themes in a long way down is suicide, depression and that there is always hope. Jan 04, 2018 long way down raises the awareness of victor frankls teachings from his incredibly important and timeless book, mans search for meaning. Guardianjason reynolds is a literary genius who gives voice to a generation. Thats what fifteenyearold will has shoved in the back waistband. As well, im always looking for a better way to do the things i think are important.
This novel falls under our definition of discussion starters. His older brother, shawn, has been shot and killed, and wills sadness over shawns absence is like a tooth that has been ripped. Long way down themes from litcharts the creators of. Apr 27, 2018 the life that reynolds writes about in long way down is very far removed from the life my students lead. Oct 30, 2017 in long way down, the ghosts of gun violence chill a plan for revenge jason reynolds new book follows a 15yearold who must make a crucial decision after the murder of his brother, all in the. Published october 24th 2017 by atheneumcaitlyn dlouhy books. In long way down, a griefstricken and confused 15yearold in the projects has a desperate choice to make after the death of his brother long way down by jason reynolds. The inhumanity of war and the loss of innocence in a long way gone the impact of revenge in war as. His 2017 book long way down was named a newbery honor book by the american library association, as well as a michael l. The entire book takes place over 60 seconds of the main characters life, enough time for him to question everything hes been taught and change his life forever. But as he takes the elevator down, with a gun tucked in his pants, it stops on each floor and a ghost from wills past enters, all victims of gun violence, but will that be enough to change his mind. A stellar creepy, engaging, heartbreaking novel in verse, long way down is another example of what author jason reynolds does best. It is a dark comedy, playing off the themes of suicide, angst, depression and promiscuity the story is written in the firstperson narrative from the points of view.
Shawn turned back toward me, eyes dull from death but shining from tears, finally. Long way down is that surprisingly structured book that will prompt complex discussion and thought. Plus hearing the figurative language emphasizes its power. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in long way down, which you. Jason reynolds new novel long way down is focused on a moment of decision. A cure for unhappiness is happiness is one of the themes of this novel. His books inspiration often include his family and the people he often meets. In long way down, the ghosts of gun violence chill a plan for. The cure for boredom is purpose is another theme in this novel. Since then, it has become hard to find a jester who wants. Get revenge decides to murder the suspect with the help of his brothers gun.
Jason reynolds new novel long way down is a study in restriction the book, which was longlisted for the 2017 national book award in young peoples literature, outlines a single minute in the. This is only the first part of wills journeyonce he reaches the lobby, his plan is to avenge the death of his older brother, shawn, who was shot the night before in what was likely a gangrelated incident. Oct 29, 2018 the team behind long way down adapted reynolds book with care. Feb 07, 20 the main themes in a long way down is suicide, depression and that there is always hope.
Explore part of our ongoing series weaving the newbery awards titles into your classrooms literacy journey. Its a long way down from the eighth floor to the lobby, but it only takes seven floors, 60 seconds and six ghosts to make him question his quest for revenge. Youll get the first email of recommendations from our critics within a week. While it can be read quickly, long way down challenges readers to really think about these issues in our communities. Like the rest of his generation, the hero of sebastian barrys fourth novel was born at the wrong time, in the dying days of the century.
Theme and message in a long way down the book blogging project. Printz honor book, the organizations award for young adult literature. This 27page guide for long way down by jason reynolds includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 7 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections. In long way down, the ghosts of gun violence chill a plan for revenge jason reynolds new book follows a 15yearold who must make a crucial decision after the murder of his brother, all in the. Theme and message in a long way down the book blogging. Compare the development of these themes in reynoldss novel to a classic revenge story like romeo and juliet, hamlet, the iliad, or the count of monte cristo. The theme of loyalty and revenge in long way down from. Long way down explores the perpetuation of a cycle of violence and the theme of revenge. When shawn is shot and killed, wills grief is trapped behind a wall of unshed tears. Long way down is powerful, beautiful, and will stay with you long after wills journey ends. Children in war a long way gone is the autobiography of a boy soldier, ishmael beah, who as a boy was afflicted by and then coerced to participate in the sierra leone civil war as a boy soldier.
Newberyinspired poetry and journal activities for high school. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in a long way gone, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Long way down book by jason reynolds official publisher. Long way down has one main setting in this story, an elevator. Long way down is an elegantly crafted work by a writer who understands the tragedy of this subject. Jason reynolds talks long way down and writing about gun. His novel the a long way down has received the whitbread novel award. In his eagerly awaited fourth novel, new york timesbestselling author nick hornby mines the hearts and psyches of four lost souls who connect just when theyve reached the end of the line. A long way gone by ishmael beah takes us into the depths of the sierra leone civil war, which began in 1991. Long way down is focused on a moment of decision, it takes place in an elevator. But i guess not surprising, which i guess is even stranger, and even sadder. After 15yearold will sees his older brother, shawn, gunned down on the streets, he sets out to do the.
A long way down themes contemporary existentialism and suicide the underwriting throughout the book is the question of whether or not to kill ones self. The third rule states, if someone you love gets killed, find the person who killed them and kill them 33. An ode to put the damn guns down, this is national book award finalist and new york times bestseller jason reynoldss fiercely stunning novel that takes. The following activities are designed for high school language arts or writing classes. But people get in the way of his plan in the elevator. The book long way down by jason reynolds is a unique free verse poetry book. Use long way down, the 2018 newbery honorwinning book by jason reynolds, to build poetry and writing skills and inspire selfdiscovery through journaling. Long way down tells the story of will, a 15yearold boy riding the elevator in his apartment building down to the lobby.
From the thoughtful sound design by nick hernandez, who chose songs for different characters based on vibrations, to the imaginative set by tony cisek, who managed to make the inside of an elevator fantastical and haunting through projections and an inventive design, the. Jason reynolds, long way down long way down is a novel written in verse that tells the story of fifteenyearold will who seeks to venge his murdered brother shawn. Jason reynolds, in this verse novel as well as in ghost, patina, and when i was the greatest, succeeds in making a foreign culture foreign to white midwesterners, at least somewhat understandable. He has received many awards including the ala best books for yong adults award. The story is written in the firstperson narrative from the points of view of the four main characters, martin, maureen, jess and jj. Jason reynolds is the new york times bestselling author of all american boys, the track series, long way down, for everyone, and miles moralesspiderman he is an american author who writes novels and poetry for young adult and middlegrade audiences, including ghost, a national book award finalist for young peoples literature. Long way down themes from litcharts the creators of sparknotes. Willteenager, tries to murder the one who killed his brother or take revenge at least. Narrative write a sequel or expand the existing text of long way down by imagining a return trip back up the elevator. The life that reynolds writes about in long way down is very far removed from the life my students lead. In this elevator, will, the main character, is greeted by. This study guide consists of approximately 48 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of long way down.
It is good story along with the themes of change, suicide, obsessiveness, being a loser, depression, life and death. Readers should take the time to explore the imagery and use of metaphors in the novel. A long way gone themes from litcharts the creators of. Reynolds elegant verse begs to be read aloud, and teachers will want to discuss what will might have taken away from each ghostly visit. Pg wodehouse may have been the last lightcomic writer to be comfy in his pigeonhole. Will learned the rules from his older brother, shawn. It happens in an elevator teenaged will is on his way to. Apr 12, 2018 use long way down, the 2018 newbery honorwinning book by jason reynolds, to build poetry and writing skills and inspire selfdiscovery through journaling. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of a long way gone. Intense, hilarious, provocative, and moving, a long way down is a novel about suicide that is, surprisingly, full of life. A hammer a tool for rule or, you can call it a gun. They have a very hollywoodinfluenced idea of what that life might be like, and i think this book shows them more than that. A long way gone essays are academic essays for citation.
Oct 24, 2017 jason reynolds new novel long way down is a study in restriction the book, which was longlisted for the 2017 national book award in young peoples literature, outlines a single minute in the. The team behind long way down adapted reynolds book with care. This study guide consists of approximately 48 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis. Fifteenyearold will holloman is, indeed, a hollow man as suggested by his last name. Spare, laserfocused verse from awardwinning us author jason reynolds is interspersed with chris priestleys tenebrous illustrations in the intensely powerful long way down. It is a dark comedy, playing off the themes of suicide, angst, depression. Oct 28, 2019 his 2017 book long way down was named a newbery honor book by the american library association, as well as a michael l. In long way down, the ghosts of gun violence chill. An arc of long way down by jason reynolds was provided to me. By the way, jason reynolds narrates the audiobook for long way down and hes got such a honey baritone that makes the story come alive. It is a dark comedy, playing off the themes of suicide, angst, depression and promiscuity. The theme of repeating mistakes emphasizes the repetitive nature of shootings, violence, and deaths in wills neighborhood. Julia walton is the author of the youngadult novel words on bathroom walls published by random. The person who thinks there is no quality literature for a young audience would be hard pressed to find something to dismiss about jason reynolds book.