In Jason Reynolds' latest masterpiece, LONG WAY DOWN, readers follow Will, whose brother has just been murdered, on an elevator ride as he tries to figure out what it means to be a man, a brother, and a friend. On his way down, he must decide whether or not to get deadly revenge on the person who killed his brother.

While I have loved all the previous books of Reynolds' that I've read, LONG WAY DOWN is something new from the beloved author: a novel told in verse. The poetry sings off the page, and the powerful scenes between Will and his 'ghosts' will stab you right in the heart. As with most novels that are told in such a tight space of time, the tension is nearly unbearable, and readers may wish to block off a couple of hours to read LONG WAY DOWN in its entirety. With the verse format, this makes for a quick, but emotionally lasting, read.

My favorite aspect of LONG WAY DOWN is the theme of justice. In Will's world, and in his brother's, justice looks a certain way. But as Will talks with each person from his past who appears in the elevator, that brand of justice may have helped lead to his brother's death in the first place. At the same time, there are layers of family, respect, and masculinity that all collide in Will's head and heart, causing his decision to be as difficult as it is monumental.

Previous fans of Reynolds will have no trouble marking LONG WAY DOWN as another top-pick with its heavy emotion, tense scenes, and beautiful language. Given the length of the story and the contemporary themes, LONG WAY DOWN is also an ideal selection for reluctant readers.