I’ve just been hit upside the head.
Long Way Down is excellent as a novel.
But the power of the images in this graphic novel adaptation—
the way Jason Reynolds’ words and Danica Novgorodoff’s illustrations complement each other— brings a fresh and hard-hitting urgency to the original.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster and to NetGalley for the advance readers copy.

Jason's writing is always a step (or several) above the rest. This powerful story is now that much more powerful for the strong illustrations. This is a book all schools and libraries should purchase. I'm so glad this will reach even more people, particularly kids who are wary of reading traditional novels but enjoy graphic novels and comic books.

Mr. Jason Reynolds words with Danica Novgorodoff's artistry is amazing! The struggle the main character goes through is even more apparent with the visual context. Wonderfully done.

This graphic novel version of Long Way Down is very powerful. This book is important and now can be experienced by even more readers. I will be adding a copy of this to my school library as soon as possible and will be recommending it to students and colleagues.

Just when you think perfect can’t get any better... The illustrations accompanying Jason Reynolds’ amazing verse pump the emotional intensity of this story up tenfold. Brilliant.

Long Way Down will be a literary classic 10 years down the road, and this graphic novel will be right beside it. The novel told the same story but added a more poignant feel of the cramped coffin-like elevator in a way I could not imagine it before. This will be a huge hit with my teens eager for more Jason Reynolds.

The novel in verse, Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds was a gripping and powerful story. When a graphic novel of the same story was to be release, I was intrigued to see a visual interpretation of this great book.

Where do I begin? The original novel in verse was moving created a lot of discussion amongst those who read it at my school. I suggested it to many students and the topic, although challenging to discuss brought teachers and students together. The graphic novel, in my opinion is far more moving. The water colors are just wonderfully done and story is so much stronger with the images attached. I didn't think that the graphic novel would capture the story and was concerned that the art would take away from it. I was completely wrong. The artist, Danica Novgorodoff, did an excellent job and although I would not say the graphic novel is better than the novel in verse, it is just as good!

Jason Reynolds is a powerful storyteller. Long Way Down was the first novel I read by him and it lead me to grab other books from my library stacks that he had authored. Overall, the story still stand strong and the illustrations just enhance the book. I don't like to say that I love this book because of the material it covers, but I do think Jason Reynolds is an amazing author and I look forward to reading his books in the future. Will also keep an eye out for graphic novels illustrated by Danica Novgorodoff.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division and Netgalley for this ARC. I am looking forward to sharing this story with my students (and teachers) at school when it is officially released!

I equally love both versions. Love how the illustrations bought the story to life. Fantastic novel. Buy all the copies Oct. 13!

WOW! This graphic novel adaptation knocks it out of the park. The illustrations are stunning and capture the mood perfectly. Can’t wait to recommend this to my students.

Better left to imagination

I loved the book. I actually listened to the audio version which was so well done. I could see the characters in my mind. I don’t like the cartoonish look of the graphic novel. This is such a serious, heavy read and the graphics don’t seem to represent the story well. I would rather read and imagine on my own, in this particular case.

I thought the illustrators did a great job translating Reynolds' book into a graphic novel version. There were many visual and artistic choices that brought the story to life. (But honestly, the novel is still better, in my opinion, and I would be more likely to continue to recommend the original version to my high school readers, even the reluctant ones).
Thanks for the ARC!

AHHH!! Long awaited and much appreciated graphic novel edition of celebrated author Jason Reynold's Long Way Down. I have both read the story a couple times and listened to the author read it too, so I could simply enjoy the illustrations and color contrast within the pages while I skimmed the story. The illustrations vary between color and monochromatic and are grave yet not graphic. The color of the text varies a little as well - from light gray to black. Is the author/illustrator's intent to highlight inner monologue or offer contrast within the page for the reader to pick up cues? I can't wait to get a couple copies of this graphic novel on my shelf. Thanks to #netgalley for the opportunity to preview the graphic jovel #LongWayDown by Jason Reynolds. I definitely am looking forward to other works - Ghost series - being made into this format.

I loved the book when it first came out and I love the graphic novel even more, if that’s possible. The book in its original form is powerful, which you know if you’ve read it. However, reading the graphic novel with the same words but putting a face to the characters and the situations makes it even much harder to read, much more emotional. Jason just keeps on coming for our souls.

I loved the original told in verse by Jason Reynolds and the graphic novel version does a beautiful job of depicting the book and was exactly how I visualized it in my head. The graphic novel captures all the essential elements presented in a new and dynamic way. Long Way Down is the heartbreaking tale of a young man visited by spirits of his past as he in on the brink of making a life changing decision to avenge his brother's death. My favorite aspect was the imagery of the elevator and his encounters with significant people in his life on each level.

The illustrations are GORGEOUS at times haunting. The illustrations make the book that much more powerful. This is a great, accessible format so all students can enjoy and learn from this book.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Okay. I did not think that Long Way Down could get any more enticing and moving than the original. I was wrong. This graphic novel blends the beautifully written book with beautifully illustrated pages. It made it even more visceral and stunning to read. I read the original book last year to be able to book talk it for my students. I did not know it would affect me in the way that it did. It's one that I think about pretty consistently and I always recommend to the students. I know we will be purchasing this for the library in addition to the copies of the original book. I definitely recommend this to any and all, It's a great and important read to discuss many current topics.

By now, almost everyone in the world knows that Jason Reynolds is an all-star, an essential and important voice in the world of books for young people. This graphic adaptation of LONG WAY DOWN is stunning. The combination of Reynolds' powerful text and Novgorodoff's art is a gut-wrenching story of a violent cycle of anger and fear and revenge. A must-buy for any public or school library.

I knew this story well going into it. I have read the novel numerous times. My husband has read it. My 3 children have read it. I have purchased copies for my children’s friends to read. But as soon as I saw the images of Will on page 7 – pieces… splintered… I was prepared for a fresh look at this very long, very short trip in an elevator.

The illustrations are full of shadow and suggestion, highlighting the text, adding to it. They complement each other well; adding enough of an idea of background as Will encounters figures from his past - Buck, Dani, Uncle Mark, his dad… but not too much as to take away from the readers own vision.

But The Rules are The Rules and this story of evaluation, of contemplation, of Will – so many layers and so much heartache, but still just a boy – is haunting. You are given his background, you are given his mindset, and you are given a glimpse of his heart. You are given a glimpse of how and why it will never end. Brilliantly retold and illustrated, it makes the reader feel the struggle to make sense of the senseless. If that is even possible.

Jason Reynolds is a wonderful author and his books always have such depth. This is such a heartbreaking story, but so so relevant and needed.
This graphic novel is done really well and shows how racism affects so many people, not just the family of the victim.
I had to put this one down and come back to it a few times because it just made me think and was pretty intense too.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! I can't wait to see it and hold the book in my hands when we get here at my library.

This graphic novel adaptation of Jason Reynolds' award winning novel is perfection. The watercolor illustrations really to help bring the story to life even more, perfectly complimenting Reynolds' rich prose. This version is just as powerful, striking, and heartbreaking as the original. I highly recommend this, whether you have read the original novel or not.