Long Way Down

About this book

Told in verse over the sixty seconds of a single elevator ride, Jason Reynolds's novel follows fifteen-year-old Will as he sets out to avenge his brother's shooting under the neighborhood's unwritten rules. At each floor a figure from his past steps on, forcing Will to reckon with the cycle of violence he is about to continue. A Newbery, Printz, and Coretta Scott King Honor book, it is widely assigned in grades 7-12 for its spare, high-impact form.

Why widely assigned

This Young Adult Fiction title, reads at middle-grade prose complexity, typically at grades 7–12. Written in the 2010s; pairs with curriculum units on grief and revenge.

Where this book is assigned

No curriculum assignments on file yet.

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Common questions

What grade level is Long Way Down?

Long Way Down is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 7–12, with a Lexile measure of 720L. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.

What is the Lexile level of Long Way Down?

Long Way Down has a Lexile measure of 720L according to MetaMetrics. Lexile measures text complexity, not content maturity — check the grade range and content notes separately for age-appropriateness.

How long does it take to read Long Way Down?

It takes about 5h 50m to read Long Way Down (320 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 350 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

Is Long Way Down hard to read for 7th grade?

At 720L, Long Way Down reads below the typical 925–1185L text-complexity range for 7th grade (Common Core Appendix A). It is an accessible read for the grade — often assigned for its themes and discussion value rather than for reading challenge. Lexile measures text complexity, not thematic maturity — check the content notes for age-appropriateness separately.

Is Long Way Down banned in schools?

Long Way Down does not appear in PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. No documented multi-district removals on record, but individual districts may challenge titles locally.