Or i guess we could just read books that already have the discussion guide in the back. Jason reynolds new book follows a 15yearold who must make a. A long way gone by ishmael beah takes us into the depths of the sierra leone civil war, which began in 1991. The first set is for each chapter for students to complete while they are reading. A long way down wikisummaries, free book summaries. Using details revealed in the text, create a character sketch or character collage of the books protagonist. 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. And now comes along nick hornbys only highconcept novel till date a long way down. Gripping, unnerving story of teen boy contemplating revenge. The novel takes a big picture of the life of some of the kids of this neighbourhoods, most of whom live trapped in this atmosphere of darkness and believe theres no way out of it.
Fifteenyearold will holloman is, indeed, a hollow man as suggested by his last name. 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. Will is coming to terms with his brother shawns death. In long way down, the ghosts of gun violence chill a. A long way gone has been heralded as one of the most important war stories of our generation. The following version of this book was used to create this study guide.
Long way down book by jason reynolds official publisher. A long way down by nick hornby book club discussion. 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 questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on a long way down. Long way down was selected with the help and input from students, teachers, and other baltimore community members, and representatives from these groups will lead the conversation around this work. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. People are already discussing the film possibilities for long way down. It is a dark comedy, playing off the themes of suicide, angst, depression and promiscuity. How would you feel to have been depicted in this way. Essay on a long way down 1012 words 5 pages suicide and humor are two words not often associated with each other, but nick hornby takes the pair on in his novel a long way down, a dark comedy about suicide and life after a failed attempt. Will learned the rules from his older brother, shawn. A stellar creepy, engaging, heartbreaking novel in verse, long way down is another example of what author jason reynolds does best. One book baltimore is honored to partner with jason reynolds to engage baltimore city schools students and their communities in the shared experience reading long way down and in the rich conversation about peace and antiviolence that this work invites. Long way down is that surprisingly structured book that will prompt complex discussion and thought.
Fifteenyearold will holloman decided to tell the story of what happened to him immediately following his older brother shawns death. Long way down by jason reynolds one book book discussion. Foster a wholegroup discussion in which students share their workshop investigations and their answers to the question posed by the washington post article. Analyze the following references and write down what this book teaches us about family and community in a war torn envir. Topics about this book topics that mention this book. 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. Published october 24th 2017 by atheneumcaitlyn dlouhy books.
This book guide for long way down by jason reynolds comes with 3 question sets. We will look at themes centered around loss of innocence, loss of family, the all. Jason reynolds talks long way down and writing about gun. 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. Each month we read a diverse book and host a read along on our instagram and have a youtube live. 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. Reynolds elegant verse begs to be read aloud, and teachers will want to discuss what will might have taken away from each ghostly visit. Poets are known for using language intentionally and with precision, often choosing words with connotative and denotative meaning. May 26, 2006 john mullan on readers responses to a long way down by nick hornby.
Plus hearing the figurative language emphasizes its power. The book is a memoir about the children who are trapped in a cycle of brutality and abuse during the sierra leone civil war. Think about the other people in the book besides the author. A long way down summary at wikisummaries, free book. Jan 05, 2018 diversify the verse is a book club created by me and alyxandra ang on youtube and instagram. Long way down is 322 pages long, but its story only lasts a few minutes, the time it takes will to.
Long way down is 322 pages long, but its story only lasts a few minutes, the time it takes will to go from the 6th floor of a building to ground level. 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. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Narrative write a sequel or expand the existing text of long way down by imagining a return trip back up the elevator. In jason reynoldss new novel in verse long way down, it all began with the. 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. Long way down was selected with the help and input from students.
Each month we read a diverse book and host a read along on our instagram and have a youtube. Jun 07, 2005 and now comes along nick hornbys only highconcept novel till date a long way down. Comprehension questions8 studyguide pages featuring questions broken into ch. Download long way down pdf ebook that starts with a tragic yet a vengeful note. Youll get the first email of recommendations from our critics within a week. 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. Baltimore city schools students and their communities in the shared experience. His older brother, shawn, has been shot and killed, and wills sadness over shawns absence is like a tooth that has been ripped. Ive decided to post our monthly book club discussion sheet on my website. Long way down by prolific and award winning authorpoet jason reynolds tackles the troubling issue of gun violence. Unlike a traditional prose novel, long way down is written in verse.
Take our free long way down quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. 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. Why do you think the author chose to tell this story. Brown wingtips, sloppily tied vans canvas classics, sensible old lady shoes, and scuffed boots represent the characters whose accidental meeting on the roof of toppers house in london begins the story. In long way down, the ghosts of gun violence chill.
If you are the publisher or author of this book and feel that the. 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. After 15yearold will sees his older brother, shawn, gunned down on the streets, he sets out to do the. Each characters voice attempts to offer insight into the meaning of life and death. I was asked to choose a book that boys in year 9 grade 8 might enjoy reading together and discussing with members of staff who will read it. The final two words of this novel are explosive, inviting discussion about what comes next, but its the entirety of wills realitybending, expansive 67second descent that makes it possible to wonder.
Readers should take the time to explore the imagery and use of metaphors in the novel. In this novel by british author, nick hornby, who also wrote high fidelity, four strangers meet on new years eve when they all choose the same building roof in london from which to jump. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. The final two words of this novel are explosive, inviting discussion about what comes next, but its the entirety of wills. Book club questions for a long way down by nick hornby.
Aug 18, 2018 while it can be read quickly, long way down challenges readers to really think about these issues in our communities. There is a terrible lack of book club discussion ideas online. Long way down book by jason reynolds official publisher page. Tea her resour e for long way down y jason reynolds anhor text long way down order opies from s ook warehouse. This comprehensive teacher resource collection offers you plenty of materials to help you plan and teach a unit on the book a long way gone. About the book will has known about the rules ever since his childhood friend was killed on the playground, and hes followed the first two. Nov 30, 2019 maria broom, actress and author of the village bully, will lead a lively discussion of jason reynolds novel long way down. In long way down, the ghosts of gun violence chill a plan for.
Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Book club discussion for a long way down by nick hornby. Jason reynolds new novel long way down is focused on a moment of decision. 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. If other people do this, maybe i wont have to come up with the questions all on my own anymore. Long way down became a new york times bestseller and received several prestigious honors in young adult literature, including a newbury honor, a coretta scott king honor, an edgar award, a walter dean myers book award, and a printz honor. John mullan on readers responses to a long way down by nick hornby. 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 of the four main characters, martin, maureen, jess and jj.
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. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Feb 27, 2011 if other people do this, maybe i wont have to come up with the questions all on my own anymore. A long way down is told from the points of view of four very different people who meet on the roof of a london building each planning to commit suicide. From this dubious beginning they form a most unlikely friendship which we see develop from their alternating points of view over 3 months. In this novelinverse, the events are narrated by fifteenyearold william holloman whose nineteenyearold brother shawn was shot and killed the day before. Diversify the verse is a book club created by me and alyxandra ang on youtube and instagram.
Discussion guide for long way down by jason reynolds this. Long way down explores the perpetuation of a cycle of violence and the theme of revenge. Then, there are a set of after reading discussion questions. Long way down by jason reynolds an intense snapshot of the chain reaction caused by pulling a trigger. Maria broom, actress and author of the village bully, will lead a lively discussion of jason reynolds novel long way down. Four very different sets of shoes flank the cover of nick hornbys new novel, a long way down. Discussion guide for long way down enoch pratt library. 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. One book baltimore is honored to partner with jason reynolds to engage. A long way gone in chapter 15, discuss the ways in which the idea of family is configured, reconfigured, challenged and reaffirmed in this book.
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