Details

Length: 306
Story Build: quick through verse
Character development: solid with personality 
Age Recommendation: 7th grade and up 
Reasoning: brief language, novel is centered around systemic, cyclical violence 

Summary and Review

This was the first book I read by Jason Reynolds, but it hooked me on his writing style immediately. This is a really quick read written in verse form. Reynolds uses both vivid words and the placement on the page to help move the plot forward and also establish his themes of cyclical violence and a need to rise above the established order of things. 

The story centers around Will, a sixteen year old boy, whose older brother, Shawn, was shot and killed in their city community. Will outlines three rules for the reader: 1. You don’t cry. 2. You don’t snitch. 3. You get revenge. 

Therefore, our main character’s plight is revealed: He must seek revenge for his brother’s death. However, this is not something that Reynolds, and therefore, Will, takes lightly. The entire lyrical novel deals with Will’s inner-conflict–should he follow the rules or not? 

The novel takes place in an elevator as Will rides closer and closer to the lobby of his building. As he rides, the elevator stops at various floors as individuals step into the car. But this is where things get interesting… the guests in the elevator are people Will knows and who will work to challenge what he is about to do. 

The book is definitely meant to raise awareness surrounding cyclical violence, especially with young men in minority communities. Reynolds definitely situates the reader in Will’s internal conflict with the rules he was brought up with in his society and what he is really like as a person. The ending will leave you with feelings… just FYI, but it’s so worth the read. 

Celebrations

The text reads quickly, so for hesitant readers, it’s an engaging and suspenseful novel. Reynold’s writing style is beautiful and perfectly clipped for this novel. His lyrical style and the placement of words on the page is purposeful and something to be appreciated and analyzed for what it adds to the themes.

Hesitations

Oy. The ending. But it’s also brilliant.