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Quick answer: If you finished Long Way Down, try All American Boys, Ghost Boys, The Hate U Give, Punching the Air, Dear Martin and The Poet X. They are powerful stories about violence, grief and choices, many told in verse.
Jason Reynolds's 2017 novel in verse takes place in the sixty seconds of an elevator ride, as 15-year-old Will decides whether to avenge his brother's shooting. It is short, tense and unforgettable. Readers who finish it want more verse novels and honest stories about young people facing violence. These 15 books suit ages 13 and up. They deal with heavy topics.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghost | Jason Reynolds | 10-14 | more Reynolds |
| All American Boys | Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely | 13+ | readers who want a two-sided story |
| Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You | Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi | 12+ | readers who want nonfiction |
| Ghost Boys | Jewell Parker Rhodes | 10-14 | readers ready for a hard topic |
| The Hate U Give | Angie Thomas | 14+ | readers who want a modern classic |
| Dear Martin | Nic Stone | 14+ | readers who want a hard-hitting story |
| Punching the Air | Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam | 13+ | readers who like verse |
| The Poet X | Elizabeth Acevedo | 14+ | readers who like poetry |
| Clap When You Land | Elizabeth Acevedo | 14+ | readers who like verse |
| Brown Girl Dreaming | Jacqueline Woodson | 9-13 | poetry fans |
| The Crossover | Kwame Alexander | 10-14 | sports and verse fans |
| Monster | Walter Dean Myers | 13+ | readers who like unusual formats |
| Tyler Johnson Was Here | Jay Coles | 14+ | readers who want a contemporary story |
| Out of Darkness | Ashley Hope Pérez | 15+ | older teens |
| Home of the Brave | Katherine Applegate | 8-12 | younger readers |
1. Ghost by Jason Reynolds
Castle “Ghost” Cranshaw joins a track team and learns to run toward his future. The first book in the Track series, gentler but moving.
Best for: more Reynolds.
2. All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
A white teen and a Black teen face the aftermath of a police beating. Told in alternating voices.
Best for: readers who want a two-sided story.
3. Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
A young readers' remix of Kendi's history of racist ideas. Clear, direct and engaging.
Best for: readers who want nonfiction.
4. Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Jerome, a twelve-year-old Black boy, is killed by a police officer and becomes a ghost. Serious and moving.
Best for: readers ready for a hard topic.
5. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Starr witnesses the shooting of her friend by a police officer and decides to speak up. A powerful, widely read novel.
Best for: readers who want a modern classic.
6. Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Justyce writes letters to Dr. King after a violent encounter with police. Short and gripping.
Best for: readers who want a hard-hitting story.
7. Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam
Amal is wrongly convicted and uses art and poetry to survive. A verse novel co-written by a member of the Exonerated Five.
Best for: readers who like verse.
8. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Xiomara finds her voice through slam poetry. A verse novel and National Book Award winner.
Best for: readers who like poetry.
9. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Two sisters, one in New York and one in the Dominican Republic, learn about each other after their father dies in a plane crash. A verse novel.
Best for: readers who like verse.
10. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Woodson tells her childhood in verse. A National Book Award winner, personal and lyrical.
Best for: poetry fans.
11. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Twin basketball stars deal with family and loss, told in verse. A Newbery winner.
Best for: sports and verse fans.
12. Monster by Walter Dean Myers
Steve Harmon, a teen on trial for murder, writes his story as a screenplay. Powerful and a Printz winner.
Best for: readers who like unusual formats.
13. Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles
Marvin's twin brother disappears and is found dead after a police encounter. Moving and honest.
Best for: readers who want a contemporary story.
14. Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez
A romance between a Mexican American girl and a Black boy in 1937 Texas ends in tragedy. Mature and powerful.
Best for: older teens.
15. Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate
Kek, a boy from Sudan, adjusts to life in Minnesota. A gentle verse novel for younger readers.
Best for: younger readers.
How to Choose
For more Reynolds, begin with Ghost or All American Boys. For verse novels, read The Poet X, Punching the Air or The Crossover. For stories about police violence, choose The Hate U Give, Dear Martin or Ghost Boys. A simple plan is to follow a heavy book with a gentler one, and discuss with a friend or teacher. These books include gun violence, racism and grief.
Related: The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday: Summary and Key Takeaways · Long Island by Colm Toibin Book Club Discussion Questions (With Summary and Themes)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Long Way Down about?
It takes place during one elevator ride as Will thinks about whether to avenge his brother's death.
Is it written in verse?
Yes, it is a novel in free verse, which makes it short and fast.
What age is it for?
It is recommended for ages 13 and up.
Is there a graphic novel?
Yes. A graphic novel edition with art by Danica Novgorodoff came out in 2020, and the book is widely taught in schools.