Cultural pride at every age and stage.
Long Way Down I Jason Reynolds
Couldn't load pickup availability
An ode to Put the Damn Guns Down, this is New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds's electrifying novel that takes place in sixty potent seconds-the time it takes a kid to decide whether or not he's going to murder the guy who killed his brother.
A cannon. A strap.
A piece. A biscuit.
A burner. A heater.
A chopper. A gat.
A hammer
A tool
for RULE
Or, you can call it a gun. That's what fifteen-year-old Will has shoved in the back waistband of his jeans. See, his brother Shawn was just murdered. And Will knows the rules. No crying. No snitching. Revenge. That's where Will's now heading, with that gun shoved in the back waistband of his jeans, the gun that was his brother's gun. He gets on the elevator, seventh floor, stoked. He knows who he's after. Or does he?
As the elevator stops on the sixth floor, on comes Buck. Buck, Will finds out, is who gave Shawn the gun before Will took the gun. Buck tells Will to check that the gun is even loaded. And that's when Will sees that one bullet is missing. And the only one who could have fired Shawn's gun was Shawn. Huh. Will didn't know that Shawn had ever actually USED his gun. Bigger huh. BUCK IS DEAD. But Buck's in the elevator?
Just as Will's trying to think this through, the door to the next floor opens. A teenage girl gets on, waves away the smoke from Dead Buck's cigarette. Will doesn't know her, but she knew him. Knew. When they were eight. And stray bullets had cut through the playground, and Will had tried to cover her, but she was hit anyway, and so what she wants to know, on that fifth floor elevator stop, is, what if Will, Will with the gun shoved in the back waistband of his jeans, MISSES.
And so it goes, the whole long way down, as the elevator stops on each floor, and at each stop someone connected to his brother gets on to give Will a piece to a bigger story than the one he thinks he knows. A story that might never know an END...if Will gets off that elevator.
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.
FREE SHIPPING
FREE SHIPPING
Enjoy fast, reliable delivery straight to your door at no extra cost on qualifying orders.
CURATED FOR AUTHENTIC REPRESENTATION
CURATED FOR AUTHENTIC REPRESENTATION
Each book is thoughtfully selected to reflect diverse voices and empower children with stories that matter.
AGE-AND THEME-ORGANIZED
AGE-AND THEME-ORGANIZED
Find the perfect book tailored to your child’s age, interests, and identity, making storytime meaningful and engaging.
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AND BIPOC AUTHORS
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AND BIPOC AUTHORS
Your purchase helps amplify underrepresented voices and supports creators who bring fresh perspectives to children’s literature.
Every child deserves to see themselves in the books they read.
You know that feeling when your kid sees themselves in a book and suddenly walks a little taller? That’s what we’re here for. Our curated collection is handpicked for one purpose: to help every child feel seen, celebrated, and inspired to dream big—no more endless scrolling or settling for stories that fall short. Here, every book is chosen to nurture confidence, empathy, and cultural pride.
Meet the Founder
Hi, children’s book lover! I’m Kanika.
I searched everywhere for children’s books that reflected my students-books, where kids of color were the main characters and not the sidekicks or background. When I say representation, I mean real, joyful, everyday stories written by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) authors who’ve lived them. I honestly couldn’t find enough, so I created a bookstore that could.
After families discover our collection, they often say how badly they wish they had books like this when they were kids. See what it’s like when a child opens a book and sees themselves as the hero, and you can finally get what you needed too.
-
Curated for Every Stage
Our bookshop replaces overwhelm with ease: intentional, pre-vetted, and organized by what actually matters who your kids are becoming.
-
Building Empathy & Cultural Pride
Each book is selected to stretch empathy, self-awareness, and cultural pride at every age and stage.
-
Stories They’ll Return To
Our books are revisited again and again, with age-appropriate themes that build emotional intelligence, identity, and curiosity.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHY FOCUS ON BIPOC AUTHORS AND CHARACTERS?
Focusing on BIPOC characters and authors is vital because children’s books shape how kids see themselves and the world. For too long, children of color have been underrepresented, leaving them feeling unseen and undervalued during crucial developmental years.
By highlighting authentic BIPOC voices, we empower kids to embrace their identities, build self-esteem, and develop a love of reading. These diverse stories also help all children grow in empathy and confidence, while making it easier for parents and educators to find meaningful, representative books. Every child deserves to see their story matter.
WHAT AGES OR GRADE LEVELS ARE YOUR BOOKS FOR?
Stories of a Colorful World curates books for a wide range of ages, from babies and toddlers (board books) to older children (young adults), ensuring options for every stage of reading.
HOW DO YOU SELECT THE BOOKS YOU CARRY?
We carefully research, source, and test every book to ensure it offers quality, authentic representation, and engaging stories that help children grow into confident, lifelong learners. Our selection includes titles from both traditional publishers and independent authors, giving you access to a wide and meaningful range of books.
Each book we carry must pass a simple but powerful checklist:
- Am I proud to give this to my child?
- Does this story reflect us or expand our view of others?
- Would I recommend this to another conscious parent or teacher?
- Does it feel like something we’ll keep, not just consume?
This approach ensures that every book on our shelves is one we truly believe in—stories that inspire pride, empathy, and lasting value for families and communities.
DO YOU OFFER SUGGESTIONS FOR SPECIFIC INTERESTS OR READING LEVELS?
Absolutely! We’d love to help you find the perfect books tailored to your child’s interests and reading level.
Just reach out anytime on the contact page for personalized recommendations, order support, or to inquire about community partnerships book fairs and bulk orders.
DO YOU HOST BOOK FAIRS?
For sure! Hosting book fairs is one of our favorite things to do. We offer both in-person and virtual book fairs. Right now, our in-person fairs are available in the NY, NJ, and CT area, but we can host virtual fairs anywhere in the US.
Feel free to contact us for more details—we’d love to bring the joy of diverse stories to your community!
DO YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?
Currently, we do not offer international shipping. We’re focused on serving customers within the U.S. but hope to expand our reach in the future. If you have any questions or need recommendations, please feel free to reach out!