The Boy in the Black Suit

After losing his mother to cancer, seventeen-year-old Matt Miller takes an after-school job at a local funeral home in Brooklyn. He attends services wearing his signature black suit, finding an unexpected connection to other mourners who are processing their own grief. Matt navigates his new reality while his father struggles to hold things together at home. His friendship with Mr. Ray, the funeral home director, and a chance encounter with a girl named Love help Matt find his footing in a world that feels dramatically altered. Between working at the funeral home, trying to stay on track at school, and discovering new relationships, Matt must find ways to cope with his loss and create a path forward. The streets of Brooklyn serve as the backdrop for his journey through grief and toward healing. The novel explores themes of loss, resilience, and the unexpected ways people find strength and connection during times of profound change. Reynolds crafts an honest portrayal of grief that resonates with both teenage and adult readers.

Readers emphasize the authentic portrayal of grief and healing in this coming-of-age story, with many connecting to Matt's journey through loss. The natural dialogue and Brooklyn setting create a sense of place that resonates with urban teens. Liked: - Realistic depiction of teen male emotions - Strong character development, particularly Matt and Mr. Ray - Balance of heavy themes with moments of humor - Representation of supportive adult figures Disliked: - Slow pacing in first third of book - Some found the ending rushed - Romance subplot feels underdeveloped to some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (500+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 5/5 (parents), 4/5 (kids) One reader noted: "Finally a YA book that shows it's okay for young men to process grief and show emotion." Another mentioned: "The funeral home setting could have been morbid, but Reynolds handles it with care and purpose."

Dear Martin by Nic Stone A Black teen writes letters to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while processing grief, love, and racial injustice in his life.

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds, Brendan Kiely Two teens—one Black, one white—grapple with the aftermath of a violent act of police brutality in their community.

The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore A boy in Harlem uses LEGO building to cope with the death of his brother and navigate the challenges of his neighborhood.

Monster by Walter Dean Myers A 16-year-old on trial for murder processes his experience through a movie script while confronting questions of identity and truth.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds A boy takes a sixty-second elevator ride with the ghosts of his past after his brother's murder.

🔸 Jason Reynolds wrote his first novel at age 9 but didn't read a book cover-to-cover until he was 17, inspiring his mission to write accessible books for young readers 🔸 The funeral home setting was inspired by Reynolds' own experience of losing several friends to violence during his teenage years in Maryland 🔸 This book won the 2016 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent and was named a YALSA 2016 Best Fiction for Young Adults selection 🔸 Reynolds draws from his experience as a former caseworker in Washington, D.C., to create authentic portrayals of teens dealing with difficult life circumstances 🔸 The novel's Brooklyn setting reflects Reynolds' time living there as a young adult, where he worked odd jobs while pursuing his writing career before his breakthrough success