The Boy in the Black Suit

By: Jason Reynolds

Narrated by: Corey Allen

Just when 17-year-old Matt thinks he can't handle one more piece of terrible news, he meets a girl who’s dealt with a lot more - and who just might be able to clue him in on how to rise up when life keeps knocking him down - in this wry, gritty novel from the author of When I Was the Greatest. Matt wears a black suit every day. No, not because his mom died - although she did, and it sucks. But he wears the suit for his gig at the local funeral home, which pays way better than the Cluck Bucket, and he needs the income since his dad can’t handle the bills (or anything, really) on his own. So while Dad's snagging bottles of whiskey, Matt's snagging fifteen bucks an hour. Not bad. But everything else? Not good. Then Matt meets Lovey. She's got a crazy name, and she's been through more crazy than he can imagine. Yet Lovey never cries. She's tough. Really tough. Tough in the way Matt wishes he could be. Which is maybe why he's drawn to her, and definitely why he can't seem to shake her. Because there's nothing more hopeful than finding a person who understands your loneliness - and who can maybe even help take it away.

©2015 Jason Reynolds (P)2015 Recorded Books

great book

wonderful story teller good character development I loved the love story I love the strong black men and the it's alright to not be alright

Great Book

I loved this book, but the narrator was like listening to nails on a chalkboard.

Decent enough to pass the time

Decent story touched in several things but didn’t have much conclusion. I guess your to assume on this one.

Processing Grief

Jason did an awesome job of displaying the process of grief that Matt experienced. All to often we don’t consider how children/teens are impacted by loss.
I love how he and Love were able to forge a friendship, be supportive of one another, and teach each other about life after the loss of a love one.
Mr. Ray was just what Matt needed as well. This was a sweet love story that was wrapped in sadness.

Touching

Interesting perspective on loss and grief. I love how the author weaved the storyline.