BIBLIOGRAPHY
Reynolds, Jason. 2015. THE BOY IN THE BLACK SUIT. New York. Athenium Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-1-4424-5950-2.
PLOT SUMMARY
Mathew has returned to school, a few weeks later than everyone else as his mother has passed away. In order to fulfill a high school requirement he has to take a job and ends up working with Mr. Ray, owner of a funeral home. His father has suffered an accident and is recovering at a rehabilitation center while Matt is working through his own grief and learning to grow up, but finds comfort in each funeral he works. Through his grieving process he finds comfort in recipes his mother has left behind specifically for him to get through the rest of his life without her. His first love finds him through the tough girl that is hard to rattle named Lovey. Their connection to having lost their moms is one in common, but a similar story with a familiar and tragic ending shocks them both.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Matt, the teenage main character, who also narrates the coming of age story is a believable character to whom young adults can relate to. Each character surrounding his life comes and goes and is involved in a different part of his life. The setting shifting mostly between the funeral home where he works, his home in a rough area where he encounters his father’s alcoholism and memories of his beloved mother to his time spent with Lovey all set the tone for each part of the story. The theme of loss and grief are very present throughout as Matt mourns his mother’s passing, yet he finds comfort in the funerals and burials which he works. Although the theme that follows is serious and downhearted the ending is a romantic and hopeful one. Lovey and Matt share the memory of Lovey’s mother's tragic death through different viewpoints, but it brings a special connection between them causing her to break down through the one thing that can break her emotional wall.
EXCERPTS/ AWARDS
Booklist, 02/01/15
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books starred, 02/01/15
Christian Library Journal, 03/01/16
Coretta Scott King Author Honor, 2016
Horn Book Magazine, 03/01/15
Kirkus Reviews, 10/15/14
Library Media Connection, 05/01/15
School Library Journal, 06/01/15
Booklist (February 1, 2015 (Vol. 111, No.11): “Though it gets off to a slightly slow start, Renold’s second novel quickly becomes a superb, character-driven story.”
Kirkus Reviews (October 15, 2014): “ Reynolds writes with a gritty realism that beautifully captures the challenges-and rewards- of growing up in the inner city.”
School Library Journal (October 1, 2014): “ The author’s seemingly effortless writing shines in this slice-of-life story, which covers a lot of the protagonist’s emotional ground.”
CONNECTIONS
This coming of age, young adult novel filled with grief and loss can be powerful to a reader experiencing or has experienced the same. The story takes a while to get started but the ending is definitely a tear-jerker.
This novel fits perfectly alongside stories of change, feelings, emotions, and growing up. Realistic fiction can fall under many different topics but this one will go well with overcoming suffering and growing up to be responsible.
Moon, Sarah. SPARROW. ISBN 978-1-54908-703-5
O’Keefe, Susan Heyboer. MY LIFE AND DEATH BY ALEXANDRA CANARSIE. ISBN 978-1-56145-387-0
Shusterman, Neal. ANTSY DOES TIME. ISBN 978-0-329-75614-7
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