The Boy in the Black Suit

A 2016 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book

Just when seventeen-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 "vivid, satisfying, and ultimately upbeat tale of grief, redemption, and grace" (Kirkus Reviews) from the Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award-winning 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. Crazy name, and she's been through more crazy stuff 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.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published: 01/06/2015
ISBN: 9781442459502
Pages: 272
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.70w x 1.00d
Award: Texas Lone Star Reading List - Commended
Award: Tayshas Reading - Commended
Award: Coretta Scott King Award - Honor Book
Award: L.A. Times Book Prize - Finalist

Review Citations: School Library Journal 10/01/2014 pg. 122
Kirkus Reviews 10/15/2014
Publishers Weekly 11/03/2014
Voice of Youth Advocates 02/01/2015 - Recommended - Better Than Most
Booklist 02/01/2015 pg. 44
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 01/01/2015
Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2015 pg. 107
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 02/01/2015 pg. 327 - Book Of Special Distinction

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 171390 / Boy in the Black Suit
Reading Level: 4.8 / Interest Level: Middle Grade Plus / Point Value: 10