also co-wrote "All American Boys", another excellent book ( )

Maybe this could have done the tiniest bit more with Matt working at the funerals and finding solace in seeing that he isn’t alone in his grief, that emotional concept and those scenes definitely interested me, it’s just that aspect of the story seemed like maybe it could have been mined a touch deeper or something, I don’t know, that’s really just a minor quibble, overall, this was a fantastic read.

I so enjoyed the small town vibes even though this takes place in Brooklyn, there’s a super strong sense of the community here. And I loved that every person Matt crosses paths with whether strangers at a funeral or his dead mother, were presented in a way where they felt fully formed no matter how small or absent their role, there was depth to every one of them.

There’s more going on in Matt’s life than romance in this story, however, this offered pretty much everything I’m in the mood for from a romance at the moment, nothing cloying, nothing needlessly melodramatic, miscommunication didn’t drag things out for longer than it should, just honest conversations, unique dates, sweet chemistry and chocolate chip cookies.

Lately I’ve seen/heard countless readers saying they’re over YA and then there are those who’ve never given these stories a fair shake in the first place, but before you write off a slew of books based solely on the age of their main character, if you like fiction that feels lived in, if you’re craving something where the characters, the place, the situation seem like they could truly exist, do yourself a favor and try Jason Reynolds’s work. ( )

Anything Jason Reynolds writes is gold and The Boy in the Black Suit is no different. Initially it was a little difficult for me to read because it opens up with Matt's mother dying and that hit really close to home for me - but in a way it made me closer to that character. Matt's mother has just died from breast cancer and now it's on him to start his senior year of high school. He's a few weeks late starting so he loses his after school job he had lined up. He considers applying at his favorite greasy spoon, The Cluck Bucket, but is convinced by the local funeral home director, Mr. Ray, to work from him instead. It seems a little morbid working at the place that just helped bury his mom, but Matt finds it a little soothing. He gets comfort in seeing how other people grieve; he knows he isn't alone in his grief. Soon the funeral home is the best part of his day and he's started wearing a black suit every day to school. Then he meets Lovey, she's gone through more heartbreak than anyone he knows and he's drawn to her, she has such a light about her and she doesn't cry. He is at once intrigued and enamored. A wonderful story. ( )

teen fiction (inner city NY, shooting/gang violence is an important part of the setting but not a large part of the narrative, no language, very mild kissing--main characters are 17-18-19 years, Matt being a senior in HS). I found it easy to identify with the main character despite coming from a totally different background and enjoyed all the little touches of his personality (not knowing what to say on camera, etc.) as well as feeling the influences of his mother and Mr. Ray, and the other characters. Definitely looking forward to reading more of Jason Reynolds. ( )

Context: my dad worked as a funeral director for 14 years so to me the whole funeral business is more a "supporting people during the worst days of their life" business. This book felt very true to that and the nature of grief. Gentle and honest, without being preachy or weird, the story touches on so many elements of grief: of lost opportunities and dreams, of lost feelings of safety and home. Really well written and engaging. ( )