The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds

The Boy in the Black Suit is a fiction novel written in a first person narrative. In it we follow Matt Miller aka The Boy in the Black Suit aka the kid who’s mother just died. Matt is looking for some part time work to help his father out with the bills when Mr. Ray, a cancer survivor and owner of the local funeral home, offers him a job. Matt has initial misgivings about the gig, but finding it his best option, decides that it couldn’t hurt to give it a chance. Through this job Matt Miller gains far more than just 30 dollars a day, he also finds closure in the aftermath of his mother’s passing.

After reading All-American Boys, a novel co-written by Jason Reynolds, I fell in love with his writing style. It was written in an understandable way, no extra frills or metaphors (though I do enjoy frills and metaphors, too). I felt connected to the characters he wrote, I understood their struggle and where they were coming from. I felt the same way while reading The Boy in the Black Suit.

Matt’s a kid my age put into a situation that no kid my age should have to go through. He struggles with coping and getting used to life without his mother. His struggle is an honest one and it left me in tears more times than I can count. Some from sadness, but many from joy as he recounted memories of his mother, and in that, began moving toward closure.

I enjoyed this story so much that I couldn’t stop reading it, starting at 9 p.m. Thursday night and going on until 4 a.m. Friday morning. I couldn’t put it down, it was just that great. All this to say, I give The Boy in the Black Suit 5/5 stars.

If you’re looking for a YA novel that speaks on real struggles, features many people of color, and will somehow still make you laugh, check this one out. Even if you aren’t looking for those things, give this book a chance, it more than deserves it.

This guest review was contributed by Educated Negra. An up and coming book blogger, she loves getting books from diverse points of view into the public eye. On her blog, you’ll be able to find book reviews and the occasional poem.