Cover of The Boy in the Black Suit

The Boy in the Black Suit

Jason Reynolds

After his mother dies, Matt finds a job at a neighborhood funeral parlor run by Mr. Ray. He prepares for post-funeral receptions and sits in on services, where observing others’ grief helps him understand his own pain. Mr. Ray becomes a father figure while Matt’s devastated father begins drinking and is hospitalized. At a funeral, Matt meets a teenage girl named Love. They become friends and begin to fall in love as both navigate loss and the difficulties in their lives.

This book appears on 2 reading lists across 1 edition from 2 organizations.

Book details

Lexile Text Measure
HL760L
ATOS Book Level
4.8
AR Interest Level
MG+
AR Points
10
Word Count
67181
Fountas & Pinnell Text Level
R
Themes
Family · Friendship · Grief And Loss · Love
Format
Hardcover
Publisher
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published
January 6, 2015
Pages
272
ISBN-13
9781442459502
Language
English