The boy in the black suit - jason reynolds

A 2016 Coretta Scott King Author Honor book.

Just when seventeen-year-old Matt thinks he cant handle one more piece of terrible news, he meets a girl whos 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 cant handle the bills (or anything, really) on his own.

So while Dads snagging bottles of whiskey, Matts snagging fifteen bucks an hour.

Not bad.

But everything else? Not good.

Then Matt meets Lovey.

Crazy name, and shes been through more crazy stuff than he can imagine.

Yet Lovey never cries.

Shes tough.

Really tough.

Tough in the way Matt wishes he could be.

Which is maybe why hes drawn to her, and definitely why he cant seem to shake her.

Because theres nothing more hopeful than finding a person who understands your loneliness--and who can maybe even help take it away.