What's that? I've read another book by Jason Reynolds? ...are you surprised? Cool.
This book does deal with grief, so just a heads up.
An amazon summary, "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." AMAZON LINK OF JUSTICE
Matt's mother had died, and he's trying to find a way to kind of get a handle on it. At school, he feels way more mature than everyone else, and is at school for only half the way. He tries to find himself a job, and attempts to work at the local fast food joint (the Cluck Bucket) that pays better than everybody else. But, Mr. Ray from the local funeral home, knows about his situation, and offers him a job. Matt starts wearing his black suit for his job, and well, pretty soon, he's wearing his black suit every day, even to school. When Matt attends funerals, there's an inner peace that comes over him as he watches other people break down about missing their loved ones. He also witnesses a variety of funerals. But, back when he was applying to Cluck Bucket, he met Renee. Whenever he visits the Cluck Bucket, he looks for Renee and basically has a crush on her. But then Renee's grandmother dies, and Matt attends her funeral, and discovers her actual name is Lovey despite the necklace she wears saying Renee. After Matt's Dad loses himself in a bottle one night and winds up in the hospital, Matt life kind of narrows down to school, working at the funeral home, and visiting his Dad with a bit of hanging out with Lovey in between.
That's enough summary.
As with all Jason Reynold books, I loved this one too. I loved the characterization of the people, the neighborhood, and that kind of different space of life. I'd like to think it gave me a better understanding, but as I'll probably never experience it, I'll never know for sure.
However, the whole book felt like a small slice of world that works to find love when grief abounds. Plus, I just loved the recipe book left by his mother. It was just such a heart touching, all around good book.
Just like all the other books I love, I have a hard time talking about it since I'm so hesitant to give away too much. So with that...
Happy reading!
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