Boy in the Black Suit, The

Seventeen-year-old Matt loses his mother to breast cancer at the start of his senior year at high school. He must deal with the loss on his own as his father can’t cope and returns to drinking. At the same time, his internship planned for the fall falls through and he ends up working at a funeral home. There he learns to deal with his grief supported by his boss and neighbour Ray and new friend Lovey who has dealt with difficulties herself. This engaging novel, with its complex characters and relationships, explores race, death, and trauma and can encourage critical and creative thinking. Suitable as an independent novel or for literature circles.