The Boy in the Black Suit

Title: The Boy in the Black Suit
Author: Jason Reynolds
Publication Date: Jan. 2015
Age Level: 7th grade and up
Genres: realistic fiction
Review: As soon as I saw this book I was excited about it. I had heard wonderful things about Jason Reynolds and his last book "When I was the Greatest". Plus, a YA book featuring a black teenager dealing with the emotions of losing his mother was refreshing. Sure, there is lots of YA books dealing with grief but I was happy to see a non white male protagonist. What is even better is that the story is wonderfully told and well written. The story centers around Matt Miller, who is 17 and just lost his mother to breast cancer. Matt and his mother had a wonderful relationship that he reflects on throughout the story. The love for his mother is obvious and so is the emptiness that she leaves behind. Add to the story that his father, who had not drank for 20 years, is suddenly a drunk without his wife, and you have a teen struggling to grow up fast. Matt takes on a job at a funeral home, that is run by the caring Mr. Ray. It is through this job that Matt is able to deal with his grief as he watches others suffer through loss. He also meets a girl named Love, who like Matt, has her own profound loss to deal with. What I love about this story is Matt. He is character that I connected with immediately. I lost a close friend my senior year of high school and so much of the emotions and feelings that Matt has are what I went through. I also enjoy that the books shows the grief of others as well. As the story goes along Matt discovers that many of the people in his life are dealing with their own pain and loss. While no one will know the pain that Matt feels over the loss of his mother, they do understand what it is like to grieve. Overall this is a great story about loss, grief and growing up. An excellent read for a teen dealing with their own loss. 

The Fault in Our Stars

Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Published: 2012
ISBN: 978-0-525-47881-2
Price: 17.99
Pages: 313
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Awards: YALSA's Top Ten Teen Books Nominee, YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults, Booklist Editor's Choice-Books for Youth-Older Readers, School Library Journal Best Book, Goodreads Choice Award
Reading Level: 6th grade
Interest Level: 9th-12th grade
Plot Summary: Hazel Grace has terminal cancer and despite medicine that has shrunk her tumor Hazel is dying. For now the medicine has prolonged her life for the foreseeable future. Hazel spends her days attached to a breathing machine at home. She occasionally leaves to attend cancer meetings with other teens. But for Hazel she believes that it's best if she interacts with as few people as possible. She is afraid of hurting people with her death so she chooses not to interact. Then Hazel meets Augustus Waters, or Gus as she calls him. Gus lost his leg to cancer but with his cancer currently in remission and and 80% survival rate Gus has a different outlook on life than Hazel. Soon, Hazel finds herself falling for Gus despite her attempts to not get attached to people. Hazel and Gus bond over Hazel's favorite book An Imperial Affliction which ends mid sentence. The two then get the opportunity to travel overseas to finally ask how the story ends. But things don't go as planned and when you have cancer you can't really afford to be optimistic.
Critical Review: This book is on almost every Top Ten Book list for 2012 and it's easy to see why. John Green has written a touching, somber and simultaneously humorous story on what it means to love and lose. Like John Green's previous work, his teen characters are far more developed and insightful than most teens in YA fiction. He doesn't sugarcoat cancer or how it is to be sick, but rather he tells and honest and poignant story that leaves the reader heartbroken at the end. There are few books that could be compared to this one and the appeal of this book will reach beyond just teen readers. The parents in the story are also well developed and so human in their emotions. They aren't just one dimensional characters like some parents tend to be in YA fiction. Rather Hazel's parents show the heartbreak and struggles that parents of teens with caner go through. For a teen this might give them some insight into the view of a parent. This book could have easily become an after school special about cancer but Green's writing brings about layers to the story and great insight into the issues facing those who face death terminal illness.
Reader's Annotation: Hazel is dying, she has terminal cancer and has prepared herself for short future. What she didn't prepare herself for was Augustus Waters.
Book Talking Ideas: There is so many wonderful quotes in the book from Hazel and Augustus that I think using one of them to open up a book talk would be a great idea. For instance Hazel and Gus talk about cancer perks, the things you get because people feel bad that you have cancer. This list would highlight the sarcastic humour of the story. Also, the book is about cancer but it truly is a love story and I think using that to appeal to teens would draw in a lot of readers.
Bibliotheraputic Usefulness: The story deals with death, loss, grief, cancer, disappointment, and love. Teens who are struggling with grief or loss will be moved by the story. The story also provides and honest look at cancer and dying that teens will connect with. Green doesn't sugar coat the problems but instead shows them honestly.
Issues: The book details some graphic cancer related health issues. There is also some mild language and Gus and Hazel engage in premarital sex. Some may take issue with the books dealings with death and dying and the jokes about cancer and there is some religious jokes as well.
Author Website: http://johngreenbooks.com/
Read Alikes: Just One Day by Gayle Foreman, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
Professional Reviews: Publisher's Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
Why include this book? This book has been on the New York Time's best seller's list basically since it's release. It has been included in almost every Best of 2012 book list and has received glowing reviews from readers and critics alike. John Green writes with an honest wit that resonates with teen readers and at times get's parents feathers ruffled. His work is a must have for ever library because of it's perspective and the connection that Green has with his readers.