The Boy in the Black Suit
| Company type | Young adult novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder | Jason Reynolds |
| Products | Book |
The Boy in the Black Suit is a young adult novel authored by Jason Reynolds in 2015 and was recognized as a 2016 Coretta Scott King Award honor book.
Reception
Critical responses to The Boy in the Black Suit were varied, with reviewers commending its well-crafted character portrayals while expressing reservations about the plot's execution.
Publishers Weekly referred to it as "an emotionally resonant narrative," whereas Kirkus Reviews praised it as "a vivid, gratifying, and ultimately hopeful story centered on grief, redemption, and grace," emphasizing Reynolds' unflinching depiction of urban life struggles. Meanwhile, School Library Journal highlighted the thoughtful handling of serious themes through a relatively light storytelling approach.
Critics uniformly admired Reynolds' genuine teenage narration and the credibility of his characters. The School Library Journal underscored his adept use of dialogue and smooth narrative flow. Michael Cart from Booklist characterized the main character as "a deeply sympathetic, complex figure" whose relationships are convincingly portrayed.
Conversely, the storyline attracted some critique. According to Publishers Weekly, certain "coincidences and plot developments" diminished the overall effect, and the romantic subplot was introduced belatedly. Cart noted a gradual beginning but acknowledged that the novel ultimately became a compelling character-focused work. The School Library Journal raised concerns about unresolved storylines involving significant characters.
Additionally, Booklist provided a review for the audiobook version narrated by Corey Allen.
In 2016, this novel earned distinction as a Coretta Scott King honor book and was included in the Young Adult Library Services Association's Best Fiction for Young Adults list.