ALL THE BLUES IN THE SKY by Renee Watson

 

Page 1 - "I didn't know best friends could die."

Sage was waiting for her best friend to show up. They were planning to spend Sage's thirteenth birthday watching movies, eating snacks, and having a sleepover for just the two of them. Sage waited and waited, not realizing her friend would never arrive.

Now Sage is starting the school year without the person she most depended on. Parents and teachers all seem to be saying the right thing, but they don't truly know how Sage feels. Being part of the grief group after school is supposed to help, but it's not the same when for others the grief is about a grandparent who was old anyway or a parent or sibling who suffered with a long illness before dying. Sage's friend was just suddenly gone.

ALL THE BLUES IN THE SKY by Renee Watson explores loss using frank but delicate verse. Readers who have experienced the death of a loved one will find help with their own mixed feelings. Is it ok to stop crying? Is it ok to be able to laugh again? Is it ok for the memories to change as time passes? This book should be on every library shelf. Readers should be able to explore and find meaning in even the worst in life.