I think this is one of the best books centered around grief that I’ve read in a long time. The way Sage came to terms with grief not being linear and that each loss is painful, whether expected or not was so beautifully done. I loved how it showed her sadness, anger and guilt while also showing us some happy moments like spending time with Kofi and her Flying Program. There were so many great ways to explain grief to children/young adults and I loved that it also brought up how grief is something that you’ll feel every day, but it won’t necessarily just be in sadness. I highly recommend this one for books on grief and friendship, especially for a younger audience.
CW: death, grief, racism, police brutality, murder, cancer

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children’s Books for an advanced digital readers copy in exchange for an honest review!

Coming Feb 4, 2025! Renee Watson's emotional new novel in verse, "All the Blues in the Sky" centers around Sage, a 13-year-old Black girl whose best friend died in an accident on her way to Sage's birthday celebration. Although she's participating in a support group for kids who have suffered loss, Sage still struggles not to drown in guilt and grief, especially as she feels like everyone else's loss is so different from hers, nobody could understand. As she works towards healing, Sage begins to understand her fellow bereaved peers, and to let go of some of her crushing guilt. She also discovers that talking with a kind boy in her neighborhood helps, too. A moving and transformational book about grief and recovery, and the validity of your feelings regardless of circumstances. Perfect for older middle-grade and younger YA readers - although, let's be real: it was an impactful read for me as an adult, too. Thank you @netgalley for the ARC.

13-year-old Sage is experiencing immense grief after her best friend dies. Watson mixes verse with prose to write this quick but powerful story. Although sad, this book also has hope and happy young teen experiences. This might not be the right book for those experiencing similar grief, but it is a strong choice for 5th-8th grade readers who might want to understand friends struggling with grief after losing a friend or relative.

Watson always weaves magic with her verse novels. And while the grief is heavy in the book, I can see where plenty will take comfort. It would be a perfect companion to [book:Mid-Air|176442928].

Main character Sage has lost her best friend in a tragic accident and the grief is overwhelming. How can she move on when her friend is dead? People try, like her aunt but attending a support group and thinking about the grief are necessary to helping her figure out her feelings. It's about what comes after the grief that Sage is trying to find and that might be in the form of an adorable budding relationship and reconnecting with others. It's emotional and thoughtful and shows a super sweet relationship between an aunt and her niece.

This beautifully written story is told by Sage, a middle schooler. She is part of a counseling group for kids dealing with grief. Sage's best friend was killed by a drunk driver and Sage blames herself. There are other kids dealing with grief and Sage tries to differentiate between her grief and theirs, which doesn't go well. The story is written in free verse and prose so the story flows easily and Watson's writing style is very accessible so lots of students are going to be able to benefit from this book. In the author's notes, Watson explains that a lot of the feelings from the book come from her own losses and that authenticity definitely shines through. This would be a great book for middle graders dealing with grief. There are themes of dealing with a loss (no matter how that loss happens) and the stages of grief, friendship and understanding, forgiveness and how coping with a loss looks different for everyone. This isn't an easy read from an emotional standpoint, but I think this one is going to be an essential part of any middle grade library.

I Felt This in My Bones

Wow! This book took me through a myriad of emotions. Sage’s grief journey felt very authentic. Her sadness mixed with guilt and confusion was so relatable. I loved getting her innermost thoughts. It’s rare that we think about the grief that comes from losing a best friend. Sage’s loss was especially profound because her best friend was a preteen. I appreciated that the story included Sage attending a support group to help her to process her feelings. Her family and friends were so supportive. She even found a sweet boy to bring some light back into her life.

This book was really special. I’d absolutely recommend it to any young person that has experienced the death of a peer or loved one. The author did a great job of addressing such a tough issue while keeping it age appropriate.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bloomsbury Children's Books, and Renée Watson for this advanced copy for me to review.

#AlltheBluesintheSky #NetGalley

This was heartbreaking but also beautiful. So many feelings for the main character to work through, including guilt. I think it would be helpful for any other kid who's been through a similar experience.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Children's Books for the digital arc. Verse and prose document 13year old Sage's painful journey as she navigates the trauma of losing her best friend in a traffic accident . She is devastated, and blames herself for the accident. Through a grief counseling group at school, she meets other girls also working through the stages of grief. It is not an easy road, and Sage has many trials, but she slowly starts to resurrect her life. This book is well written, and I wholeheartedly recommend to those interested in the social dynamics of middle and high schoolers.

Short, swift read about grief that focuses on a middle school girl's feelings of anger, guilt, and sadness following the death of her best friend. TW: for death (obviously), grief, police violence (in passing, not depicted), and cancer. This one didn't speak to me much, but it certainly depicts grief exceptionally well.

All the Blues in the Sky is a beautifully told novel in verse about a girl grieving the death of her best friend. The reader goes on a journey with the protagonist, Sage, as she feels guilt over what happened and copes with her grief. This is an important novel for any reader who has lost someone. Grief is different for everyone. Watching Sage go through it shows that it is a hard process, but you grow from it and heal. This was a wonderful story about grief, resilience, and the power of friendship.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This beautiful novel in verse offers a raw perspective on grief, but also on friendship, hope, and love. As an adult, I found myself sharing so many quotes from this book, as they are helping me through an anniversary of significant loss. I can relate to Sage and her anger, her guilt, and her tears. But I also appreciate Renee Watson's glimmers of hope and happiness, despite such tremendous loss. This book would be an amazing support for any young person who has lost someone significant to them, but can also be a window into that loss for their friends and loved ones. Watson has taken a tough topic and turned it into something relatable. I will absolutely recommend this book to students and add it to our library collection!

Watson's writing is always a gift and I appreciated the new territory she is entering with this short novel. It starts after the death of the main character's friend and shows how she grieves and carries on with life. Despite a sad topic, I didn't find it to be a tear jerker. For middle grades but relatable for adults as well. ARC from NetGalley

Thank you Bloomsbury Children's Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Summary: Sage is left reeling after her best friend is killed in a hit-and-run accident and she blames herself. She learns about the grieving process while making new friends, starting grief counseling, and her beloved aunt Ini, all the while, she struggles to move forward and grapples with regret over not having the chance to say goodbye.

Themes: friendship, loss, and life with grief

“Grief is like hunger. Just because you eat today doesn’t mean you won’t need to eat tomorrow.”

This upper middle-grade novel masterfully combines verse and prose to depict Sage's journey as she navigates grief and new, often uncomfortable experiences following the loss of her best friend. The writing is incredibly well-crafted, reminiscent of Kwame Alexander's style, blending poetic elegance with emotional depth.

Sage's story is a raw, honest portrayal of grief, a topic that feels necessary for young readers to explore. It was heartening to see Sage seeking help and realizing that joy and sorrow can coexist. The narrative also emphasizes the resilience of those who continue to get up each day and survive after a loss, offering hope and encouragement.

Whether readers have experienced grief themselves or not, this beautiful and heartbreaking novel will resonate deeply, fostering compassion and understanding. Sage's journey reminds us all of the power of healing, love, and finding light in the darkest moments.

Another brilliant, beautiful book by Watson!

Themes of loss, grief, guilt, and resiliency.

A novel in verse perfect for older MG and YA readers.