Bookverdict.com

Gr 7 Up—Matt's mother just died, and his dad isn't coping well, hanging out with the local drunk and downing whiskey, which results in his getting hit by a car and landing in the hospital. Matt is also grieving his mom's death and now he's on his own, until he lands a job at the local funeral home: $15 an hour and Mr. Ray as his boss. Attending other people's funerals helps the teen come to grips with his own grief. Hearing mourners express their r...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

High-school senior Matt wears a black suit because he has a job at Mr. Ray's funeral home (setting up chairs and food for services), but also -- metaphorically -- because he himself is in mourning, for the mother who died just before the book begins and the long-on-the-wagon father who has returned to drink. Although his work responsibili...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

High-school senior Matt has a job at Mr. Ray's funeral home, but he's also in mourning, for his mother who died and his lo...Log In or Sign Up to Read More