All the Blues in the Sky by Renee Watson

Trigger Warning: Grief, Loss, Human Emotions

Newberry Award Winner, 2026

What an emotional roller coaster.  

Sage's 13th birthday party was supposed to be amazing.  A fabulous day with her best friend Angel was planned. Unfortunately, Angel was killed by a drunk driver on her way to Sage's house.

I love how Watson explores the overwhelming emotions of grief.  While each of us grieves in our own unique way, there are some things that are common among everyone who grieves.  As Sage explores how she can move on with her grief therapy group, we experience the roller coaster of emotions that flood her life without warning.

Suitable for anyone who is suffering the loss of a loved one, this book will help the reader made sense of the constant flood of conflicting emotions.  I was able to read the book in one sitting - which is a good thing.  I ended up on my own roller coaster of emotions, reliving my own grief journey.  I had a good cry, but it was so good to know that I am not alone in finding my way after a great loss.

I leave you with one of my favorite parts from the book:

"When I'm on a plan as a passenger and we're experiencing turbulence, I remind myself that airplanes are made to handle turbulence and pilots are trained on what to do when it happens. I remind myself that turbulence is uncomfortable but normal.  You just have to keep rising.

Ms. Barbara surprises me with a deep chuckle.

She says something under her breath. I don't think the other girls hear her, but I do. "As a matter of fact, life's turbulence is the same way."