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."

Book Review: Divergent

amazon.com

Imagine a world where everyone chooses a faction - a home where they belong for life - when they are 16 years old.  Each faction has a specific job in life.  A specific knowledge or trait that they value above all others.


The Erudite value intelligence.  The Dauntless treasure valor and fearlessness.  Amity values peace.  Candor values honesty.  Abnegation are selfless.  Once you choose a faction on graduation day, you are a member of that faction for life. You will put your faction above all else, even family.  Every person shows an aptitude for a certain faction.  During the graduation tests, they find which faction best matches them.  They are free to choose any faction, but the tests help them see where they would best fit in.

But, what if?  What if you don't fit into any one faction?  What if the tests don't work for you?  What if you don't fit the mold? 

You are Divergent.... and the Divergent are considered to be dangerous and outside of the control of the faction.  The Divergent are hunted down and killed when they are found.  Their deaths are explained away as accidents or suicides.

Beatrice Prior grew up an Abegnation.  When she takes the tests, her results come back with a scary answer.  She is warned that she is Divergent, and that she must guard this secret with her life.  With no true faction affiliation showing in her nature, she will be choosing whichever faction will make her happy.

What will she choose?  Will she choose a life of selflessness?  A life of danger?  One of constant honesty?  If she chooses outside of her faction, she will never again be a part of her family, and her choice could bring shame to her family.

The choices you make define who you are...

*This review is cross-posted on my YA book blog, Books for Teens.*