Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Saunders
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tender, poetic novel about teen coping with grief.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When ALL THE BLUES IN THE SKY begins, Sage, a 13-year-old Black girl living in Harlem, has recently begun attending a grief group at school following her best friend's death. Angel was killed in a tragic hit-and-run accident involving a drunk driver, and Sage blames herself. Sage navigates relationships with other kids in the grief group, gets support from her family members as well as Angel's, and even develops a crush, which helps Sage discover that grief won't always be all-consuming.
Is It Any Good?
This sensitive novel is an excellent choice for opening up a conversation about loss and a beautiful portrayal of love, healing, and joy. In All the Blues in the Sky, Renée Watson uses a combination of poetry and prose to reflect the fragmented emotions of grieving. Despite spare descriptions, Watson also manages to create a vivid picture of the charming New York City setting.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about grief and loss in All the Blues in the Sky. Have you ever lost someone you loved: a parent or grandparent, a friend, or a pet? Have you ever had to help someone close to you go through a loss? How does empathy help people support each other through loss and grief?
What are some ways the characters in All the Blues in the Sky use gratitude to help them heal?
Words are not the only form of communication. How do the characters in All the Blues in the Sky communicate in difficult situations when the right words don't come easily?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Contemporary Fiction
- Topics : Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Empathy , Gratitude
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Bloomsbury Children's Books
- Publication date : February 4, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 14
- Number of pages : 208
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Awards : Common Sense Selection , Newbery Medal and Honors
- Last updated : January 28, 2026
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