September 2024
The Boy in the Suit is an incredibly moving and powerful novel for readers age 9+ (and the adults who care for them). So compelling and real, I struggled to put it down. I wanted to step into the story and look after ten-year-old Solo who is so funny and charming but also trapped inside his mother's problems. Struggling with her mental health, unemployment and inability to care for her son, her issues overwhelm them both.
In an attempt to feed both herself and Solo, Morag Walker crashes funerals. Dressed in an ill-fitting black suit bought at a charity shop, Solo is dragged to event after event. His pockets lined with plastic bags, his one mission is to gather as much food as he can and leave without being noticed. But even a pocketful of his favourite mozarella dippers doesn't make up for the shame and embarrassment he feels everytime his mother tells him there's another funeral.
School isn't much fun either. Without the correct uniform, he's regularly in trouble with his teacher and struggles to make friends. Morag doesn't value learning and won't accept support from anyone, meaning she does very little to help Solo fit in. School staff start to notice things aren't right but don't go quite far enough in registering their safeguarding concerns. This is a strong reminder for anyone who works with children that if something doesn't seem right with a child, find out more and speak up.
When Morag goes a step too far and insists they sneak into the funeral of a famous footballer, it all goes wrong. Harrassed, bullied and frightened, Solo has to take on far too much responsiblity for a ten-year-old and there are just too many secrets to keep. Everyone keeps telling him that if there's anything wrong, he should speak up and ask for help but he just doesn't know how.
The Boy in the Suit is a stark portrayal of the cost of living crisis and its impact on children. It highlights those invisible children who can easily slip through the cracks if other adults in their lives are not checking in and providing support (without waiting for the child to ask). Empathetic, sensitive and honest, this book is one that will stay with readers long after the book is finished. It will be a valuable read aloud in Year 5+ and one to share around the staff room.
Thank you to Scholastic UK for an early copy of this powerful book!
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