About the Book:
Two starred reviews!
In this compelling, moving story that “beautifully tackles race, social justice, and disability” (School Library Journal, starred review), a Black, autistic teen tries to figure out what happened the night his older brother was unjustly arrested.
All Aiden has ever wanted to do was play football just like his star quarterback brother, Brandon. An overstimulation meltdown gets in the way of Aiden making the team during summer tryouts, but when the school year starts and a spot unexpectedly needs to be filled, he finally gets a chance to play the game he loves.
However, not every player is happy about the new addition to the team, wary of how Aiden’s autism will present itself on game day. Tensions rise. A fight breaks out. Cops are called.
Brandon interferes on behalf of his brother, but is arrested by the very same cops who, just hours earlier, were chanting his name from the bleachers. When he’s wrongly charged for felony assault on an officer, everything Brandon has worked for starts to slip away, and the brothers’ relationship is tested. As Brandon’s trial inches closer, Aiden is desperate to figure out what really happened that night. Can he clear his brother’s name in time?
*Review Contributed by Rachel Moulden, Staff Reviewer*
What a fantastic debut novel from DeAndra Davis! All The Noise At Once is a gripping story that tackles race, social justice, and disability. While the subject matter in the story is a bit heavy, Davis handles these themes with care and also opens a larger conversation for readers to sit with long after reading the story.
Reading the novel reminded me of Angie Thomas’ The Hate You Give because of its similar themes, but there is more of a focus on autism and brotherhood. Aiden and Brandon’s relationship feels so real and I appreciated that even though they have a close relationship the novel shows how these bonds can be tested. Brandon’s arrest causes a rift between the two as well as the entire family. There are many quiet moments of introspection and high emotions as each person carries the guilt of events that have transpired.
Davis has such a way with words, and her writing style makes the story captivating and engaging. It encourages the reader to challenge their way of thinking as do the characters in the novel. I felt that Aiden’s autism and discussions that come from in the novel are handled with compassion and break down some of the stereotypes that surround being on the spectrum. Readers will be engrossed with Aiden’s self-discovery journey and watching him coming into his own.
Though the novel is focused on racism and police brutality it is balanced out with the positive representation of black families, identity, and fostering new relationships. This book has many nuanced conversations that are not important for its intended YA audience, but also older readers as well. I highly recommend this novel and hope to see more works from Davis in the future.
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