All the Noise at Once by DeAndra Davis

Some stories grab hold of you from the first page and don’t let go. This is one of them.

All the Noise at Once introduces us to Aiden, a Black, autistic teen who wants nothing more than to play football like his star quarterback brother, Brandon. When a spot on the team finally opens up, Aiden gets his chance at the game he loves. But not everyone welcomes him.

Tensions rise. A fight breaks out. The cops are called.

When Brandon steps in to protect his little brother, he’s arrested by the very same officers who’d been cheering his name from the bleachers just hours earlier. Wrongly charged with felony assault, Brandon watches everything he’s built begin to slip away. As his trial draws closer, Aiden is desperate to piece together what really happened that night, and to clear his brother’s name before it’s too late.

Praised as “propulsive” by Jas Hammonds, award-winning author of We Deserve Monuments, this is a moving story about brotherhood, identity, and social justice. It’s the kind of book that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page, the kind you’ll want to press into someone else’s hands.

Perfect for readers ages 12 to 18, and for any adult who appreciates a story with real heart and something urgent to say.

Come find it on our shelves, salt air and creaky floorboards included. Or let us wrap one up and send it your way. We think Aiden’s story deserves a spot in your stack.

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