A review by readtomea97
All the Noise at Once by DeAndra Davis

challenging emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book was so so so soooo good! DeAndra did a beautiful job with telling Aiden and Brandon’s story., and I have very minimal critiques. When I say I teared up and wanted to fight for Aiden, this book had me in the store holding my chest needing to take a min. This book had me ready to ride at down for my boy Aiden!! I just wanted to go give him and Brandon a hug throughout this story. My only complaint is I wish we would’ve got to know Isabella a little more. These young men had to experience a lot in a very short amount of time that I think any adult would have just as much trouble processing. This has been one of my favorite reads so far this year. 

All the Noise at Once follows Aiden and Brandon, two brothers who have bonded through their love of random facts and football. Aiden is on the autism spectrum and all he wants to do is play football with his brother before he graduates. He’s struggled with dealing with controlling his emotions and reactions when he gets overwhelmed, which he thought ruined his chances, until an opportunity comes up that allows him to join. After the team goes out to celebrate their big win, a teammate named Carter picks a fight with Aiden where someone calls the police and the situation escalates. Aiden and his other black teammates are assaulted by the police for “resisting arrest,” and Brandon is arrested for assaulting an officer trying to save Aiden from being hurt. Aiden now has to navigate school without him brother while Brandon prepares for his trial after finding out the police are trying him as an adult. This story allows both brothers to navigate grief of the familiar, understanding new feelings they’ve never dealt with, learning who really had your back or not, pushing back, and about what resilience truly means. 

- I loved Aiden and Brandon’s relationship. The random animal facts and how Brandon looks out for him. 

- I love Isabella 

- I love Aiden’s ability to understand more than people give autistic people credit for

- the pushback of authority 

- questions the norms of privilege and fairness 

Thank you DeAndra Davis And Netgalley for this ARC.