Before you read this review I want you to do a little exercise. Close your eyes and recall an experience where everything was coming at you too fast and it was totally overwhelming at all levels including visceral. Try to experience it through as many senses as possible. What were you seeing, hearing, smelling, touching? I think it can get you to better empathize with Aiden, narrator of DeAndra Davis' All The Noise At Once.
Aiden and his star quarterback big brother, Brandon, are really into football. With Brandon about to graduate high school they want one season together on the team. Aiden has done a lot of preparation. But when summer tryouts come around he becomes over stimulated and doesn't make the cut even though his awareness of game strategies is superior...
...Aiden is autistic...
...However when the team unexpectedly loses two players Aiden becomes a member. Not all his teammates share Brandon's enthusiasm. They're one way when their QB is around and quite another in his absence.
"'Ay, come on, dude. That's out of line. We all been cool since we been kids. You know what's up with him. Don't do that.' Greg says now.
'No, we've been cool with Brandon since we were kids,' Carter says. 'We've just had to deal with Aiden because our moms and Brandon never want to leave him out.'"
One evening when the team is hanging out inside and on the grounds of a popular restaurant Carter starts a fight with Aiden. Things escalate rapidly especially when a white bystander calls the cops. When Brandon (who is Black) tries to come to Aiden's rescue, he is tackled by a gun wielding white cop...
...who charges Brandon with assaulting an officer. The case is bumped up to adult court despite Brandon being underage. Now his future is very bleak. Instead of attending a good college on an athletic scholarship he could very well end up serving time in an adult prison.
All The Noise At Once is one of the rare sports narratives that seamlessly integrates highly relevant social justice issues. I highly recommend it for football players and fans.
On a purrrsonal note, well, today is a big day--Eugene's and my 36th anniversary. I'm looking forward to us going out to eat which is how he likes to celebrate. I'm going to ditch my usual summer ☀️ attire--short shorts and cat shirts--for a dress and jewelry. Whatever we do I'm super grateful that we're still together because he is the love of my life.
A great big shout out goes out to my one and only Eugene.
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
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