Jesmyn Ward has laid forth another lyrical masterpiece with Sing, Unburied, Sing, winner of the National Book Award and a New York Times Top 10 Best Book of The Year. Ward weaves themes of poverty, race, home, death, family, and resilience into an American story perhaps some know all too well. We first encounter protagonist Jojo, a thirteen-year-old boy being raised by his grandparents, trying to be brave as he helps his Pop slaughter a goat. From the first sentence, “I like to think I know what death is,” Jojo’s inner conflict is set and the theme is addressed. Jojo’s white father is in prison and his black mother, the child of…