After Eli

by Rebecca Rupp

“Nostalgic . . . interestingly quirky. . . . A tribute to those left behind.”   —  Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

When Daniel’s brother Eli is killed at war, Daniel considers the history of unusual fatalities to determine what makes a death — or a life — matter. Danny creates a Book of the Dead — an old binder that he fills with details about dead people, how they died, and, most important, for what purpose. Eventually Daniel is prompted to look up from his notebook of death and questions to make new friends and be swept into the moments that start life rolling again.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, War, Friendship, Grief, Death

256 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2012

About the author

Rebecca Rupp is the author of SARAH SIMPSON'S RULES FOR LIVING, JOURNEY TO THE BLUE MOON, THE DRAGON OF LONELY ISLAND and THE RETURN OF THE DRAGON. She lives in Swanton, Vermont.

Reviews

[Judith Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked by page 15. I was thinking of people to share it with and then wondering how many different ways I could use this with my readers. . .
I have to tell you that the cover almost killed it for me. I nearly put it back on the pile to pick up another more flashy book (thinking like a middle school reader here) and am so glad that I did not.

If I could compare a book to a weaving, I would say that this was very well woven, with threads of humor and sorrow, and one well placed thread of darkness. The little notes under the chapter of each title which are incorporated into the story, are thought provoking and an excellent addition to the story. Eli -- the much beloved brother and son -- is illuminated in the shadows of death by the way people loved him, by the things they remember him doing that were kind, heroic, loving. He filled the vacuum created in the lives of his mother and brother made by a father/ husband unable to love and find joy. His compassion redeemed a fallen friend. His heroism sent him to defend his country and to die for it.

Now his little brother is surviving in a world without Eli.

Rupp understands the grief of loss and gently takes the reader through realizations of what that loss means, and how those we love can get lost in grief. She also grows her character so that the conclusion of the book is solid and forward-looking. Again, a thought provoking meaningful read for any middle school reader on up to adult. A great book to share, and one I plan to keep for myself as well.

If I have any hesitation to putting this book in my school library, it would only be for some of the words used. But in reality, Rupp has captured the voice of my middle school kids quite accurately. There is really nothing there that I don't hear most days at school, and nothing that I personally found offensive when taken in context. Taken this way, the language helps the dialog rather than kills the story.

[Ghostly Writer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing significant happened. The character's and story line were so static... I felt detached from the entirety of this novel.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one SO much more than See You at Harry's. The characters were more genuine and their transformations seemed more realistic. If you are looking for a 2012 "grief" book, here it is.

[Jenni Frencham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Daniel's brother is killed in Iraq, and Daniel's way of grieving is to make a "book of the dead," where he records deaths of famous people and random people from the local cemetery. Meanwhile, his mother is taking his brother's death hard, and Eli feels like he's invisible now that his brother is gone.

Meh. This book was not nearly as good as it should have been. The first 80% of the book was Eli's random life, including his love for Isabelle and the time he spent with her and the twins, interspersed with some memories of his brother. Then he goes postal and rips apart his brother's room and tells his mother she needs help. His parents decide they should maybe get some counseling or something, and they all live happily ever after.

Nope. This one didn't do it for me. It wasn't really about war, it wasn't really about grief, ... it wasn't really about anything at all.

[David Etkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very touching. Don't know how a kid makes sense of losing his brother in war. It was an insightful journey watching Danny and his family wade through the grieving process. I highlighted a bunch of lines to remember. There are some very cool messages lurking in the pages of this book.

The book is told from Danny's POV and his voice is authentic and endearing.

One issue: the cover makes this book look like it's....younger--5th grade-ish?-- and less serious than it is. Don't be misled. There is some psychology, philosophy and religion, language (nothing major), and references to more "mature" behavior. Just FYI.

[lauren freeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly good

[Kelly Hager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danny's brother Eli was killed overseas in the war (he enlisted after 9/11). Since then, the family's fallen apart. His dad's gotten meaner, his mom's checked out and Eli just misses his brother. He's started a "Book of the Dead," a list of famous people and how they died.

And then one summer, he meets Isabelle. She and her family (parents and younger twin siblings) have moved into town while her dad works on a project and her mom paints. Danny falls for Isabelle pretty much immediately. She's gorgeous but she's also completely unique.

This reminded me of the Stephen King short story The Body (which became the movie Stand By Me). They're both about friendship but also just as much about the ghost of an older brother (and, in both cases, a really excellent older brother). Which means that as I read this book, I kept picturing Eli as a young John Cusack. (This is not a hardship.)

While this is definitely a story about grieving (and the many ways there are to grieve), it isn't a depressing book. It's sad, obviously, and there's at least one part that will probably make you cry, but it's not like the entire book is designed to rip out your heart.

This is just as much a book about how you go on when you think you can't. And, of course, it's about friendship. Danny loves Isabelle, but I wouldn't call this a love story. Instead, it's about how the right person at the right time can change everything. (And that's just as true about the other new friend Danny meets, Walter.)

(So basically, a story about love---in all its forms---not so much a love story.)

Highly recommended.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danny is one of those characters whose voice just seems so authentic. When his older brother Eli dies in Iraq Danny’s family flounders with their grief. His mother is chronically depressed, his father is angry and their family has fallen apart. Set over one long summer holiday period Danny makes some new friends in Isabelle, the quirky visitor from New York and Walter, the genius social misfit who is the target of the school’s bullies. Their friendship helps Danny make sense of his feelings of anger and grief. Danny creates a Book of the Dead in which he compiles facts about the deaths of famous people. Each chapter of this novel deals with the death of a person that Danny then relates to an aspect of his own life. Although the premise sounds quite heavy, and it is deeply moving and philosophical, this is also a very funny story. Danny has a very humorous and straight-forward voice that offers a light touch in some very dark moments. Seeing the world through Danny’s eyes, particularly through his memories of Eli, is heart-warming, poignant and yet also uplifting. In this coming of age story Danny learns that sometimes the only way to move forward is to let go of the past.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

"After Eli" is a wonderfully written, heartfelt story about a summer of magic and death for a teenaged boy. After his brother is killed, Daniel tries to sort out his life and his family, along with the school genius dork, a lovely and intriguing girl visiting for the summer, some hippie-type organic farmers, and always Eli, always his big brother guiding him via his memories.

A quick, wonderful read, that is more fun than you might think from reading the synopsis. Recommended. (I wrote a long, awesome review, but it somehow didn't save. I love this book. I hope you do as well)

[Paul Hankins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come as August approaches.

Daniel (E.) Anderson collects stories of the dead in an attempt to make sense of his brother's death in the war. The book takes place over the course of a summer vacation. A very nice coming of age story that has plenty of "ladders" to spare.

If you are on NetGalley, request this book. Then we can talk before August.

Through some cosmic circumstance, I love that this book shares a namesake with another of my favorite Candlewick titles, ELI THE GOOD.

[Kristin McIlhagga · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Eli by Rebecca Rupp was recommended by Paul Hankins on either Twitter, GoodReads, or Facebook (likely all three)! This did not disappoint. Daniel is trying to make sense of his brother’s death and growing up. His voice is thoughtful and honest, and brought me to tears a few times. This is the first complete book I’ve read on my new iP*d through NetGalley. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about reading on an e-device, but the story was so fantastic I barely noticed. Release date: Aug. 14, 2012

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a very good book to read if you were going through a rough time in your liofe or just wanted agood read.

[Shaunna Roszell]

I thought some parts were good. But some of it was boring.

[Jessie Zheng]

The Lexile number is 1020L.

[Sara]

Daniel's brother Eli was killed at war in Iraq when the truck he was riding in ran over a bomb. Daniel and his family are trying to find a way to cope with his death. Daniel's way of grieving is to make a "book of the dead" that acts like a journal where he records the deaths of famous people and random people from a local cemetery. In this "book of the dead" he asks questions and relates the death of these people to his own life or the death of his brother. Meanwhile Daniel's mom and dad are taking the death hard like normal people. Since they are so caught up in their son's death, Daniel doesn't get paid any attention now and feels invisible now that his brother is gone. Daniel later discovers new friends that help him get through life and cope with his brother's death differently. He discovers new things each day about his brother that he has never known before.

This book was not nearly as good as I thought it was going to be. There wasn't really any action or mystery to it and it was mostly just about the death of Daniel's brother and how him and his family were trying to cope with it. It wasn't really about war and was mostly just about Daniel's life. At the beginning of the book it was also about random stuff in his life including some memories of his brother which made it kind of boring and confusing. The ending was also not what was expected either because Daniel tears up his brother's room and calls his mom crazy for coping over Eli's death so "stupidly." The family then decides that they should all maybe get some counseling. Then the family lives happily again.

I did not really like this book and would not recommend reading it. I felt like the story was going nowhere. I wouldn't mind maybe reading another book by the author Rebecca Rupp and seeing if she writes differently or if I like any other novels written by her.

[Kristine L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

After Eli is a well-written, heartfelt story about a summer of magic and death for a teenage boy. This is a surprisingly good read which asks some very pointed questions.

Danny is wrestling mightily with the loss of his older brother, Eli, who was killed in Iraq. As Danny struggles to come to grips with Eli's death, he grapples with other issues and questions: What is friendship? What does it mean to be a friend? How do you deal with an ex-friend who turns on you? What about loyalty? Courage? Compassion?

Meanwhile, readers join Danny and his family as they wade through the grieving process. Danny's mom withdraws into herself and becomes an emotional recluse. Held captive by grief, his dad becomes increasingly tense, critical and irascible. How does Danny deal with his family? Can he?

The writing is geared toward middle schoolers. But it also some big questions:

Is there free will? Do we decide things for ourselves? Can you jump into a creek twice? Communicate with the dead? What about chaos theory and even worse - math?

The narrator packs a lot into 245 pages, including some rapier wit and a truckload of deadpan humor. Danny's voice feels real and authentic. Each chapter includes a header identification and a new question added to Danny's Book of the Dead.

There's also a bittersweet secondary storyline about a summer love and how "Nothing gold can stay." How "Sometimes you have to destroy the past so that you'll have to learn how to live in the new world."

Middle school audiences who enjoy a good story with full-bodied characters and snappy repartee sans grown-up sermonizing will enjoy this book. Indeed, After Eli avoids trite cliches and bone-headed bromides. I don't necessarily agree with everything in it. But overall, it's well-written, poignant, and rimmed with hope. An unpretentious gem of a story.

[Tiffany Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

After his brother Eli is killed in Afghanistan, Danny starts keeping a Book of the Dead to document people and historical figures and how they died. He always looked up to his older brother, who taught him basic skills such as making paper airplanes, how to break up with a girl, and the four most common Bullshit Alerts from adults. Not only does he miss his brother, but the house has also become a shrine to Eli: his mother refuses to change a thing in Eli's room or to allow anyone inside; his father criticizes Danny and compares him unfavorably to Eli; and his mother retreats into sleeping all day. Three years after Eli's death, 14-year-old Danny makes friends with Walter, the nerdy but brilliant school outcast, and falls for Isabelle, a girl about his age who is staying for the summer. The story alternates between flashbacks to life with Eli, and the present, in which Danny becomes aware that his interests and priorities are changing. Is his family finally ready to move on?
This was a witty, sensitive book, and I loved the narrator's voice. Occasionally it made me laugh out loud. It really sounded like a teenager talking. I wasn't really a fan of Isabelle, who seemed pretentious and almost ridiculously romantic (even for her age), but I liked how she encouraged Danny and Walter to stretch their thinking a bit. This was also an entertaining read, and a great story of acceptance and coming of age.

[Kyan D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good but it wasn't until about the middle of the book that I realized how messed up the chapter names were. Like they were about people that died and it even said how they died. One chapter it said something about how someone died and I didn't know what it meant. So I went online and looked up the meaning, the meaning said "another word for" and so I looked for what that word meant it was just suicide. So they used very confusing words just to say something messed up. Now normally this doesn't bother me but it was meant for kids in 5 and sixth grade so this was kind of messed up.

But more about the actual book I think that it was pretty good at first I was confused because the scene kept on changing and I never really got to know who a character was because once someone died they everyone in the town changed their name. It was actually confusing because some of the main characters closest friends and family called him by his old name and everyone else called him by his new name, the reason I am not actually naming him because I don't know which name to call him.

I really liked the book but I am not that picky of a reader so I would probably not recommend this book to any of my friends.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when I grab a book on a whim (only picked it up because of the cover and title) & discover an accidental good one! This author's style was great. I loved Danny's focus on his book of the dead (& I googled some of these people-totally bizarre deaths) mixed with the memories of his brother, whom he lost to a bomb in the war but whom you can tell he adores. The character of Eli, though deceased, is painted so vividly, I couldn't help but love him. And the twins? ❤️ I love quirky characters.
I can't say I loved the ending as it seemed to have an element that seemed a little too perfect, but that wasn't enough to make me drop my rating. Read it for the crafting of the characters alone. To me, that's rare in books these days, & I embrace it!
FYI contains profanity and some talk of boobs & sexuality (minor teenage talk)

[Erin Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel's life suddenly takes a drastic change for the worse when his older brother, Eli, does not return home from his military tour of duty. Family and school life become awkward and different, but eventually he meets someone who helps him see the world in a totally different light. I enjoyed his Book of the Dead project and each chapter beginning with a different dead person's story. The book was sad, thoughtful, and meaningful. I wish the cover made Daniel look more like the high school kid he is because I feel it would better attract the intended audience. I would definitely recommend this to any middle or high school kid looking for a sad but uplifting realistic fiction story that is almost more than real.

[Rachel Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a broad variety in the subjects discussed. It felt like talking to a real person, a nerd at that, but is that a bad thing? The author has also written books on how to homeschool (Home Learning Year by Year: How to Design a Homeschool Curriculum from Preschool Through High School) and the book felt like it featured a homeschooled kid even though Danny goes to school. That's a compliment. And I would so like to meet Eli. What an amazing book.

[James Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart-warming book about loss, and the small ways in which one gradually finds acceptance and healing. It is nicely written and doesn't dwell too heavily in the grief of the young narrator, who has lost his older brother Eli, but explores how he copes with the transformation that comes to his and his family's world. Subtle and sweet, this book resolves the unresolvable- how do we cope with such a loss, and how do we take each new day for what it is while acknowledging what has happened to us the day before? Lovely writing.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were things I liked and didn't like about this book. The things I liked were the vivid descriptions, the characters, the fact that it dealt with responses to grief and loss in addition to dynamic (changing) characters. I didn't like the profanity and playing with a ouija board--especially as this is marketed as a book for 9+. I think the language and subject matter should make this a much older book.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad coming of age novel. Danny was a likable enough character. Walter was pretty badass. Jasper and Journey were the best, hands down. Overall, this book read pretty well, but I had a hard time really getting into the some of the elements of the story. I can see MS kids digging into the book though, and that's probably a good thing. But, for this review entry, I just liked it. Nothing super awesome, nothing that's gonna put it on a do not read list, I just liked it.

[Aliesha P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was amazing there was so many twists and turns. After Eli is about a boy named Daniel and his brother Eli just died in the army. He died by going over a bomb with his car. Daniel starts to make a book called Book of the Dead and he researches all of these people ho have died to try and figure out if his brother died heroically or accidentally. This book is very inspiring and I would definitely recommend it.

[Momm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danny starts a death journal that picks varied people who have gone before and states their method of death. This is his coping method as he tries to adjust to the death of his big brother Eli, who was killed in action.

He finds that his usual friends aren’t bringing him any comfort or help but soon finds friendship with odd, but intelligent Walter and whimsical, beauty Isabelle. And even her bratty twin younger siblings.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was amazing I just love everything about it the stressful grief the way it pulls you into the feeling and makes you feel like your the one who lost Eli, I love Isabelle and Daniel’s love for her I wish she didn’t have to go away because I think they would be perfect, I think she is such a nice but overused character, you see the pretty, kind, philosophical girl in hundreds of books but I thoroughly enjoyed her character. Just the whole plot to this book was nice.

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

My book After Eli talks about a boy that suffers and is dealing with the death of his brother, Eli. The book focuses mostly with the death of Eli and how he talks about how he deals with this big loss. Also the boy after his brothers death, he starts to understand better about his life and talks about many people who died. I really like my book because as the time passes I can see a difference in the characters posture making him strong but there were some parts where the book was very confusing and didn't make so much sense. The author in these parts didin't give a so good context and clear words making it harder to understand. I recomend this book to people because it is very interesting and shows how the character takes care of different situations.

[Kris Kizer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the book of the dead concept but that's about it. This book just wasn't very good. There were no memorable characters or adventures. I realize this is a children's book, but I think they would even find it pointless.

[Rebecca Plaza · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful voice! Clarity of grief in its many forms. Our protagonist trancends it with connectivity and an honest examination of death's arbitrariness with his 'book of death', people who died famous and not and also with unexpected summer friendships.