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The Afterwards
Ember and Ness are best friends. There's nothing more to say about it. It is what it is. It is what will always be. Ember and Ness. Then Ness dies. It is sudden and unexpected and leaves Ember completely empty. How can this be? When Ember finds a way into the Afterworld, she determines to bring Ness back. Because that's what friends do isn't it? They rescue each other. They help. They never give up. Ember and Ness. That don't change. A powerful, poignant, darkly comic and deeply moving story about friendship at its most extraordinary.
224 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2018
11 people are currently reading
484 people want to read
About the author
A.F. Harrold
37 books126 followersA.F. Harrold is an English poet. He writes and performs for adults and children, in cabaret and in schools, in bars and in basements, in fields and indoors. He was Glastonbury Festival Website's Poet-In-Residence in 2008, and Poet-In-Residence at Cheltenham Literature Festival in 2010. He won the Cheltenham All Stars Slam Championship in 2007 and has had his work on BBC Radio 4, Radio 3 and BBC7. He is active in schools work, running workshops and slams and doing performances at ungodly hours of the morning, and has published several collections of poetry. He is the owner of many books, a handful of hats, a few good ideas and one beard
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
December 8, 2018
This is a very grim story, not a book to give a child if they lose their friend'
December and happiness are best friends and they live next door to each other. But one sad day one of them dies from a accident, the whole school is very sad by the passing of their school mate, even more so is the girl who's bestfriend died, she feels lost and alone. One day after school the uncle comes to take the girl home to his place. He has a special key and a map and they go out the back gate and keep turning left till they find a house. The uncle has taken them to the Afterwards, a place in which the dead go to wait and their she finds her dead friend. She is soon taken back to the real world, the uncle shouldn't have used her as a swap to get his dead dog back. The girl comes up with a plan to rescue her friend and bring her back from the dead.
I am a Christian and this is not the afterlife I want, this afterworld was a depressing very grey place, where all was lost.
John 3: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotton son, so whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
December and happiness are best friends and they live next door to each other. But one sad day one of them dies from a accident, the whole school is very sad by the passing of their school mate, even more so is the girl who's bestfriend died, she feels lost and alone. One day after school the uncle comes to take the girl home to his place. He has a special key and a map and they go out the back gate and keep turning left till they find a house. The uncle has taken them to the Afterwards, a place in which the dead go to wait and their she finds her dead friend. She is soon taken back to the real world, the uncle shouldn't have used her as a swap to get his dead dog back. The girl comes up with a plan to rescue her friend and bring her back from the dead.
I am a Christian and this is not the afterlife I want, this afterworld was a depressing very grey place, where all was lost.
John 3: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotton son, so whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
September 30, 2018
December lives at home with her caring father, Harry. There's just the two of them since mum died many years ago and although dad has a partner who cares deeply for 'Ember', December's time, love and thoughts are always with her best friend, Happiness who loves the same things she does and is in the same class as her.
More of an 'equal' than a sequel to The Imaginary, this remains a dark and haunting world but this, for me, is a different story. Yes, there is a sense of creepiness about the plot and characters but what Harrold is sharing here is a story about facing and accepting loss. How he does this is quite profound and brave and one that I think children could get so much out from.
The Afterwards felt, to me, like the book A.F. has been building up to. It's a beauty.
More of an 'equal' than a sequel to The Imaginary, this remains a dark and haunting world but this, for me, is a different story. Yes, there is a sense of creepiness about the plot and characters but what Harrold is sharing here is a story about facing and accepting loss. How he does this is quite profound and brave and one that I think children could get so much out from.
The Afterwards felt, to me, like the book A.F. has been building up to. It's a beauty.
September 13, 2020
Gosh! This Book Hit Me & Hit Me Hard, Highly Recommended!
Read
January 22, 2019Review to come.
All in all this was not what I had hoped for from this duo who delivered one of my most favourite of MG books.
It felt contrived and forced. It was a little too dark in places, and doesn't really deliver the message it seems the creators were going for. In theory this would be a good book to help kids work through loss, but in practice not so much.
Also, why was there no comeuppance for the guy who wanted to trade the life of his niece in order to bring his dog back to land of the living?
And... did the old lady go back to that place to die? Is that why she was talking about seeing the cat again?
All in all this was not what I had hoped for from this duo who delivered one of my most favourite of MG books.
It felt contrived and forced. It was a little too dark in places, and doesn't really deliver the message it seems the creators were going for. In theory this would be a good book to help kids work through loss, but in practice not so much.
Also, why was there no comeuppance for the guy who wanted to trade the life of his niece in order to bring his dog back to land of the living?
And... did the old lady go back to that place to die? Is that why she was talking about seeing the cat again?
September 29, 2019
I received a finished copy of this book prior to publication in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.
This is such a moving and more often than not, a heartbreaking read! At its core, The Afterwards is a story about friendship and the extent one would go to save one’s best friend, as Ember does when she learns Ness tragically passes away during a terrible accident.
It’s also a story of acceptance too, and coming to terms with something tragic. In that sense, I definitely think that this book is quite an important one, I haven’t personally come across a lot of Middle Grade Fiction that deals with addressing the death of a friend, but I was definitely moved quite considerably by The Afterwards.
Yes, Ember does absolutely act irrational and dangerously when she believes she can bring back Ness from the dead, but did I blame her?
Absolutely not – all throughout this book, I felt like I was in her shoes, if my best friend died horribly and if I felt there was a way to bring them back, would I try? Of course, who wouldn’t?
All Ember has in life is her best friend, Ness, and her Dad, Harry. She and Ness do everything together, they walk to school and play and even share their lunches and equally divide a single chocolate biscuit. It was so precious and endearing reading about their young friendship and their cute interactions and sharing!
Then, one day at school, Ember doesn’t see Ness, she doesn’t know what’s happened to her best friend, only she senses a not so great feeling within her being. Then one of her Teachers announces that one of their classmates has passed away after hitting their head whilst playing on the swings, not initially saying who, but of course we know, as Ember knows too, it’s her Ness who has passed away.
Enter Ember’s odd Uncle, I say odd because initially I just thought he was just everyone’s quirky Uncle, but it soon became evident that there was more darkness than odd under the surface with him. See, it’s revealed that he lost his beloved Canine companion, and he wants to get her back too.
When Ember finds herself unexpectedly but perhaps not surprisingly reunited with Ness, things definitely take a darker turn here. See, Ember finds Ness sort of in a state of limbo, neither fully alive but not fully dead in this gap between the present and reality.
What follows is a profoundly moving journey, of friendship, acceptance, family and a helpful talking cat who’s wisdom definitely won’t be forgotten. There was also one twist in this book that I definitely didn’t see coming, focusing on Ember’s character, that it was definitely hard not to be equally horrified and moved by!
I definitely recommend The Afterwards, I finished it in the space of a couple of hours, read it and I’m sure you’ll be moved, too.
You can find more of my reviews on my book blog: https://brooklynthebookworm.wordpress...
This is such a moving and more often than not, a heartbreaking read! At its core, The Afterwards is a story about friendship and the extent one would go to save one’s best friend, as Ember does when she learns Ness tragically passes away during a terrible accident.
It’s also a story of acceptance too, and coming to terms with something tragic. In that sense, I definitely think that this book is quite an important one, I haven’t personally come across a lot of Middle Grade Fiction that deals with addressing the death of a friend, but I was definitely moved quite considerably by The Afterwards.
Yes, Ember does absolutely act irrational and dangerously when she believes she can bring back Ness from the dead, but did I blame her?
Absolutely not – all throughout this book, I felt like I was in her shoes, if my best friend died horribly and if I felt there was a way to bring them back, would I try? Of course, who wouldn’t?
All Ember has in life is her best friend, Ness, and her Dad, Harry. She and Ness do everything together, they walk to school and play and even share their lunches and equally divide a single chocolate biscuit. It was so precious and endearing reading about their young friendship and their cute interactions and sharing!
Then, one day at school, Ember doesn’t see Ness, she doesn’t know what’s happened to her best friend, only she senses a not so great feeling within her being. Then one of her Teachers announces that one of their classmates has passed away after hitting their head whilst playing on the swings, not initially saying who, but of course we know, as Ember knows too, it’s her Ness who has passed away.
Enter Ember’s odd Uncle, I say odd because initially I just thought he was just everyone’s quirky Uncle, but it soon became evident that there was more darkness than odd under the surface with him. See, it’s revealed that he lost his beloved Canine companion, and he wants to get her back too.
When Ember finds herself unexpectedly but perhaps not surprisingly reunited with Ness, things definitely take a darker turn here. See, Ember finds Ness sort of in a state of limbo, neither fully alive but not fully dead in this gap between the present and reality.
What follows is a profoundly moving journey, of friendship, acceptance, family and a helpful talking cat who’s wisdom definitely won’t be forgotten. There was also one twist in this book that I definitely didn’t see coming, focusing on Ember’s character, that it was definitely hard not to be equally horrified and moved by!
I definitely recommend The Afterwards, I finished it in the space of a couple of hours, read it and I’m sure you’ll be moved, too.
You can find more of my reviews on my book blog: https://brooklynthebookworm.wordpress...
January 8, 2019
I don't know of any other children's author out there who is willing to tackle these sensitive subjects and do it with so much care. Coupled with some more stunning illustrations from Emily Gravett this is one of the most tender books you'll ever have the pleasure to read. The book deals with a friendship so strong that even after death there is still a bond between the girls. From the write-up you know that one of them is going to die, but you aren't prepared with how sudden it was, you then get to see through Ember's eyes how adults deal with death, from the parents not knowing how to deal with a grieving child to Ember not fully understanding what has happened, it makes for some moving scenes.
Once Ember reaches the afterworld that is where Emily's illustrations come into their element. I was amazed by her artwork in The Imaginary and am amazed again, those little bits of colour really stand out, and when things start to get creepy her drawings do not disappoint.
My daughter was lucky enough to win a signed copy of this, just before her birthday and it has been added to her small collection of books that she's never gonna let go of.
It doesn't matter if you don't have kids, as an adult you will still get plenty out of this book, and I dare you not to cry.
Blog review> https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2019...
Once Ember reaches the afterworld that is where Emily's illustrations come into their element. I was amazed by her artwork in The Imaginary and am amazed again, those little bits of colour really stand out, and when things start to get creepy her drawings do not disappoint.
My daughter was lucky enough to win a signed copy of this, just before her birthday and it has been added to her small collection of books that she's never gonna let go of.
It doesn't matter if you don't have kids, as an adult you will still get plenty out of this book, and I dare you not to cry.
Blog review> https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2019...
June 25, 2019
December, nicknamed Ember, and Happiness, called Ness, live next door to each other and have been best friends for three years now. They did everything together, walking to and from school, playing in the schoolyard, and having lots of laughs and fun with each other. So Ember is pretty surprised one day when she calls for Ness to walk to school and no one answers the door.
At school, it's announced that one of the students has died after an accident, and to Ember's surprise and distress it turns out to be Ness. This is hard news to take, and Ember is understandably distracted, so when her creepy Uncle Graham picks her up from school one day, she unquestioningly goes to his house with him. When evening comes, he says he is taking Ember home, but instead they end up in a place that is black, white, and grey. There, Uncle Graham finds his recently deceased dog, and Ember find Ness sitting on the steps in front of her now grey empty house. Ember is excited to see Ness, but Ness is quite lackluster and grey.
When Ember discovers that Uncle Graham brought her to this place called the afterwards, where people go to forget their lives and are only echoes of their living selves, in order to swap her living self for his dog's dead self and bring the dog back home - alive and well. Luckily, there's a mangy, but wise cat who takes an interest in Ember, and a mysterious lady named Ms. Todd who gets Ember back among the living.
But...now Ember knows that there is a way to bring back the dead and that is just what she intends to do for Ness. After all, isn't that just what best friends would do? But when Ember finds herself stuck in the afterwards is there really no way out?
The Afterwards is a very dark, surreal fantasy told in the third person from Ember's point of view so the reader is privy to her feelings, thoughts and plans. The writing is simple, straightforward, so matter-of-fact that it makes the uncanny feel almost real. Harrold has imbued Ember with qualities of courage, loyalty, and vulnerability. She never tries to understand what has happened, only focusing on rescuing Ness from death, despite being told over and over by the cat and Ms. Todd that that can't be done. Ember never questions where Uncle Graham got his directions to the afterward, simply accepting that he did. She simply focuses on the task she's set for herself. In this way Harrold effectively deals with themes of loss, grieving, and then being about to move on and live life.
Gravett's illustrations, often fusing color and grey to distinguish between the living and the deceased add to the sinister feeling of the story, and there were certainly times when I felt like something really ominous what going to happen, but the illustrations brought the story back to where it belonged - disturbing but not horror.
The Afterwards is definitely not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but if you like stories that are dark yet poignant this is a really good choice. In fact, if you loved Neil Gaiman's Coraline, then The Afterwards is definitely a book for you. The writing creates that same haunting feeling of entering an in-between world that exists but doesn't exist, that's familiar but not familiar and it is all deliciously creepy.
This book is recommended for readers age 11+
This book was bought for my personal library
At school, it's announced that one of the students has died after an accident, and to Ember's surprise and distress it turns out to be Ness. This is hard news to take, and Ember is understandably distracted, so when her creepy Uncle Graham picks her up from school one day, she unquestioningly goes to his house with him. When evening comes, he says he is taking Ember home, but instead they end up in a place that is black, white, and grey. There, Uncle Graham finds his recently deceased dog, and Ember find Ness sitting on the steps in front of her now grey empty house. Ember is excited to see Ness, but Ness is quite lackluster and grey.
When Ember discovers that Uncle Graham brought her to this place called the afterwards, where people go to forget their lives and are only echoes of their living selves, in order to swap her living self for his dog's dead self and bring the dog back home - alive and well. Luckily, there's a mangy, but wise cat who takes an interest in Ember, and a mysterious lady named Ms. Todd who gets Ember back among the living.
But...now Ember knows that there is a way to bring back the dead and that is just what she intends to do for Ness. After all, isn't that just what best friends would do? But when Ember finds herself stuck in the afterwards is there really no way out?
The Afterwards is a very dark, surreal fantasy told in the third person from Ember's point of view so the reader is privy to her feelings, thoughts and plans. The writing is simple, straightforward, so matter-of-fact that it makes the uncanny feel almost real. Harrold has imbued Ember with qualities of courage, loyalty, and vulnerability. She never tries to understand what has happened, only focusing on rescuing Ness from death, despite being told over and over by the cat and Ms. Todd that that can't be done. Ember never questions where Uncle Graham got his directions to the afterward, simply accepting that he did. She simply focuses on the task she's set for herself. In this way Harrold effectively deals with themes of loss, grieving, and then being about to move on and live life.
Gravett's illustrations, often fusing color and grey to distinguish between the living and the deceased add to the sinister feeling of the story, and there were certainly times when I felt like something really ominous what going to happen, but the illustrations brought the story back to where it belonged - disturbing but not horror.
The Afterwards is definitely not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but if you like stories that are dark yet poignant this is a really good choice. In fact, if you loved Neil Gaiman's Coraline, then The Afterwards is definitely a book for you. The writing creates that same haunting feeling of entering an in-between world that exists but doesn't exist, that's familiar but not familiar and it is all deliciously creepy.
This book is recommended for readers age 11+
This book was bought for my personal library
November 27, 2021
DNF at 34%
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.
The Afterwards was super disturbing, and definitely not a book I want my children to read. First of all, their names were a little confusing (December and Happiness/Ember and Ness), but that was easy to overlook. I can appreciate when an author tries to be unique and original with words. However, I wish the characters had mentioned why they were given those names.
I didn't get very far into this one, so I can't comment on the book as whole, but I disliked how the characters were portrayed at the start. Her friend dies, and she receives the news from the principal at her school. I thought the information was delivered in strange way, with all the kids sitting on the floor in front of him. Wouldn't you assemble a large group of children in a gym or auditorium? It also felt impersonal and careless, even though the characters were emotional.
After the death of her friend, Ember is approached by an uncle that she doesn't see very often, and he tells her that she's supposed to come with him because her father is busy with his girlfriend. Red flag! Red flag! Ember knew this was an odd request, because her father always tells her when his plans change, so she should have asked to go back inside the school and call him. She should not have left with him just because they were related.
Her uncle was super shady about the details, and very vague when she asked him questions, yet she was willing to follow him in circles despite knowing it wasn't the way to her house. Also, what he did was unforgiveable. She should have said something to someone when it was over, but she chooses not to so she can question him on her own. The guy essentially kidnaps her, and she doesn't tell her father? She didn't have to tell him the unbelievable aspects of what happened to her (her visit to the afterlife or whatever), but she could have told him that her uncle picked her up from school and abandoned her somewhere unfamiliar.
If your child has lost a friend or loved one, please keep them away from this book. The Afterwards will likely terrify them, and make them worry about their own deaths. When Ember finds her friend in the gray place (for lack of a better term), she was alone, confused, and scared. I don't want my children to worry about what's going to happen to them when they die (not at this age), and to even consider the possibility of it looking anything like what's described in this book.
Oh, and there's a talking cat that wasn't explained. Shouldn't she have been more concerned with that? Ember also knows she isn't dead, but she's in a dead place, and she actually wants to stay. Kudos for friendship, but she's also a child and should have been more afraid. Why doesn't she want to live? I'm seriously having a hard time wrapping my head around this one, and cannot think of a single positive aspect to end this review with.
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I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.
The Afterwards was super disturbing, and definitely not a book I want my children to read. First of all, their names were a little confusing (December and Happiness/Ember and Ness), but that was easy to overlook. I can appreciate when an author tries to be unique and original with words. However, I wish the characters had mentioned why they were given those names.
I didn't get very far into this one, so I can't comment on the book as whole, but I disliked how the characters were portrayed at the start. Her friend dies, and she receives the news from the principal at her school. I thought the information was delivered in strange way, with all the kids sitting on the floor in front of him. Wouldn't you assemble a large group of children in a gym or auditorium? It also felt impersonal and careless, even though the characters were emotional.
After the death of her friend, Ember is approached by an uncle that she doesn't see very often, and he tells her that she's supposed to come with him because her father is busy with his girlfriend. Red flag! Red flag! Ember knew this was an odd request, because her father always tells her when his plans change, so she should have asked to go back inside the school and call him. She should not have left with him just because they were related.
Her uncle was super shady about the details, and very vague when she asked him questions, yet she was willing to follow him in circles despite knowing it wasn't the way to her house. Also, what he did was unforgiveable. She should have said something to someone when it was over, but she chooses not to so she can question him on her own. The guy essentially kidnaps her, and she doesn't tell her father? She didn't have to tell him the unbelievable aspects of what happened to her (her visit to the afterlife or whatever), but she could have told him that her uncle picked her up from school and abandoned her somewhere unfamiliar.
If your child has lost a friend or loved one, please keep them away from this book. The Afterwards will likely terrify them, and make them worry about their own deaths. When Ember finds her friend in the gray place (for lack of a better term), she was alone, confused, and scared. I don't want my children to worry about what's going to happen to them when they die (not at this age), and to even consider the possibility of it looking anything like what's described in this book.
Oh, and there's a talking cat that wasn't explained. Shouldn't she have been more concerned with that? Ember also knows she isn't dead, but she's in a dead place, and she actually wants to stay. Kudos for friendship, but she's also a child and should have been more afraid. Why doesn't she want to live? I'm seriously having a hard time wrapping my head around this one, and cannot think of a single positive aspect to end this review with.
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December 8, 2019
An interesting look at the afterlife, where do you go after you die? What if you could bring your best friend back to the land of the living? That's what Ember tries to do when her friend Ness dies at the start of this story. Haunting and sad. Some will lile this look at the afterlife and some will find it too dark for their tastes.
June 12, 2020
2 for the story but an extra star for the illustrations
October 21, 2024
A.F. Harold's The Afterwards is a beautifully eerie tale of grief, hope and the afterlife, capturing a gothic atmosphere that both my partner and I found captivating. The story's whimsical yet unsettling elements, particularly the reminiscent cat character, evoke comparisons to "Coraline."
While we loved the haunting themes, some questions felt unanswered, and the pacing at the end was slightly rushed. Nonetheless, it’s a compelling read that can engage even those who aren’t usually drawn to books. Highly recommended for anyone intrigued by the uncanny or morbid.
While we loved the haunting themes, some questions felt unanswered, and the pacing at the end was slightly rushed. Nonetheless, it’s a compelling read that can engage even those who aren’t usually drawn to books. Highly recommended for anyone intrigued by the uncanny or morbid.
November 14, 2018
Just finished reading this fantastic book by A.F Harold! After reading the Imaginary (and loving every aspect of it) I was so excited to read the Afterwards. I found this book incredibly moving and it was not what I expected at all! I think Harold dealt with the feelings of loss and grief (especially for a young child) in such a brilliant way. I loved how the introduction of December (Ember) mirrored that of the introduction of Amanda Shuffleup in the Imaginary, with their different approach to the shoes as a subtle way of telling the audience these are two very different characters.
The relationship between Ember and her dad, referred to as Harry, interested me. I felt the way she referred to him as Harry possibly highlighted a sort of distance between the two. Yet Harold made it clear they loved one another deeply and this was expressed through less conventional means - Ember knows Harry cares for her and would do anything for her and doesn't need this to be stated to her. There are continual references to Ember acknowledging that Harry would do anything for her if she asked. However, I felt on some occasions (her walking home from school alone so soon after loosing her friend) that she shouldn't need to ask. I did like the way these characters were multi-dimensional, it made them more realistic as nobody is perfect.
I felt the connection between Ember and Happiness (Ness) was more genuine and real than the friendship between Rudger and Amanda in the Imaginary - maybe because they were two real people. This made Ness' death more tragic, it really shocked me and was completely unexpected.
The introduction of Uncle Graham, to me, felt more sinister to that of Mr Bunting (the Imaginary) largely due to the circumstances of his introduction. Ember is alone, he approaches her in an alley way and lures her back to his house, made even more disturbing with the snippets of dialogue from the phone call from (assumedly) Harry. The fact that she was alone in an alley way instantly highlighted her vulnerability, whereas Amanda was in her visit with her mother upon her first encounter with Mr Bunting. Uncle Graham's entire demeanour was sketchy and instantly made me nervous of his intentions, the revelation that he was her uncle did little to sway my opinion - if anything it made it worse!
I had more 'puzzles' and maybe dislikes after reading this novel than the Imaginary. I wanted to know what happened to Uncle Graham after he left the house, understand more about his motivations or character.
I was also puzzled by the character of the Mother and felt that the situation turned from a heartfelt moment to something much more sinister. It felt unnatural to me that a mother would not encourage her child to go and live, rather than stay in the 'world of grey' with her.
Another character that puzzled me was Ms Todd - I felt we never understood who she was or her role in the story and the other world. The cat hinted there was more too her character but this was never resolved.
Overall, I throughly enjoyed this novel. When it ended I was disappointed, I wanted to continue reading - maybe in the hope of having some of my questions answered but more importantly to know what happened next in Ember's life.
I think some of the topics covered in this book could be too mature or upsetting for younger children however it is definitely a book I would consider using with an older class of children. I think the themes of friendship, love and loss could easily relate to many different people, adults and children alike. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
The relationship between Ember and her dad, referred to as Harry, interested me. I felt the way she referred to him as Harry possibly highlighted a sort of distance between the two. Yet Harold made it clear they loved one another deeply and this was expressed through less conventional means - Ember knows Harry cares for her and would do anything for her and doesn't need this to be stated to her. There are continual references to Ember acknowledging that Harry would do anything for her if she asked. However, I felt on some occasions (her walking home from school alone so soon after loosing her friend) that she shouldn't need to ask. I did like the way these characters were multi-dimensional, it made them more realistic as nobody is perfect.
I felt the connection between Ember and Happiness (Ness) was more genuine and real than the friendship between Rudger and Amanda in the Imaginary - maybe because they were two real people. This made Ness' death more tragic, it really shocked me and was completely unexpected.
The introduction of Uncle Graham, to me, felt more sinister to that of Mr Bunting (the Imaginary) largely due to the circumstances of his introduction. Ember is alone, he approaches her in an alley way and lures her back to his house, made even more disturbing with the snippets of dialogue from the phone call from (assumedly) Harry. The fact that she was alone in an alley way instantly highlighted her vulnerability, whereas Amanda was in her visit with her mother upon her first encounter with Mr Bunting. Uncle Graham's entire demeanour was sketchy and instantly made me nervous of his intentions, the revelation that he was her uncle did little to sway my opinion - if anything it made it worse!
I had more 'puzzles' and maybe dislikes after reading this novel than the Imaginary. I wanted to know what happened to Uncle Graham after he left the house, understand more about his motivations or character.
I was also puzzled by the character of the Mother and felt that the situation turned from a heartfelt moment to something much more sinister. It felt unnatural to me that a mother would not encourage her child to go and live, rather than stay in the 'world of grey' with her.
Another character that puzzled me was Ms Todd - I felt we never understood who she was or her role in the story and the other world. The cat hinted there was more too her character but this was never resolved.
Overall, I throughly enjoyed this novel. When it ended I was disappointed, I wanted to continue reading - maybe in the hope of having some of my questions answered but more importantly to know what happened next in Ember's life.
I think some of the topics covered in this book could be too mature or upsetting for younger children however it is definitely a book I would consider using with an older class of children. I think the themes of friendship, love and loss could easily relate to many different people, adults and children alike. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2020
Fantasy, grief and family - an unusual, affecting children's story about death.
Not an easy topic for young readers, the taboo of death being one that adults usually try to shield children from as much as they can. But here the protagonist not only has to face death but to make decisions that no child normally would. It is a mature work.
Ember and Ness, best friends, are separated suddenly, Ember left with the void as Ness tragically dies. Herself part of a family mourning a mother, she struggles to find reason to move on. One afternoon though, a strange opportunity comes her way, as she is brought to the afterworld where Ness is existing. And being her best friend, she determines to bring her back to the world of the living.
A unique story for the age group, a topic most writers would shy away from. So many issues and so much opportunity for emotional upset. But this becomes, in part, a quest/adventure, with heroes and villains, though of course nothing is ever black-and-white, as this story shows.
I appreciated the weaving in of Ember's own family tragedy with her loss of her best friend, and the story brings excitement and realisations, growing maturity and the inevitable conclusions that those grieving a loved one have to reach.
Gravett works well as a partner for Harrold, her distinct characters are sympathetic, a lot of emotion is conveyed in her grey/black/white illustrations.
Quite dark at times (something about it reminded me of Coraline), it doesn't pander to the reader's desires for a 'happy ending' but does give closure and reassurances, as well as positive messages about friendship, family and love.
For ages 9-14.
Not an easy topic for young readers, the taboo of death being one that adults usually try to shield children from as much as they can. But here the protagonist not only has to face death but to make decisions that no child normally would. It is a mature work.
Ember and Ness, best friends, are separated suddenly, Ember left with the void as Ness tragically dies. Herself part of a family mourning a mother, she struggles to find reason to move on. One afternoon though, a strange opportunity comes her way, as she is brought to the afterworld where Ness is existing. And being her best friend, she determines to bring her back to the world of the living.
A unique story for the age group, a topic most writers would shy away from. So many issues and so much opportunity for emotional upset. But this becomes, in part, a quest/adventure, with heroes and villains, though of course nothing is ever black-and-white, as this story shows.
I appreciated the weaving in of Ember's own family tragedy with her loss of her best friend, and the story brings excitement and realisations, growing maturity and the inevitable conclusions that those grieving a loved one have to reach.
Gravett works well as a partner for Harrold, her distinct characters are sympathetic, a lot of emotion is conveyed in her grey/black/white illustrations.
Quite dark at times (something about it reminded me of Coraline), it doesn't pander to the reader's desires for a 'happy ending' but does give closure and reassurances, as well as positive messages about friendship, family and love.
For ages 9-14.
October 25, 2019
A beautiful story which is sad without ever being maudlin and hopeful without being dishonest. But I would recommend it for the intended age-group only with a few caveats. Children read in such a different way to adults I think it's possible some would be left overwhelmed or scared about the topics, depending on their particular nature.
I'm going to pass the book onto a friend for her kids but with a word of warning that she might want to read it first herself to gauge whether this is one she wants to hand over.
I think the child I was probably would have been fine with it, had a good old sob and been a bit scared of some bits but not been lastingly troubled. But then I was fortunate enough not to have to really deal with loss until I was an adult. The concepts would only have been sad or scary in an abstract way.
But it's a cracking book, a wonderful ghost story, beautifully illustrated by the great Emily Gravett. It's also wonderfully disciplined in being exactly the right length.
I'm going to pass the book onto a friend for her kids but with a word of warning that she might want to read it first herself to gauge whether this is one she wants to hand over.
I think the child I was probably would have been fine with it, had a good old sob and been a bit scared of some bits but not been lastingly troubled. But then I was fortunate enough not to have to really deal with loss until I was an adult. The concepts would only have been sad or scary in an abstract way.
But it's a cracking book, a wonderful ghost story, beautifully illustrated by the great Emily Gravett. It's also wonderfully disciplined in being exactly the right length.
March 2, 2020
December (Ember) and Happiness (Ness) are best friends who live next door to one another. When Ness, dies, Ember is empty and struggles to cope. Then Betty, her nefarious uncle's dog, is killed in a car accident. He kidnaps Ember and takes her to The Afterwards where he trades her for Betty. While wandering in this parallel world, Ember finds a shadowy Ness. Then a Mrs Todd decides this trade isn't right and returns Ember to the real world. Once home Ember becomes determined to rescue Ness, no matter what. That's what friends do.
This book is primarily about grief, loss and coming to terms with it. It's got lots of creepy going on, but there are also moments of sorrow and humour. The night Ember plans to return to The Afterwards to rescue Ness, her Nan and Grandad are over to babysit her. Ember's description of them is hilarious.
“Tilda and Porkpie weren’t like most grans and grandads she knew of.
They were old people made more like teenagers.
Ember wasn’t sure what had gone wrong with them, but they failed to grow up properly.”
This book is primarily about grief, loss and coming to terms with it. It's got lots of creepy going on, but there are also moments of sorrow and humour. The night Ember plans to return to The Afterwards to rescue Ness, her Nan and Grandad are over to babysit her. Ember's description of them is hilarious.
“Tilda and Porkpie weren’t like most grans and grandads she knew of.
They were old people made more like teenagers.
Ember wasn’t sure what had gone wrong with them, but they failed to grow up properly.”
October 3, 2018
Actual rating : 3.75/ 5 star
I liked the characters, especially December and Harry. I really adore their bonding as father-daughter. The story line has great pacing and development. I loved how the author describes December and Happiness' friendship. I think we would all be like December if we were ever to lose our best friend.
However, the 'other world' for the dead could be more solid, in my opinion.
Overall, it was heartfelt and beautifully written.
For more detailed review: https://jessicabooksblog.wordpress.co...
Thank you Pansing for sending me this ARC.
I liked the characters, especially December and Harry. I really adore their bonding as father-daughter. The story line has great pacing and development. I loved how the author describes December and Happiness' friendship. I think we would all be like December if we were ever to lose our best friend.
However, the 'other world' for the dead could be more solid, in my opinion.
Overall, it was heartfelt and beautifully written.
For more detailed review: https://jessicabooksblog.wordpress.co...
Thank you Pansing for sending me this ARC.
March 19, 2019
I read A.F. Harrold's The Imaginary back in 2014 and enjoyed it so I thought I'd pick up another children's book from this author. The Afterwards brings together the same author/illustrator combination which works really well in terms of storytelling.
This book had darker elements that reminded me of Neil Gaiman's children's fiction but was quite an emotional read. It is a story about life and death, remembering and letting go.
The only thing I didn't enjoy was the repetitive nature of the story and the unsolved mystery of one of the characters. However, I think if you want to explain more about death and grief to a child, this would be a good book to introduce.
This book had darker elements that reminded me of Neil Gaiman's children's fiction but was quite an emotional read. It is a story about life and death, remembering and letting go.
The only thing I didn't enjoy was the repetitive nature of the story and the unsolved mystery of one of the characters. However, I think if you want to explain more about death and grief to a child, this would be a good book to introduce.
May 15, 2019
Such mixed feelings about this one. It's juvenile fiction (so for kids, maybe middle grades). It's one person's take on what happens after we die, from the p.o.v. of a young girl who has no real recollection of her mother, and then loses her best school chum in a playground accident.
There's apparent judgment here about whose life is worth more, about creepy uncles and about dogs that are loved, unwisely and too well, to fracture a quotation.
A worthwhile topic, but I hope that parents and teachers share with sensitivity. And that kids who encounter it have people they trust with whom to discuss it.
My question: did the author write this for kids, or for him/herself?
There's apparent judgment here about whose life is worth more, about creepy uncles and about dogs that are loved, unwisely and too well, to fracture a quotation.
A worthwhile topic, but I hope that parents and teachers share with sensitivity. And that kids who encounter it have people they trust with whom to discuss it.
My question: did the author write this for kids, or for him/herself?
January 29, 2019
This is a very moving story. I read this book to my Year 4 class who got really interested in the story, asked lots of questions and wanted to know more about the two main characters Ember and Ness. This story talks about issues around death, friendship and looks at the main feelings of the main characters. At times the book can be quite sad but very moving and eye opening.
July 30, 2019
Thanks for the tears Mr. Harrold, I really appreciate it
December 18, 2019
I would recommend this be read by pretty much everyone. It's a really quick read so great for boosting your Goodreads challenge and it also deals with some pretty heavy topics.
February 25, 2020
Reminded me of Coraline , but without the same dedication to its genre. It was hard to finish, and finishing left me with no sense of resolve. Not recommended.
May 30, 2025
"Happiness was still there, in that other place, and Ember missed her, wanted her back. The world was too quiet without her."
This may be too much information to start a review with, but my aunt passed away 4 days ago. She was 79 - would have been 80 in July. Last year, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer - the third time in her life that she had had cancer. For the last few months, we have watched her disappear - quite literally too, as she looked just like skin and bone at the end. In these last few days, there has been a book on my shelf which feels as though it is screaming at me. That book is "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness. I read it years ago, so I know what it is about, I know how moving it is. Which is why I have been reluctant to pick it up just yet. It may be a little too close to the bone, a little too raw. But then when looking for something to read, I remembered that I had this one.
Ember and Ness are best friends. They just are. Nothing will stop that. Perhaps not even death. Because one day, Ness is not at school. The day before, she has an accident and sadly, she can't be saved. Ember isn't ready to say goodbye. So when she discovers that Ness is 'existing' somewhere between here and the other, Ember sees it as her chance to try and rescue her friend, to bring her back.
The Afterwards is an examination of grief, and how we are able to let those who we love go. Personally, given my current circumstances, I did find that there was much I could relate with. The topic is well handled. It is definitely a poignant story, so don't let the fact that it is aimed more at children fool you. However, the reason that I only awarded 3 stars is because I felt that it could have gone even deeper. Comparing it to "A Monster Calls", this doesn't cover the anger which is part of the grieving process. I know it can be unfair to compare books, but I can't help it - "A Monster Calls" won't be quiet, after all, right now. I do feel that Ness's book is more accomplished. That is not to say that The Afterwards is not accomplished, but if I were to have to recommend only one of them, I would definitely turn to "A Monster Calls" every time.
Finally, without giving too much away for those yet to read this, I felt that The Afterwards left me with more questions than answers upon reaching its end. Whilst this is not always a problem for me, this time it left me feeling that I may have missed something obvious whilst reading this novel. Perhaps it is just because of my mindset at the moment, who knows. But again, because of this, it went towards me thinking this was a 3 star, or 3.5 star read.
This may be too much information to start a review with, but my aunt passed away 4 days ago. She was 79 - would have been 80 in July. Last year, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer - the third time in her life that she had had cancer. For the last few months, we have watched her disappear - quite literally too, as she looked just like skin and bone at the end. In these last few days, there has been a book on my shelf which feels as though it is screaming at me. That book is "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness. I read it years ago, so I know what it is about, I know how moving it is. Which is why I have been reluctant to pick it up just yet. It may be a little too close to the bone, a little too raw. But then when looking for something to read, I remembered that I had this one.
Ember and Ness are best friends. They just are. Nothing will stop that. Perhaps not even death. Because one day, Ness is not at school. The day before, she has an accident and sadly, she can't be saved. Ember isn't ready to say goodbye. So when she discovers that Ness is 'existing' somewhere between here and the other, Ember sees it as her chance to try and rescue her friend, to bring her back.
The Afterwards is an examination of grief, and how we are able to let those who we love go. Personally, given my current circumstances, I did find that there was much I could relate with. The topic is well handled. It is definitely a poignant story, so don't let the fact that it is aimed more at children fool you. However, the reason that I only awarded 3 stars is because I felt that it could have gone even deeper. Comparing it to "A Monster Calls", this doesn't cover the anger which is part of the grieving process. I know it can be unfair to compare books, but I can't help it - "A Monster Calls" won't be quiet, after all, right now. I do feel that Ness's book is more accomplished. That is not to say that The Afterwards is not accomplished, but if I were to have to recommend only one of them, I would definitely turn to "A Monster Calls" every time.
Finally, without giving too much away for those yet to read this, I felt that The Afterwards left me with more questions than answers upon reaching its end. Whilst this is not always a problem for me, this time it left me feeling that I may have missed something obvious whilst reading this novel. Perhaps it is just because of my mindset at the moment, who knows. But again, because of this, it went towards me thinking this was a 3 star, or 3.5 star read.
April 11, 2019
Well, this was interesting, intense, and very sad. It was unsettling at times.
Some things I downright didn’t like, specially the idea of death being when you are forgotten and turn to dust. The Afterwards is sad and depressing, and I think if I had read this as a child, I would feel anxious. What I liked most were the illustrations and different ways to present text. But I am not a fan of this sad story... I like books that leave me thinking and wondering and hopeful. This one left me unsettled and sad.
Some things I downright didn’t like, specially the idea of death being when you are forgotten and turn to dust. The Afterwards is sad and depressing, and I think if I had read this as a child, I would feel anxious. What I liked most were the illustrations and different ways to present text. But I am not a fan of this sad story... I like books that leave me thinking and wondering and hopeful. This one left me unsettled and sad.
December 21, 2023
Not sure the message here. But a fine MG read I picked up from a discard cart, even tho I probably wouldn’t recommend it to an actual MG reader.
May 21, 2019
It’s hard to know how to rate this.
It’s obviously written with aching, searing emotion and is a beautiful story about grief. I also lost a friend close to me at the age of these characters, and also had a near-death experience in a car accident at the same age, and this novel sorts through those conflicting, complicated feelings so well. There were some wonderful moments, ideas, and writing, and I loved the formatting and illustration.
However, I felt like it all didn’t quite come together. I felt like the cast was both too large and too small, there was too much action and not enough, too much world-building and not nearly enough. I found it morbid, disturbing, probably too much for the age group.
Perhaps it’s the length: 197 pages, of which many are illustrated. It could have been a great short story or a great longer novel. But I felt the awkward length put the story at a disadvantage.
It’s obviously written with aching, searing emotion and is a beautiful story about grief. I also lost a friend close to me at the age of these characters, and also had a near-death experience in a car accident at the same age, and this novel sorts through those conflicting, complicated feelings so well. There were some wonderful moments, ideas, and writing, and I loved the formatting and illustration.
However, I felt like it all didn’t quite come together. I felt like the cast was both too large and too small, there was too much action and not enough, too much world-building and not nearly enough. I found it morbid, disturbing, probably too much for the age group.
Perhaps it’s the length: 197 pages, of which many are illustrated. It could have been a great short story or a great longer novel. But I felt the awkward length put the story at a disadvantage.
November 26, 2018
I was drawn to this book because of the illustrations - I'm such a fan of Emily Gravett's picture books that I wanted to read this if only for the illustrations!
And I wasn't wrong to - they are both very like some of her picture book work in some ways and much more detailed and with an older feel in others, which is as it should be for an older children's book.
Her use of both incredibly detailed pencil sketches and bright colour images not only mirrored and matched the storyline but really enhanced it, adding extra atmosphere and bringing home what was happening. The illustration felt really fresh and modern, whilst retaining a traditional method and style. The girls and Harry felt expressive and real and the cat in particular was (in my mind) a perfect representation of his character in the story.
I thought the relationships in the story were one of its strongest points - very believable and easy to relate to, with characters it was easy to warm to. Both the relationship between Ember and her dad, Harry, and her friendship between Ness and Ember were very well depicted, in both the text and illustrations, with little details giving them added depth and credibility.
Characters such as the cat and Ms Todd gave the book an extra dimension and the fact that their roles are left obscure and undefined I thought was very clever in giving the reader something to ponder and draw their own conclusions from. However, I would have liked a more definite conclusion to Uncle Graham's role in the story, but that's just me!
This is ultimately a story about death - loss, grief, letting go and moving on; I can see it being a great book for a lot of children dealing with these things, with many aspects of death (finding out about it, the funeral, getting on with life) tackled head on, but in a very age-appropriate way.
I would say that due to the nature of the story - the mysterious afterworld and the way that works - it would probably be better for slightly more mature readers who'd be able to easily separate the fantasy elements of the story from the more real aspects.
However, this is also what makes it a universally good read with a wider appeal. Sensitively written, it takes an incredibly tough, real situation and everyday life and combines it with fantasy to create a story which is at once familiar and otherworldly. For those who are in, or have been in, Ember (or Graham)'s situation coping with loss, there's plenty of subtly delivered advice and comfort; for those who (fortunately) have not had to deal with this, there's a supernatural story firmly rooted in familiar settings, making this ideal for fans of a range of MG fiction - from Lisa Thomson's 'The Light Jar' to Neil Gaiman's 'Coraline', for example.
Overall, I thought this was an imaginative, personal and touching take on a difficult topic (I especially liked the way the scene was set in the prologue), which strikes a delicate balance between real life and fantasy. Harrold and Gravett have previously collaborated on 'The Imaginary', which I'll be keen to read after this.
And I wasn't wrong to - they are both very like some of her picture book work in some ways and much more detailed and with an older feel in others, which is as it should be for an older children's book.
Her use of both incredibly detailed pencil sketches and bright colour images not only mirrored and matched the storyline but really enhanced it, adding extra atmosphere and bringing home what was happening. The illustration felt really fresh and modern, whilst retaining a traditional method and style. The girls and Harry felt expressive and real and the cat in particular was (in my mind) a perfect representation of his character in the story.
I thought the relationships in the story were one of its strongest points - very believable and easy to relate to, with characters it was easy to warm to. Both the relationship between Ember and her dad, Harry, and her friendship between Ness and Ember were very well depicted, in both the text and illustrations, with little details giving them added depth and credibility.
Characters such as the cat and Ms Todd gave the book an extra dimension and the fact that their roles are left obscure and undefined I thought was very clever in giving the reader something to ponder and draw their own conclusions from. However, I would have liked a more definite conclusion to Uncle Graham's role in the story, but that's just me!
This is ultimately a story about death - loss, grief, letting go and moving on; I can see it being a great book for a lot of children dealing with these things, with many aspects of death (finding out about it, the funeral, getting on with life) tackled head on, but in a very age-appropriate way.
I would say that due to the nature of the story - the mysterious afterworld and the way that works - it would probably be better for slightly more mature readers who'd be able to easily separate the fantasy elements of the story from the more real aspects.
However, this is also what makes it a universally good read with a wider appeal. Sensitively written, it takes an incredibly tough, real situation and everyday life and combines it with fantasy to create a story which is at once familiar and otherworldly. For those who are in, or have been in, Ember (or Graham)'s situation coping with loss, there's plenty of subtly delivered advice and comfort; for those who (fortunately) have not had to deal with this, there's a supernatural story firmly rooted in familiar settings, making this ideal for fans of a range of MG fiction - from Lisa Thomson's 'The Light Jar' to Neil Gaiman's 'Coraline', for example.
Overall, I thought this was an imaginative, personal and touching take on a difficult topic (I especially liked the way the scene was set in the prologue), which strikes a delicate balance between real life and fantasy. Harrold and Gravett have previously collaborated on 'The Imaginary', which I'll be keen to read after this.
April 25, 2019
Some books exude a need to carry them around with you, clutching them close to your chest. The Afterwards is one of those books; at least the hardback version was for me. Some might argue this is not a book for children however, I think it recognises every note of childhood assumption and optimism and allows them to resonate with all the veracity of a typical ten-year-old.
It is a story about loss and losing, of reuniting and realisations, of hanging on and letting go. December and Happiness (Ember and Ness) are best friends, inseparable and as solid as rock candy. When Ness’ death abruptly separates them, Ember is determined to find her way to the Afterworld, a transitional ethereal facsimile of her own world where the dead linger – echo - until they eventually melt from existence.
Chilling by degrees, tearful in parts and appreciatively comic throughout, this dark tale presents a side of death that both provokes thought and warms the heart. The loss of a close friend is no less real or disturbing as the loss of a family member. When it is the loss of a young friend, disbelief becomes the overriding emotion. A F Harrold explores this emotion in the most poignant and powerful way. The mortality of all living things is reflected by the time it takes them to ‘turn to dust and blow away’ to the place where they cease to ‘echo’. A snail, which may think very little of itself and is therefore able to forget itself faster, disappears quickly. Humans echo the longest.
Harrold’s prose ‘tiptoes into the air’, almost as ethereal as his characters’ heartbeats yet it is also persuasive and convincing. Emily Gravett’s stunning illustrations mirror mood and sustain atmosphere while the thoughtful use of swirling typography and contrasting page colour maintains the ghostly intangible tone of the story.
Yes, this is a story about death and one little girl’s attempt to slap it in the face and fight for those she loves. Yes, there are a few half-dead creatures lunging about not least of which is Ember’s mother who would much rather Em stay dead with her than relinquish her back to the land of the living. And yes, the afterlife is a little greyer and gloomier than some of us mere mortals may be expecting (who’s to say it isn’t?) You may find this a little confronting. I did not and do not believe children will because The Afterwards effectively appeals to the unsoiled parts of a child’s imagination where hope energetically resides and possibilities are every day occurrences. Where heroes are dads named Harry and where wanting to be close to your friend forever is the most important thing in the world.
There are many welcome surprises in The Afterwards. Do not be afraid to experience them.
It is a story about loss and losing, of reuniting and realisations, of hanging on and letting go. December and Happiness (Ember and Ness) are best friends, inseparable and as solid as rock candy. When Ness’ death abruptly separates them, Ember is determined to find her way to the Afterworld, a transitional ethereal facsimile of her own world where the dead linger – echo - until they eventually melt from existence.
Chilling by degrees, tearful in parts and appreciatively comic throughout, this dark tale presents a side of death that both provokes thought and warms the heart. The loss of a close friend is no less real or disturbing as the loss of a family member. When it is the loss of a young friend, disbelief becomes the overriding emotion. A F Harrold explores this emotion in the most poignant and powerful way. The mortality of all living things is reflected by the time it takes them to ‘turn to dust and blow away’ to the place where they cease to ‘echo’. A snail, which may think very little of itself and is therefore able to forget itself faster, disappears quickly. Humans echo the longest.
Harrold’s prose ‘tiptoes into the air’, almost as ethereal as his characters’ heartbeats yet it is also persuasive and convincing. Emily Gravett’s stunning illustrations mirror mood and sustain atmosphere while the thoughtful use of swirling typography and contrasting page colour maintains the ghostly intangible tone of the story.
Yes, this is a story about death and one little girl’s attempt to slap it in the face and fight for those she loves. Yes, there are a few half-dead creatures lunging about not least of which is Ember’s mother who would much rather Em stay dead with her than relinquish her back to the land of the living. And yes, the afterlife is a little greyer and gloomier than some of us mere mortals may be expecting (who’s to say it isn’t?) You may find this a little confronting. I did not and do not believe children will because The Afterwards effectively appeals to the unsoiled parts of a child’s imagination where hope energetically resides and possibilities are every day occurrences. Where heroes are dads named Harry and where wanting to be close to your friend forever is the most important thing in the world.
There are many welcome surprises in The Afterwards. Do not be afraid to experience them.
March 31, 2020
The Afterwards, by A.F. Harrold, is a wonderfully creative story about how a 10-year-old might deal with grief. The main character, December, affectionately known as ’Ember, lives with her widowed father and next door to her best friend, Happiness (affectionally known as ’Ness). Within the first few chapters, Ness dies.
Ember was very young when her mother died, so this is her first experience actually dealing with grief. Her father comforted her and stayed with her while she took a day off school to grieve, but the next day she was sent back to school again, unprepared. She went through the motions of school, but the difficult part was once the school day ended.
Ember and Ness had always walked home from school together, so without Ness there, Ember felt alone. Her Uncle Graham picked her up from school and brought her to his house for snacks. After the snacks, Uncle Graham took her on a walk. Something seemed suspicious, though. They turned left, then left again, then left twice more. They ended up back at the same place, the garden in Uncle Graham’s backyard. But this time the backyard wasn’t full of colorful flowers, it was all black and white.
December was now in the afterworld. Her adventure is about what she finds in the place where people have died, and her determination to bring her friend back to the living world.
The creativity lies not only in the story, but in the book’s layout and pictures. In one scene, A.F. Harrold describes a curvy path, and writes the words in a curvy pattern on the page. In another, the words are written in a spiral, to show the way December is reading them.
When December enters the afterworld, the illustrations become dark and grey, to show us that she has entered another dimension. When December hears a crack, the page has a large crack behind the words. When she feels burning, the chapter numbers look like they’re on fire. Throughout the book, there are darling illustrations of Happiness, December, her family, and the animals she meets along the way.
This precious story is an endearing way to show how a child might try to process grief of her friend – by trying to find her friend and bring her back to life. Eventually December learns to accept life the way it is, and learns to move on, but it takes time. Everyone deals with death in their own way, and especially children. I highly recommend this book for any child dealing with grief, so they can use their imagination to picture the afterlife, and then eventually learn to process and accept their feelings.
#AFHarrold #childrenslit #childrensbooks #grief #death #coronavirus #quarantinereading #bookreviews #110books6months #quarantinebookclub #covid19 #coronavirus #quarantine #amreading #amwriting #quarantinelife #happyreading
Ember was very young when her mother died, so this is her first experience actually dealing with grief. Her father comforted her and stayed with her while she took a day off school to grieve, but the next day she was sent back to school again, unprepared. She went through the motions of school, but the difficult part was once the school day ended.
Ember and Ness had always walked home from school together, so without Ness there, Ember felt alone. Her Uncle Graham picked her up from school and brought her to his house for snacks. After the snacks, Uncle Graham took her on a walk. Something seemed suspicious, though. They turned left, then left again, then left twice more. They ended up back at the same place, the garden in Uncle Graham’s backyard. But this time the backyard wasn’t full of colorful flowers, it was all black and white.
December was now in the afterworld. Her adventure is about what she finds in the place where people have died, and her determination to bring her friend back to the living world.
The creativity lies not only in the story, but in the book’s layout and pictures. In one scene, A.F. Harrold describes a curvy path, and writes the words in a curvy pattern on the page. In another, the words are written in a spiral, to show the way December is reading them.
When December enters the afterworld, the illustrations become dark and grey, to show us that she has entered another dimension. When December hears a crack, the page has a large crack behind the words. When she feels burning, the chapter numbers look like they’re on fire. Throughout the book, there are darling illustrations of Happiness, December, her family, and the animals she meets along the way.
This precious story is an endearing way to show how a child might try to process grief of her friend – by trying to find her friend and bring her back to life. Eventually December learns to accept life the way it is, and learns to move on, but it takes time. Everyone deals with death in their own way, and especially children. I highly recommend this book for any child dealing with grief, so they can use their imagination to picture the afterlife, and then eventually learn to process and accept their feelings.
#AFHarrold #childrenslit #childrensbooks #grief #death #coronavirus #quarantinereading #bookreviews #110books6months #quarantinebookclub #covid19 #coronavirus #quarantine #amreading #amwriting #quarantinelife #happyreading
June 4, 2024
DBF/Skipped to end to confirm it wasn't worth it.
Not for me. If you want a really good book about unexpected childhood death, read Bridge to Terabithia.
Not for me. If you want a really good book about unexpected childhood death, read Bridge to Terabithia.
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