Efaw, Amy After, 350 p. Viking (Penguin), 2009. $17.99.
Language: PG-13 (25 swears, 3 “f”), Violence: PG-13 (descriptions of the birth), Sexual Content: G (nothing described).
When her mother comes home from her graveyard shift, Devon, 15, is in a stupor on the couch. Mom doesn’t notice, however, because she is full of news about a baby that has been found, discarded in the dumpster outside their apartment building. When the police come around, Devon’s terrible secret is revealed – she is the mother of that baby. Now Devon’s life descends into a nightmare – of hospitals, courts and detention – as she awaits her fate and her punishment.
Efaw’s book is a heart-wringing, gut-wrenching tale from start to finish. Devon’s time in the female unit of the juvenile detention facility rings true, without becoming overwhelmingly in-your-face. The court scenesand drama, but a clear-headed look at the system. “After” is so skillfully written that any school could welcome it onto its shelves – and they should. This will be a very popular book, so be prepared with more than one copy on hand.
MS – ADVISABLE (know your audience), HS – ESSENTIAL.
Cindy, Library-Teacher.
Language: PG-13 (25 swears, 3 “f”), Violence: PG-13 (descriptions of the birth), Sexual Content: G (nothing described).
When her mother comes home from her graveyard shift, Devon, 15, is in a stupor on the couch. Mom doesn’t notice, however, because she is full of news about a baby that has been found, discarded in the dumpster outside their apartment building. When the police come around, Devon’s terrible secret is revealed – she is the mother of that baby. Now Devon’s life descends into a nightmare – of hospitals, courts and detention – as she awaits her fate and her punishment.
Efaw’s book is a heart-wringing, gut-wrenching tale from start to finish. Devon’s time in the female unit of the juvenile detention facility rings true, without becoming overwhelmingly in-your-face. The court scenesand drama, but a clear-headed look at the system. “After” is so skillfully written that any school could welcome it onto its shelves – and they should. This will be a very popular book, so be prepared with more than one copy on hand.
MS – ADVISABLE (know your audience), HS – ESSENTIAL.
Cindy, Library-Teacher.
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