After Life by Gayle Forman

I was offered this book with the words 'prepare to cry', which tells me that this one is going to be very emotional. The blurb caught my attention, too and seems pretty original: a girl dies but suddenly finds herself alive again seven years later. I'm very curious to see how this one turns and twists, and can't wait to dive in. Oh, and it just appeared about 2 weeks ago, so it's a fresh read, too.

So, let's get going!

AFTER LIFE

by Gayle Forman

Quill Tree Books

YA Paranormal

272 pages

One spring afternoon after school, Amber arrives home on her bike. It’s just another perfectly normal day. But when Amber’s mom sees her, she screams.

Because Amber died seven years ago, hit by a car while on the very same bicycle she’s inexplicably riding now.

This return doesn’t only impact Amber. Her sister, Melissa, now seven years older, must be a new kind of sibling to Amber. Amber’s estranged parents are battling over her. And the changes ripple farther and farther Amber’s friends, boyfriend, and even people she met only once have been deeply affected by her life and death. In the midst of everyone’s turmoil, Amber is struggling with herself. What kind of person was she? How and why was she given this second chance?

This magnificent tour de force by acclaimed author Gayle Forman brilliantly explores the porous veil between life and death, examines the impact that one person can have on the world, and celebrates life in all its beautiful complexity.

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MY TIDBITS

A kaleidoscope of emotions roll from every page, offering hope, healing, and heart.

After following the same path home that she has for entire high school career,  Amber parks her bike outside of her house and finds that everything's changed. She has no clue that she died seven years before and can't even begin to explain her sudden presence to her shocked parents and sister when she finds them. Of course, each of them handles her sudden resurrection differently, and she's doing her best to understand them and give them space. Still, guilt weighs down hard. She knows that she could have been kinder to her younger sister, her aunt has moved overseas, and her parents have long since divorced. The desire to fix things haunts her, although she's struggling herself with the strange mess. But maybe, that's what she's supposed to do. After all, that must be the reason for her return.

This is a carefully crafted read and handles some very difficult themes with finesse. It's also a read full of hope and dealing with grief. Family, the fragile balance of emotions, and facing the results of bad decisions are only the beginning of the messages woven into the tale. But most importantly, it sinks into the theme of grief and the struggle of living on.

While the story bases itself on Amber's point of view, it also switches between various characters. This not only ensures depth in the various subplots and allows the decisions made to be more understandable, but also adds information exactly then when it's needed. Flashbacks come in quite often, too. Thanks to the character names and time periods at the beginning of each chapter, it never grows confusing.

The writing style, extremely short chapters, and emotional dance make it clear that this read is for thought, feeling, and thoughtful depth. The main plot, while seeming to follow Amber's own struggles, actually clings more to those around her...which also means that several aspects of her are never really fleshed out...as if she's missing a little substance like a ghost. Some of her concerns surprised me and felt superficial, while others hit with a wise maturity. So, she has an odd balance and keeps it's feet firmly in the YA realm. 

It's a beautifully done read with tons of sink into and consider long after the book is done.

And here she is...

Award-winning author and journalist Gayle Forman has written several bestselling novels for children and adults, including Not Nothing, the Just One series, and the number one New York Times bestseller If I Stay, which has been translated into more than forty languages and in 2014 was adapted into a major motion picture. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her family.

Not Nothing by Gayle Forman

 I was excited to get my hands on today's read, since it dives into history while playing in the contemporary world. Nope, no time travel. Instead, it centers around a boy, who is helping out at an nursing home and strikes a friendship with one of the residents, a 107 year-old man.

While growing up, we lived across the alleyway from a bachelor, who was 99 years old. Us siblings would take turns visiting him in the afternoon for half-an-hour or so. And we loved it. There'd be green grapes and saltines for us to snack on, while he listened to our stories (and we told him everything). Then, sometimes, he'd tell us stories about his life, while building the Panama Canal. He was on the third ship to ever cross it, too.

So many people have interesting moments in life.

Anyway, this one heads into tales from WWII, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it handles things. 

NOT NOTHING

by Gayle Forman

Aladdin

Middle Grade Contemporary

288 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

AUGUST 27th!!!

"The book we all need at the time we all need it.” —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award–winning author of The One and Only Ivan In this middle grade novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Gayle Forman, a boy who has been assigned to spend his summer volunteering at a senior living facility learns unexpected lessons that change the trajectory of his life.

To say Alex has had it rough is an understatement. His father’s gone, his mother is struggling with mental health issues, and he’s now living with an aunt and uncle who are less than excited to have him. Almost everyone treats him as though he doesn’t matter at all, like he’s nothing. So when a kid at school actually tells him he’s nothing, Alex snaps, and gets violent. Fortunately, his social worker pulls some strings and gets him a job at a nursing home for the summer rather than being sent to juvie. There, he meets Josey, the 107-year-old Holocaust survivor who stopped bothering to talk years ago, and Maya-Jade, the granddaughter of one of the residents with an overblown sense of importance. Unlike Alex, Maya-Jade believes that people care about what she thinks, and that she can make a difference. And when Alex and Josey form an unlikely bond, with Josey confiding in him, Alex starts to believe he can make a difference—a good difference—in the world. 

If he can truly feel he matters, Alex may be able to finally rise to the occasion of his own life.

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MY TIDBITS

'Opportunities' takes on new meaning in a novel with depth and heart.

Alex has gotten himself into trouble but has been given a second chance from the courts by helping out at a nursing home. His father left long ago, and he's been temporarily separated from his mother due to her mental issues. The aunt and uncle he's living with see him as a burden and make their opinion clear constantly. The nursing home is not exactly a place Alex wants to be. Not only does it smell and is filled with zombies, but the person in charge of him is a girl about his age, who is as bossy and irritating as can be. When he runs across Josey, a 107-year-old resident who hasn't spoken a word for the last five years, Alex finds someone to connect with...especially since Josey deems that Alex is the first person worth talking to. As Josey reveals his life during the WWII years, not only does Alex start seeing things in a new light, but his own life starts changing.

Alex is a bit lost in life, especially since he's gotten himself into trouble with the courts. It's not said what he did until the end of the book (which wasn't my thing but does have its purpose), but it's clear that he's dealing with a very rough family life. He's got an attitude and is rough on the edges, but there's enough goodness shining through to see his good heart. His situation is easy to sympathize with, and some of his comments do add just the right amount of snark and humor. So, he's a well-rounded character, which is easy to root for and connect with.

Then, there's Josey, the 107-year-old, who not only adds a nice twist with his wisdom but opens the door to historical aspects of WWII. His stories center around his relationship with the love of his life and take unexpected directions, which build the tension while also giving insights into the time period. Josey holds quite a bit of personality, which comes across clearly with much of the novel written from his point of view. These carry a third-person, omniscient voice, in which he refers to Alex as 'the boy'. His tales from the past are printed in a slightly different font to make it clear when he's heading back in time. So, things never grow confusing despite the constant back and forth.

Even the other characters battle with their own issues and carry distinct personalities, which help guide Alex along his way to learning to embrace opportunities. This makes the read quick-paced with something new happening with every turn of the page, since so much is coming together. 

There's a lot being explored in these pages. There are family issues, problems of living as a foster child (even when with relatives), moments of therapy, dealing with cancer, and more. Then, there's the historical details of WWII and concentration camps. All of this is set in a nursing home, where even  problems surrounding such institutions and people also somewhat come to light. Still, the story doesn't weigh down, but it does hold a pretty serious tone even with a few lighter moments here and there to keep it entertaining and molded to the middle grade age group.

Readers, who enjoy diving into heartfelt reads with inspiring character arc, will enjoy this one. It's also nice for anyone wanting to learn more about WWII and life at that time. It's not for everyone, but it does carry a lot of goodness.

And here she is...

Award-winning author and journalist Gayle Forman has written several bestselling novels, including those in the Just One Day series, Where She Went, and the #1 New York Times bestseller If I Stay, which has been translated into more than forty languages and was adapted into a major motion picture. Her first middle grade novel, Frankie & Bug, was a New York Times Best Children’s Book of 2021. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her family.

Review: Frankie and Bug by Gayle Forman

And now, it's time for today's second book! This one is a historical set in the 1980's...can I tell you how weird it always feels to say 'historical' to books like this for me? (Yep, I'm feeling old). 

This one flows in reality and tells the story of two kids, who each need to find a way to get past their uncomfortable situations (very different ones) and find a way to friendship and themselves. And it's written by a well-known author...

So, let's take a peek! 

FRANKIE & BUG

by Gayle Forman

Aladdin

Middle Grade Contemporary

288 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

OCTOBER 12th!!!

In the debut middle grade novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Gayle Forman comes a poignant and powerful coming-of-age story that follows a young girl and her new friend as they learn about family, friendship, allyship, and finding your way in a complicated world.

It’s the summer of 1987, and all ten-year-old Bug wants to do is go to the beach with her older brother and hang out with the locals on the boardwalk. But Danny wants to be with his own friends, and Bug’s mom is too busy, so Bug is stuck with their neighbor Philip’s nephew, Frankie.

Bug’s not too excited about hanging out with a kid she’s never met, but they soon find some common ground. And as the summer unfolds, they find themselves learning some important lessons about each other, and the world.

Like what it means to be your true self and how to be a good ally for others. That family can be the people you’re related to, but also the people you choose to have around you. And that even though life isn’t always fair, we can all do our part to make it more just.

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MY TIDBITS

These two characters come across so naturally, they could be waiting for the reader on the doorstep and invite them for a day of friendship and fun.

Bug is ten and not exactly happy, since her favorite part of every year is falling flat thanks to her brother, who wants more space from her. Yep, her brother and that hurts. When she accidentally suggests staying at home as the best alternative, she's even less excited to learn she'll be spending time with the neighbor's relative, Frankie, a kid none of them have ever met, and a person, who has their very own reasons why they don't quite fit in. But this isn't the only issue as a serial murderer combs the city,  gangs cause issues and more.

Set in the 1980's, this book takes a look at a time before cell phones and internet...allowing the life of Bug and Frankie to evolve in a world, which really centers on the world around them. Bug is a very normal girl, who isn't pleased to learn that her favorite vacation spot has been cancelled because her brother has gotten older (14) and wants his space. From her. This sibling and family dynamic, and that set with just a mother raising two kids, is already a theme in and of itself, but the author adds so much more.  Wonderful neighbors and many outside issues give it depth and more than a little food for thought.

The arrival of Frankie, with his/her oddities, and the later forming friendship lay at the heart of this story and show how amazing friendship can be. The theme of acceptance and individuality is very clear as well. But the wholesome messages meld with more troublesome and even dangerous plot lines to create an intriguing tale, which does have the reader more than curious what the end will bring. A serial murderer is on the loose, Bug's mother is working hard on it in the mayor's office, and the local gangs and such also make life more than difficult. That's not even including the gun shot noises Bug hears every now and then. So, this is more than a calm, emotional tale of friendship.

All of this is woven into a very, well-told story. The writing is more than smooth and allows the world to come to life. The characters, especially the neighbor named Phillip, carry wonderful attributes and quirks, which make them hard not to like. Some of the problems pop-up a little out of nowhere in the scenes, but it does keep suspense higher too.

And here she is...

Gayle Forman is an award-winning author and journalist whose articles have appeared in numerous publications, including Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, and Elle in the US. Gayle Forman’s novel, If I Stay, was released as a blockbuster movie starring Chloë Grace Moretz in 2014. Her most recent YA novel is We Are Inevitable. Gayle lives in Brooklyn, New York with her family.