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The Afterwards
As seen:
By A.F. Harrold, and and, Emily Gravett
avg rating
7 reviews
Fact: 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.
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That was a sad and unusual storyline but it was engagingly written and the illustrations really added to it. Ember (December) and Ness (Happiness) are the best of friends. One evening, unbeknownst to Ember, Ness has a tragic and fatal accident. This is very hard for Ember to comprehend but when her uncle betrays her trust and shows a way into the Afterlife, she sees an opportunity to undo this heartache. Due to the theme, I would say this is aimed at 10+
This for me was an uncomfortable read and I would certainly not be recommending it to my pupils as I felt it could be quite scary and upsetting for them. Could work for older pupils but I personally feel it would not appeal to a broad range of children.
Such a beautifully written book with illustrations to match. A very unique and moving story of love, friendship and bereavement. I will be reading the story of Ember and Ness again to my own children very soon.
This book stole my heart. The bond between the two girls is incredible and transcends worlds.
I found it incredibly touching, dealing grief - extremely difficult subject matter with such care but also honesty.
The illustrations perfectly capture Ember's journey and help to define both worlds. I have recommended this book to so many children and adults since I read it.
What a joy.
I have enjoyed all the A.F Harrold books that I have read, in a creepy, deeply imaginative way, they explore emotions and feelings in such a deep, honest way. There is so much to discuss in this book. The Emily Gravett illustrations adds beautifully to the the text. The text is poetic, bit scary, unsettling and yet with so much loveand tenderness. The story explores life, death, friendship, loyalty., being human, consciousness and what happens after we die. I would definitely recommend it to a teacher who is willing to take the time for discussion.
This was a sad story wih a great sense of heart behind it. I would recommend it to someone who likes a sensitive story - I have given the book to my mum to read.
I found the names confusing because December is a month and Happyness is a feling so they should of made it more clearer about that.It was both supurising and sad when Happyness/ness died.I did not have a favorite character. I didn't really like it so no but mabey other people would like it.
