It has been awhile since I’ve actually posted a book review (or anything really). I apologize. I had a very hectic end of year, with work and life… (and not really reliable internet connection). Even reading took its toll, but I assure you, I will try not to stop reading. Anyway… I’ve seen this book around the book blogsphere for a while now, and I haven’t quite have the time to pick it up until now. I have alot in my “to be read” pile and it will take a while before I actually able to finish reading them all. (how scary).
If you have been living under a coconut shell or a rock, you wouldn’t have heard the news about how almost to frequent news of trash babies and door babies.. let’s keep it simple, babies left by people in the trash, in the wild, in places, in bags etc in the news. Most of us heard about it, yet there’s hardly any news of “After”. What happened to the parents? f course, there’s alot of horror movies about babies haunting their parents, but face it, there’s no after news.
Until now…
Somebody offered to read this books years ago. I wasn’t really into the genre back then, but I’ve revisited the reference after we had this Teens Awareness week at work. It was an eye opener.
Let’s talk about this book. The main character, Devon, had a baby, threw the baby into the trash like a piece of nothing. Heartless, people say (the normal reaction we have after listening to the same kind of news in the medias). Here’s the twist… she didn’t know she was pregnant, she didn’t realize it was her baby until a few months later. Wow… yup bullshit. That was my reaction. Then, the author brings us walking into the characters state of mind. her memories, her feelings, her thoughts, her fears, her aspirations. I actually feel sorry for her, regardless what she did.
Amy Efaw did an excellent job in writing Devon’s story. I actually learn a lot, and somewhat empathize with the character.
Cover. If you hadn’t notice, the model on the cover has the reflection of a pregnant woman on the back of the leaning model
****SPOILER****
The only reason why I gave it a 4 spades, was the ending. It was a major twist, but I was hoping for more. I wanted to know about the boy. The baby’s father. How about the baby? I do hope Amy Efaw would do a “follow up” sort of books regarding this one. It would be awesome. I hate being left hanging like that.
Quote: She can paint a pretty picture but this story has a twist. The paintbrush is a razor and the canvas is her wrist
After
By Amy Efaw
An infant left in the trash to die. A teenage mother who never knew she was pregnant . . .
Before That Morning, these were the words most often used to describe straight-A student and star soccer player Devon Davenport: responsible, hardworking, mature. But all that changes when the police find Devon home sick from school as they investigate the case of an abandoned baby. Soon the connection is made. Devon has just given birth; the baby in the trash is hers. After That Morning, there's only one way to define Devon: attempted murderer.
And yet gifted author Amy Efaw does the impossible. She turns Devon into an empathetic character, a girl who was in such deep denial that she refused to believe she was pregnant. Through airtight writing and fast-paced, gripping storytelling, Ms. Efaw takes the reader on Devon's unforgettable journey toward clarity, acceptance, and redemption.
Finished Reading: 13th December 2012
Acquire: 24th November 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Realistic Fiction | Young Adult
Release Day } 11 August 2009
Publisher } Viking Juvenile
Format } Paperback
ISBN } 9780670011834
Pages } 350 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 15 yo +
Interests } Realistic Fiction
Awards } Borders Original Voices Award for Kids & Teens (2009)
Support my reading by getting your copy } Amazon.com | Kindle
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