The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle. Published by Harper Teen, 2011.

Laurel is busy studying and chatting with her friend on the phone when there is a knock on the front door. She is nervous answering the door because she is home alone. Her family went out for ice cream with the neighbors. She is completely unprepared for the person in her doorway- a police officer. He tells her the devastating news that her entire family was killed in a car accident.

David lives next door and he is the son of the man at the wheel during the accident. David’s mother was killed and his father is in a coma. David and Laurel aren’t friends, but the accident draws them together as they both try to cope with changing relationships with friends, trying to figure out how to continue with their lives, survivor’s guilt and this terrible loss.

An unexpected friendship (and maybe something more) develops between Laurel and Joe, a fellow high school student who works in the family garden. He lost his father to cancer and can relate to Laurel. She is able to talk to him about her confusion and uncertainty and know he can understand. When their relationship begins to become romantic, they both have mixed feelings.

Laurel has well-meaning friends who try to help her and ask her how she is doing, but she doesn’t know what to say. She is glad her grandmother moved in with her, allowing Laurel to finish her school year, but then what? Laurel gets a job at a veterinary office and revels in the anonymity of no one knowing her or anything about her family tragedy. David is struggling even more because he has no family at all to help him. He suddenly goes off on a trip across the country, leaving Laurel to care for his dog.

Laurel and David both have to figure out how to get on with their lives in the aftermath of this tragedy.

Teens who are Sarah Dessen and Laurene McDaniels fans reading and those who are interested in reading about grief will be drawn to this book.  Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Visit Jennifer Castle's website