Life, After

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Published by: Scholastic Press
Release Date: 07/01/2010
Pages: 288
ISBN13: 978-0545151443

 
OVERVIEW

Everything changes when a terrorist attack kills Dani’s beloved aunt and unborn cousin.

Dani’s life in Argentina—private school, a boyfriend, a loving family—is crumbling quickly. To escape from a country in crisis, where it feels like every day the ground sinks a little more under their feet, Dani and her family move to the United States. It’s supposed to be a fresh start, but when you’re living in a cramped apartment and going to high school where all the classes are in another language - and not everyone is friendly - life in America isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Dani misses her old friends, her life, Before. In addition, she must deal with an angry father who seems more like a stranger every day.

Just when Dani is about to break, she meets a boy named Jon, who isn’t like all the other students. Through him, she becomes friends with Jessica, one of the popular girls, who is harboring a secret of her own. And then there’s Brian, the boy who makes Dani’s pulse race. In her new life, the one After, Dani learns how to heal and forgive. She finds the courage to say goodbye and allows herself to love and be loved again.

AWARDS & PRAISE

SYDNEY TAYLOR HONOR BOOK FOR TEENS 2011

BANK STREET COLLEGE OF EDUCATION 2011 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR

1st PLACE 2011 CT PRESS CLUB ANNUAL AWARDS - YA NOVEL

ASSOCIATION OF JEWISH LIBRARIES NEW AND NOTABLE BOOK 2010

ALAN PICK OCT 2010

"Popular young adult novelist Sarah Darer Littman, author of the excellent Sydney Taylor Award winner, “Confessions of a Closet Catholic,” has another sure winner in her latest offering, “Life, After”... Littman catches the voice of teen readers with her spot-on dialogue and realistic situations."
—The Jewish Journal

"Littman ... weaves sensitively articulated themes (the story is set in 2003, when the impact of 9/11 was still sharp) and credible teen banter into an emotionally complex tale. Daniela’s many amusing encounters with idiomatic expressions in her new language may provide an additional draw for ELL readers."
—Booklist

"The languid pace and wealth of details in Littman's (Purge) empathetic story magnifies its emotionally convincing and absorbing qualities."
—Publishers Weekly

"Life, After explores the generalities of teenagers with some of the specifics of today's hardest events. It also harkens to immigrant experiences of the past generations (not to mention the relevance of the topic today), Littman puts human faces and characters to iconic tragedy, providing human response, hope and renewal through the story's arc."
—Portland Examiner

"I ... adored this book. Life, After is a heart-wrenching and heartwarming tale of immigration, friendship, terrorism, young love, Judaism, Argentinian politics, depression, and Asperger's syndrome. Sarah Darer Littman manages to deal with all of these themes beautifully and sometimes unexpectedly... Despite the fact that it reads like a book meant for children and young adults, its themes are both accessible for its intended audience and complex enough to satisfy adult readers. I think you'll be hearing a lot more about this dynamic novel."
—The Nomad Reader

"Sarah Darer Littman packs a whole lot of power into one story. Dani deals with terrorism, immigration, cliques, Asperger’s, depression, family, death, life, siblings, friendship, Judaism, Argentinian history and politics, and more. It sounds impossible, but Littman deals with each theme gracefully and beautifully... While I believe this is a book aimed at the YA crowd, I won’t hesitate to recommend it to my 6th graders. It’s an outstanding book that is both heartwarming and touching, while also thought-provoking ... Put this one on your must-read list because I think you will hear a lot about it in the coming months!"
—The Reading Zone

"Littman's characters are dynamic, Dani's voice captivating, the story well-paced, and the ending satisfying. Littman expertly weaves themes of loyalty, acceptance, and grief throughout without feeling forced. The genre might be Young Adult, but LIFE, AFTER is a universal read anyone can enjoy."
—The Tabby Catt - Abby Stevens

FUN EXTRAS

Listen to the song Arroz con Leche that Dani sings to Sarita to help her sleep.

Make Dani's favorite cookies, the delicious Argentinean Alfajores.

Fill your Alfajores using this homemade Dulce de Leche recipe that really works!