The Astonishing Color of After

My theme is loss in young adult books. This theme is of interest because in some cases it might prepare the reader if the reader is to experiences loss. In other cases it might help the reader to gain an understanding of loss without having  to experience loss in their life. It also gives young adults a greater understanding of the world around them.In my bibliography I will include young adult books centred around loss. I will also include young adult comic books centred around loss. I also want to include young adult books about losing a beloved animal e.g. Marley and Me. So grab a box of tissues and enjoy the literature ride
 

Author: EmilyX-R Pan

Publisher: Orion Children's Books 2018

Annotation:

Stricken with grief over her mother’s suicide, Leigh believes that her mother changed into a bird. She sets off to Taiwan to find her mother (the bird) and meet her paternal grandparents. She winds up getting more then she bargained for, uncovering hidden family secrets and the occasional ghost. This tale is about grief, art and love.

For more information:

Authors Website

Podcast

Wikipedia

Little Women

 

 

Published:Roberts Brothers,1880

Author: Louisa May Alcott
Annotation:

Join feisty, temperamental tom boy Jo March. Beautiful, gentle Meg. Sweet, peacemaker Beth and vain, self conceited Amy as they explore and ponder about their lives as they transition from young girls to young women. This tales main themes are overcoming grief, love, family, friendship, American Civil War, growing up. Even though this story might be a bit old it has been adapted many times from films to plays.

For more information(or just a bit of fun)

https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2014/jun/18/review-little-women-louisa-may-alcott

Movie Trailer

Movie Trailer

Movie Trailer

Isabelle Day Refuses To Die Of A Broken Heart

Author: Jane St Anthony

Publisher: Univ Of Minnesota Press, 2015

Annotation:

Set in the 1960s, This tale tells of a girl called Isabelle who refuses to believe that her father committed suicide. Saddened with the reminder of her husband her mother decides to move. Caught up in it all is Isabelle who just wants life to go back to normal. To help her through it all she has her two new friends Margret and Grace. This story revolves around themes like belonging, friendship, grief, suicide and  family. 

For more information:

Book Trailer

Goodreads
 

A Monster Calls

Author: Patrick Ness
Publisher: Walker Books,2015
Annotation:

Every night Conor has the same nightmare every night he wakes to find everything is normal, but one day he finds a monster outside his window. The monster tells him three stories. After which Conor must tell a story of his own, if he doesn't tell the monster his truth he will be devoured. Will he tell the monster his story? Will the monster get him? This book centremost themes are overcoming grief, bullying, and magic. This story was originally conceived by Siobhan Dowd, but she died before she could complete it. This book has also recently been transformed into a magical but haunting film starring Liam Neeson, Sigourney Weaver and Felicity Jones .

For more information:
Book Review
Goodreads
Movie Trailer

The Hate U Give

Author: Angie Thomas

Publisher: Balzer + Bray 2017

Annotation:

Starr Caters life isn't hard enough with the constant juggle of trying to fit in to two worlds but she always had her childhood friend Khalil by her side but when Khalil is killed in a fatal shooting by a police officer, Starr's life will never be the same. This book touches on grief, racism and belonging. This book has recently been adapted into a film.

For more information:

Goodreads

Movie Trailer

All The Bright Places

Author:Jessica Niven
Publisher:Alfred A. Knopf

Theodore Finch is mesmerised by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might end his. But each time, something wonderful, no matter how miniscule, stops him.

Violet Markey survives and longs for the future, calculating  the days until her looming  graduation, when she can leave her Indiana town and her nagging grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.

When Finch and Violet encounter each other  on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s uncertain who saves whom. And when they  get together on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more significant and meaningful discoveries: It’s solely with Violet that Finch can be himself—an eccentric, humourous, exuberant  guy who’s not such a wierdo after all. Furthermore it’s exclusively with Finch that Violet can forget all her troubles and start living her life more fully.But as Violet’s world expands, Finch’s begins to diminish. 
For more information: 
 Book Review
Movie Trailer

We Are Okay

Author: Nina LaCour

Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers 2017

Annotation:

Marin has always known death her mother died when she was three. She never knew her father or her grandmother. She was raised by her grandfather but what secrets is he keeping from her? But his sudden death rocks her world and leaves her confused and devastated. She leaves her old life and her close friendship with nothing but her phone, wallet and a picture of her Mum. This tale explores themes like an everlasting friendship, and overcoming grief.

For more information:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28243032-we-are-okay?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB8Xt_-RXv4