After

by: Amy Efaw

Published by: Viking

Reviewed by Leslie Granier

Fifteen-year-old Devon Davenport is a responsible young lady. She is an excellent student as well as the star of her soccer team. However, one horrible decision could cost her everything that she has worked so hard to achieve. After secretly giving birth, Devon puts the baby in a garbage bag to die. The big questions are whether Devon knew she was pregnant and if she panicked after giving birth or had planned all along to dispose of the unwanted child. Her case is brought before the courts to determine if she should be tried as an adult or a juvenile.

After is written for young adults but I think parents should familiarize themselves with the book so they can discuss some of the situations with them. Immediately after giving birth, Devon suppressed the memories of the incident. But as she prepares for the hearing, she begins to recall the events of that morning. As the scene plays out, I found myself horrified by Devon’s actions. She referred to the baby as “IT” and had no concerns about the baby’s well-being at all. She was more concerned about what other people would think about her than she was about the action itself. However, as the days progressed and Devon realized the severity of her behavior, I started feeling sorry for her because she would have to live with the consequences for the rest of her life.

Teenagers will definitely be affected by this story – whether it is due to the teenage pregnancy aspect or the realization that bad actions can result in a loss of personal freedom (in the form of juvenile detention). The author does a fine job of displaying daily life in a detention center as well as showing how a teenager’s future can be forever impacted by one bad decision. This should serve as an impetus for teens to seek out a trusted individual for help before circumstances get out of hand.

After centers around an important social issue – the abandonment of unwanted babies. Everyone who reads this book will become emotionally involved.

Armchair Interviews says: A 5-star read for every young adult, boys and girls.