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The After Life

(2006, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Daniel Ehrenhaft)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 16.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Mature teens will love this wreck of a family.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Will and Liz have an unhealthy attraction. Will's uncle likely committed suicide, and the teens are without any solid role models.
  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Will and his half-sister hook up on the dance floor in a drug-fueled haze.
  • Language:

    Lots of swearing, yelling, etc.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Will is almost always drunk, on drugs, or both. He and Liz take ecstacy, and even the real adults are drunk or on drugs.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The After Life

Parents need to know that this is a very mature book featuring three extremely messed-up teens. The characters fight and swear, and Will especially is nearly always drunk or on drugs (and sometimes both). Also, Liz and Will -- who believe they are half-brother and sister -- develop a romantic relationship and kiss.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about other road trip movies and books. What is it about road trips that are so appealing in our culture? What do they symbolize for us? How is this book similar to or different from other road trip stories you've read or seen?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Fine For Me, Not Sure About You

    I read this when I was 12 (I'm 14 now) and I handled it just fine. However, you moronic "protective" parents will probably hate it. However (overused word), it is one of the most influential books in my life. It taught me about the real world.

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