 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
After the Moment
- By Garret Freymann-Weyr
- Genre: Coming of Age
Common Sense Media says
Honest look at how crazy first love can be; teens only.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a mature book about a boy who falls in love with a very troubled girl. Maia has family problems and also is trying to recover from anorexia and self-injury. She is also raped at a party while drunk -- and another boy videotapes the incident. Leigh finally gets so angry that he beats one of the boys nearly to death.
What's the story?
After moving to Washington D.C. to be closer to his step-sister, Leigh meets troubled Maia, and the two begin an intense romance. But after Maia is raped, Leigh struggles with how to cope. His eventual act of violence leaves him wondering if he really loved Maia, or just loved protecting her.
Is it any good?
This book provides a real, rare look at a teen romance. Readers will connect with nearly all of the damaged characters, who are trying so hard to do the right thing and be happy despite all their problems.
There is some major drama, but mature readers should be able to handle even the most intense material. The author shows great restraint in the telling; readers will have to follow the conversations and plotting carefully to understand all the dynamics involved.
What families can talk about
Families can use this book to talk about first love. What other books or movies can you think of that have portrayed first love well? Think, too, about media where someone falls in love with a mentally ill or critically ill person. What is so appealing about that dynamic?
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| Author: | Garret Freymann-Weyr |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Coming of Age |
| Publication date: | May 1, 2009 |
| Number of pages: | 336 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.00 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 14 |
| Read aloud: | 14 |
| Read alone: | 14 |
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