The End or Something Like That
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The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that The End or Something Like That is a paranormal novel concerning belief in an afterlife and the possibility of communicating with deceased loved ones, as well as coping with grief. It's set in Las Vegas, and there are some descriptions of the Vegas Strip. And teens share some kisses. In one flashback, Kim, the girl with a congenital heart condition, collapses in the cafeteria line at school when she and best friend Emmy are in eighth grade. Author Ann Dee Ellis' previous book, This Is What I Did:, was an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults.
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What's the story?
At the start of THE END OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, it's been almost a year since Emmy's best friend, Kim, who had a congenital heart condition, died. Through flashbacks we see their relationship, scenes of high school life, and the events leading up to her sudden death. Kim convinces Emmy to go with her to attend a seminar on the afterlife, gives Emmy books to read on the subject, and vows she will visit her. Although Emmy tries as hard as she can to make contact, Kim never appears. But other ghosts do. The story switches scenes in no linear order, but through it all, there's the bond of friendship and the devastation of the loss, as Emmy is depressed and takes to hiding under her bed or in her closet and is focused on trying to communicate with Kim. With understanding parents and the help of a loyal neighbor and friend, Emmy ultimately turns from her preoccupation with grief to life.
Is it any good?
The spare prose in The End or Something Like That is moderately effective but doesn't match the weight of its subject matter -- dealing with profound grief and the loss of a best friend.
From the beginning, we know that the death has occurred and the novel moves back and forth in time. Sometimes this is confusing, as there's no chronological order to the flashback events. But it's satisfying when Emmy, with the help of Skeeter, a loyal friend and neighbor, finally takes hold of her own life.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the popularity of teen books dealing with death. Why do you think they strike a cord with young people? What others have you read? How does The End or Something Like That compare?
How important is it to keep a promise made to a dying person? Are there any exceptions?
Families can talk about friendship and loyalty. Does being a best friend mean you always do what the other wants? Can best friends have other friends too?
Book details
- Author: Ann Dee Ellis
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
- Topics: Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, High School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Dial Books
- Publication date: May 1, 2014
- Number of pages: 352
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 15, 2015
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