The Everafter

Amy Huntley

Language: English

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Published: Jan 1, 2009

Pages: 306
ABC: 1

Description:

Madison Stanton doesn't know where she is or how she got there. But she does know this—she is dead. And alone, in a vast, dark space. The only company she has in this place are luminescent objects that turn out to be all the things Maddy lost while she was alive. And soon she discovers that with these artifacts, she can reexperience—and sometimes even *change*—moments from her life. Her first kiss. A trip to Disney World. Her sister's wedding. A disastrous sleepover. In reliving these moments, Maddy learns illuminating and sometimes frightening truths about her life—and death. This is a haunting and ultimately hopeful novel about the beauty of even the most insignificant moments—and the strength of true love even beyond death. ** ### From School Library Journal Grade 8 Up—Seventeen-year-old Madison Stanton is dead. When she awakes in a vast expanse of nothingness, she realizes that she doesn't remember her past life, much less how she died. As she explores her surroundings, she finds glowing items scattered about her, such as a bracelet, a pair of socks, keys, and a sweatshirt. When she imagines putting the shirt on her nonexistent body, she's brought back to a moment in her former life. From this experience she learns that every object around her is something that she lost while she was alive, and that using it will bring her spirit back to the moment in which it went missing. Armed with this knowledge, she attempts to discover how she died. With some help from the spirits of her boyfriend Gabe and her ex-friend Tammy, Madison learns the shattering truth of her demise. This fresh take on a teen's journey of self-exploration is a compelling and highly enjoyable tale. Huntley expertly combines a coming-of-age story with a supernatural mystery that keeps readers engrossed until the climactic ending. This touching story will appeal to those looking for a ghost story, romance, or family drama.—*Laura Amos, Newport News Public Library, VA* Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. ### Review “In The Everafter, Maddy relives moments from her life which broke her heart, made her laugh uncontrollably, and forced her to grow. Amy Huntley’s book will do the same for you.” (Jay Asher, author of the New York Times bestseller Thirteen Reasons Why) “A mystery about life’s greatest mysteries, a love story that transcends death, a ghost story with real substance, and an altogether fascinating novel about the redemptive possibilities in lost things.” (Gabrielle Zevin, author of ELSEWHERE) “Stories about dead teens used to be mainly weepers about beautiful young girls with tragic diseases. Now along with vampires and zombies there are explorations of just what life after death might look like...Huntley’s take on the topic is cleverly constructed and compelling....Intriguing and thought-provoking.” (Kirkus Reviews) “Huntley is an author worth watching.” (Publishers Weekly) [The Everafter is] a book that will stick with readers, making them think no only about Maddy but also about the nature of life and death, time, possessions, and the interactions with both people and things that make us, us. (Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (Starred Review)) This fresh take on a teen’s journey of self-exploration is a compelling and highly enjoyable tale. Huntley expertly combines a coming-of-age story with a supernatural mystery that keeps readers engrossed until the climactic ending. (School Library Journal)