After

by Francine Prose

Book Overview

The shootings in Pleasant Valley were fifty miles away, but at Central High a grief and crisis counselor is hired, security is increased, and privileges are being taken away.

No one knows why.

If you break the new rules the punishment is severe. And the rules keep changing every day.

School feels like a prison.

It's for their protection, yet fifteen-year-old Tom Bishop and his friends learn that things are far more sinister...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060080817
• ISBN13: 9780060080815
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.0" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 and higher

Customer Reviews

Just Excellent

At Pleasant Valley High there was a shooting, a couple of loner kids killed the jocks and a few teachers, and then shot themselves, and now Central High is facing the consequences... New restrictions are being implemented without warning by their grief and crisis counselor and all you have to do is break one rule and you're sent away and never seen again. "After" is told by Tom, the 15 yr old `smart jock' whose friends are some of the first to be sent away. I thought "After" was a very good book, especially if you're one for conspiracy theories. It's especially fun to read `cause when you really think about it, it could happed at you're school too. I really enjoyed the mystery of the whole book, how you only knew what Tom was thinking but you never knew if what he was thinking was true or not. My only criticism is the ending. I don't think it was very realistic, too much happily ever after, but don't let that discourage you from reading "After" because it's just excellent up until the last chapter.

amazing book

This is a book that I randomly found wandering through my local Borders one day. I myself have experienced bogus rule changes at school in the wake of Columbine and September 11th. This book sent chills through my spine like nothing else ever has. Even throughout the beginning of the book before the plot thickens, the author draws you in with the humor of the supporting characters. This story was so real it scared the hell out of me the way no book ever will. I suggest this book to anyone looking for a good, haunting read.

Genius

This book, while not immediately scary, has an undertone that will make you look behind yourself when walking alone in your house. With enough intensity to keep you reading until the end, Prose is good at targeting a general audience. It is definately recommended to those with an open mind and free spirit. While the ending is somewhat disappointing, you will be left with an overall feeling of satisfaction.

Untitled

I adored this book. It is very touching, and also very creepy. The relationships in this book are very deep. That's one of the reasons that the book was so wonderful. I would recommend this book for someone over 10. Almost anyone under 10 wouldn't understand it. A great book, I give it 4 and a half stars. It lost the half because of the ending. The ending didn't really end. There wasn't an ending. Ms. Prose better make a second book.

school will never be the same again

After, a book that will touch the hearts of all who read it. This book really makes you think, I presonally thought about it for days. It's about a school, just like anyother school, until Pleasentvalley; where a shooting took place. Soon after the school becomes more and more strict and kids start disappearing. This book is very exciting and will keep you on the edge of your seat!