After

A Startling Story!

After seeing After in a publishing catalog back in December, I just knew I had to read it!

The "dumpster baby" phenomenon, which is the book's main focus, was both interesting and scary real. Before starting this book, I hadn't really heard or read many news stories about this topic. So, I was intrigued to see how a case like this would go through the courts and the reasons behind the mother's choice to leave her own child in a dumpster.

Devon was a character that I did come to like and understand her reasoning behind her choice, even if it did take me most of the book. I liked how Amy portrayed in her in way where she didn't glamorize her situation and make it go away, but instead made you see what the consequences from Devon's "dumpster baby" through her own eyes. Also, one thing that really got to me, was how Devon was the ordinary girl on a fast track to greatness, because she was an amazing soccer player, had lots of friends, and fantastic grades. Though, when she finds out she's with child, she flips and denies to herself that she is, leaving her to make the choice she did. What I'm trying to say with this, is that could happen to any of us out there. We could be what people think is "perfect" and still manage to screw it up with one bad choice. It just amazed me.

The writing was also fabulous. I give Amy major props for how much research she probably did to give us this a story that tells nothing but the truth in what would happened in this kind of situation. I loved seeing the whole court room scenes and the ones between Dom and Devon because I felt like I was right there with them, witnessing the whole thing.

Though, the one thing that kind of ticked me off about this book was the ending. Even though it did conclude the main problem the characters face in the book, it lead so many others to still be swirling around in my head.

Overall, After is startling real book told in a way that's honest and raw. I can't suggest this book enough to teens and adults all around. I truly look forward to reading more by Ms. Efaw!

Grade: A

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

I don't recommend this book.

I consider myself an avid reader, and I've read many teen books. Although, "After" doesn't make my list of good books. I felt like the relationship between Devon and her mom was cliche. I would've have liked for Efaw to explore the tension between the too. I'm also a soccer player in a very competitive league like what Devon was said to be a part of, but the chance that a coach wouldn't notice a drastic change in one of his star player's bodies is slim to none. Every line of dialogue felt forced. On a positive note, though, I felt scared for Devon throughout the whole book, and I didn't want to believe myself that Devon had done the things she was charged with. Devon's character development was obviously something Efaw worked hard at, and it showed.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Highly Recommended for BOTH Teens AND Adults!

Devon is a star soccer player, with hopes and even a chance to make it to the Olympics. Devon has over a 4.0 GPA. She follows the rules and never breaks them. She is known to be the perfect student and teenager. That is until one morning her world is shattered and turned upside down when two cops knock on her door. They have found a newborn baby dieing in a trash can behind her apartment complex. She has no idea why they are knocking on her door... Why would she have any knowledge about a dieing baby??


Devon is arrested when the cops notice that she has just given birth. But Devon doesn't remember this and does not know what is going on, let alone why she is arrested. After spending some time in the hospital, almost close to death from the loos of blood, she is sent to a Juvenile Detention Center where she is to remain until the courts can decide whether to charge her as an adult or a child for Attempted Murder, Child Abandonment, and Assault.


While this story is clearly about the social issue of mothers dumping their babies in the trash, Amy Efaw's book is more about a girl's journey to finding out the truth of what she really did, and thus who she really is. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that Devon committed this crime. The question is, did she know what she was doing while doing it...


Most of the story takes place in the Juvenile Detention Center, where Devon meets many different teenage girls, there for many different reasons. By learning a bit more about these girls, Devon finds a little bit more about herself. During her time, you [as the reader:] are also given glimpses into Devon's past to find the events of what really happened: the father of the baby, when she started to feel the symptoms of pregnancy, how she alienated her friends, how she was in denial of everything, and most importantly the morning she gave birth. Amy Efaw bluntly pushes the question of whether Devon is a good character or a bad character, and what will happen to her, in your face. This book is raw in detail and by focusing on a real issue that occurs today, you are left affected in many different ways.


I personally enjoyed this book - it had all the right qualities and aspects of a Teen-Social-Issue book (as I call them). I felt for Devon throughout the entire book, while at the same time, knowing she was in the wrong. I also felt uncomfortable as Amy Efaw describes details of gruesome but real events. I loved how Amy Efaw pushed this issue into my face and never backed down. A must read!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Not What I Expected :(

I was so excited to read this book. Sadly it let me down. The charters were very unappealing. I hated the main character, which is hard to do. I tried to like her every chance i got, but every time she acted more and more stupid. Did Devon have ANY emotions??? NO!

3 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

You can only be innocent, if you feel you are

In this story, Devon, a teenager on the verge of womanhood is thrown into life's ugly grasp by getting pregnant. She is then forced to make a cruel choice to throw away her newborn baby girl, leading to her arrest. Throughout the novel there are a couple of themes, Devon's mother and her newfound friend Karma. Devon's mother not only plays an important part in her life, but also in Devon's choice to throw away her child. Her mother had Devon when she was in high school, and then spent the rest of her life with flings instead of relationships. Devon, not wanting to end her life like her mother, tried everything possible to stop there ever parallel lives, that included the unthinkable. Karma on the other hand showed the internal struggle Devon was facing, and Karma pointed out that while she wore her scars on the outside, Devon wore her's on the inside. There was one major message in the story: It does not matter whether anyone else thinks you are innocent or guilty, it is how you feel, as Devon came to realize at the end of the story. That is one thing I really liked about this book, and also how it gave you another side to all of the news stories you have heard. It added humanity to the seemingly inhumane, a reason behind the actions. What I did not like, is how Devon's thought process worked. Her good judgement was delayed and hard to understand at the end, it was also a little cliff hanger. Leaving the reader wanting more. I believe all teenagers and adults should read this book, it is one of the most raw, in depth novels I have ever read. If you want the other side of the story, read this, and sneak a peek at the lives of teenagers who make bad decisions. Overall, this is a fantastic book and if you like this book, I would also suggest The Secret Life of The Bees and A Long Way Gone.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

How is it Possible?

I am halfway through this book and so far it is really good. All I can really say is WOW! I dont know if i could do what Devon did. When i first picked up this book to see what it was about, i thought it was a pretty cool book. Then i read the inside cover and i wwas blown away. " Straight A student, soccer player, very responsible...." It sounds quite familiar. Sounds kind of like myself. Im not sure what drove Devon to do what she did yet, but im very curious as to why it happened in the first place. The is a very good book and i recommend it 100% It is a verrrrrrry good book.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.com

Devon is a young, athletic girl with a bright future as a soccer player. The Olympics have even been linked to her name. How could a girl like this end up doing something as horrible as throwing a newborn baby in the trash along with other refuse from around the house?

While canvasing the apartment building looking for information about the abandoned baby, a police officer finds his way to Devon's door. Her mother, recently home from a night shift at Safeway, answers the door and starts her usual flirting. She informs the officer that her daughter, Devon, stayed home from school that day because she was sick. It doesn't take long for him to put two and two together.

Very quickly, Devon is thrust into a world she never imagined for herself. A world filled with kids with problems more complicated than she has ever experienced. A world in a juvenile detention facility under observation 24-hours a day. A world without anyone she can call a friend.

The reader witnesses Devon's story unfold piece by piece, almost as if we are understanding what transpired at the same time Devon does. What readers will find most amazing about the entire story is the level of denial Devon immerses herself in so as to function every day. Devon isn't always a likable character, mostly because of the strict discipline she holds herself to in terms of school work and soccer. She rarely lets herself loose, which means people don't know who she really is - including the reader.

I didn't want to stop reading. I needed to find out what pushed Devon to do something so horrible. Through conversations with her lawyer in preparation for a trial to determine whether or not she'll be judged in the juvenile system or be sent to the adult courts, we get a good picture of what was going through Devon's head. AFTER is definitely an engaging read.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

How long is the book

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INCREDIBLE

It's impossible to put down it's an amazing story. It really teaches you a lot it has an amazing story line and recommend it to everyone. I will probably read it many times more!

Really? That ending?

Really great book to read. It instantly hooks you and you won't be able to put it down. What disappointed me was the ending though, I mean come on.. It was unexpected and mainly didn't add up well with a character who would seem more concerned with her future. I still reccomend this book for teens though.

Anonymus

This book was amazing! It was so hard to put down! Must read! :)

Ahamazing!!

So detailed and great that i cannot put it down!(: live i might read it a second time(:

A fair read

While nothing about this book was particularly excpetional, and it did have some trouble holding my attention at points, I think that the concept of dumpster babies being explored through teen fiction such as this is innovative (at least from what I have read) and very interesting.

Great book. Its really not predictable

I really hate wjhen you know what is going to happen next. With this book it w asnt like that. This is a great read. Great buy as well.

Eye opener

I reaf this book knowing that it would be hard to read not because of the authors writing(its actually easy to understand) but because of the topic. I have been reading a lot of realistic books lately and this book made me really think about the choices and why a person would do anything that could potentially bring harm to a baby.

Five Stars

Such a great book. You will fly right through it...trust me :-) .

Its not the best

In the begining it was a good story. I couldnt put it down but towards the middle the story just draged on about the girl's days in jail, that got boring fast. I found my self just skipping chapters.

Good!!!!

Okay,im really not into the teen drama like books,but this book is wonderful. I highley recommend it for ages mature 11-all other ages but mostly 11-18!! Its great just read it its so good. I could not put it down!!!!!!! :)

Aamazing

I could not put it down!!

Not to good

The book is just tooo confuseing i dont get what is happening!!!! Not the best book ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.