The Space Between Before and After

by Sue Stauffacher Narrated by Tavia Gilbert

Overview

Written by a popular middle-grade author, this heartfelt and important treatment of anxiety and depression centers on a ten-year-old boy who begins to handle his grief after his mother disappears by creating a fantasy narrative of where she's gone, with the help of a kindly neighbor who survived separation from her father during World War II.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Stauffacher has written an interesting take on how to handle grief from a young boy's perspective."—Booklist

"This novel is incredibly heartwarming and the characters feel very real . . . A great addition to any collection and one that may certainly help children dealing with their own personal losses."—School Library Journal

"Unbearably sad in the best way, this story traces Thomas’s grief journey with redemptive wisdom and quiet elegance. Thomas’ support network of compassionate adults and friends is ideal, with just enough salt to keep the sweetness from being overwhelming. . . . Circulate this with a pack of tissues attached."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"A boy struggles to make sense of his mother's disappearance in this meditative middle-grade novel . . . Short, slowly paced chapters from Thomas' first-person point of view form the main narrative, interspersed with an invented fairy tale he imagines with his kind, elderly Hungarian neighbor, Mrs. Sharp, who as a girl was separated from her father during World War II. . . . A poignant, earnest story of grief and hope for fans of realistic fiction."—Kirkus Reviews


"Although this book is filled with sadness and uncertainty, it concludes on a hopeful note, with Thomas, his father, his aunt, and their friends finding peace in the grieving process. This story is a tactful look at two difficult topics: depression and suicide. It also teaches the reader to treat others with grace and compassion as each of us handles emotional struggle differently." —School Library Connection

DECEMBER 2019 - AudioFile

Thomas Moran, a fifth-grade Michigan boy who is left to navigate a difficult home situation after his mother’s disappearance, is beautifully portrayed by Tavia Gilbert. Thomas’s mother had been a shut-in, due to her depression. When Thomas comes home from school to find out that his mother has gone away, both he and his father are left floundering. Thomas is guided through his grief by Mrs. Sharp, a foreign-accented neighbor who helps him craft a story that creates an imaginary place for his mother where he can find her. Gilbert’s strong narration illuminates Thomas and his father’s relationship as well as the supporting friends and neighbors who provide Thomas with closure. E.J.F. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172254147
Publisher:	Live Oak Media
Publication date:	09/01/2019
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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