A review by alexanntremb
AfterMath by Emily Barth Isler

4.0

***Audiobook provided by the Lerner Publishing Group on NetGalley***

This book holds such a beautiful message on grief, trauma, and mental health. It is one that I would get my students to read if I was an English teacher, I think. Exploring all of the complex themes through the eyes and thoughts of Lucy, a twelve-year-old girl, and the setting of the aftermath of a school shooting brilliantly showcases the importance of dealing with trauma through professional help and parental guidance from a young age. I’m so glad that our society is reaching a point where expressing and taking care of one’s mental health is becoming less and less stigmatized and shamed, but I still think it’s important to keep the conversation surrounding these topics going. This book is a great way to instigate a discussion surrounding trauma and mental health. I know this story will stick with me for a long time.

I also thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book being narrated by none other than its own author. I believe it is fitting for such an impactful narrative to have its creator telling it, an opinion that was only amplified when I listened to the author’s notes.