Reading Metrics
Description
After her mother dies by suicide, sixteen-year-old Leigh Chen Sanders travels from the United States to Taiwan to meet her maternal grandparents for the first time. Believing her mother has transformed into a bird, Leigh sets out to find her while navigating her grief, exploring her mixed Asian and white heritage, and uncovering family secrets. The novel follows Leigh as she grapples with loss, identity, and the complex relationships between generations and cultures.
Quick Summary
"The Astonishing Colour of After" tells of Leigh Sanders, who travels to Taiwan to find the bird she believes her mother became after suicide, in a story where grief, hope, and magic swirl together in stunning colour. Readers will root for this girl who discovers a whole new side of herself while connecting with grandparents who don't share her language, and they'll be swept up in a mystery that asks whether love can transcend death itself. If your kid loved "When You Trap a Tiger" by Tae Keller or Jennifer Holm's "The Fourteenth Goldfish," they'll be drawn into this beautiful blend of sorrow, family secrets, and magical realism. This 4.8 AR level novel is perfect for teens in grades 9-12 who are ready for a longer, emotionally rich read about hard topics handled with extraordinary grace.