December and Happiness are the best of friends. They laugh, play, imagine, and do almost everything together. But one day when Ember is waiting as usual for Ness to arrive so they can walk to school together, she begins to worry.

She soon finds out why Ness didn’t arrive. School without Ness is strange and quiet and sad. So when Ember’s Uncle Graham is waiting for her at the school gates after school, she is happy to go with him instead of walking home alone. The first thing she notices while she has afternoon tea, is Uncle Graham’s dog basket. It is empty after Betty died. Uncle Graham loved Betty like a child. Maybe he is sad too?

Uncle Graham walks Ember home, but seems to be going around in circles – until they end up somewhere that looks familiar, sort of. Everything is grey, even the sun, and Ember is confused. But Uncle Graham has had a plan all along. This strange grey place is where things go after they die, and Uncle Graham is looking for Betty.

Uncle Graham’s plan is a terrible thing, and as Ember gets caught up in it, she also finds a solution to her own sadness and loss. Or does she? Will it work? Should she even risk it?

Another beautiful story about friendship, loss, and grief from A F Harrold.

But Afterwards is also about courage, loyalty, and love, and Ember is a brave little girl, determined to help her friend, even at the greatest consequence. Wonderful.

Author – A F Harrold

Age – 8+

Read another A F Harrold Book Review (Click on a Cover)

(Loss, Grief, Friendship, Courage, Loyalty, Love, Family, Paranormal, Ghost)