What Happens After?

By Kevin F.

After by Francine Prose is a realistic fiction about the aftermath of a school shooting and how it affected the neighboring school. Many people at Central High were shaken after their neighboring school, Pleasant Valley, had many victims to a school shooting incident. Many people worried that since it happened so close, it could happen to them. After a few days man named Dr. Willner comes in and basically changes the school overnight. Tom Bishop and his friends watch as Dr. Willner imposes crazy new ideas and rules such as extensive security coming into the school, no phones, a dress code, no certain books, or music, and even not allowing anyone to hang out at the mall. Dr. Willner is convincing the parents all of this is necessary saying that you can never be too safe. Students are afraid to step out of line, but Tom and his friends laugh it off. That is until students begin to disappear. Tom learns that if students don't follow these rules the consequences are severe. Tom and other students gain a strong sense of rebellion and want to fight against Dr. Willner.

This book caught my attention after reading a few pages in the library. The opening had a good hook and I wanted to keep reading. Each page I read made me want to read more. The reason was that is was fiction but it was interesting to put myself in Brian's shoes like it could happen at my school. Also with school shootings becoming more of a threat, this fiction could become even more realistic. Even the end of the book wanted you more. There were a lot of unanswered questions like "What ever happened to the missing students?" or "What happened to the school?"

I would recommend this book especially if you find are constantly putting yourself in the narrator's shoes. The book is kind of dark at some points, so if you prefer happy endings, romantic, or funny stories, this may not be the book for you. If you read this book be prepared to be disappointed at some points. This book was enjoyable for me because after reading the first pages, I knew the story might not go as I think, and that's what made it exciting to read.