The Astonishing Color of After
Leigh Chen Sanders is absolutely certain about one thing: When her mother died by suicide, she turned into a bird. When Leigh, who is half Asian and half white, travels to Taiwan to meet her maternal grandparents for the first time and find her mother, she winds up chasing after ghosts, uncovering family secrets, and forging a new relationship with her grandparents. A luminous debut novel about finding oneself through family history, art, bravery, and love. Winner of the 2019 Walter Award and the Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature Honor.
Note: This book addresses suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
Culture/Community: Taiwanese / Taiwanese American
Heritage & History: Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage and History
Themes for Middle Grade/YA: Bicultural Kids, Journeys, Mental Health, Grief and Death, Suicide
Genre: Fiction
Format: Novel
Audiobook: Yes
Age Level: Young Adult