Death of a character5/5
Why this rating?
The central catalyst is the mother's suicide; the story is deeply preoccupied with grief, loss, and the process of mourning.
book
THE ASTONISHING COLOR OF AFTER
Is THE ASTONISHING COLOR OF AFTER appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.
A girl searches for her mother, whom she believes turned into a bird after committing suicide. (Ages 12 to 17)
Ages 14+Source checked
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10-second decision
Is this likely to fit your family?
Age guidanceAges 14+
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 5/5 · Frightening scenes 2/5 · Religious themes 2/5
Strongest positivesCreativity & curiosity 5/5 · Courage & resilience 4/5
Recommendation4.3/5
Creativity & curiosity; strongest caution: death of a character.
This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.
Quick context
What parents should know
The novel centrally addresses suicide, depression, grief, trauma, insomnia, family conflict, and death through emotionally complex magical realism. Romantic content is comparatively mild, but the subject matter warrants mature teen guidance. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ. Creativity & curiosity; strongest caution: death of a character.
Readiness snapshotAge guidance: 14+Main watch-out: Death of a character 5/5
Recommendation 4.3/5Show Wikipedia summary
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Quick view
At a glance
Recommended age14+
Strongest cautions
- Death of a character5/5
- Frightening scenes2/5
- Religious themes2/5
Strongest positives
- Creativity & curiosity5/5
- Courage & resilience4/5
- Diverse representation4/5
What’s in it?
Checked and not flagged
No concern recorded in these categories
These categories were explicitly scored 0/5 in the published review. This is not a guarantee that every edition or reader experience is identical.
Alcohol or drugs · 0/5
What’s good in it?
Family discussion
Talk about it
Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.
- What was the most imaginative idea in the story, and what would you add to it?
- How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
- Which choice in THE ASTONISHING COLOR OF AFTER would you have made differently, and why?
- Who changed the most in THE ASTONISHING COLOR OF AFTER, and what caused that change?
Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings
What families noticed
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