After the Worst Thing Happens

Army Morand adores her dog, Maybe, so when Maybe dies after eating the chocolate cupcakes Army left out, the 12-year-old is wracked with guilt and sorrow. It doesn't help that her unemotional mother, who works with her father to repair homes and businesses after natural disasters, wants Army to move on too quickly. As the girl tries to grieve, she also attempts to avoid Elsie, an unpopular classmate interested in Army, and helps out next door, bonding with a new family--overwhelmed mom Irene, baby twins, and a daughter, Madison, with nonverbal autism. But Irene's struggles may require more than just Army's assistance, and it takes a hurricane hitting their New Jersey town for Army to realize that she can both effectively help others and learn to forgive herself. With moments of humor, Vernick (Two Naomis) weaves together a well-paced story that explores grief in all its raw pain, as well as the power of friends, family, and community to help heal. Ages 9-12. Agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary. (July)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 4-6--The worst thing that happens to 12-year old Army Morand is that her beloved pup Maybe dies as a result of something she did, and Army is not sure that she can ever get over her guilt and grief. Army's family is very supportive, but when a destructive storm threatens their town, they are busy with their business that helps people prepare for, clean up, and recover from disasters and damages. Army becomes distracted from her own problems when she accidentally befriends the new neighbor whose autistic daughter, Madison, has a habit of wandering away from home, climbing trees, and sitting on rooftops while her mother is busy with twin babies. Several threads weave together as Army helps prepare for the storm, becomes friends with someone who reaches out to her, and tries to find a way to protect Madison from harm (as she wishes she had protected her dog). With a wonderful supporting cast and a quirky-yet-loving family (including a brother named Navy), a story that might have become maudlin or saccharine is instead exciting, relatable, and heartwarming, from its tragic start to its very happy ending. VERDICT There is a lot packed into this story of friendship, loss, and family relationships, but it all gels into one bittersweet, uplifting tale of a young girl who finds strength that she didn't know she had.--MaryAnn Karre, Binghamton, NY

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

exciting, relatable, and heartwarming, from its tragic start to its very happy ending. . . . There is a lot packed into this story of friendship, loss, and family relationships, but it all gels into one bittersweet, uplifting tale of a young girl who finds strength that she didn't know she had. —School Library Journal

The subjects are heavy, but Army's young voice infuses them with humor and warmth, even when her path forward seems uncertain. 'Just go with it and make things happen before you totally understand how to do all of it, ' Army suggests, a hard-won lesson that young readers will take to heart. —Booklist

this is fundamentally the story of small moments of growth and insight. Army's first-person narration feels particularly authentic as she navigates her intense feelings—The Horn Book

In short chapters told from Army's earnest first-person perspective, she finds new ways to negotiate with her caring but emotionally reserved parents and steps out of her own comfort zone; this exploration of family dynamics is where the novel shines.—Kirkus Reviews

With moments of humor, Vernick (Two Naomis) weaves together a well-paced story that explores grief in all its raw pain, as well as the power of friends, family, and community to help heal.—Publishers Weekly

Army's connection with Madison and her family illuminates Army's character, her kindness and conscientiousness shining through even when she's subdued by grief. The premise makes for an arresting booktalk, and readers who come for the drama will stay for Army's recovery.—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books