Table of contents

Introduction

Chapter One: We Are Stardust

  • The afterlife
  • Recycling souls
  • Life in another realm
  • Rivers

Chapter Two: Every Living Thing

  • It’s all about oxygen
  • How long do we live?
  • A hard life for babies
  • Gimme shelter—and food and water
  • Limbo

Chapter Three: Nature or Science?

  • Turning off the machines
  • Drawing the line
  • Passing life on
  • Caring for people who are dying
  • Helping people die
  • Birds

Chapter Four: Atoms to Atoms

  • Burial
  • Mummification
  • Embalming
  • Cremation
  • Sky burial
  • Burial at sea
  • Green burial
  • Coffins

Chapter Five: Farewell, Adieu

  • Washing and dressing
  • Prayers and parties
  • Processions
  • Ceremonies
  • Mourning
  • Colors

Chapter Six: Healing after Loss

  • Grief is a process
  • The 8 of grief
  • Just get over it?
  • Time: The great healer?
  • When someone dies by suicide
  • When pets die
  • When you are grieving
  • When someone else is grieving
  • Festivals

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

Resources

Glossary

Index

Everybody does it, but no one wants to talk about it.

Description

After Life: Ways We Think About Death takes a straightforward look at universal questions about dying. By examining death through the lenses of history, science and culture, we can come closer to understanding what it means to be human. Each chapter includes a retelling of a death legend from a different culture and ends with a section on a common theme associated with death. The book also offers suggestions for ways to think about grief, and how to help friends who are grieving. To learn more about this publisher, click here: http://bit. ly/1CdKhB5

Awards

  • Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection 2019
  • Commended, Ontario Library association (OLA) Best Bets 2018
  • Short-listed, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction 2019
  • Commended, United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) Outstanding International Books List (OIB) 2019
  • Commended, Children’s Book Council & National Council for Social Studies Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2019
  • Short-listed, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award 2019

Reviews

"This fresh, friendly and matter-of-fact tone is what makes After Life really work. This is a useful and interesting book intended to help nine to 12-year-olds deal with all of the thoughts and issues around this sometimes shunned topic. "

- January Magazine

"Readers curious or needing solace after a personal tragedy will find this insightful book very helpful…A welcome selection for most collections, especially those in need of bibliotherapy titles for middle schoolers. "

- School Library Journal

"Wilcox skillfully tackles the subject of death and dying…Thorough and well organized, this book honors its intended audience's ability to handle the subject matter…[A] meaningful, straightforward look at an often taboo topic."

- Publishers Weekly

&quotA sensitive approach to a difficult subject.&quot

- Kirkus Reviews

"Takes on this difficult topic and offers both historical and mythological perspective while, at the same time, giving concrete advice on ways to personally deal with death…It's a valuable book to have on shelves."

- Booklist

“Colorful photos, archival illustrations, and diagrams are inviting and provide balance to the heavy topic.”

- The Horn Book

"In the age of social media, it is now more important than ever that we talk about death with young people. After Life explores the subject of death in a compassionate, straightforward and age-appropriate way. It is an essential resource for middle schoolers—and their educators and parents."

- Dr. Jillian Roberts, child psychologist and author of the World Around Us series

"An unashamedly honest, visually compelling guide to death and dying for young readers. Just as essential as Sex Ed!"

- Jessica Zitter M.D. Critical and Palliative Care Specialist, author of Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life

"Chapters are packed with information…Kids will love the sidebars…Teachers can use After Life for interventions when death and grieving arise in a classroom and can use it as a comprehensive introduction to the topics for study."

- CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"Young people need death education! After Life: Ways We Think About Death opens the door and welcomes them to learn about this important life event. Merrie-Ellen Wilcox successfully marries culture and the natural world in an attractive and engaging format for readers. This book will be an excellent resource for teachers, parents, libraries and hospices wanting to support young people to learn about dying and death."

- Dr. Kathy Kortes-Miller author of Talking About Death Won't Kill You