The Year After You

Gr 7 Up–Cara has survived a car accident that killed her best friend, G. Battling grief, depression, and internal and external scars, Cara is sent to boarding school in Switzerland by her mother, who thinks all she needs is a clean slate. Cara journeys through the snowy Alps to Hope Hall with very little hope. But a unique trio, Ren, Hector, and Fred, have other things in mind. Not only do they want to befriend Cara, but they want to know all her secrets. Cara shuts herself off, but the trio push back hard, and Cara reluctantly learns to open up to people who really care about her. She learns that with loyalty, love, and strong friendship, things get better, and she discovers the importance of forgiveness and acceptance. This book tackles difficult subjects like mental health, grief, depression, and survivor’s guilt; some parts may be hard for anyone who has gone through something comparable. But de Pass is an excellent writer, handling these topics gracefully, and readers will easily connect with her characters.