I read this book right in the middle of a string of other books that all concerned unexpected tragedies and deaths of family members, so I expected it to be pretty typical dramatic fare. But it wasn't typical. Because the thing about books that try to teach readers about loss is that they can be forced, even fake. There is more of an effort made in teaching the reader what to expect than in telling a story. After doesn't do that. Each of the characters that you are introduced to, including the main character Lacey, deals with losses in his or her own way, and none of them is dependent on one stereotypical viewpoint. There's a flow to the way they deal with their grief and their anger; not a point by point explanation of how they should or shouldn't behave. The book is also very honest in how the characters react to the sympathy they receive from classmates. There is an entire discussion of how they are treated once the world around them knows they've lost someone important to them, and it is spot-on. The book examines tragedy without being tragic. It's funny and sweet and true. But most importantly, it's a good read.