Sweet, Hereafter (The Heaven Trilogy)
#3 in Heaven Series
on Goodreads (397)
What’s inside...
After Heaven and The First Part Last, three-time Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Angela Johnson concludes her acclaimed trilogy with a poignant tale of finding where you belong and who you belong with. Shoogy left home with all her jeans still in the washer because she couldn’t think of a reason to stay. She’s not sure where she belongs, until she meets Curtis. Curtis knows for certain where he does not want to be and that’s to be back in the army. He is happy to be in Ohio, where it is quiet and he can spend time with Shoogy. But when Curtis gets orders to return to Iraq, will belonging with each other be enough to keep Shoogy and Curtis together? Angela Johnson takes us back to Heaven, Ohio in this bittersweet tale of first love found and lost.
Character compass
Shoogy Maple
Curtis
Discussion points
How do you think the main character felt moving to a new place, and can you relate to any of her experiences?
What do you think the 'hereafter' represents in the story, and what does it mean to you?
How do the characters in the book show strength and resilience, and who do you admire the most?
What lessons do you think the story teaches about friendship and support?
If you could ask the main character one question, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the themes, be open about sharing your own personal experiences related to change and resilience to create a more meaningful connection.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the book using creative outlets such as drawing or storytelling, which can lead to deeper understanding.
Use follow-up questions to dive deeper into your child’s responses, fostering critical thinking and personal reflection.
Relate the main character’s journey to real-life scenarios that your child might encounter, facilitating practical life lessons.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Coping with Loss
Explanation: The protagonist, Shoogy, deals with the loss of close family members and navigates her grief throughout the story.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to understand and express their feelings about loss and grief in a healthy way, helping them cope with similar experiences in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Importance of Community Support
Explanation: Shoogy finds solace and support in her community as she deals with her personal struggles.
Real-World Application: This story encourages children to seek and value support from family, friends, and community during challenging times, emphasizing the strength found in togetherness.
Example Lesson: Self-Discovery
Explanation: Throughout the narrative, Shoogy embarks on a journey of self-discovery, finding out more about her desires and identity.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to explore their own identities and passions, understanding that self-awareness is key to personal growth.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Shoogy demonstrates resilience in overcoming the obstacles and emotional challenges she faces.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of resilience and the ability to recover from difficulties, instilling confidence in their ability to handle life's challenges.
Example Lesson: Finding Peace
Explanation: The story concludes with Shoogy finding peace and a sense of closure, despite the challenges she faced.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of finding inner peace and closure after difficult experiences, promoting emotional well-being and stability.