After Iris

Blue Gadsby is a thirteen-year-old girl who documents her family's life through video recordings and diary entries after the death of her twin sister Iris. She captures the chaos of living with three siblings, two busy parents, and an au pair in their London home. The narrative follows Blue as she navigates new changes in her household, including her parents' frequent work travel and the arrival of a new neighbor boy. Through her camera lens and written observations, she records both everyday moments and significant events that impact her family. Blue uses her documentation project to process grief, understand her place in her evolving family, and find her own identity separate from being a twin. The mixed format of video transcripts and diary entries creates a chronicle of one year in the life of the Gadsby family. This middle-grade novel explores themes of loss, healing, and the different ways family members cope with absence - both temporary and permanent. It highlights how creative expression can help young people make sense of difficult experiences.

Readers connect with Blue's raw emotional journey as she processes grief through her video diary entries. The mixed format of prose, diary entries, and camera scripts creates an engaging reading experience that many reviewers say makes the story feel authentic and immediate. Readers appreciated: - Realistic portrayal of sibling relationships - Natural blend of humor with serious themes - British family dynamics and dialogue - Blue's distinct voice and perspective - Accessibility for both middle grade and YA readers Common criticisms: - Some found the format initially confusing - A few readers wanted more character development of secondary characters - Several mentioned the plot felt predictable Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (90+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 One reader noted: "The way Blue processes her feelings through filming rather than talking felt true to how many kids actually cope." Another mentioned: "The family chaos and bickering between siblings captured exactly what it's like in a big household."

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan A 12-year-old genius processes grief through documenting her observations while creating a new kind of family.

Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur An 11-year-old girl rebuilds her life after losing most of her family, using letters and new connections to heal.

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin A seventh-grader channels her grief into a scientific investigation of jellyfish while processing the death of her former best friend.

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt A foster child learns to trust and love again through her new family's patient understanding and unconventional ways of showing care.

See You at Harry's by Jo Knowles A family grapples with loss and change while running their restaurant and supporting each other through documentation and memories.

🔹 The story is told through both traditional narrative and video diary entries, as the main character Blue films her life after her twin sister Iris's death 🔹 Author Natasha Farrant worked in children's publishing for many years before becoming a full-time writer, giving her unique insight into what young readers connect with 🔹 The book explores the unique phenomenon of "twinless twins" - people who have lost their twin sibling - which affects more than 10,000 people in the UK alone 🔹 The novel was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal in 2014, one of the most prestigious awards in children's literature 🔹 The author drew inspiration for the chaotic family dynamics from her own experience growing up in a household with four siblings in London