The Astonishing Colour of After tells the story of Leigh Chen Sanders who must reconcile with her mother's suicide. Convinced that her mother has turned into a bird, Leigh visits Taiwan, and her maternal grandparents, for the first time to explore her mother's history and her family's story. Leigh's grief takes the reader on a journey through family, love, and loss as Leigh must figure out the difference between what is magic and what is real.

Emily X.R. Pan is of Chinese and Taiwanese descent. Her website states that she plays bluegrass mandolin, teaches yoga, and, until recently, thought she hated Reese's peanut butter cups. The Astonishing Colour of After won the ALPA Honor Award, the Walter Honor Award, and was long-listed for the Carneige Medal.

How have you dealt with grief in the past?