Customer Reviews

The Day After Tomorrow, a 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist for Young Adult Fiction

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Great read for teens and parents alike; shows the healing power of forgiveness -- toward yourself and others. Can't wait to read the next one!

This is an amazing story. All teen girls should read it for the great insight and powerful lessons the author shares with the readers. Took me back to my own troubles as a teen and how I could have made better choices and maybe made more of a difference in the lives of others. Sandee Sgarlata has the magic touch as an author, I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Gold Star Award Winner!

Julia Monroe is going through a difficult time in her life.

She is annoyed by each of her family members. She particularly can't stand her mother. She is frustrated by her mother's constant nagging about everything Julia wants to do or be. Her little brother is very annoying and a big pest and her father just isn't there at all.

She is starting high school and is very nervous about it. She has a new boyfriend but is uncertain about her feelings about him. She has a miserable first day at school and her boyfriend betrays her after a fight.

Then, Julia is in an accident and learns important lessons about how to live.

I loved this short but mighty book. It has such an important message for all of mankind. The idea of forgiveness is so important. It is not only a Christian message but one that creates peace in all of our lives. I also liked the reminder of being grateful.

Gratitude has become a thing of the past in our material-obsessed society. I myself have to keep reminding myself of all the blessings that my God has placed in my life. THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW should be required reading for all teens - and everyone else, too.

Reviewed by: Marta Morrison

It's hard to be a teen. It's even harder to understand things beyond the developing ego. This book provides, in an understandable way, how a teen can go beyond the screaming ego and begin the development of a different way of thinking. I hope there are more books that continue her development.

I had the privilege of interviewing the author today, and listening to her tell her personal story helped me to appreciate the message in THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW more. The book is a great example of how important it is to look outside of ourself for something great. It also shows that if we are to be truly at peace we have to learn to not just forgive others but ourselves as well. This is an incredible read for young people as well as discussion groups designed for parents and mentors.

The Day After Tomorrow may be short in page length ( 78 pages ), but it is long on impact, meaning and power. Starting out, the story reads a bit like a diary of a teenage girl as she struggles with self image, the power struggle of freedom from parental control and most importantly, that first day of High School. The main character, Julia Monroe, talks to the reader, as if in any day to day conversation. Author Sandee Sgarlata writes in a way that is simple and allows the reader to walk in Julia's shoes, knowing her thoughts and internal struggles every step of the way.

The beginning focuses on those first couple days of school, including the love of her life telling the entire school that Julia and he had sex the previous afternoon. Left feeling betrayed my such a horrific lie, Julia goes to Michael's house to confront him, only to find him in the arms of another girl. What follows changes Julia's life forever.

The Day After Tomorrow is a painful peek inside the torment that a young teen girl goes through and the overwhelming decisions that they must make in this day and age. I have to say that as a mother of a young girl, I found the story a bit painful. The reasoning for this is that Julia's mother seemed to truly care for Julia, wanting only the best for her and for her to be safe. However, Julia only saw this as in intrusion into her life and truly resented her mother.

The second half of the story, however, is truly uplifting, hopeful and eyeopening. In all honesty, though geared toward Julia as a young teen girl, I feel the lessons learned in The Day After Tomorrow are lessons for everyone - no matter their age, sex, or walk of life. Through the story, I felt as though the author was talking directly to me. Teaching me that learning to forgive and forget is a vital step toward living a truly happy and fulfilled life. Take a step back from your ruling emotions (your ego) and look through the eyes and listen through the ears of your Higher Self. The Higher Self is the treasure and key to a happy life - we just have to be willing to listen and not allow it to be buried by our ego.

This was a deeply stirring and emotional story for me. It touched me and really made me think and put different aspects of my life into perspective. Out of all the self help and motivational books that I have read and come across, this simple little book has taught me and spoken to me in a way that all of the others combines, never managed to. Learning to live life without grudges, anger and hurtful thoughts may be difficult, but not only rewarding emotionally, but physically rewarding as our bodies are not contaminated with all of the harmful feelings and thoughts.

I wanted to share one of my favorite passages within The Day After Tomorrow:

Pg. 50

"You see Julia, what you just said is an example of how our 'ego' gets in the way. Acceptance is about coming from a place of love and only love. It's about allowing Mom to be who she is regardless of your own ideas of how you think she 'should' be. Acceptance is letting go of what you think about another person and allowing them to be who they are. The important thing here is to accept with love."

Julia learns an important lesson that accepting people for who and what they are is what is important - not condemning them because they are not who you think they should be, or do or say what you think they should. This is something that everyone should remember.

The Day After Tomorrow should be in every classroom - even starting in Junior High. The pressures that young people go through at a heart-breakingly young age is truly frightening. I honestly feel that to incorporate the book into the school curriculum would be a step in a very positive direction. On the flip side, I also feel that adults can learn a lot from this book also. It is too easy to get caught up in the hubbub and stress of day to day life, The Day After Tomorrow sits things back into their right perspective and would benefit each and every person.

I can't recommend The Day After Tomorrow enough. I anxiously await the next in this series and will be recommending this to everyone! Pick up a copy - it will truly change how you look at the people and world around you.

As the parent of preteen, I am concerned about how my daughter will make choices in the coming years. This book gave me insight into the thought processes and emotions that my daughter will likely feel. It also has a great message about forgiveness of yourself and others.

Way to go Sandee!

I feel that The Day After Tomorrow is a great book for girls starting their true teen years. this book talks about the problems teenage girls face with out really going into puberty stuff which may make some girls feel uncomfortable. It also teaches how to connect with our 'Higher Self' and feel really good about ourselves instead of letting ego get in the way and feeling really bad and putting ourself and others down. Girls all over are going to love this boook, I sure did.