It’s 1998 and fourteen-year-old Jesse Newsome has been living with a guardian in upstate NY since his parents died in a tragic car crash two years earlier. Just when he’s adjusted to his new home, Jesse is involved in an ill-fated prank that ends in the death of Kiki Lewis, the girl who brought a smile back to his face. Life returns to normal for those around him, but Jesse remains haunted by Kiki’s memory, unable to let go.
Kiki doesn’t realize she’s dead until she sees herself at her own funeral. As a ghost, she struggles to communicate with her mother and searches for the key to crossing over. In her desperation, she turns to Jesse for help, sending his life into a new tailspin. Can their two disparate worlds reconnect? Together, will they uncover the secret to moving on?
Before we Move On weaves a narrative from multiple perspectives, delving into how love and friendship possess the strength to conquer grief. This heartfelt tale effortlessly draws readers in, offering a down-to-earth exploration of life after death and instilling hope in what lies beyond.
It’s 1998 and fourteen-year-old Jesse Newsome has been living with a guardian in upstate NY since his parents died in a tragic car crash two years earlier. Just when he’s adjusted to his new home, Jesse is involved in an ill-fated prank that ends in the death of Kiki Lewis, the girl who brought a smile back to his face. Life returns to normal for those around him, but Jesse remains haunted by Kiki’s memory, unable to let go.
Kiki doesn’t realize she’s dead until she sees herself at her own funeral. As a ghost, she struggles to communicate with her mother and searches for the key to crossing over. In her desperation, she turns to Jesse for help, sending his life into a new tailspin. Can their two disparate worlds reconnect? Together, will they uncover the secret to moving on?
Before we Move On weaves a narrative from multiple perspectives, delving into how love and friendship possess the strength to conquer grief. This heartfelt tale effortlessly draws readers in, offering a down-to-earth exploration of life after death and instilling hope in what lies beyond.
Kiki was always one of the first middle schoolers on the bus. Only a few sixth graders were already hunkered down up front by the time she eased into her seat, five rows back on the right.
Kiki sat near the front of the bus, even though as a seventh grader she could call dibs further back. Sitting sideways, her feet planted on the seat beside her, she hovered over a notebook drawing a self-portrait while more students filed in. A wad of paper whizzed overhead, lost speed, and hit the boy in front of her.
He turned around. “Hey, what the heck?”
Kiki motioned to the back with her thumb and went back to her drawing.
Most of the eighth graders scribbled down stolen answers to a math worksheet or chatted away with friends. Jesse and Jimmy ping-ponged back and forth about which video games deserved “Best Of ” in PC Gamer.
Behind them in the last seat, Ralphie stood, pointing. “Sorry, dude. That was meant for her.” Ralphie’s chin jutted upwards as adrenaline threw him back into his seat.
Kiki stopped drawing and looked toward Ralphie. Her eyes caught Jesse’s just before he leaned around.
“Give it a rest, why don’t ya?
“What’s a matter? Afraid I’ll hurt your girlfriend’s feelings?”
“Forget it.” Jesse rolled his eyes and shrugged at Kiki.
Kiki returned the shrug with a smile. Even though Jesse sat with those jerks, she caught him sneaking a look her way whenever they weren’t paying attention. Like now. She missed spending time with him, but summer was in a few months. They’d be back at drama camp being best buds again and the school year would seem a millennium away. Kiki penned “For Jesse” on the drawing and shoved her notebook into her backpack. She took a note out of her pocket and waited for her opportunity.
As the bus stopped and the boys filed past her, Kiki pretended to fumble with her backpack. She hopped into the aisle behind Jesse. Just before they got to the steps, she tapped him on the shoulder. “Hand out.”
Jesse reached his hand behind him, and Kiki snuck the note into it.
“Read it later.” Kiki jumped to the ground and turned away from the trio.
Jesse smiled and rammed it into his pocket.
Moments later, the Wagnerville School bus wheeled up Hilltop Terrace, leaving four kids standing in a cloud of dust. Ralphie tore off his sweatshirt and wrapped it around his waist. Jesse and Jimmy bragged about beating levels in Zelda while they kicked rocks toward home. Kiki hummed a tune as she walked across the covered bridge that connected her neighborhood to the main town.
Without warning, Ralphie halted the energetic chatter. “Hold up!” He ripped a sheet of paper from his notebook and told Jimmy to turn around.
“Ouch,” Jimmy complained as Ralphie scribbled a note on his back.
“Wuss.” Ralphie picked up a beer bottle peeking out from beneath a bush and jammed the note inside. Ralphie puffed out his chest and shoved the bottle into Jesse’s hands. “Throw it to her.”
Jesse’s mouth went dry. He searched for the words that would make Ralphie shut up.
“Yeah, throw it to your girlfriend,” Jimmy joined in.
Jesse glanced across Lenape Creek where Kiki was searching for flowers. Blond braids flopped down her back as she picked an early spring daffodil. Jesse remembered how nervous she had looked at camp last summer just before they went on stage and wondered if now he looked the same.
Ralphie yelled across the water, “Hey, Kiki, Jesse has something for you.”
She stood up, a few flowers in her hands. Jesse saw a look of confusion on her face.
Ralphie gritted his teeth. “Throw it, Jesse.”
Jesse had more than one reason for not wanting to throw the bottle. He saw what Ralphie wrote and knew it was true. But Ralphie and Jimmy didn’t know that, and Kiki Lewis didn’t know either. This wasn’t the way Jesse wanted her to find out.
“It’s now or never,” Jimmy pressed.
Jesse’s chest tightened as he looked down at the bottle. He cocked his arm, envisioned himself a quarterback making the game’s last pass, and threw it to lose the game. The bottle landed in the water with a splash.
Jesse turned to Ralphie and Jimmy. “Oh, well.” His shoulders relaxed. “I tried.”
Snickering, Ralphie pointed back toward the river. “Look! This is going to be even better.”
Jesse’s head whirled around to see Kiki chase the bottle downstream before a raging current could whisk it away.
“The water’s running quick today,” Jimmy said. “I’ve never seen it so high.”
Jesse said, “It looks—"
“It’s the dam, you morons. They released water today. They do it twice a year.” Ralphie raced to the water’s edge. Jesse and Jimmy followed.
Kiki jumped rocks and slipped a foot into the water, eyes glued on the bottle, as it twirled and swirled, hit a log, and lodged itself between two rocks. The boys watched as Kiki bent to retrieve the bottle.
Jesse struggled to breathe. “Kiki! No!”
Kiki reached. She stretched herself and reached further until her fingers clutched the trapped glass.
Jesse let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.
“Got it!” And, as Kiki stood, the world went into slow motion. Her foot slipped down the rock. Her body tilted forward. She clutched the bottle to her chest and went under.
Then, everything flipped into fast-forward. Kiki’s head bobbed up, then down, then up again. An arm reached out. Flailed for something to grab. The boys blinked, and she was gone.
“Run!” Ralphie took off toward home.
Jimmy trailed behind.
Jesse’s body froze. His brain clicked off. When it flicked back on, everyone was gone.
Jesse is only fourteen, but he knows this: He loves Kiki, with whom he shares so many interests, most specifically, a love of theatre. They've attended summer theatre camp together, and they can talk to each other in an easy way.
Jesse's parents died in a tragic car accident on the day after Thanksgiving, as they're trying to do Christmas shopping on Black Friday. Jesse essentially has no relatives; instead, he lives with his godfather, Mr. Rudy, in upstate New York. Jesse's father was an attorney who left specific provisions, including financial support, to enable Mr. Rudy to care for Jesse. Jesse's mother had been a nurse. Mr. Rudy and Jesse live in a trailer.
Kiki lives with her single mother and knows nothing about her father. Both Kiki and Jesse share the same school bus stop; Kiki is a year younger than Jesse, but they get along so well that the slight age difference means nothing.
Ralphie, the school bully, who’s also the town minister’s son, writes a note and sticks it in a bottle. Jesse throws the bottle to Kiki, but she doesn't catch it. Instead, the bottle lands in an overflowing river. Kiki can't swim--she drowns while trying to retrieve the bottle. Jesse finds her body. Life is never the same.
This novel is well-constructed, developed in short chapters, and features strong, believable characters. I could feel the heartache in Jesse's entire body when he realizes Kiki is dead and he'll never see her again.
The author's description of what she thinks may happen when someone dies and what might interfere with a dead person's ability to "cross over" into the next life is plausible on many levels. The way she brings in other elements to complicate the story is also quite interesting. The role of Ralphie the bully adds spice to the narrative, as does the appearance of several ghosts (of which only one is Kiki), as they attempt to attain the next level in the afterlife.
I don't want to go into further details about this novel because I might have to issue a spoiler alert.
I enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to anyone who might want to discuss the tricky question of "what happens when we die." It's not an easy question to ponder, and this book offers an alternative approach to what may be coming from traditional pulpits these days. It's simply a good read that most people seeking a good read will enjoy.