After the First Death

After the First Death is a novel written by American author Robert Cormier. It was first published in 1979 by Pantheon Books, and subsequently as a paperback by Laurel-Leaf Books. It is classified as young adult fiction.

Characters

Miro: A teenage terrorist
Kate: A teenage bus driver
Artkin: Leader of the hijackers
Mark Marchand: General at "Inner Delta" and in charge of fighting the terrorists
Ben Marchand: A teenage student and Mark Marchand's son

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Plot

A school bus full of 5- and 6-year-old children is hijacked by several terrorists (including Miro and led by Artkin). Kate tries desperately throughout the book to free the children by talking to Miro. She notices that Miro, unlike Artkin, has feelings. Kate plays this characteristic of Miro to her advantage, and begins to flirt with him and feign interest in him. By the end she ends up truly caring about him. As the story begins, it seems to focus on Ben, but he turns out to be a minor character. The end reveals a surprising, but almost angering twist.

Published Editions

• Hardcover, Pantheon Books, New York, 1979, ISBN 0-394-84122-0
• Paperback, Laurel Leaf Books, New York, 1991, ISBN 0-440-20835-1