- Ester has a lot of questions she wants answers to – one day. Were any of Ester’s questions ones you’d especially want to know? Do you have any questions to add to her list?
- Have you read any books by Ashleigh Barton? If so, how are they similar or different to Eighty-Nine Questions for After?
- There are moments throughout the story when Ester feels anxious and overwhelmed. How does she work through it? How could you help a friend that feels like Ester?
- Have you ever been to a circus? If so, what was your favourite part of the experience? If not, what would you be most excited to see?
- Mackenzie and Ester don’t initially seem to have much in common but became great friends! Do you have friends who are very different to you? How might you find things to do together that you’ll both enjoy?
- What do you think the key themes of Eighty-Nine Questions for After are and why?
- Do you think Joan or Winnie was in the wrong over their falling out? Is there a right or wrong in this situation?
- ‘How can you stand it? Ester sobbed. ‘How can you stand working in that place knowing that everyone you meet is going to die?’ ‘Because they remind me how important it is to live,’ Mum said. ‘They make me appreciate every single moment. They remind me to make the most of this one beautiful life we all have’ (page 228). Hospices can be sad places – but there is also a lot of joy and peace. How do we see Ester’s Mum balance the emotions of her job? How does she help Ester with her grief?
- Eighty-Nine Questions for After deals with a lot of big, intense topics and themes. Do you like feeling sad when you read a book? Why or why not? What are some other books you’ve read (or want to read) that might make you feel sad and why?
- How does Ester grow and change because of the friendships she makes at the hospice? What might the future look like for her?
-
A wise and beautifully written middle-grade novel about finding answers to the big questions in life, from popular children's author Ashleigh Barton
Latest news
Father’s Day Gift Guide | 2026
From thrillers to history, inspiring memoirs to ground-breaking fiction, we have a great read for every dad.
Junior Book Club Guide for Eighty-Nine Questions for After
Lots for young readers to discuss in the touching middle-grade novel!
The Burn Book Tour
The Burn extract
Book Club Questions for The Burn
Reads with Rhythm
Dr Norman Swan The Brain Cliff tour
Myf Warhurst is going on tour!
Book Club Guide for Rat Daniels
Questions for your group to discuss this stand-out Australian debut.
Authors on the Road for Book Week 2026
A snapshot of just some of all the activity around Australia!
Read an extract of Alma Vampires
Start reading the new paranormal romance series!
Amy Remeikis is going on tour!
Enter the Fantasy Realm
Hachette Australia, with The Realm, presents ENTER THE FANTASY REALM! Join Tigest Girma, Louisa Carmody and Christy Anne Jones in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to talk all things fantasy.
Read an Extract: Middle Rage
Part confessional, part manifesto, Middle Rage is full of Myf Warhurst's humour, warmth and wisdom, with some tips thrown in to help women live their best middle-aged lives.
In the Good Books with Luke Bateman - Hachette Recommended Reads
Explore our featured reads on the In the Good Books podcast
Start Reading No One's Looking
Read an extract from No One's Looking, a comedic and uplifting novel from bestselling author Brooke Davis. Out October 13 2026!
Hachette Memories of Lost & Found
Our staff share how special Brooke Davis' debut was - we’d love to hear your memories too!
Brooke Davis' Letter to Booksellers
The lovely Brooke, a bookseller herself, checks in with her colleagues across Australia to say a big hello.
Alice Oseman is coming to ANZ!
Information on Alice Oseman's - author of Heartstopper - trip to Australia and New Zealand.
Read an extract from The Doubles
Dive into this fast-paced, genre-bending debut!
Q&A with Penny Sunday
Meet Aussie dark romance author Penny Sunday!
Read an extract from The Wretched Divine
From the bestselling author of Belladonna
.png?w=440&h=247&fit=crop&auto=compress%2cformat&dpr=2)
Ashleigh Barton's Letter to Readers
Ahead of Eighty-Nine Questions for After, Ashleigh shares her thoughts on why sad books are so important for kids.
Read an extract of True Crime
Start reading Patricia Cornwell's thrilling memoir
Find a book you'll love, get our newsletter
Hachette Australia acknowledges and pays our respects to the past, present and future Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our head office is located on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
© Hachette Australia, All Rights Reserved · Site by Chook