Steve Watkins
6 SeriesSteve Watkins, an American author, writes the Ghosts of War series for young adults and children. He has taught journalism, creative writing, and Vietnam War literature at the University of Mary Washington. Additionally, Steve works as an investigator and advocate for abused and neglected children through CASA.
In "What Comes After" by Steve Watkins, sixteen-year-old Iris Wight moves to her aunt's North Carolina farm after her father's death. A vegetarian and animal lover, Iris clashes with her harsh Aunt Sue, who mistreats the livestock and abuses Iris. Tensions escalate when Iris frees two goats destined for slaughter, leading to a violent confrontation where Aunt Sue's son, Book, beats Iris, resulting in their imprisonment. Placed with a quirky foster family, Iris remains determined to protect the farm animals, setting the stage for a confrontation with her aunt.
