Thursday, January 24, 2008

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Age Level: Teen

Format: Book

 

Caleb has spent the last year in juvenile detention.  Maggie has spent the last year in hospitals and physical therapy.  The lives of these two teens were changed forever one night.  Now, they both have to face their greatest challenged – seeing each other again.  Is it possible to forgive?  And even more important, will it be possible to trust again?

 

I could not put this book down.  It’s very down to earth and the author does a very good job of creating the raw emotion, dialogue and culture of high school.  The topics of trust, friendship, and high school are handled in a very delicate way.

 

The chapters alternate between the voices of Caleb and Maggie, so the reader gets a glimpse into both of their lives and is able to realize that they both are in pain.  How they each deal with the pain is handled very differently.

 

It’s a very good book.  It makes you think...What would you do if the person who damaged you for life, a person who was sent away, was suddenly back?

 

Reviewed by Sara.

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