Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

Have you ever wanted a book that the library doesn't own? I know I have many times. If the item is new you can send in a Purchase Request form to see if the library will purchase it. Titles not yet published or released will only be accepted within one month of availability. We can't always fulfill each request due to reviews or budget restraints but we do look forward to your suggestions. Now for the books that are two years old or older we can Interlibrary Loan them from other libraries around the country. This is a free service to our resident library card holders. If the book is out there and available then we will find it. The Interlibrary Loan staff is awesome.

Leaving Paradise is a book I wanted to read that the library did not own so they were able to get it through Interlibrary Loan for me. I'm glad that they did because this was a really good book. I wasn't thrilled with the ending but got over it when I turned the last page and read that their will be a sequel continuing Caleb and Maggie's story due out sometime this summer. I can't wait.

What happens when the person who damaged you for life becomes the person you trust the most? (off of the back cover). One fateful night Maggie Armstrong is hit by a drunk driver and Caleb Becker confesses to the crime and gets sentenced to juvenile detention. For the past year Maggie has endured several surgeries on her leg and painful physical therapy. Caleb has endured being behind bars and praying for freedom. When Caleb is released he heads back to Paradise and encounters Maggie. Maggie hates Caleb but they seemed to be drawn to each other. Elkeles has written a story that sticks with you and leaves you wanting more. Throw in a few twists and turns and you are so ready for the sequel. And according to Amazon the sequel is called Return to Paradise and will be out September 1, 2010.