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SIMONE ELKELES has written three young adult novels, including Leaving Paradise, a Book Sense Pick. Simone was recently named Illinois Author of the Year by the Illinois Association of Teachers of English. She lives in Illinois, with her family. www.simoneelkeles.net

The Sequel to LEAVING PARADISE

From the New York Times Bestselling Author of RULES OF ATTRACTION

Caleb Becker left Paradise eight months ago, taking with him the secret he promised to take to his grave. If the truth got out, it would ruin everything.

Maggie Armstrong tried to be strong after Caleb broke her heart and disappeared. Somehow, she managed to move on. She’s determined to make a new life for herself.

But then Caleb and Maggie are forced together on a summer trip. They try ignoring their passion for each other, but buried feelings resurface. Caleb must face the truth about the night of Maggie’s accident, or the secret that destroyed their relationship will forever stand between them.

Praise for Leaving Paradise:

"Elkeles writes convincingly about family tensions, retreating from painful reality, and teens outgrowing their old skins." —School Library Journal

"Elkeles creates raw emotions, dialogue, and high-school ambience that’s just right… [A] delicate, delicious love story."—Booklist

VOYA

Two years ago, Caleb claimed responsibility for a drunken hit-and-run accident leaving Maggie, best friend to his twin sister, Leah, with a permanently impaired leg. Now eighteen and home from juvenile detention, his friends' animosity, family's breakdown, and subsequent messy romance with Maggie convince him everyone would benefit from his absence, so he abruptly flees and ceases all communication. Caleb resurfaces some eight months later, after hitting rock bottom, and reluctantly contacts his juvenile counselor for help. Assistance means warily entering ReSTART, a program where those affected by teen reckless driving share their stories and drastically changed lives with high-risk adolescents. Caleb and Maggie's emotions freefall upon discovering each other in the program, especially as each is keeping the same secret: Leah caused the accident, with Caleb uninvolved but rashly promising to protect her. Caleb hardly suspects that Maggie has surmised the truth, but she realizes everyone's healing is dependent upon Leah's truthfulness and wants the silence ended. She is, however, uncertain how to approach the volatile subject. Alternately narrated by Caleb and Maggie, this utterly realistic story is engrossing, especially the thorny relationships and fractured families. The plot continually progresses, allowing the characters' growth in increasingly complicated situations, with compelling interactions among other ReSTART members and speaking audiences. Readers will probably find the ending either sappy or swoon-worthy, but plausible. Although promoting automobile safety, the larger message demonstrates that one careless lie, regardless of intention, can be more devastating and permanent than the tragic consequences of hazardous teen driving. Reviewer: Lisa A. Hazlett