Leaving Paradise

by Simone Elkeles

Paperback, 2007

Status

Available

Call number

813.6

Publication

Flux (2007), Paperback, 312 pages

Description

Romance. Young Adult Fiction. HTML: Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad�her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares�has been canceled. After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb's free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers. Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It's a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other..… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member jensha

great read about a boy's re-entry into his family and school after being wrongly committed for drinking and driving, injuring sister's best friend

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LibraryThing member JRlibrary

Caleb Becker spends a year in juvenile detention for a hit and run accident involving his next door neighbour, Maggie Armstrong. Maggie spent the year in hospitals getting physical therapy. Now they're both out and end up working together for Mrs. Reynolds. There are some lovely twists in the novel

and it does not end as you'd expect. Excellent except for language in places.

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LibraryThing member specialibrarian

Caleb has completed his prison sentence for drunkenly running over and maiming his next door neighbor, Maggie. Maggie had always had a crush on this brother of her best friend. Caleb is tries to dredeem mse, but only he knows that redemption isn't really necessary.

LibraryThing member GaylDasherSmith

Very compelling. It was great until the ending. I was disappointed in that.

LibraryThing member elizardkwik

I have definitely learned to appreciate multiple viewpoint stories from Elkeles' books. This is a touching story that is just deep enough to have real content, but has enough light parts that is was an enjoyable read. It does end a bit abruptly...perhaps useful for writing one's own ending or as

part of a discussion?

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LibraryThing member fayeflame

O.K. so seriously this is an AWESOME, AWESOME book. Simone Elkeles is a freak'n genius. I knew i would love this book and i did. Leaving Paradise is like...WOW. It's so raw and i can't, i mean i'm just blown away. It didn't end like i wanted it to but it ended how it was suppose to. if that makes

any sense.Leaving Paradise, is a book i'm never going to forget.

I was draw to the story,Caleb hits Maggie in a car accident and the only time they ever feel normal is when their around each other.I read the back and i was wondering how this two characters were going to patch up this relationship. How could they get along. I loved these characters because they had flaws and they found out how to take control their lives and learn to forgive. They had real depth. Maggie is how i want to be, she's strong and even through she is scarred for life and walks with a limp she went to school with courage, she had to put up with all those shallow people who would make fun of her. Maggie is just an awesome character.So is Caleb, he is like the protector of everything even if it means going to jail.

This is one of the best books I have ever read and will love forever. I recommend it to everyone. OMG!! i just found out there's going to be a sequel. Maybe i'll get the ending i wanted after all. I so happy now.

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LibraryThing member 59Square

This story is told through two different voices – Caleb, who hit a girl while driving drunk and then fled the scene, and Maggie, the girl he hit whose legs are permanently damaged now. Caleb has just been released from jail, and he is trying to find his way in Paradise, the small town in which

both he and Maggie live. Maggie is also just returning to high school after having a year of physical therapy and trying to cope with the limp she has now. Both characters are very compelling – Caleb isn’t a bad person, just someone who may have made some bad choices. Maggie had been best friends with Caleb’s twin sister Leah until the accident, and had also had a crush on Caleb until the accident happened. Now they must find ways to become the new selves they are. This book does have some romance in it between Maggie and Caleb, but it’s not unrealistic. Maggie had always loved Caleb, so when he turns to her, there is something more there. In turn, she saves him from the pressures he feels. The end of the book has a little bit of a twist, but it’s a bittersweet twist. While the author does make the twist realistic, it’s not exactly what you want as a reader. Still a good book and one that I couldn’t put down.

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LibraryThing member lasha908

This book was pretty great. I was hooked from the beginning, it was a story that kept your attention, and once i finished. I couldnt wait for more books by this author.

LibraryThing member ylin.0621

The novel begins with Caleb being released from juvenile jail, but with a weary eye from the authorities. Now Caleb has to figure out how to live in society once again by having to serve community service, but his options are limited in the small town. School isn’t the worst part though even when

his friends would always his bring up his criminal status time after time, but it’s his family. It's the father who lets himself to be pushed around by his wife, the mother who likes to pretend that nothing’s wrong, and the sister who is now dressed from head to toe in black. But Caleb is willing to deal with it all…really…until he runs into Maggie that is.

Maggie was his sister’s best friend, that is before Caleb hit Maggie while drunk driving on night that sent him to jail. The accident that left Maggie with scars after countless surgeries, missing a year of school, and feeling like the freak that looks on everyone’s face seem to say. Determined to leave town of Paradise (haha irony) and travel abroad to Spain, Maggie needs a way to pay for the trip when the scholarship she earned gets taken away.

It just so happens that her mother’s boss’s grandmother needs a caretaker and it just so happens that she also needed a volunteer to help construct that gazebo. So will this become the next WWIII or the Battle of the Titans? Or will this pair become the next Cleopatra and Caeser?

In what I believe to be Simone Elkeles’s writing style, she alternates between male and female POV retelling scenes through their different perspectives. This does well at making an emotional attachment to the reader and brings forth the heated tension. However Elkeles seems to write stronger through the male POV in comparison to the female’s. The male voice is much more dynamic, though I have read it seemed force, but it was much more preferable to this love-sick whiny tone I am constantly getting from Maggie.

Leaving Paradise is an unsatisfying novel in my eyes. The ending steals the light I felt with the ending in its extreme abruptness—‘where’s the next page?’ abrupt—and I was left frustrated. It was only recently that there was news of a sequel and I could only think that it really needed one badly. If I had read this 3 years ago when it was first released I would have been much more brutal than I am now. I do love the twist at the end, but I do not love the fact that a friendship was so easily mended.

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LibraryThing member ericajsc

The premise of this book, along with the fact that I enjoyed Perfect Chemistry, is what drew me to this book. I’m not sure whether it was what I was expecting based on my preconceived notions of where the story would go or if it was subconsciously comparing it to another book, but I was left

slightly disappointed.
Each chapter alternates between Caleb’s and Maggie’s points of view. Normally I love books that have multiple perspectives, especially between a guy and girl, but this one didn’t quite feel right to me. There wasn’t much to distinguish between the two voices, other than the fact that Caleb cussed more frequently than Maggie. Both of them told the story so much internally that in order to tell the story we had to be able to know both characters’ thoughts, but I think it might have worked better if it had been told in third person.
Although the shifts in narrator were a little off, I was pleasantly surprised at certain aspects of the story. Caleb and Maggie’s history added an interesting twist to the story that I wasn’t expecting. The pacing of the story was a little slow for my taste; despite the fact that I’m sure they would’ve avoided each other for as long as possible, it seems that that could’ve been glossed over, which would have allowed for more time telling the story after they came face to face with each other. Their relationship develops organically, and they almost don’t realize that they’re becoming friends, which I liked, but it seemed to take forever just to get to a point where they weren’t ducking around corners to stay away from each other.
There are some unexpected surprises in the story that lead the characters to make some difficult decisions. This is another book that managed to pull me in more at the end than I was throughout the rest of the book, and I definitely want to read more of the story.

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LibraryThing member lost.in.stories

Nearly one year ago Maggie was hit by a car and sustained a major injury to her leg that halted her promising tennis career and leaving her in hospital being home schooled. Caleb, Maggie's neighbour and her best friends brother, was convicted of hitting Maggie while driving drunk and driving off.

Maggie had a plan to avoid seeing Caleb before he got released from juvenile detention, go to Spain on exchange, her plan was working fine until Caleb was released early and now with the new school term starting Maggie will have to see Caleb every day at school reminding her of what he did to her. What follows is a beautifully written story about two people who have both been changed by the accident and now must deal with the consequences.

I absolutely loved this book! The book switched between the point of view of the two main characters Maggie and Caleb, which I thought really added to the book as we were able to see Maggie's POV of a situation and then we got Caleb POV of the same situation. It was really interesting to see how differently they saw the same situation, particularly where Maggie felt that Caleb was fitting straight back into his old life both at school and with his friends, but from Caleb POV we saw that he felt he didn't fit in there anymore and no one understood him and what he was going through.

I really felt for Maggie, before the accident she had good friends and loved playing tennis, after she seems to have lost all of her friends, cannot play tennis anymore and is now an outcast at school because of the accident and her limp. My opinion of Caleb changed throughout the book, at the start I wasn't very enamored with him but as the book progressed and he had to deal with his family, friends and the consequences of his actions I did a complete 180 turn and I was cheering for Maggie and Caleb to make it together. Caleb understood that the accident changed him, and I think for the better.

I don't want to give too much away but it is evident early in the book that all is not what it seems, there was more to the accident, but that's all I'll say.

The ending of the book was different, it wasn't all tied up with a nice little bow on top there wasn't real closure for Maggie and Caleb as a couple, so depending on if you like closure or not you may not like the ending. That said Maggie was finally able to accept what happened to her especially with what she discovered she felt she could get on with the rest of her life now without having all this anger. Personally, I liked the ending, especially now that there is a sequel coming out this year, I can't wait to find out what happens to Maggie and Caleb next.

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LibraryThing member katiedoll

I had such high expectations for this one after reading the amazing that is Perfect Chemistry. I was disappointed when it didn’t hook me as much as I had thought. While it was a great story, issues such as relationship development and missing moments kept screaming at me. It made it hard to

enjoy.

I love the fact that Simone Elkeles switches point of views. She does such a great job at it. We get glimpses into both main character’s heads. However, I didn’t really see the character development in Leaving Paradise that I did in Perfect Chemistry. Maggie started off afraid of Caleb. Caleb started off wanting nothing to do with Maggie. They do have some progressing scenes, but in the long run, it just kind of felt as if they woke up one morning and decided to like each other.

It also seemed like the book had a lot of missing moments. Something big would happen; something that could’ve been hit or miss for the story. And when it’s left as a cliffhanger, it’s actually better because it makes me want to turn the page to see what’s going on. A lot of times throughout the book, there would be no after. The scene would be done and you’d only hear tidbits of what actually happened through vague character thoughts.

But aside from that, in my opinion, Simone Elkeles told another great story. Maggie and Caleb seem an unlikely pair, but it only makes their relationship much more beautiful. With strong emotions, gasp-worthy turns and an ending that will leave you stunned, speechless and desperate for the sequel- which is being released sometime this year- Leaving Paradise is a great book for a rainy day!

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LibraryThing member mrsderaps

One of the reasons why I love modern young adult lit so well is that it tackles subjects and issues that teens deal with all of the time without apology. Sure, there were some great YA authors when I was a teen, but there was nothing like Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles.

Every year around

homecoming and prom, I become nervous. I know what it's like to be a teen and I know that I made some poor choices when I was younger. But I lived through my poor choices. I worry that my teens (as in my students) will not survive theirs.

Hopefully, books like Leaving Paradise will make their way into the hands of teens and show them the consequences of a seemingly small decision--driving after too many beers--in a way that allows them to work through the after affects without having to go through them personally. Leaving Paradise is about a boy who makes a life-changing decision after drinking heavily at a party. Because of his choice, which was made in a plot second, he has to spend one year of his life in jail. And the rest of his life will be spent thinking about the girl who put him there.

Her name is Maggie. She was walking home after the party and did not see the car coming at her until she had already been hit. One year later, she is still in pain and her post-surgery gait draws stares and giggles from her classmates. Once popular and athletic, she is now afraid to go to school.

But, when Caleb gets out of jail early, both will have to face each other and the events of that tragic evening. This is a moving book that I won't soon forget. I plan to read the sequel, Return To Paradise, so that I can see what happens with these characters.

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LibraryThing member thekaisu

I can’t help but notice, since this is the third Simone Elkeles book I’ve read, but her books seem to be almost always deal with kids who are having a rough time growing up, with their lives which they think (most of the time) was royally screwed up. I am not complaining with that, but I think

I see a theme here.I just can’t help but be fascinated. These books might have a central theme to it, but it doesn’t get boring. It’s not predictable. It’s not the same as the two other books I’ve read.Simone Elkeles has a knack for writing about complicated issues using simple words and conveying it effectively. She doesn’t fail to rouse emotions inside of me whenever I read her novels, and I think that’s just pure genius.I couldn’t stop myself, I’m starting Return to Paradise as soon as I finished this book, and I really want to know what happened between Caleb and Maggie. I didn’t really like the ending of this book, it felt like a lot has been left completely hanging, but I know the second book would fix all of that. I can’t wait.

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LibraryThing member thegeekygal

Simone Elkeles does it again.
Well done writing. Well fleshed out characters. I felt connected all the way through. Read it very quickly and was satisfied at the end for having read it.
I liked the pacing, even if I saw something coming up ahead.
It definitely made me hungry to read book 2 (although

I hear it's not nearly as good as the first :( )

Highly recommended read.

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LibraryThing member melanie1721

Simone Elkeles books all have a similar theme......A bad guy and a good girl and the romance that starts between them. I just love the present day, and actual realness of the story that I can't stop reading her books. This is the 3rd one I have read and I think I have one more left of hers to read.

But all have been great and I love them.

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LibraryThing member hollyhox

This book has a majorly contrived plot. Yes, teenagers can be cruel. Parents can be clueless about their children. But to this extent? This book is just plain bad.

LibraryThing member shelleyraec

It took me a while to get into this story, I think partly because the language lacked emotion, even though this gave Caleb an authentic voice. I wasn't expecting the alternate points of view but it worked. Initially of course all my sympathy lay with Maggie, I can understand her sense of alienation

and fear based on her fathers abandoment and the accident , though I am so glad she finally shook of her self pity because it was a bit wearing. Caleb was more interesting, even though I was determined not to give him an inch, I felt for him with the treatment from his parents and once I quickly figured out the truth I liked and even admired him as well.I'm in two minds about the role played by Mrs Reynolds, I liked her as a character but the situation was just too convenient as a means of bringing Caleb and Maggie together. In fact, ss an adult reader, the majority of the plot was just too contrived and there were some plot holes that drove me crazy.However what Elkeles does do right in this novel is capture the emotion of her characters and explores teen issues well.

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LibraryThing member RJGonzales

I thought this novel was a cute, face paced and nice read. However, those in search of a fairy tale ending will be left dissatisfied. Simone Elkeles has a true gift of creating realistic fiction and skin thick characters. Truly one of my favorite authors.

LibraryThing member xXlovelyxladyXx

Okay, so this book doesn't even come close to the same league as the Perfect Chemistry trilogy but it was still a good read. The story was shocking and endearing, yet it really shows how cruel-hearted some people can naturally be to someone's disability. Maggie went through so many trials and so

much pain that my heart ached for her. She did not deserve all of the bad things that happened to her and yet they kept on coming.

And Caleb? Stupid boy. Sweet but stupid, especially in the end. It is blatantly obvious that they both cared for each other and shocking secrets revealed just how protective Caleb really was but god almighty still very stupid. I really liked this book a lot and I do currently own the second book however, I don't think I'll be reading it any time soon simply because when I started it, it didn't seem as good as the first book. It'll probably be awhile before I pick it up again.

Rating: 4.75 out of 5 Stars

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LibraryThing member theadawn

This book, like all of the other books that are written by Simon Elkeles, have two people fall in love who according to society and circumstances probably shouldn't It has family drama, the usual teenage drama and of course romance. If you enjoy his books, you'll enjoy this one for sure. The ending

was well played, leaving it nicely open for the sequel which is also very good.

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LibraryThing member beckymmoe

Wow. This was a quick read (just over 200 pages in the ebook version), but a good one--even though it technically doesn't quite fit my requirements for books I want to read (the ending! Argh!), I still really enjoyed this one. I'm still kicking myself, though--I knew that there was something wrong

with how the night of the accident really happened, there were enough clues about that one--but I didn't suspect what really happened, even though that too had clues galore. I guess I just didn't want to believe it, much like the characters themselves. I'm anxiously awaiting the sequel, Return to Paradise, to be available through the library (I'm six out of six people on the waiting list). Even though quite a few of the reviews for it were less than stellar, I'm really looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Maggie and Caleb...and of course I'm totally rooting for a HEA. :-)

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LibraryThing member shayanasha

I had put off reading this book for a long time... it sounded so sweet and sad and beautiful, right?

No.

I had expected more from Simon Elkeles. After falling head over heels for her Perfect Chemistry series I had expected the story to be more realistic, more relatable..... simply more. I was

thoughroughly dissapointed.

The book started on an interesting premise with Caleb getting out of jail and Maggie starting school despite all her insecurities and the injury from the car accident. After the first two chapters I was hooked. A couple few pages and then everything goes downhill. I still do not understand why they fell for each other, I don't understand that if Caleb was not okay with taking the blame for the accident why he did it and yet keeps threatening Leah to expose the truth. So much for being the selfless big brother.

Most of the times I could not distinguish whether I was reading Caleb's POV or Maggie's, both of them sounding oh, so depressed and whiny. I know, I know they have a lot to be depressed about but they have to at least try to understand that the people who did not go to jail or been in an accident may have problems too. Oh, and yeah, try to move on.

I am a big fan of Ms Elkeles, but I am sorry but this book just did not work for me.

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LibraryThing member Angelina-Justice

I was amazed at how quickly I lost myself in this book. I had tried to read Perfect Chemistry by Elkeles and couldn't get into the story. But the two characters in this story were real and extraordinary at the same time.

I appreciated Elkeles didn't have the characters fall into each others arms in

the end. She left room for growth and healing. And, of course, a sequel.

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LibraryThing member ottilieweber

Loved this book, Simone Elkeles is growing higher on my favorite authors! I read this right after White Cat, so the male mind was just further explored. Simohe Elkeles, creates realistic characters in this story where not everything has gone their way. That their paths are not easy to go, just like

real life there are trials, bumps in the road. Caleb is coming out of DOC and trying to pick up his life before he was locked up for a hit and run on his twin sister (leah) best friend (Maggie). When he comes back he finds out that his small town has been turned upside and no one is excatly how they were when he left. Just at a time where he needs a support line his friends aren't there for him, his family is just a shell of what they use to be. With the help of an elderly lady brings him and the struggling Maggie who is trying to get through physical therapy to get to walk again together. A very touching story that made me a pile of mush afterwards! :)

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