Attorneys of Atlanta

Leaving Atlanta: A Novel

Description

An award-winning author makes her fiction debut with the coming-of-age story of three young black children during the Atlanta child murders of 1979. It's summer in Atlanta and black children are disappearing. By the time the heinous killing spree is over, 29 will be dead. This haunting menace provides the backdrop to the exquisitely evocative stories of three children fighting the everyday battles of adolescence: Tasha, who is coping with her parents' separation and the sweet pain of a first crush on a tender boy; Rodney, who struggles to make friends and wants only to please his abusive father; and Octavia, who faces down the popular crowd at school and must straddle the line between protected and protective daughter. Ultimately, these individual stories reveal the loss of innocence that accompanies the passage from childhood to adulthood.

Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2009-12-17
Summary: "easy read, great book!"

This book was very easy to read and I had a hard time putting it down. The stories (told from different povs) are so realistic that it made me remember being a kid, literally how it felt to be a kid, the thoughts I had, all of that...even though my childhood was nothing like these characters. I am recommending this one to friends.
Caution, it will make you cry or angry in parts.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2007-02-20
Summary: "A Beautiful, Character-Driven Novel"

I grew especially attached to the character Octavia while reading this lovely book, even before the final section, which focuses on her particular childhood trials and reveals the reason for the title. For me, Leaving Atalant was one of those reads that built up steam and interest, and edged its way into my heart until I was fully invested in what would happen to these kids. I was very sorry to reach the last page, but fortunately I can move on to The Untelling next. :-)

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2007-01-20
Summary: "Intriguing"

I knew when I ordered this from my book rental club that the story revolved around the Atlanta Child Murders. Having been a preteen when all that was going on, I was hesitant to revisit the subject.

However, I was pleasantly surprised. The story was nothing what I thought. Rather than focusing on the horrors of the Child Murders, Ms. Jones brings out some necessary social issues that need to be addressed in today's society--all of these from the perspective of children.

If you are parent, get this book. I am not a parent, but should I become a parent one day, I will know to take heed and treat my child as the gift that he/she will be.

Also, hats off to Griot Audio for a stellar performance on the audio CD.

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Rating: 3 / 5
Date: 2006-06-30
Summary: "Interesting and Pleasant"

Nice book, can be boring at times. May be more enjoyable as a movie.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2006-01-02
Summary: "WOW, I THOUGHT I WAS THERE..."

I TRULY DID. AT THE TIME OF THESE EVENTS I WAS A BABY/TODDLER SO THIS GAVE ME VERY GREAT DESCRIPTION OF WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE A CHILD IN ATLANTA DURING THOSE TIMES. THIS BOOK LEFT ME TO ASK "WILL THERE BE CONTINUATION OF THIS TO FIND HOW THIS IMPACTED SOME OF THE CHARACTER'S LIVES IN THE FUTURE". IT WAS SO REAL I REALLY WANTED TO KNOW. KUDOS ON A JOB WELL DONE!!!