The Leaving Season

Gr 8 Up—Meredith "Middie" Daniels calls it the leaving season—the time when kids are graduating and leaving home for the first time. Her boyfriend, Nate, isn't leaving for college, though. He's taking a gap year volunteering in Central America while Middie finishes high school. When a horrible tragedy strikes within weeks of Nate's departure, it sends Middie reeling. None of her friends or family understand just how unmoored she feels. Well, no one except for Nate's best friend. Lee Ryan, a slacker who Middie never liked, who calls her Yoko, who is everything Nate is not, seems to be the only one who understands her grief. But can this ungrounded guy really help her reach solid ground again? Jordan has crafted a story about leaving, about growing up, and about finding your path and being true to yourself. The protagonist is a solidly drawn character, as is Lee. No new ground is covered but the plot twist near the end is well played.