Leaving Paradise (2007) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit see section history

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Summary edit see section history

Characters edit see section history

• Caleb Becker: Went to jail for driving over Maggie's leg while drunk driving. He works off his parol by doing community service projects for the community while being labeled across the face as convict by his old friends.
• Maggie Armstrong: Add a description of this character.
• Mrs. Reynolds: Mrs Reynolds is the old woman that they ended up working for. Many simpithetic events take place with Mrs. Reynolds because of her actions. Mrs. Reynolds know's there is something up with those two and can see that their relationship will progress with the help of her!
• Leah: Leah is Caleb's sister. She was also Maggies best friend before the accident. Leah has changed dramatically because the accident such as her appearance, personality, and social life. Leah is not social and is on her own. Towards the end, Leah begins to be more alive and gives life, Caleb and Maggie another chance.
• Kendra: Kendra is Caleb's ex-girlfriend after the accident. As Caleb spent his time in jail, Kendra was seeing other guys and now since he's back, Kendra wants him all to herself again. Kendra's actions place her in terrible situations and make her realise that the boy she wants, wants someone else.
• Brian: Is/was Caleb's best friend. Is dating Caleb's ex-girlfriend.
• Damon: Damon is Caleb's probation officer. He keeps Caleb out of many horrible situations that could get him placed right back in the horrible jail cell. Damon knows Caleb has potential of being a respectable person and that the accident punctured into him making Caleb realizing his mistakes.
• Drew
• Margaret
• Mr. Meyer: The High School Principal
• Vic
• Wenner: The Wrestling Coach
• Robert
• Dr. Gerrard
• Mae
• Sabrina: Maggie's cousin
• Irina
• Julio
• Tristan
• Linda
• Lou: Maggie's mother's boss.
• Maggie Armstrong: Maggie Armstrong is a victim of Caleb Becker as she was hit by him after a party while he was drunk. Maggie faces many problems as she has trouble walking with a limp from her hip. She hates seeing Caleb because he's the reason she doesn't have a chance at being a well talented tennis player. She faces her problems and Caleb through out the story.

Quotes edit see section history

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• “He bites his bottom lip, deep in thought. "No, the next time I kiss you it'll last a long, long time. And when we're done you're gonna realize being turned on is not about experience"”

  Caleb to Maggie

• “Mrs. Reynolds? "Yes, Margret?" "I'm afraid of spiders." "Why?" "Because they have eight creepy legs, they bite, and they have sticky string that comes out of their butts to capture bugs before they suck their blood.”

  Maggie

• “All I know is that I have more nails and plastic inside me than the average tool box.”

  Maggie

• “My mom used to make fun of me that I had peripheral vision specially designed to detect eight-legged creatures.”

  Maggie

• “Would you stop staring at me?”

  Caleb

• “Did you have fun with your friends?”

  Mrs. Becker

• “This part of you has to change, you know. Being afraid to take chances is scarier than actually doing things that challenge you.”

  Mrs. Reynolds

• “"That depends on what you mean by sexual encounter." "Don't fuck with me, Becker."”

  Caleb and Damon

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• My dream is to find a guy who'll love me despite my flaws and won't turn away from me when a perfect girl walks by. Maybe a boy like that doesn't even exist.

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• 'Are you following me?' she asks, but doesn't meet my gaze. 'Yeah,' I say. 'Why?' 'Honestly?' She looks at me, her eyebrows raised. I give her the only honest and true answer I have. 'You're where I want to be.'

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• 'I'm afraid of spiders.' 'Why?' 'Because they have eight creepy legs, they bite, and they have sticky string that comes out of their butts to capture bugs before they suck their blood.'

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• Sometimes you have to steer away from the crowd in order to be a better person. It's not always easy, that's for sure. But it's right. And sometimes doing the right thing feels so good.

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• In a few months those talking leaves will fall to the ground and die, only to be replaced by new leaves and new gossip.

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• 'Maggie-' He takes my hand in his and places my palm against his cheek roughened with a day's worth of stubble. He turns his head and kisses the inner, sensitive part of my palm, his eyes holding my gaze. 'I should have done this a year ago.' My heart flips over as he leans in and touches his lips to mine.

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• when I'm close to you I can finally feel things again. I laid awake last night thinking about holding you until all the hurt and numbness goes away. Like I need you in order to be sane.

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• 'Nope. The next time I kiss you I'm gonna take my time, and you said your mom's coming home any minute.' I check the clock on my nightstand and nod. He bites his bottom lip, deep in thought. 'No, the next time I kiss you it'll last a long, long time. And when we're done you're gonna realize being turned on is not about experience.'

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• He steps beside me and pulls me to him. 'I'm gonna have a bruise, you know,' he says. 'But watching you whack that thing was damn hot.'

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• He's breathing heavily. We both are. I take a deep, slow breath and bask in the moment. I could stay here forever, just like this. Gazing. Feeling wanted. Feeling protected. Feeling normal.

  Highlighted by 11 Kindle customers

Setting & Locations edit see section history

• Paradise
• Spain
• Hampton
• Medonia

First Sentence edit see section history

Table of Contents edit see section history

Series & Lists edit see section history

Followed by Return to Paradise .

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Simone Elkeles (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Awards edit see section history

• Cybils literary award (Finalist, 2007)
• Cameo Book Trailer Awards in the professional category (Finalist: Video trailer for Leaving Paradise)
• Borders Popular Teen Reads (September 2007, #1)
• Book Sense (independent book stores) (2007: “2007 Summer Picks” List )
• RITA® (Finalist, 2008)
• New York Times Bestseller

Notes for Parents edit see section history

This book mentions a few various sexual encounters, drinking plays heavily into the plot, there are a lot of curse words, and the main character went to juvenile hall.

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Teens › Social Issues › Drug Use & Abuse › Fiction

More Books Like This edit see section history