2018 School Spending Survey Report
In this five-part novel, Leila is driving from Louisiana to Alaska to see the northern lights. Along the way, she befriends four fellow teenagers in need, improving their lives by inspiring them to take risks. It's not until the final section that we learn the truth about who Leila is, and why she's undertaken her journey. The characters' connections are simple and honest.
The central character in this five-part novel is Leila, who is driving from Louisiana to Alaska to see the Northern Lights. Along the way, she befriends four fellow teenagers in need: Hudson, who's so smitten with Leila that he jeopardizes a big opportunity; Bree, who's aimlessly hitchhiking, trying to forget a tragedy in her past; Elliot, who's devastated after the girl of his dreams rejects him; and Sonia, who's feeling guilty about moving on after her boyfriend's death. Leila improves each of their lives by inspiring her new friends to take risks and to "seize the Tuesday" (a variation on carpe diem). But it's not until the final section that we learn the devastating truth about who Leila is, and why she's undertaken such a long journey. Despite the short amount of time they spend together, the characters' connections are simple and honest, preventing the novel's morals from feeling forced. "People hurt each other," Leila gently counsels Bree in one such instance. "The beauty is that we have the ability to heal and forgive." Any potential heaviness, however, is balanced by some over-the-top adventures, such as when Leila and Sonia attempt to sneak over international lines--into Canada--with the help of "Stoner Timmy" and a dozen donuts. With equal parts heartache and hope, this debut is a fresh interpretation of the premise that "home is who you're with." rachel l. smith
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