The Leaving by Tara Altebrando (5/5)

Six teenagers go missing after their first day in kindergarten, and over a decade later five of them return home. No one knows where they went, or how they got there, but all they know is that they’re back. You would think everything would immediately return to normal, however, everyone wants answers as to what happened and why only five of the six missing children returned. Everyone searches for answers, forming their own theories, and trying to do everything they can to get the teenagers to remember the blur of the past 11 years. Each of the returned teenagers has one memory and something unique about them that helps them along the journey of putting the pieces together. The way the book is written, alternating different perspectives, can be confusing at first, but as you continue to read, the format allows you to form your own theories and connect all of the stories together. The instantaneous plot twists and the gradual reveal of details allow the reader to keep guessing and create constant engagement in the plot. As someone who loves mysteries and engaging books, this was a very enjoyable read. The language was just at the right level but still challenged your ability to follow the storyline closely. I recommend The Leaving if you want a nice, enjoyable, mysterious read without too much drama. Discover the mystery of “the leaving” for yourself through this five-star book, The Leaving.