Leaving Atlanta

Leaving Atlanta is a story of child disappearance. Tayari Jones, the author of Leaving Atlanta, grew up in this horrible time. She wrote about her experience growing up during this time, and also talked with us about it while visiting Peace College. By hearing her speak about these horrible events, it made me want to read the book even more. She also gave you a feeling as if you were there with her and experiencing the same thing. The book along with her speech gives better detail into this great mystery.

The book is sectioned into three sections. The three sections were the stories of three kids, who were going through the same tragedy but in there view. I liked the way she did this because not only gave you a detailed look through one child, but you go to experience the knowledge of three different children and what they thought. It makes it possible for more people to be able to relate to this book.

In the first section of the book it starts off with a little girl named Tasha. Tasha is in the Fifth grade, and doesn't really have many friends. It describes her dilemma with trying to fit in with all the other girls, and being "popular", and trying to deal with a "Kid Snatcher". The summer before school started she practiced at all the games the kid's play, so she could be good, and be able to get them to like her. The girls at school are not very nice to her at all. Her struggle with being popular meets her up with Jashante, a held back Fifth grader who is said to be 15. They chit chat for a little while and then part there ways. Later in recess the girls tease Tasha with liking Jashante, and giving her a hard time. Since she is struggling to be popular, when Jashante want to be her partner in running she tells him how she hopes the kid snatcher gets him. Now nobody likes her. To try to get the pain of being unpopular off her mind she goes with her older friend, Ayana, to the skate rink. There she sees Jashante. He buys her candy, and they just chit chat. She is overwhelmed with happiness and starts to have a thing for him. She never knew that it would be the last day she would ever see him.

While listening to Tayari read to us, I got a better understanding of how she viewed the book. The way the characters spoke with such innocents, and unknowing the severity of what was really going on. When asked how we wanted to view the book, she said there was no certain way to view the book, and that still