Leaving Atlanta

By: Tayari Jones

Narrated by: Myra Lucretia Taylor, Kevin R. Free, Robin Miles

Award-winning novelist Tayari Jones delivers a story based on the 1979-1980 Atlanta child murders. Told from the perspective of three fifth-grade classmates, Leaving Atlanta is a vividly disturbing, but hopeful novel.

Tasha, Rodney, and Octavia each share the same wish: to be accepted. But reality soon crashes into their world, bringing with it fear and confusion. Children in their class are being kidnapped. Suddenly, popularity and recognition don't seem so important. Making it home safely through the menacing streets of Atlanta is an everyday challenge. Even their parents are unnerved by this violent outbreak. Who will protect these children now?

The convincing characters, voiced by a full cast of narrators, make this a haunting and effective work. Leaving Atlanta confronts complicated and sensitive subjects with just the right amount of sorrow and promise.

©2002 Tayari Jones (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"This strongly grounded tale hums with the rhythms of schoolyard life and proves Jones to be a powerful storyteller." (Publishers Weekly)
"She conveys powerfully the loneliness of a child...gives us a picture of children unsure they would even see tomorrow." (Booklist)

Excellent listen, but a bit sad story line

Overall good book, writing, characters, but the story is pretty sad. It is reality though and based on a true story with characters that are fictional.

This Women has a Gift !

I usually don't write many reviews , but I really want to express how much I enjoyed this and "Silver Sparrow". I grew up in Atlanta and this book rings so true …. I felt like she snuck into my childhood and captured it perfectly. She writes with a warm ease and I can see and feel each character . Well Done Ms. Jones , Well Done !!!

Fantastic book and audio production.

I loved this book, and especially loved it on audio. The book is told in three parts with each part having a different narrator. I loved the way that this was done. The first part was told by Tasha, the second by Rodney, and the third by Octavia. I loved Tasha’s section the best and Rodney’s the least, but even he grew on me until I couldn’t help but really feel for him and care about him and his story. The three lives are intertwined in more ways than they realize at first, and this becomes more clear as the story progresses.

Through the work we learn more about the awful spate of child murders that plagued the black Atlanta community from 1979-1981. Through the murders of the black children Jones is able to explore the racism and injustice that was faced still in the southern states in the 1970′s. Very glad I listened to this one.

A Gold Star Story Writer

I have listen to two Tayari Jones’ novels now and I cannot wait to download the next! Excellent!

Brilliant and Heartbreaking

We all remember.
Tayari Jones gives us more reasons never to forget. Beautifully written! Very moving.
Excellent narration!