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. The convincing characters, voiced by a full cast of narrators, make this a haunting and effective work.
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"I love true crime and have read/seen many things dealing with the Atlanta child murders. I listened to it as an audiobook and I felt as though I was transported back in time. I became so invested in the lives of the children that were portrayed in this book. It was so interesting to see how each family dealt with the tragedy, how it affected the children, and how the children were connected, yet came from very different situations. I went through a range of emotions from happy, mad, sad.... Mrs. Jones go into my head. I would actually be very interested in reading another book centered on an adult Octavia and how this situation changed the course of her life. I have truly become a fan and can not wait for her new book, Silver Sparrow."
— Kimberly (5 out of 5 stars)
" There is so much to like about this book. The subject is gripping, the 3 main characters appealing, the family groups well defined. There is also some really good writing which is, sadly trumped by some incredibly amateurish writing. The constant barage of simile and metaphor is painful. I found myself gritting my teeth preparing for the next "like." Also the metaphors in first person supposedly attributable to 5th graders are ridiculously developmentally inappropriate. I found out after reading this that it was Jones' first novel. It is a promising start. I will definitely check out later work. "
— Bonnie, 2/19/2014" I loved the writing style. The text was so vivid it felt like reading current news. I look forward to reading more by Tayari Jones. "
— Alicia, 2/18/2014" This book takes you through the lives of three different children in Atlanta, Georgia during the 1970s and the Atlanta Child Murders. Each child comes from a different home life and, while they aren't being freaked out b/c someone is kidnapping and killing kids, they are trying to navigate through the uncertain world of popularity, school, and family. I really liked how all the characters were tied together in some way even though their stories were different. I also liked the use of dialect to really show the kids' personalities. "
— Laurie, 2/13/2014" Leaving Atlanta captured the mind of a child in such an ingenious way that it left me seriously wanting more. Their thoughts and words were brought to life in this novel, and the description of how each child dealt with the tragedy was perfect. "
— Kiswana, 2/12/2014" Jones, in her best moments, writes about children's lives with scary truth. Leaving Atlanta isn't a book about the serial murders that plagued Atlanta in the '80s, it's a book about the lives of children and how they happened to be affected by the phenomenon of serial murders. "
— Tessa, 1/30/2014" Just finished reading this book and didn't like the way it ended. It was a good story but sad very sad. "
— Ashley, 1/24/2014" Setting is Atlanta suburbs around 1980/81 where black children are vanishing and being found dead. Not a heartwarmer, but the prose is heartwarming and fun. About 3/4 way through it-definitely recommend. Learned of the author in an interview in The Believer magazine. "
— kathryn, 1/4/2014" Outstanding. Jones' words just glide across the page. Few writers do the same justice to the emotional lives of children. Highly recommended. "
— Rachel, 1/3/2014" This is my second Tayari Jones book, and I realize she really has a great way of telling a tough story from a child's perspective. I can't wait to read the untelling! "
— Star, 11/27/2013" This is my newest book club book. I don't generally like to read about murder on my days off, but this book comes highly recommended. I'll let you know what I think. "
— Dawn, 10/25/2013" Every blogger/reader has to have a few authors that they champion, that aren't being read enough by their peers. Tayari Jones is that author for me. Why aren't more people reading her books? Why don't more people know her name? READ Tayari Jones! I can't wait for Silver Sparrow. "
— Lu, 8/15/2013" This was really good. Always fun to read a book that has recognizable references - Monica Kaufman, Mayor Jackson, etc. All the references ring true to someone who grew up in the late 70s/early 80s in Georgia. "
— Diana, 3/14/2013" I can't even remember what this book was about but I know I read it. It must not have left an impression on me. "
— Tonya, 1/11/2013" Wonderful! The world of children during a disturbing and well remembered spree of crime in Atlanta! Tayari Jones captures the inner and outer world of children and the families who love them. "
— Nancy, 8/30/2012" I always like a book that teaches me something I never knew without seeming like a history lesson! "
— Amy, 4/8/2012" The section written from the 2nd person point of view is what makes this book. The usage is unsettling and staggering. "
— Pyles, 3/5/2012" I just could not finish this. "
— Jack, 1/3/2012" A very tough story about the rash of children murdered in Atlanta in the 1980's. It was hard to listen to -- so poignant. "
— Martha, 10/8/2011" Compelling story that gives voice to the young people affected by the Atlanta child murders and reminds us that children need to be seen AND heard. "
— Pamela, 9/11/2011" Ah! So sad and brilliant. I am almost done reading it. I feel like these kids are real. I think I understand the significance of the title better now. "
— Lisamarie, 3/20/2011" This is my newest book club book. I don't generally like to read about murder on my days off, but this book comes highly recommended. I'll let you know what I think. "
— Dawn, 2/20/2011" The section written from the 2nd person point of view is what makes this book. The usage is unsettling and staggering. "
— Jared, 2/9/2011" Every blogger/reader has to have a few authors that they champion, that aren't being read enough by their peers. Tayari Jones is that author for me. Why aren't more people reading her books? Why don't more people know her name? READ Tayari Jones! I can't wait for Silver Sparrow. "
— Lu, 1/22/2011" Leaving Atlanta captured the mind of a child in such an ingenious way that it left me seriously wanting more. Their thoughts and words were brought to life in this novel, and the description of how each child dealt with the tragedy was perfect. "
— TheChicBookworm, 1/14/2011" Wonderful! The world of children during a disturbing and well remembered spree of crime in Atlanta! Tayari Jones captures the inner and outer world of children and the families who love them. "
— Nancy, 6/4/2010" I'm not sure exactly when this book broke my heart, but when my boyfriend knocked at the door I had ten pages left and tears streaming down my face. <br/> <br/>A student said I needed to read this book and she lent me her copy. She was right. "
— Amanda, 4/10/2010" There oughta be a shelf for "rereading".... Even on a second encounter, this one still proves a wonder -- and a great book to teach too. "
— Art, 2/12/2010Tayari Jones is the author of the novels Silver Sparrow, Leaving Atlanta, The Untelling, and An American Marriage, a New York TImes bestseller. Silver Sparrow was named a #1 Indie Next Pick by booksellers in 2011, and the NEA added it to its Big Read Library of classics in 2016. Her writing has appeared in Tin House, the Believer, the New York Times, and Callaloo. A member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers, she has also been a recipient of the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, Lifetime Achievement Award in Fine Arts from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, United States Artist Fellowship, NEA Fellowship, and Radcliffe Institute Bunting Fellowship. She is a graduate of Spelman College, the University of Iowa, and Arizona State University. She is an associate professor in the MFA program at Rutgers-Newark University.
Kevin R. Free is an audiobook narrator and the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and several AudioFile best narrations of the year selections. Known for his work with young-adult novels, he has read titles by Rick Riordan, Walter Dean Myers, and Joe Haldeman. In 2011 he was named a Best Voice in Young Adult and Fantasy from AudioFile magazine for his narration of Myers’ The Cruisers: Checkmate.
Myra Lucretia Taylor is an award-winning actress who has appeared on Broadway, off Broadway, in many theaters across the country, and internationally. Her television and film credits include Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Atlanta, The Big Sick, Bushwick, and Catfight.
Robin Miles, named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, has twice won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, an Audie Award for directing, and many Earphones Awards. Her film and television acting credits include The Last Days of Disco, Primary Colors, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order, New York Undercover, National Geographic’s Tales from the Wild, All My Children, and One Life to Live. She regularly gives seminars to members of SAG and AFTRA actors’ unions, and in 2005 she started Narration Arts Workshop in New York City, offering audiobook recording classes and coaching. She holds a BA degree in theater studies from Yale University, an MFA in acting from the Yale School of Drama, and a certificate from the British American Drama Academy in England.
Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.