Other editions of book Leslie's Journal: A Novel

Leslie can’t seem to avoid trouble, whether it’s at school or at home. Just as life seems at its lowest, Jason McCready, the exceedingly cool new guy at school, enters her life. Now Leslie is the envy of all the girls. But Jason’s appearance is deceiving—he is determined to control every aspect of Leslie’s life and he begins terrorizing her in unimaginable ways. When a substitute teacher reads the private English-class journal in which Leslie reveals Jason’s abuse, Leslie is suddenly forced into hard choices and terrifying action to take back her life. Updated to reflect the contemporary world of the Internet, cell phones and text messaging, Leslie’s Journal is a suspenseful, fast-paced story about love, friendship and what it means to stand up for yourself.

Leslie can’t seem to avoid trouble, whether it’s at school or at home. Just as life seems at its lowest, Jason McCready, the exceedingly cool new guy at school, enters her life. Now Leslie is the envy of all the girls. But Jason’s appearance is deceiving –he is determined to control every aspect of Leslie’s life and he begins terrorizing her in unimaginable ways.When a substitute teacher reads the private English-class journal in which Leslie reveals Jason’s abuse, Leslie is suddenly forced into hard choices and terrifying action to take back her life.

In this novel, Stratton takes us into a teen world that reverberates with the emotion and tension of a relationship gone wrong. Here is a book that examines the adolescent girl's deep need for affirmation as a sexually attractive being and how the drive for that affirmation can lead to unimaginable consequences. For Leslie, grade nine was trouble-filled and grade ten is worse. The V.P. is constantly on Leslie's case for skipping or wearing 'inappropriate' clothes. Enter Jason McCready, new at school and ultra-cool. He gives her a wink the first time they bump into each other. When Leslie approaches Jason to prove to the girls they have met, he gives her a kiss -- in front of everyone! Leslie is in love! She is the envy of all the girls when Jason asks her out, but on their first date he takes her to his place instead of to the movies. He explains that his parents are away and begins pouring scotches, then beers. The lights get dimmer, the music louder, and things get fuzzy. Time seems to stop for Leslie, when suddenly Jason is throwing her clothes at her, stuffing money for a cab in her hand and telling her to get going because his parents are on their way home. It isn't until later that she realizes what has happened. So begins Leslie's first relationship. Telling Leslie he loves her one minute and teaching her some hard life lessons the next, Jason begins to control Leslie's every move. How is it possible to be so lonely when you are in love? Thank god she has her English-class journal, where she can record everything. It helps to get her feelings on paper. But when Ms. Graham gets ill and the substitute reads the private journals, Leslie's world collapses. Words like rape and abuse surface. Jason's behavior becomes even darker, and he has pictures he is threatening to show. The principal doesn't believe her anyway and there is no way she will tell her parents. Leslie's nightmare keeps growing. In the end, she must find the strength to fight back to set things right.

Leslie can’t seem to avoid trouble, whether it’s at school or at home. Just as life seems at its lowest, Jason McCready, the exceedingly cool new guy at school, enters her life. Now Leslie is the envy of all the girls. But Jason’s appearance is deceiving—he is determined to control every aspect of Leslie’s life and he begins terrorizing her in unimaginable ways. When a substitute teacher reads the private English-class journal in which Leslie reveals Jason’s abuse, Leslie is suddenly forced into hard choices and terrifying action to take back her life. Updated to reflect the contemporary world of the Internet, cell phones and text messaging, Leslie’s Journal is a suspenseful, fast-paced story about love, friendship and what it means to stand up for yourself.

In this novel, Stratton takes us into a teen world that reverberates with the emotion and tension of a relationship gone wrong. Here is a book that examines the adolescent girl's deep need for affirmation as a sexually attractive being and how the drive for that affirmation can lead to unimaginable consequences. For Leslie, grade nine was trouble-filled and grade ten is worse. The V.P. is constantly on Leslie's case for skipping or wearing 'inappropriate' clothes. Enter Jason McCready, new at school and ultra-cool. He gives her a wink the first time they bump into each other. When Leslie approaches Jason to prove to the girls they have met, he gives her a kiss -- in front of everyone! Leslie is in love! She is the envy of all the girls when Jason asks her out, but on their first date he takes her to his place instead of to the movies. He explains that his parents are away and begins pouring scotches, then beers. The lights get dimmer, the music louder, and things get fuzzy. Time seems to stop for Leslie, when suddenly Jason is throwing her clothes at her, stuffing money for a cab in her hand and telling her to get going because his parents are on their way home. It isn't until later that she realizes what has happened. So begins Leslie's first relationship. Telling Leslie he loves her one minute and teaching her some hard life lessons the next, Jason begins to control Leslie's every move. How is it possible to be so lonely when you are in love? Thank god she has her English-class journal, where she can record everything. It helps to get her feelings on paper. But when Ms. Graham gets ill and the substitute reads the private journals, Leslie's world collapses. Words like rape and abuse surface. Jason's behavior becomes even darker, and he has pictures he is threatening to show. The principal doesn't believe her anyway and there is no way she will tell her parents. Leslie's nightmare keeps growing. In the end, she must find the strength to fight back to set things right.

A gripping story about the dark side of a first love. Awards for the previous edition: American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults American Library Association Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers American Library Association Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults The Best, Notable and Recommended List, Teacher Librarian Magazine Leslie can't seem to avoid trouble, whether it's at school or at home. Just as life seems at its lowest, Jason McCready, the exceedingly cool new guy at school, enters her life. Now Leslie is the envy of all the girls. But Jason's appearance is deceiving -- he is determined to control every aspect of Leslie's life, and he begins terrorizing her in unimaginable ways. When a substitute teacher reads the private English-class journal in which Leslie reveals Jason's abuse, Leslie is suddenly forced into hard choices and terrifying action to take back her life. Updated to reflect the contemporary world of the Internet, cell phones and text messaging, Leslie's Journal is a suspenseful, fast-paced story about love, friendship and what it means to stand up for yourself. (20010101)