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)