What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen - ADVISABLE

Bilen, Tracy What She Left Behind, 237 pgs.  Simon Pulse, 2012.  $9.99  Content: Language: PG-13 (53 swears; 23 God); Violence: PG-13; Mature Content: PG-13 (abuse). 

Sara lives in an abusive household, with her ex-cop father, so when Sara’s mother decides that it’s time to leave Sara is ready.  Sara waits at lunch time at school on the curb of her favorite hangout, but her mother never shows up.  She meets Alex, a cute football player, who seems interested in getting to know her and Sara figures since she is leaving town anyway, she might as well be nice to him.  But Sara’s mom never shows up and when she gets home, her dad has unpacked Sara’s bag and told her that her mother has gone on a business trip.  Sara tries to find her mother and stay out of her father’s way, but it all comes together in a frightening conclusion. 

This book is really hard to put down with a lot of action and a bit of romance thrown in.  The emotional heartache of being abused is upsetting to read, but the character is strong and her friends provide a good support.  There is a big hole, that kind of bugged me, about how a certain character showed up in an important part of the book, but overall it’s a good suspenseful read. 

MS, HS-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.