Leaving Atlanta

In the summer of Atlanta, fifth-grade classmates Tasha Baxter, Rodney Green, and Octavia Harrison face new challenges, such as safety lessons, terrified parents, and constant fear. The story captures the struggles of growing up and surviving, including hurts, little wins, sudden changes, and outside forces that shape their lives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 06 April 2023
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

It's the end of summer in Atlanta, and fifth-grade classmates Tasha Baxter, Rodney Green, and Octavia Harrison will discover that back-to-school means facing everyday challenges in a new world of safety lessons, terrified parents, and constant fear. Because it was the summer during which Atlanta's African-American children were vanishing.

The moving story of their struggle to grow up and survive shimmers with the piercing, ineffable quality of childhood, as it captures all the hurts and little wins, the all-too-sudden changes, and the merciless, outside forces that can sweep the young into adulthood and forever shape their lives.

Tasha Baxter is a bright and curious girl with a passion for science and a love for her family. She is determined to make the most of her fifth-grade year, even as she faces the challenges of a new school and a changing world. Rodney Green is a shy and introverted boy who has a talent for art and a deep sense of empathy. He is struggling to find his place in the world, especially as he witnesses the fear and uncertainty that his classmates and their parents are feeling. Octavia Harrison is a confident and outgoing girl who is known for her quick wit and her ability to make friends. She is determined to be the best student she can be, even as she faces the challenges of a new school and a changing world.

As the school year begins, Tasha, Rodney, and Octavia are excited to start their new adventures. They are eager to meet new teachers, make new friends, and learn new things. But as the days go by, they begin to realize that their new school is not like any other they have ever experienced. The safety lessons are more intense, the parents are more worried, and the fear of violence and danger is always present.

One day, Tasha and Rodney are walking home from school when they hear a loud noise coming from a nearby park. They are scared and unsure of what to do. They decide to go to the park to investigate, and they find a group of teenagers playing basketball. The teenagers are rough and aggressive, and they start to harass Tasha and Rodney. They call them names, throw basketballs at them, and even try to push them down.

Tasha and Rodney are terrified and unsure of what to do. They try to run away, but the teenagers chase them. They are able to escape, but they are left shaken and scared. They know that they cannot let this happen again, and they are determined to find a way to protect themselves and their classmates.

As the school year goes on, Tasha, Rodney, and Octavia become more and more aware of the dangers that they face. They see news stories about violence and crime in their community, and they hear stories from their parents and teachers about the dangers that they may encounter. They are scared and unsure of what to do, but they are determined to stay strong and fight back.

One day, Tasha and Rodney decide to start a club at their school called the Safety Squad. They invite their classmates to join, and they meet every day to discuss ways to stay safe and protect themselves. They talk about the importance of reporting any suspicious activity, the importance of being aware of their surroundings, and the importance of standing up for themselves and their classmates.

The Safety Squad quickly becomes popular, and more and more students join. They start to organize events and activities to raise awareness about safety and violence in their community. They host a safety fair, where they teach students about different types of safety equipment and how to use it. They also host a bullying prevention workshop, where they teach students about the effects of bullying and how to prevent it.

As the Safety Squad grows, Tasha, Rodney, and Octavia become more and more confident in themselves and their abilities. They know that they are making a difference in their community, and they are proud of the work that they are doing. But as they continue to fight back against the dangers that they face, they also realize that they cannot do it alone. They need the support of their parents, teachers, and community members to make a real difference.

One day, Tasha and Rodney receive a call from their parents. They are worried about the safety of their children, and they want to know what they can do to help. Tasha and Rodney tell their parents about the Safety Squad, and they encourage them to join and support the work that they are doing. Their parents are hesitant at first, but they eventually decide to join the Safety Squad.

Their parents become active members of the Safety Squad, and they help to organize events and activities. They talk to their friends and neighbors about the importance of safety and violence prevention, and they encourage them to join the Safety Squad.

As the Safety Squad grows and becomes more powerful, Tasha, Rodney, and Octavia become more and more confident in themselves and their abilities. They know that they are making a difference in their community, and they are proud of the work that they are doing. But as they continue to fight back against the dangers that they face, they also realize that they cannot do it alone. They need the support of their parents, teachers, and community members to make a real difference.

In the end, Tasha, Rodney, and Octavia discover that back-to-school means facing everyday challenges in a new world of safety lessons, terrified parents, and constant fear. But they also discover that they are strong and resilient, and that they can make a difference in their community. They learn that safety and violence prevention is not just about protecting themselves, but about protecting each other and creating a safe and supportive environment for everyone.

The end of summer in Atlanta brings with it a sense of anticipation and excitement for fifth-grade classmates Tasha Baxter, Rodney Green, and Octavia Harrison. As they prepare to embark on a new school year, they are filled with a mix of emotions - from nervousness about meeting new teachers and making new friends to a sense of determination to excel in their studies. However, their excitement is tempered by the prevailing fear and uncertainty surrounding the safety of their community.

Atlanta has a history of racial tensions and violence, particularly against African-American children. In the summer of 1979, a series of disappearances and murders of African-American children shook the city to its core. The children were often taken from their homes or schools and never seen again. The fear and trauma of these events left a lasting impact on the community, and the memories of the children who vanished continue to haunt the city.

As Tasha, Rodney, and Octavia return to school, they are acutely aware of the dangers that they face. They hear stories from their parents and teachers about the recent increase in crime and violence in their neighborhood, and they see news reports about the disappearances of other children in the city. The fear and anxiety that they feel are palpable, and they struggle to cope with the constant sense of danger that surrounds them.

To address this fear, Tasha, Rodney, and Octavia decide to take matters into their own hands. They form a club called the Safety Squad, which aims to raise awareness about safety and violence prevention in their community. They invite their classmates to join, and together they brainstorm ideas for how to make their school and neighborhood safer.

One of the first things that the Safety Squad does is organize a safety fair. They set up booths and displays to teach students about different types of safety equipment, such as pepper spray and personal alarms. They also host a bullying prevention workshop, where they teach students about the effects of bullying and how to prevent it.

The Safety Squad's efforts quickly gain traction, and more and more students join the club. They become more confident in themselves and their abilities, and they start to take a stand against the dangers that they face. They report any suspicious activity to the authorities, and they stand up for their classmates who are being bullied.

As the school year progresses, Tasha, Rodney, and Octavia continue to work tirelessly to make their community safer. They organize events and activities throughout the year, such as neighborhood clean-ups and anti-bullying campaigns. They also work with their parents and teachers to develop safety protocols and procedures for their school.

Despite their efforts, Tasha, Rodney, and Octavia face challenges along the way. They encounter resistance from some members of their community who believe that the Safety Squad is unnecessary or that they are overreacting to the dangers that they face. They also face personal challenges, such as bullying and peer pressure, which can make it difficult for them to stay safe and confident.

However, Tasha, Rodney, and Octavia remain steadfast in their commitment to making a difference. They know that their efforts are making a difference in the lives of their classmates and their community, and they are proud of the work that they are doing. They also know that they cannot do it alone, and they rely on the support of their parents, teachers, and community members to continue their work.

In the end, Tasha, Rodney, and Octavia discover that back-to-school means facing everyday challenges in a new world of safety lessons, terrified parents, and constant fear. But they also discover that they are strong and resilient, and that they can make a difference in their community. They learn that safety and violence prevention is not just about protecting themselves, but about protecting each other and creating a safe and supportive environment for everyone.

As they close the chapter on their fifth-grade year, Tasha, Rodney, and Octavia look forward to the future with hope and determination. They know that there will be challenges and obstacles along the way, but they are ready to face them head-on and make a positive impact on the world around them. They are proud of the work that they have done as members of the Safety Squad, and they are confident that their legacy will continue to inspire others to take a stand against safety and violence.

Weight: 222g
Dimension: 203 x 133 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538742105