Letting Go of Lisa

By Lurlene McDaniel

Book Overview

Nathan Malone has been homeschooled his whole life. He's never spent much time with kids his own age and he's never dated. His mother is now busy with his new twin sisters, so Nathan must enroll at the local high school for his senior year. On the first day, a girl on a motorcycle catches his eye and Nathan is excited to discover the girl is also in his English class. Not only does Lisa ride a motorcycle to school, but she's a loner who seems to come and go as she pleases. She doesn't care what anybody thinks of her. Nathan is intrigued--he's never met anyone like her or had such strong feelings. When he and Lisa finally start spending time together, he's the happiest he's ever been. But Lisa has a tragic secret and, when she decides she'll handle it herself, Nathan has to make a choice. Can he ever let go of Lisa?

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385731590
• ISBN13: 9780385731591
• Release Date: July 2006
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.1" x 0.8" x 4.5"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

A touching coming-of-age novel

Seventeen-year-old Nathan Malone has led a sheltered life. He is home-schooled by his mother and doesn't spend a lot of time with kids his own age except for his best friend Skeet. Nathan is suddenly thrust into a strange new world when he enrolls in one of Atlanta's largest high schools for his senior year. He has a lot of hard lessons to learn about love and loss during his first year in high school. LETTING GO OF LISA, a heartwarming novel by Lurlene McDaniel, revolves around Nathan's relationship with Lisa Lindstrom. Lisa isn't the type of girl who Nathan's mother had hoped he'd bring home. She rides a motorcycle, wears leather pants and acts like she doesn't care what others think of her. Every boy at school wants to know Lisa, but she won't give them the time of day. Nathan manages to crack her tough outer shell by being himself. He shares his feelings with her even if she isn't willing to open up to him. Nathan sees right through Lisa's tough act when she brings her friend Jodie to his garage to try out for his country band. Jodie is a great singer, even though she's very shy, and Nathan hires her to be the lead singer of The Heartbreakers. He knows that Lisa cared enough about her friend to want to help her; Jodie never would have tried out on her own. Soon after Jodie joins the band, Lisa has an excuse to spend more time with Nathan and listen to his music. As Lisa and Nathan get closer, a romance also blossoms between Jodie and Skeet. When Lisa starts disappearing from school in the middle of English class, Nathan wonders where she goes. He soon discovers that she has a secret, and he has a choice to make. Will he be able to let go of her? LETTING GO OF LISA is a touching coming-of-age novel with no stereotypical characters; Nathan and Lisa are both complex individuals with real feelings. Lurlene McDaniel does a great job of making the book sentimental without being sappy and keeps the dialogue believable. It's an enjoyable read for people of all ages.[...]

could not put the book down

it was shipped very quick and the book was very good. it was one of those books that you don't want to put down it was so good.

Magic Carpet Ride

Nathan Malone, 17 has been home schooled all of his life. The birth of his identical twin sisters, Abby and Audrey prompt his overly protective mother to allow him to attend the local high school in a suburb of Atlanta. The boy's father gives this decision his blessing. Nathan marvels at the life experiences of his peers; he chafes at the sheltered life he has until then led. When he meets Lisa Lindstrom, he is awed by this fearless girl who rebuffed a pompous, popular football star and who rides her motorcycle to school. In time, the pair bond, along with Nathan's faithful friend and country music collaborator, Skeet. Nathan does a lot of maturing over the course of that school year. He meets Lisa's mother and live in boyfriend, who are genuinely interested in his well being as well; he learns acceptance. Nathan grows to love the girl and even follows her when she leaves school early. He discovers she is making regular trips to the hospital every afternoon and her medical secret. Once the secrets are aired, including Nathan's tragic loss of 6-year-old sister in a drowning accident when he was 3, the two realize that they have more in common than their different lifestyles would ever have suggested. An intense book that might make you cry, but it is worth reading. You will love the indomitable spirit of these two young people and the characters will leave you thinking about them for a very long time. The story makes me think of the 1968 Steppenwolf classic, "Magic Carpet Ride." Lurlene McDaniel is a master at her craft and you won't be disappointed. This book is worth every page.

WONDERFUL!

I love this book! This is so good. A seventeen-year-old Nathan Malone has been homeschooled his whole life and his mother had taught him everything he had learned. Until Mrs. Malone gave birth 2 twin daughters so she couldn't teach Nathan. Nathan decided to go to high school for his senior year, but his mother didn't want him to go there...but he did go to high school. Nathan met a motorcylce girl name is Lisa. She acted so tough and ignored everyone at school. Nathan tried to act so cool around her. He tried to get her out with him, but she turned him down. Finally they became friends. A strange thing is Lisa keeps miss the school and Nathan wondered what happened to her. So then at school, Nathan followed Lisa to the....the hospital. What was she doing there? Something test? Well go find out. :D

Nothing But the Ususal

I was at Barnes and Nobles the other day with my boyfriend when I decided to check on the Lurlene McDaniel section in hopes that she has finally written another book. I found My Secret Boyfriend which she had written long ago but that I did not have and then spotted this title. I was so excited because I thought for sure it was a new book and it was! As usual the book was excellent! I don't ever expect them not to be because McDaniel is truely an amazing author and reading her books are something I love. If you are a fan of her stories that draw tears, this one will not dissapoint you