The Leaving Room

"Achingly tender."
"Intimate and astonishing."

"[Amber] McBride's lyrical narration weaves together love, loss, grief, and the liminal space between life and death." — Kirkus

For fans of You've Reached Sam and If I Stay, a hauntingly beautiful, ultimately hopeful novel-in-verse about a girl in between life and death, by National Book Award Finalist Amber McBride, who also narrates.

Gospel is the Keeper of the Leaving Room—a place all young people must phase through when they die. The young are never ready to leave; they need a moment to remember and a Keeper to help their wispy souls along.

When a random door opens and a Keeper named Melodee arrives, their souls become entangled. Gospel's seriousness melts and Melodee’s fear of connection fades, but still—are Keepers allowed to fall in love? Now they must find a way out of the Leaving Room and be unafraid of their love. In a novel that takes place over four minutes, National Book Award finalist Amber McBride explores connection, memory, and hope in ways that are unforgettable and poignant.

"[Amber] McBride brings a special gift to this production by narrating her own material. Skillfully, her pacing reflects the verse format of her novel, providing the rhythms she intends to her words." —AudioFile on We Are All So Good at Smiling

A Macmillan Audio production from Feiwel & Friends