A review by readwithpassion
My Book of Life by Angel by Martine Leavitt

5.0

16-year-old Angel is struggling after her mothers death when she meets a man, Call, at the mall. He slowly grooms her, convincing her that if she loves him, she will have sex with other men for money. The novel begins when Angel's best friend, Serena, and others are missing, and word on the street is that there is a man named Mr. P killing them. Angel is addicted to drugs and in a fog until Call brings home a small 11-year-old girl, Mellie. Angel sees, with great clarity, that she needs to save Mellie.

Leavitt masterfully integrates Milton's Paradise Lost into the gorgeous verse. As an English teacher, this made me very happy.

Both literary and commercial, this book is clearly deserving to be a National Book Award finalist.