The Long Night of Leo and Bree

On the anniversary of his sister's brutal murder, Leo is driven to the edge of sanity. He kidnaps Bree and holds her hostage for a long night of revelations.

"Told from alternating points of view, this intense narrative reveals the inner workings of two 18-year-olds.... Wittlinger's dependable, solid character development mirrors that of her previous novels. With its strong, believable emotions and direct, clear writing, this novel will speak to young adult readers." --School Library Journal

"Although Wittlinger's writing reflects far more optimism than Robert Cormier's, this terse, powerful novel will remind readers of Tenderness and of the potential for human connectedness. In loosely alternating first-person narratives, Leo and Bree document their night together, a night meant (by Leo) to end in Bree's murder.... Wittlinger risks making Leo a sweet guy who doesn't really want to hurt anyone; given his nature, it is believable that decent Bree comes to see Leo as a victim and coaxes his horrific story from him. Paralleling Leo's story is Bree's concealed tale of her own sister's death and her dawning realization of what that loss has meant to her parents and to her. Wittlinger allows both teenagers some ironic humor as they talk themselves through the night to a new sense of empowerment and healing. --The Horn Book Magazine

Leo and Bree Awards

Kansas State Reading Circle Reading List "Top Ten"
New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age list, 2002
YALSA Quick Pick, 2003
Nominated: Oregon Book Rave, 2003
Tayshas (Texas) High School Reading List, 2003-04

Publishing Information

Simon and Schuster, 2002