This Side Of Salvation

This Side Of Salvation by Jeri Smith-ready, 368 pages

David’s parents are convinced that the Rush (or Rapture) is coming on May 11.  Since David’s older brother died, the entire family has been grieving.  At first, David got angry and acted out, but then he found God and everything seemed a little better at first, until his parents went even more extreme and decided that the Rush was coming and they had to prepare.  David’s 17 year old sister, Mara, flatly refuses, but David, after some thought, agrees to give up everything, if, after the Rush doesn’t happen, his father agrees to get counseling.  His father has been hit hardest and has only been speaking in Bible verses for quite a while.  His parents agree.  However, David sneaks out on prom night to go to an after prom party, which also happens to be the same night as the Rush.  They get back late and find that their parents are gone.  The story goes between the story now, and the past, leading up to now, until the two stories catch up to each other.  This was a captivating, compelling story that a lot of teens who like realistic fiction would enjoy.