The Day Before [Hardcover]

Lisa Schroeder (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 28, 2011

One moment can change everything.

Amber’s life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself.

Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell he’s also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.

The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him.  And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now—he’s living each moment like it’s his last.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The Day Before is lyrical, vivid, and poignant. Like hidden gems that sparkle in the sand, each verse tells its own story; a heartfelt reminder that life's treasures -- friendship, love, and compassion -- are often discovered when we least expect them.”

-- Sarah Ockler, bestselling author of Fixing Delilah and Twenty Boy Summer

About the Author

Lisa Schroeder is the author of the teen verse novels The Day Before; I Heart You, You Haunt Me and its companion novel, Chasing Brooklyn; Far from You; and the teen prose novel Falling for You. She is also the author of the middle grade prose novels It’s Raining Cupcakes, Sprinkles and Secrets, and Frosting and Friendship. She lives in Beaverton, Oregon. Find out more about Lisa and her books at LisaSchroederBooks.com or on Twitter at @Lisa_Schroeder.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (June 28, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1442417439
• ISBN-13: 978-1442417434
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #713,942 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lisa Schroeder is the author of four teen verse novels including I Heart You, You Haunt Me and its companion, Chasing Brooklyn, Far From You, and the Oregon Book Award finalist, The Day Before. Her latest contemporary novel for teens, titled Falling For You, is a unique combination of prose and poetry. She's also the author of the middle grade novels It's Raining Cupcakes, Sprinkles and Secrets and the forthcoming Frosting and Friendship. Her books have been translated into several languages and have been selected for a number of state reading lists. When she's not writing, you will probably find Lisa reading, walking the dog, or baking yummy treats. Lisa is a native Oregonian and lives in Beaverton with her husband and two sons.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lisa's best book yet! August 13, 2011

By Novel Novice

Format:Hardcover

Last year, after reading Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder, I declared it to be my favorite book of hers to date. But I think she has outdone herself once again. The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder is nothing short of perfect.

The book (written in verse, like Lisa's three other YA novels), tells the story of Amber, who escapes from her family and friends for a day all to herself at the beach. Her life is spiraling out of control, and she needs just one day alone; to live for herself and no one else. While there, she meets Cade -- who seems in search of his own day. Together, they agree to spend 24 hours, living in the moment -- no questions asked. But the more time Amber spends with Cade (and the more their connection seems to grow), the more she feels the need to know exactly what's wrong in his life and how she can help. If she can help.

Amber and Cade are two of my new favorite characters in fiction Amber, with her dyed-hair, jelly bean obsession and rock girl attitude -- and Cade, with his skinny jeans, and oh-so-adorable references to movies like "Say Anything." And while Amber and Cade carry the story, they are not the only ones worth loving in The Day Before. Amber's parents each have small moments to shine, as does her sister and her best friend. A brief appearance by Cade's friends give you a tiny glimpse into his world beyond this single day.

As always, Lisa's writing is beautiful. She chooses her words so carefully, and it comes across in each beautiful verse of the novel. On each page, Lisa beautifully captures the emotions and feelings of her characters -- anger, melancholy, the tingles of first love. Likewise, her descriptions will whisk you away to the Oregon coast.... Reading The Day Before made me wish I was there, with the sand and the gray ocean and the cloudy skies and the saltwater taffy that makes a day on the Oregon coast oh-so-perfect. In small ways, The Day Before is almost a little love letter to these perfect places.

But I think what I loved most about The Day Before was seeing the whole story come together as pieces of the mystery are revealed. Lisa peels back the layers of her story so delicately -- giving you just enough to satisfy, yet not quite enough so that you simply must keep reading. What's even more, is that Lisa manages to avoid becoming predictable. Even if you think you know where the story is going, you'll find yourself surprised.

What's more is, The Day Before will leave you filled up with hope and happiness. It's a story about accepting one's fears, and moving on even when that fear remains. Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A powerful story told in verse October 2, 2011

By Confessions of a Book Addict

Format:Hardcover

Amber sneaks off to spend the day by herself at the beach. She wants to leave her worries and responsibilities behind for just one perfect day. She meets Cade, who she instantly feels connected to and they spend a beautiful day together. As the story progresses, Amber realizes that she and Cade have a lot in common. He has his own secrets as well and deals with some serious issues. Lisa Schroeder's The Day Before is a novel told in verse that is a powerful story about life's inevitable ups and downs.

This is the first book I've read by Schroeder and there is no doubt that she is a talented writer. I feel that it is harder to write in verse and truly capture a character's story, but Schroeder does it beautifully. In fact, many of the moments in the novel are enhanced because they are written in verse. It feels more powerful. On the other hand, at times I wanted more. I wanted more background on Amber and I wanted to go deeper into the story. I wanted more closure. I felt like the verse format held me back at times, but at other times, it enhanced the story. As you can see, I had a mixed experience with the format of The Day Before. It was definitely a love/hate relationship.

Schroeder captures that one special day at the beach where you can just forget about it all and it's even better when it's shared with someone else. I loved the picture that she painted and the quiet moments that Amber and Cade shared. It was lovely and since this book deals with serious life issues, Schroeder has readers reflect upon what is truly important in life.

One thing that irked me was the insta-love in this book. Sometimes the whole love at first sight/infatuation works in a novel, but here it felt rushed.... Maybe because it's written in verse, but I just felt like all of a sudden Amber was "in love." I just wasn't buying it and perhaps that's because I'm not a teenager.

If you are looking for a summer read that has a lot of substance, then The Day Before is one you should pick up. It make for an excellent beach read as it's easy to get through in one sitting. Although it didn't "wow" me, I thought the message was meaningful and parts of the novel were extremely eloquent. Needless to say, I am impressed with Schroeder's command of language and I plan on checking out some of her other novels written in verse in the future Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lyrical YA Novel September 16, 2011

By Milw. Writer

Format:Hardcover

The Day Before is a lyrical YA novel that draws you in line by line and tells a powerful story of fear, love, emotional pain, and change as one girl discovers her family and one boy makes a sacrifice for his family. Ultimately, there is the realization that hope and strength given with love from one person to another can make all the difference when one has to deal with the difficult experiences of life. This is a fast read, one well worth every second of your time. Savor it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars few words, lots of story July 10, 2011

By Narcisse

Format:Hardcover

The Day Before is a novel in verse, and it tells a story that is fundamental and real, and does so with minimalism and feeling. It's about fear. It's about summoning the courage to do a thing, when what one really wants to do is cut and run.

I like Amber. She's a drummer. She likes loud music and jelly beans and the beach. The reader gradually gets to know her through the verse and flashbacks of a series of letters. It is obvious that she is attempting to be free of something that she cannot control, and what it is that she is running from is revealed in time. The bigger mystery is Cade, whom she meets on her indulgent day of escapism. He is also spending a day alone, contemplating, avoiding, escaping. So of course they end up escaping together, agreeing not to discuss the reasons that they're each avoiding the world. The development of their relationship feels believable even though they only spend one day together, partly because of the vulnerability of their situations - they find in each other someone who understands the desire to spend a day avoiding thoughts about what comes next. They might only spend that one day together, but it is the quality of the time spent that makes Amber's concern for Cade feel authentic.

The verse fits the moods of the story and adds to it the effect of being suspended in time on this one perfect day, the day before. It's a quick read (it took me a couple of hours, and I like to read slowly) which really captures some of humanity's fundamental fears and brings them to life in these characters.