Departures is the story of two teen girls, Sierra Jensen and Christy Miller.  The book is split into two separate stories, one about each girl.  Each girl is at a “What if?” point. 

Christy Miller is trying to figure out why her Junior High School friend, Matthew, is suddenly showing so much interest, especially since she ends up on the other side of the country. 

Sierra Jensen travels with her friend Jana to their family’s cabin.  Jana sets her sights on having her first fling.  Sierra, on the other hand, is not so sure about the idea of such a thing.

This book is a great coming of age story.  Robin Jones Gunn takes a fresh approach to showing how teenage girls can come upon a situation and gather their feelings and thoughts and come out on top.  The girls’ relationship and ties to the Bible as well as their strong upbringing plays a vital role in both stories.

Teenage girls will find a kinship with these characters and find themselves looking to face the unknown with new grace after reading this uplifting book!