In the heart of a bustling city lies a mysterious skateboard park that hides a dark secret.

The inspiration for the major motion picture directed by Gus Van Sant (My Own Private Idaho, Good Will Hunting, and Milk)

“Nelson breaks new ground with this psychological thriller tracing the chilling consequences of an impulsive act of violence.”—Publishers Weekly

“Nonstop page turning until the surprising conclusion.”—Booklist

“[This novel] examines the chasm separating moral responsibility from the eternal damnation of keeping a horrible secret.”—School Library Journal

It’s called Paranoid Park for a reason. It’s an outlaw skatepark where Streeters rule and Preps enter at their own risk. But when one Prep braves the scene alone, he gets mixed up in a fight that leaves someone dead. In the sleepless nights that follow, he decides to call the police. Then doesn’t. He decides to tell his dad. But can’t. Desperate and scared, he puts off making any decision at all. Maybe no one will ever find out. But when a cop appears at his school wanting to question skaters, the pressure begins to build . . . and whether he wants to or not, he’ll have to come to a decision he can live with forever.