Darkness Before Dawn is a realistic young adult novel by author Sharon M. Draper. The novel is the final installment in the Hazelwood High trilogy. It was first published in 2001.

Plot summary

Keisha Montgomery is still recovering from her ex-boyfriend's, Andy Jackson, suicide. While having the support of her friends and family, she still finds it hard to move on. She joins the track team and there meets Johnathan Hardaway, the coach and principal's son. She eventually becomes attracted to him. Over time, he begins to smooth talk her and they finally become a couple. Her parents disapprove of him and forbid her to see him. Against their wishes, she continues to see him discreetly. Her friends attempt to warn her about his true ways but she refuses to listen to them. Leon, a friend with feelings for Keisha, also tries to warn her. On one of their dates, Johnathan takes Keisha to his apartment and there attempts to engage in a sexual moment with her. After seeing her refusal to 'cooperate', he attempts to kill her instead. Keisha eventually manages to escape. She seeks the help of a woman who sees her running from Johnathan. The woman gives Keisha a phone to call her parents. Finally safe in her home, she tells her parents her experience and apologizes. She also notes her refusal to attend school, as she feels ashamed. After weeks of absences a friend comes to her aid and tells her that Johnathan no longer works at the school. Feeling comforted by her true friends she returns to school. Leon finally reveals his true feelings for her and they become a couple. The final scene shows that Keisha has finally moved on with Leon and has graduated.