Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Assignment: #5 of ten narratives
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: New York : Viking Children's Books, c2006. 371 p.
Date: 03/04/07
Format/Genre: Realistic Fiction
Recommended Grade Levels: 7-12th grade
Awards: New York Bestseller List
Summary: Annabel Greene is starting her junior year off on the wrong foot. Over the summer she made a huge mistake, she was caught with her best friend Sophie's boyfriend. During the story, Annabel reveals the secret of what really took place. Annabel begins the school year and finds that she has no one. She does find comfort in Owen, the loner of the school. Annabel is not only covering up her summer secret she is bearing the wait of her sisters eating disorder. Her family is denying that anything is wrong and continues this persona throughout the story. Annabel and Owen help each other through this time of anger, hurt and success of letting emotions flow.
Comments: Sarah Dressen has a way of writing about young adults. I was amazed at how well she was able to write about the details of a young adults life. When I was reading I was able to actually remember how I felt when I was in high school. I also enjoyed how Dressen wrote about the characters feelings. Near the end of the book I finally realized by she had titled the book Just Listen. Just Listen refers to Annable and her emotions and how she finds her different music tastes throughout these life changing experiences. The stories main tie is about being honest with feelings and relationships.
Booktalking Ideas: Eating Disorders, rape, relationships and emotions.
VOYA: 5Q 5P