JUST LISTEN

JUST LISTEN

by Sarah Dessen

2006

371 Pages

From Inside Cover:

Annabel Greene is the girl who has everything. At least that's who she plays in the commercial for Kopf's Department Store: top student, popular cheerleader, dazzling prom queen surrounded by friends. In real life though, Annabel is the girl who has nothing: no best friend since her friendship with mean-but-exciting Sophie ending with malicious rumors flying, no peace at home while her sister's eating disorder preoccupies the family, and no ability to tell anyone what's on her mind. And then she meets Owen Armstrong-intense, obsessed with music, and determined to always tell the truth, no matter the consequences. Can a girl who hates confrontation find a way to connect with a guy who thrives on it? And can Annabel find the courage to tell what really happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends?

I really enjoyed this book. I liked Annabel. Reading her story brought back memories of high school and how hard it is to deal with the every day drama and pressure. On the outside Annabel really does seem to have it all. She's pretty(actually a model) smart, parents are supportive. But things are not always as they seem.That is the strong message of this book-you never know what can really being going on behind closed doors or on the inside of someone who seems so very perfect on the outside.

I'm excited to get my hands on another Sarah Dessen book. Sadly our library has no books by this YA author. I was able to get this one through a Inter-Library Loan.

I recommend this book for readers 14 and up-for some sexual situations.