Review-Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen


Release Date: April 6, 2006
Publisher: Viking
Pages: 384
Source: Library
Series: Standalone book

Rating from A+ to F: A-

-Summary-

Annabel Greene is a girl who has it all- at least, that's how it seems on TV commercials. Annabel's life is far from perfect. Though some thought that Annabel had everything people often forgot that what she wanted most was to live a normal life. Her friendship with cruel, dramatic Sophie ended on a night she can't bear to remember; her sister Whitney moves back home because of her eating disorder, making her moody and distant, she wants to quit modeling, but can't bear to tell her mom, and she is now an outsider at her school. Then, she meets Owen Armstrong, a boy who has anger management problems and is obsessed with music. He always tells the truth no matter what, and Annabel starts developing a close bond with him, even though they are nothing alike. With his help, Annabel may start facing her fears - and more importantly, speaking the truth. This story has a strong moral message and changes all the characters in some way. In the end, Annabel finds her own pathway and begins a new life.

This book tells the story of a girl who took her best friend for granted . A girl who went from being a person who could say anything to a person who said nothing but the truth .

-Review-

I really, really liked this book! Sarah Dessen is an amazing author, and I love all of her books, but this is probably one of her best that I've read. She always is able to develop a background of her characters, and this book really shows off that talent.

This story is about Annabel Greene, who finds it hard to express her feelings and emotions to people. She is a model, and pretends to be the perfect girl who has everything in the commercials she is in. But, Annabel is far from perfect, and she doesn't have everything. When she meets Owen Armstrong and begins to hang out with him, she finds out what honesty and showing your feelings to people can really do for you. During the book, Annabel goes through struggles with friends, with her sister's eating disorder, and her family, but I don't think you'll be disappointed by the ending of the book! 

This is a great book, and Sarah Dessen did an amazing job on writing it! I recommend this to anyone who wants to read it! 

RATING ANALYSIS: 
1. Plot- 18 out of 20 points. A few parts of this book were a little slow for me.
2. Characters- 14 out of 15 points. Sarah Dessen always does a great job with developing a character! 
3. Writing- 19 out of 20 points. Great writing.
4. Creativity- 15 out of 15 points. Creative and story with a great message involving Annabel's sister.
5. Originality- 9 out of 10 points.
6. Ending-  14 out of 15 points.
7. Cover- 4 out of 5 points.
Equals: 93!

PARENTAL REVIEW:
Violence
Mild/Excessive Cursing
Mild/Excessive Sexual Content- Only one part in the story that involved this.
Drug/Alcohol Use- Characters go to parties that have alcohol,  but not a big issue.
Also, a character in the story has an eating disorder, but I wouldn't find this to be a problem for readers. I would recommend this to maybe 13 and older.