Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Title: Just Listen
Author: Sarah Dessen
Intended Audience: Older teens and adults

In Just Listen, Annabel and her family look perfect from the outside but underneath are isolated and unhappy. Annabel herself tries to get along with everyone by presenting an agreeable facade and when she is terribly wronged keeps it to herself. Her sisters and parents, all involved in their own problems fail to notice Annabel's decline. Ultimately, the heroine in this story must, with the help of an unusual new acquaintance help herself. This riveting tale by popular Young Adult author, Dessen shows Annabel's growth towards honesty and self knowledge.

This book is intended for a teen audience but will also appeal to adults, particularly parents of teens. It could serve as a source of interpersonal discussions on a variety of topics, such as depression, eating disorders, date rape and peer relationships. The relationships between the sisters in this book is especially well done and poignant. Although the book deals with some weighty issues, the resolution of the story is satisfying.

One copy is available in the Young Adult room of the Kewanee Public Library.

Reviewed by Jill Gray
Kewanee Public Library
Information Services