When It Happens

Overall, I thought this was a pretty good book. I am reading right now for a banned book project and I like it. Sometimes the story seems unrealistic, but other that that it was a good read. If you love romance, then read this book.

I chose this book because half of it was from a boy's POV and it's always hard to find boy-oriented YA. Anyway, I was not disappointed. Plot not terribly heavy, but really liked the alternating POVS, especially those chapters where the same incidents would be re-told by Sara and Tobey. Great to get into separate minds of both protagonists. Easy to cheer for Tobey and liked how Sara gravitates toward the "cool" kids. Fun to read.

This is a really cute story! I love when books have alternative point of views, and I can't think of any two better people to read about than Tobey and Sara. This is also the first Susane Colasanti, and I love how her words just flow together. From page to page, it's like a song.

“I'm thinking that it might actually be possible for things to work out sometimes. Definitely not everything and maybe not the way you imagined. But sometimes, when you least expected it, life surprises you.” -When It Happens

Reader reviewed by kathy

The book is told from two different perspectives: Sara (the smart, good girl who wants a to find a real relationship) and Tobey (the musician that slacks off in school and who wants to date Sara).
Of course, the couple starts out not knowing each other that well but it doesn't stop them from wanting to be bf/gf. The story had lots of interesting surprises and a lot of funny unforgettable moments.
When It Happens by Susane Colasanti is a great read. I recommend this book to whoever wants to read about an interesting romance between two high school kids who are madly in love for the first time.
My overall rating for this book is a 5. I really did think that it was a great book. Although the endind kind of disappointed me because i didn't want it to end.

Susane Colasanti is for sure one of my favorite authors. Look out for her books. Including: When It Happens, Take Me There, and Waiting for you.

Reader reviewed by BellaRoo

 

Sara and Tobey are both looking for that special someone that will make their hearts beat.

 

Sara seeks a guy that has all of the qualities she is looking for and believes them to be in Dave, a cute boy who caught her eye in a Junior assembly. Dave hasn't contacted Sara all summer even though he asked for her number. Then one day in the cafeteria Dave asks to sit with Sara and her friends.

 

Tobey is a musician. He can't wait to enter Battle of the Bands with his best friends. Junior year Sara caught Tobey's eye in art class and all summer he has been working out to improve the way his arms look as he plays his guitar. Tobey convinces Sara's best friend to switch partners in music class so that he can be partners with Sara.

 

As Sara and Dave's relationship begins to grow she comes to realize that Dave is not what she perceived him to be. Dave has done some very unpleasant things that Tobey has witnessed. Tobey also has a few skeletons of his own and when they are let out he might just lose his chance with Sara.

 

For anyone who is a fan of Dessen will be sure to love any of Colasanti's books. The book is written in alternating views of Sara and Tobey, allowing the reader to think like the characters and better relate. Colasanti creates realistic characters that have all the same motivations as teenagers in their final year of high school have.

Reader reviewed by Erica

When It Happens
By: Susane Colasanti
Pages: 310
Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Puffin (May 1, 2008)

Rating: 5 stars

At the start of her senior year, Sara wants two things: to get into a top college and to find true love. Tobey also wants two things in his senior year: to win Battle of the Bands and to make Sara fall in love with him. A popular jock named Dave, though, moves in on Sara first. But Tobey's quirky wit and big blue eyes are hard for Sara to ignore. Plus, he gets the little things that matter to her - like why she loves the Lloyd Dobler boom-box scene in the movie Say Anything....Can a slacker rock-star wanna be win the heart of a pretty class brain like Sara?

Hilariously and movingly told through Tobey's and Sara's authentic voices, Susane Colasanti's debut novel sizzles in its portrayal of two young people searching for the one.



Ok, this is one of my favorite books! I just love it, it's so cute. The plot is great, and is your typical high school setting.
Susane Colasanti adds so much more to the story by writing in alternating perspectives, it gives you insight to both characters instead of just one. The characters themselves are real, and represent all corners of the social scale in your high school. Tobey's the slacker whose character is just adorable, but at times seems a bit desparate. Then Dave the average high school jock with big head and then there's Maggie and Laila too. Personally I love Maggie. Her character is not necessarily totally unique, but just adds something to the story. Then there's Sara who is just looking for that someone who they can find true love. I'm a huge sucker for romance.

I'd definately recommend it to everyone!

Reader reviewed by Amanda

Now this is the kind of book that can bring you out of any bad mood and make you believe in love. Just like in a real relationship problems arise, such as past girlfriends and the issue of sex. When It happens felt so real. Like I was reading about two of my closest friends. Colasanti weaves a fragile love story that faces many obstacles. The language used was so teen-agey. I really didn't want to believe that this is how we talk...but it's true. I was able to identify with every relationship in the story. Everyone has gone through at least one of these relationships. I could feel every emotion felt by Tobey and Sara. In the beginning Sara was confused about what she wanted like just about every teenage girl. I have nothing to complain about except the lack of originality. The story was great but not at all new. When It Happens was a spirit raising read that made me feel butterflies.

Reader reviewed by Lianne

Sarah and Tobey are both seniors in high school. They have something else in common to, they both want to find something real. Sarah thinks that after Dave (the cute jock) asks her out she found her soul mate.Unfortunately, Dave turns out to be a arrogant jerk. Sarah then begins to notice Tobey who ends up to be her something real

I really enjoyed this book. One thing that I love about Susane Colasanti's writing is that she writes with at least two different narrators, I think that it helps people understand the story better because readers get to see different prospectives. I also loved how Sara was a strong character who, had enough guts to break up with the Dave and follow her heart instead, of doing what's popular. This book is the perfect high school romance and I highly recommend it!
"Reprinted here with author's permission"

Reader reviewed by katie

When I started reading this book i couldn't stop putting it down. I literally read it in a day. It is cute and Susane Colasanti really understands high school; REAL teen life. You get the drama, the romance, the frustration. Everything that just screams HIGH SCHOOL. The book is written in two perspectives so you get to know the inner most thoughts of the opposite gender. If your a girl, you get to know what a guy was really thinking and vice versa. You realize that when it comes to love, everyone is equal. It's just an absolute fun read.

Reader reviewed by Jo

This book was pretty great. I'll definately recomend it to any girl looking for an easy read/happy ending/no stress type thing to pass some time. It's your typical high school dream story. Heres the cool part: its easy to like totally relate, because who hasn't been there before? Because it deals with the whole wanting to fit in, being in a band, getting into college, hott boys, jerks and search for something real stuff.

The book starts off, and its the start of school. Senior year. So pressures on and everyones pushing for their last chance to grab their high school dreams. You zoom in on the point of view of 2 people. Sara and Tobey, who at the start have little to nothing to do with eachother. Both have their cliche of 2 best friends and the same goal: to find something real.

And you think that Sara is going down the right path towards her goal, cause Dave who is totally hott is after her. But theres something that she doesn't know. And only Tobey does.

You find out that the hottie is actually a big jerk, which always happens, and end up cheering for these two to finally get together. The best part of this book is how she writes it from 2 points of view, which teaches us that not everything is what it seems to be.