Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Val

Just Listen is like any other Sarah Dessen novel in that it involves a female protagonist placed in a realistic situation and thats why many young adult readers among them many girls read her books and find they can relate. In Just Listen the main character Annabel Green begins to narrate her situation. The reader doesnt get the whole story until towards the end of the novel but one can put two and two together to infer what happened. Annabel is the epitome of an American girl with blonde hair, blue eyes and a modeling figure. But when readers learn more they discover that she in fact isnt the glamorous girl she appears to be on commercials and photos. She IS a teenage girl who gave up her true friends to hang out with a girl who finds pleasure in dominating people. This girls name is Sophie and something happens that makes Sophie think that Annabel is worthy to be called rude names like slut and tramp. Annabel like most girls when faced by this sudden betrayal are stunned and doesnt know what to do. She lies to her mother when she continues modeling, which she doesnt like, and she tells her that Sophie and her just got into a little fight.

There are times where you want to shake Annabel and knock some sense into her to remind her that its okay to stand up for yourself, you dont have to be a doormat because your so called friend treated you meanly. Unfortunately, we cannot do so but never fear because just when weve thought about giving up all hope Owen steps in. Owen is considered to be an outcast because he got into fights and he sits reclusively by himself at the lunch table always listening to his ipod. One day after a particularly vicious attack by Sophie, Owen sees Annabel and helps her. They talk and Annabel begins to discover its not the end of the world if she isnt by Sophies side. She finds Owens presence comforting and he opens her into a whole world of music and listening. The change is evident when Annabel becomes more opinionated and more confident. With the inadvertent help of Owen she is able to conquer her fears of her family with her sisters eating disorder and her moms emotional fragility. She begins to make friends with the friends she lost when she began hanging out with Sophie. She is able to face her fears and the incident that has mentally and physically hurt her& the reason why Sophie ostracized her.

Owen serves as her rock and its an interesting combination because you wouldnt think that a fallible character like him what with his anger problems would be a good sort of structure for a somewhat weak character. The novel is uplifting and doesnt disappoint in terms of plot. However I, having read almost every Sarah Dessen book had to say I wasnt as pleased with Just Listen as I was with many of her other novels. My favorite Sarah Dessen novel was Dreamland because it was one of the few books that have been able to move me to tears with its wonderful language and gripping plot. When I found out that Sarah Dessen was working on a new novel I was ecstatic and couldnt wait but reading Just Listen came off more as a beach read. You know& the kind of novel you bring to the beach and forget about maybe for a few days then find it again and read it. Its a good book dont get me wrong but I felt it lacked that powerful impact Sarah Dessens novels usually have on me.