Just Listen

Reader reviewed by Katie P

The book Just Listen by Sarah Dessen is amazing. When I first heard about it I was just starting to read some of her books. I had read Dreamland which was another truly exceptional book by her. When I decided to read this book I had high expectations and it did not let me down. The way its starts out immediately makes you wonder about what Annabels terrible secret is and how shes going to deal with it when she returns to school. Everything is so life like in this book. The characters are honest and have faults. Like Owen Armstrong, Owen is a reformed bad boy who relies on telling the truth to keep him out of trouble and away from fighting. He always seems so mysterious and is totally obsessed with music. The main character Annabel is another example; shes just your basic teenage girl. She starts out a shy teenage girl who on the outside appears to the world as perfect in everyway. But underneath her beautiful exterior hides layers of family trouble, betrayal, and secrets, which can be easy for many teenage girls can relate to. Also, for this is a great book for anyone out there who loves music. Music is a key part of the plot and references to a lot of older rock songs. The fast pace of the book constantly keeps you interested and begging to know what happens next. I read the entire book in one day it was so amazing. Over all this book is just a great read, its funny, life like, and easy to understand. So if youre looking for a good weekend read pick up Just Listen and you wont be disappointed.

Reader reviewed by Dominique

Annabel has had a rough summer, losing friends that had once been very close. Some of her family members have been experiencing rocky times as well, which has taken a toll on Annabel as well. Relationships between many have become fragile and Annabel finds herself putting on a smile and pretending that nothing is wrong. Avoiding confrontations at all costs, Annabel is hardly the girl that had it allpopular friends, a modeling job, and a perfect familyany more. The truth seems too hard to bear, and Annabel finds it easier to hide behind lies than to face reality. That is, until she meets Owen. Owen, the guy who always tells the truth. Owen, the guy who loves music. Owen, the guy who thinks silence is too loud. Owenthe boy who turns Annabels life upside down. The two become quick friends, and Owen helps Annabel come out from her shell and web of lies and helps her confront her problems and fears. Annabel must find herself again and do what she wants, instead of what everyone else wants for once. The truth is rarely ever easy to face, but can Owen help her come to terms with her troubles and help her find the courage to reveal the truth?

This is definitely my favorite book by Sarah Dessen so far! It was a touching, highly enjoyable read that had believable characters and emotions that Im sure some readers can connect to!

Reader reviewed by Kate

What a beautiful book. It had me reading for hours- I could not put it down! I cannot praise Sarah's writing enough-- funny, elegant, serious, and poignant-- she has the right balance of everything. I am never bored and I never skip or skim. I take my time to actually read her books and enjoy them-- they are just wonderful.

This one is about a girl named Annabel. She goes through a painful ordeal and has to find her way back through learning how to be honest. She has to, in order to be friends with Owen Armstrong, who is one of the best characters ever. Through her silence and lack of acceptance of herself and others, Annabel realizes that she has secluded herself. She picks up the pieces and finds out that "Silence is just so freaking loud," as Owen says.

Beautiful story with amazing supporting characters (such as her sisters and Mom and Owen's little sister) Had me hanging on until the very last word, as always.

Reader reviewed by abscae

Sarah Dessen has done it again. She successfully weaves a great book from problems that everyone can relate to. The best part of this book was how Dessen again brought everyday teenage emotions and problems to light. This is definitely an interesting read for anyone above 12 years old because it offers a lot to the youth, about all the problems we face everyday and how we should treat others.

Reader reviewed by Kris

This book is one of the best ever. in fact, Owen Armstrong? my 2cd favorite fictional character ever. this is an amazing story about a girl who was hiding a secret that was gnawing away at her. in fact, I thing I started crying at least three times while reading this book. after reading this book, I honestly just had to sit back and thing about friendships that were destroyed, secrets I've kept, and secrets I know others are keeping. this book touched me which makes this one of my favorite books ever. hands down. this book is amazing and everyone I know who has read this simply loves it.

Reader reviewed by Leah



Annabelle Greene has always lived her life to make others happy. She models for the sanity of her mother, was friends with Sophie because she couldn't say no, and lets everyone treat her like dirt because she's too afraid to make Sophie mad. When her friendship with Sophie ends after a terrible secret, Annabelle is left with no one. When she makes friends with Owen, another friendless classmate, he encourages her to do what she wants and speak out.

Sarah Dessen once again creates new complex characters and takes us through a story that not only changes the lives of her characters, but the readers as well.

Reader reviewed by Sara

"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 Annabel is the girl who ahs nothing: no best friend since her friendship with mean-but-exciting Sophie ended with malicious rumors flying, no peace at home while her older 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 tell the truth, no matter what 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?"

Sarah Dessen is one of the first young adult authors I ever read and I was instantly hooked. She knows how to appeal to teen readers, finding a way to connect with everyone. Just Listen is her most recently published book and, once again, it is fantastic. Annabel is a character that most everyone can relate to. Many teen girls have been estranged from people they love at one time or another, whether it was friends or family. Annabel gives readers courage to face their fears of confronting people and solve their problems. Owen is a good love interest, giving Annabel the strength she needs and introducing her to a whole new world.

Reader reviewed by Sarah

I happen to be a huge Sarah Dessen fan, so I might be a bit in my reviews of her books. But this really was a great book, just as great as all her other books.

This book was about Annabel, who while pretending to have a glamorous life in the commercials she does, doesn't really have the perfect life. She is plagued with a sick sister, drama with her best friend, wanting to quit modeling, and having no friends. But then she meets Owen, a loner who is dead honest and whom Annabel comes to befriend. But in time, Annabel discovers that she can never really move on with her life until she confronts the past.

Reader reviewed by Barbie

Sarah Dessen is my favorite author, and Just Listen, her latest novel is my favorite book. A girl who was raped by her best friend's boyfriend now has no friends because it looked like she was acting slutty with him. Her old best friend calls her a slut and whore and she's all alone. Besides that, her older sister is recovering from an eating disorder. Annabel, the protaganist, doesn't tell anyone what happened to her. She keeps the haunting secret in her heart, until finally Owen makes her realize that sometimes one just has to listen and the answers are inside them.

Reader reviewed by Natalie

This book like all of Sarah Dessen's other books deals with a girl's struggle with her inner problems.

You have Annabel who from the outside looks happy with no problems but what people dont see is that from the inside she is a wreck. she just lost her best friend over a misunderstanding, her sister has an eating disorder that's causing tension in her family and she wants to quit modeling but can't find a way to break it to her mother.

Then she meets Owen, a guy who has anger management problems and could care less about what people think about him.

Through music, which happens to be Ownen's favorite subject, Owen teaches her how to speak her mind and let all of her problems out instead of keeping them all bottled up inside even if the truth is brutally honest.

All Annabel needs is to talk to someone and someone to JUST LISTEN to her.