Just Listen

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen has to be a true classic.

Sarah Dessen is one of the greatest writers for real-life teen novels and this book, in my opinion, is her finest. She published this in 2007, and it is a true testament to her talent. The main plot in this story is told by a girl named Annabel, who has two older sisters. Her and her sisters appear to be perfect: all blonde, tall and did some modelling. But beneath the surface, they are all falling apart: Kirsten, her oldest sister is at college, majoring in film and sharing a flat with Whitney. The middle sister, Whitney, is suffering from an eating disorder as a result of her considerable modelling talent and trying to stop Kirsten from spilling the beans to their parents.

Annabel has problems rivalling her sisters': what was taken as infidelity with her best friend's boyfriend was actually not what it seemed. Her story is gradually revealed throughout the book. Annabel goes to notable lengths to prevent speaking about what happens to her : she avoids confrontation at any cost. We watch as Annabel manages to form an odd friendship with Owen, "the school's most notorious loner". He manages to help her learn to speak out about things, to be honest, and to discover that her life is not as bleak and friendless as it looks.

Dessen's use of music in this book plays a very important role -- Owen's obsession with music and his determination to "enlighten" Annabel in her music tastes helps them and their relationship throughout the novel. Dessen helps us see into the deepest depths of human beings as we experience Annabel's flaws, struggles, and slow steps towards healing and hope for the future.