Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

• ISBN: 978-0142410974
• Plot summary: In Just Listen, Annabel Greene takes the reader along as she experiences the shock of high school after a falling out with her clique of friends. Previously popular and a model to boot, Annabel forges an unlikely friendship with Owen, the "angry" kid in her school. As their relationship progresses, Annabel learns what is truly important to her and how to say what she needs to say--no matter how bad it hurts or who she might let down. In the end, Annabel is able to draw strength from her few peers and is finally able to tell her secret--after all, she has learned that she has nothing to lose.
• Critical evaluation: Just Listen is an engaging novel about a young woman who, despite jumping through all the hoops (being a good student, perfect daughter, beautiful model) can't seem to have what she really wants. We learn that after a life of being what everyone else wants her to be, Annabel actually knows very little about herself. It is a bit tedious in how her personal transformation occurs: popular girl is ostracized by friends, forges unlikely friendship with "dark" boy, boy pushes girl to consider herself and find out what she likes, girl pushes boy away only to realize what she truly does want is to finally reveal her secret. In this story, Annabel's secret is that her best friend's boyfriend, Cash, attempts to rape her at a party. Annabel doesn't think anyone will believe her after her best friend insinuates that Annabel was after her boyfriend and shuts down. Once Annabel tells her story to Owen, she feels like she can finally tell her family, and eventually , testify with other victims against Cash.
• Reader's annotation: After a summer of unfortunate events, Annabel Greene finds herself back in high school with few friends. As the school year progresses, she finds some unexpected company and finds the confidence to say what she's been holding inside all summer.
• About the author: Dessen is based in Chapel Hill, NC and is the author of many YA books.
• Genre: Fiction/coming of age
• Curriculum ties, if any: None.
• Booktalking ideas:
• Have you ever been ostracized by your friends?
• Do you have any creative outlets?
• Reading level/interest age: 15+
• Challenge issues: Topic of rape
• Why was this item included? This book was on the ALA Best Book for Young Adults list.