by Sarah Dessen
reviewed by Miranda Spears, class of 2015
Just Listen, written by Sarah Dessen, follows the complicated and extremely difficult life of the teenage model Annabel Greene. Annabel used to be known as the girl with everything, she was the perfect "model" and had many friends and her family seemed perfect in their glass house. The whole plot changes once she attends a party with her two best friends (Emily and Sophie). At the party Sophie's boyfriends rapes Annabel, but he claims Annabel came onto him, which causes Sophie to hate her. One of Annabel's sister becomes diagnosed with an eating disorder, which makes Annabel feel her parents have enough to deal with, so she often doesn't tell her mom or dad about her problems, or the fact she wants to quit modeling. Due to the event that happened between Sophie's boyfriend and Annabel, Annabel loses all her friends because no one believes her (and she doesn't stand up for herself). Annabel befriends Owen, an outcast who is a diehard music fan and doesn't care what anyone thinks. He teaches Annabel to be completely honest about her opinions and feelings. Owen is the one that teaches Annabel it's okay to reach out for help and talk about her problems. Of course, like any good teenage romance story, they eventually fall for each other. Towards the middle of the story Annabel realizes she wants to quit modeling, but her mom loves modeling and play such a big role in her career she doesn't want to feel like she is failing her mother, especially while Whitney has anorexia. In the beginning of the book Annabel describes what their house looks like, it's all glass. She says from the outside looking in the family looks like the perfect, happy, content family eating dinner at the table together, but in reality their family has many problems they are just very good at hiding. I thought this book was very good because it shows that you need to speak up for yourself, as well as it taught me that you can't always assume you know what’s happening in someone life. You should never assume their day is going better/or worse than yours. It also taught me that making friends with someone who may be very quiet (Owen) could possibly become one of the best relationships you could have. This novel follows the path of Annabel conquering her fears and the truth. If you read this story you will find out if she gets the right help in time, or if she is too far lost to find her way "home". I think this book would appeal to any girl who likes romance/general fiction/teenage drama. This book opens a new perspective on how to view other people. You never know if someone's family really is perfect, or if they've been through things no one should have to go through at ages 16 and 17. I think if you like any of Sarah Dessen books then you will like this one. She is a very consistent and good author, and always manages to connect to the reader somehow.
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