Just+Listen

__Honest Lies__ Book: Just Listen Author: Sarah Dessen Review by: Jasmien

“Shhh Annabel. It’s just me.” Those very words will ring through your head just as much as they persistently appear in the book __Just Listen__ , by Sarah Dessen. She includes a captivating plot, with those very words bridging into the plot for the readers to comprehend. In addition, Sarah Dessen includes charismatic characters, such as Annabel, intertwining an ingenious story. Sarah Dessen has also written many other books, but this book has numerous awards as well, and the author has many awards herself. With such an unpredictable, concealed, and perplexing plot, the book will have you reading page after turning page to figure out and absorb every piece of information that you can; building up an unraveling resolution. In short, __Just Listen__  provides a complicated concept in the plot for readers ages 12 & up, and has every right to be entitled to every award this book has earned.

To begin with, all the characters in __Just Listen__  are so distinctive from each other, each having their own mesmerizing, charming, or compelling personalities. The main character, Annabel, holds a dark secret, but somehow still manages to face school, and is caring. She would rather lie than be honest, because as she says, the truth can hurt. Although Sophie seems dazzling to many, she can be extremely stingy to everyone. Whitney is entrancing, and is so beautiful. Owen is brutally honest, fascinating, and is always calm. Clarke is accepting and will be considerate on a lot of things. Each and every individual one of these characters impact Annabel’s life and some impact each other. Thus, making the book so striking for readers to enjoy.

Continuing on, the overall plot is such an extravagant plot, and Sarah Dessen tied everything together so brilliantly. The exposition starts off with Annabel and provides you enough detail to know that Annabel is hiding something, however you don’t know what. Throughout the whole book, it let’s you know an incident occurred. Consequently, Annabel has lost all her friends and it’s a hassle to attend school everyday since life is so uneasy for her. The resolution of the book is when everything gets resolved, and surprisingly ends so well. How can it with all the dramatic events that not have only taken place in Annabel’s life but members of her family as well? With every event that happens, the plot will never be colorless, and even if the book may seem like a drag at a few points, something unexpected will occur and keep you hooked onto the book to continue reading. All in all, the plot of __Just Listen__  will keep you reading and is far from most of the plots in other books because you don’t fully understand everything until you reach that point in the book where things unfold and the book finally makes sense.

Moreover, Sarah Dessen’s book has won numerous awards. These include //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, School Library //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, and many more. Continuing on, Sarah Dessen herself has won countless awards as an author, such as the //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Heartland Reward //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> for Excellence in Children’s Literature; 2007 Finalist United States, the //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Thumbs Up! Award //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, the American Association of University Woman Award for Juvenile Literature, 2006 Nominee United States, and more. “How beautifully written this book is, I cannot even begin to explain, nor would I do it justice,” declares the people worldwide who have written reviews for this book. “This is one of Sarah Dessen’s best and includes all the things that make her books, standouts,” says another reviewer.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In conclusion, reading the book <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Just Listen__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> by Sarah Dessen will undoubtedly be no regret. With such an excellent and supreme plot, the book is magnificent and to no wonder should be read by many. Sarah Dessen’s finest work is written in this book. The select characters in the book provide elements of surprise, and the book itself includes and teaches you things about honesty, friendship, music, and overall living life. There are tons of positive reviews and praise for Just Listen, such as from //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, and more. Closing up, you should read this book for many reasons. You will not be disappointed, especially since this book also includes life lessons. “Don’t think or judge, just listen.” -Sarah Dessen, Just Listen.