Sarah Dessen

The first Sarah Dessen book I bought was her fifth one, This Lullaby, at Page One. I loved it (it’s still my favorite one of hers) and so I gradually bought all the rest. Can't wait for her newest one, which comes out in May (excitement!). Sarah Dessen’s books all have to do with teenage girls and things that they cope with, ranging from parents and sibling issues to teen pregnancy and abusive relationships. She explores these often sensitive subjects with grace and humor, using witty supporting characters and side plots to add depth to the stories. And of course, there is always a boy, although the conclusions regarding the protagonists and the boys may not be what is expected.

One thing I especially love about Sarah Dessen’s books is that characters from her previous books make cameos in her newer ones. I always feel that simple sense of accomplishment when I identify a name or recognize a reference.

Sarah Dessen’s books can be viewed as chick flicks, but I think they address relevant issues that run deep and are executed in ways more sophisticated than the average beach read.