Dreamland

Title: Dreamland

Author: Sarah Dessen

ISBN:978-0142401750

Publisher: Puffin Books

Copyright: 2004

 Plot Summary:  Caitlin's older, perfect, 18-year-old sister ran away on Caitlin's 16th birthday. While her parents are focusing on finding her sister, Caitlin becomes a cheerleader, and meets Rogerson. Rogerson and Caitlin begin a downward spiral including doing drugs and having sex. Rogerson starts to hurt Caitlin when he gets mad but will she be able to leave him to save herself?

Critical Evaluation:  Sarah Dessen writes well developed characters in this book. The plot ventures into some dark territory that Dessen broached well but not lightly. The plot is well developed and the reader feels the love that they are caught up in and the betrayal Caitlin feels at the first abuse. 

 Reader's Annotation:  Caitlin has found the love of her life in Rogerson, but what he does when he is angry hurts her in more ways than one. 

Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Romance, Young Adult

 Author Information: Sarah Dessen has written many young adult books including Keeping the Moon, This Lullaby, and The Truth About Forever. To learn more about Sarah Dessen go to her website at http://sarahdessen.com/.

Book talks: Abuse, Dating violence, love, drugs, sex

Reading Level/Interest Age: High School.

Challenge: Drugs, alcohol, sex, abuse. The drugs and alcohol that Caitlin encounter are nothing that typical high school students don't encounter at normal parties. Rogerson's drug dealing is a plot device that shows the reader how bad he is. They decide to have sex but the description of their physical relationship is not very detailed. Finally, Rogerson beats Caitlin more than once, this part of the book is key because teenagers in the same situation can recognize what is happening and possibly get out or teenagers not in the same situation can recognize an escalating situation and get out before it starts. 

Why was this book chosen?:  This book was chosen because Sarah Dessen writes so well about the love they share and then the pain that Rogerson causes. 

This Lullaby

Title: This Lullaby

Author: Sarah Dessen

ISBN: 978-0142501559

Publisher: Speak

Copyright: 2002

 Plot Summary: Remy does not believe in love, especially after watching her mother marry five men. However, she meets Dexter at her stepfather's used car dealership and he starts to bug her. She slowly starts falling head over heels in love, but she does not want to let go and let herself fall into something she does not believe in. Dexter and her break up after she tells someone she wants their relationship to be a summer fling. When she realizes how special of connection they have the reconnect to give their love a shot. 

Critical Evaluation:  Sarah Dessen writes believable, well developed teenage characters that her readers can relate to. Remy's mom has been married many times and so many other teenagers can relate this, and it leads to Remy's outlook. Sarah Dessen's characters and plot lines seem so real and are perfect for teenagers. Remy also is undergoing a well-written self discovery during this novel that many teens could relate to. 

 Reader's Annotation:  Remy said she would never fall in love until she met Dexter. Can this boy change her views?

Genre:  Young Adult , Realistic Fiction, Romance

 Author Information: Sarah Dessen has written many young adult books including Keeping the Moon, Dreamland, and The Truth About Forever. To learn more about Sarah Dessen go to her website at http://sarahdessen.com/.

Book talks: Divorce, love, musicians, self-discovery

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/ High School. 14-18.

Why was this book chosen?: Sarah Dessen's writing style and story lines are perfect for teenagers.

Whatever Happened to Goodbye?

Title: What Happened to Goodbye

Author: Sarah Dessen

ISBN: 978-0670012947

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Copyright: 2011

 Plot Summary: This story follows Mclean who, after her parents divorce lives with her father, who moves around constantly for his job. She resents her mother for remarry the coach of her father's favorite basketball team. At each new location that Mclean goes to high school she reinvents herself with different stereotypical teenage girl personality, complete with a new variation of her middle name as her first name.  Mclean and her father just moved to Lakeview, where Mclean is trying something new, being herself, and while working at her dad's new restaurant attracts new friends and even a love interest with her own personality. 

Critical Evaluation:  Sarah Dessen writes stories about teenagers that feel real, living in scenarios that they can relate to. Mclean is suffering from an identity crisis due to her parent's divorce and all the moving around she does and the reader can feel the conflicts Mclean feels being herself. Sarah Dessen's plot lines may not be extremely intricate but her character development is fantastic, the reader feels like they know the characters well before the story is over. 

 Reader's Annotation: Mclean Sweet is trying something new at her new school, being herself. Will she come to terms with her parents divorce and her identity crisis to recognize the true friendship and love she has found?

Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Romance

 Author Information: Sarah Dessen has written many young adult books including Keeping the Moon, Dreamland, and The Truth About Forever. To learn more about Sarah Dessen go to her website at http://sarahdessen.com/.

Book talks: Divorce, identity crisis, blended families

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School. 14-18

Why was this book chosen?:  Sarah Dessen writes relatable characters in story lines teenagers understand.