Just Listen

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen is a novel that deals with many heavy topics – anger management, eating disorders, and sexual assault. The main character Annabel finds an unexpected ally through these problems in a boy named Owen, who is also battling his own demons. Annabel and Owen are two teens with nothing in common on the surface.

In the story, Owen tries to persuade Annabel that music is “ the great uniter”. Look through the entertainment sections of the St. Petersburg Times for stories about music and musicians (daily on page 2B, in the Floridian section and in Thursdays' WEEKEND tabloid). Read about music events in Tampa Bay and think about the audiences. What age groups and types of people would you expect to see at these concerts? In what cases does music truly act as a “uniter” like it did in Sarah Dessen’s novel? Why do so many teens use their musical identity to exclude others? Use an example of a music event, group or musician you read about in the Times to express your own view.

Comments

[b.s ms.cerrato class]

this book looks so so good im looking forward to read it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ms. McDougal]

I think that what I liked most about "Just Listen" is that we always think that the pretty girls don't have any problems. Annabel will make you realize that when we jump to conclusions in judging others, or spread unjustified gossip, even the most popular kids can get hurt. Sarah Dessen is a favorite at Lakewood. Once you read one of her books, you'll want to read them all!

[c. lugo]

Well, honestly I think this book sounds very interesting. I am looking forward to reading it. My sister is actually reading it. And when she is done I am going to read it. I LOVE BOOKS LIKE THIS. There is always that one thing that catches your attention. And its usually found in a book like this. I think these kind of books are good to tell us about the real things that people go through. And like other people have stated pretty girls ARE NOT perfect. They all have some kind problem. THEY'RE NOT PERFECT!!! So many young girls actually go through the same thing that the girl in "just listen" goes through... anger management, eating disorders, and sexual assault.

[K.S]

I will be very honest, I did not like this book. I thought that this book resembled a book I already read, this book was called "Speak". I didn't like this book.

[L.Z.,Ms.Schleider's 10th grade class, Atlantic Technical Center Technical High School]

This book was very powerful. I found interesting that people of such different temperaments were able to become best friends and then later on girlfriend and boyfriend. However, I don’t understand why it was so difficult for Annabel to tell her family about her abuse. Is it that embarrassing to say the truth, especially when it deals with being abused? Why didn’t she tell the truth and get the abuser in jail? Maybe, she felt very depressed because she lost her “friend.” I related to Annabel during the time when she sat alone during lunch; when I was in middle school I was the shyest girl and during lunch I didn’t speak, I just listened to conversations that were around me and I observed many things. Annabel did the same thing. Then, she started having friendships, just like me.

[K.B.,Ms.Scheider's 10th grade class, Atlantic Technical Center Technical High School]

I really enjoyed reading this book, it was very interesting. I think that some peolple can relate to her and the things that she went through, such as with her eating disorder and when she was assaulted at a party. She never really trusted anyone but Owen made her feel very comfortable. I would have never expected that Annabel and Owen would have ended up together. I guess opposites really do attract. I would recommend this book to my friends and anyone who can relate to her problems.

[K.B.,Ms.Scheider's 10th grade class, Atlantic Technical Center Technical High School]

I really enjoyed reading this book, it was very interesting. I think that some people can relate to her and the things that she went through, such as with her eating disorder and when she was assaulted at a party. She never really trusted anyone but Owen made her feel very comfortable. I would have never expected that Annabel and Owen would have ended up together. I guess opposites really do attract. I would recommend this book to my friends and anyone who can relate to her problems.

[mh]

i love this book, you sort of know what happend to annabel in the begining but how you find out and how you get there is awsome