Sarah Dessen

Authors are my rock stars.

Thankfully, tickets to their readings are much less expensive than, say, Sting's concerts.

Last Thursday evening, I went to the book shop where I'm taking writing classes, to hear Sarah Dessen read from her newest book, Along for the Ride. Sarah started writing about the time I started working in libraries as a young adult librarian. I knew from her first book, That Summer, that her work was something special. The roomful of over fifty teenage girls and assorted adults from at least four states who came to hear her speak, as well as her presence on the best-seller lists, only confirms that!

Sarah graciously agreed to a photo with me.

 

Then she signed my book:

Along for the Ride is the story of Auden, a recent high school graduate, who has acted like an adult her entire life. With divorced parents who are college professors, and a bohemian older brother, she's never had the opportunity to be a kid, to experience the things that normal kids and teenagers do. Having attended a small private high school filled with independent study classes, she's never formed close friendships or had a date to her prom. While she convinces herself that she's above it all, a tiny part of her wonders what she's missed.

When her brother Hollis sends her a photo of himself backpacking in Greece, Auden makes up her mind to take up her dad and his new wife on their offer to spend the summer with them, and her new baby sister, at the beach. At first, she seems determined not to get too involved with anyone she meets besides her father. But having an infant in the house has put a strain on the family, and Auden hesitantly volunteers to help out at her step-mother Heidi's beach boutique. From there, she is drawn into friendships with Maggie, Esther, and Leah at the boutique, and Adam and Eli, two of the guys who work at the bike shop next door. Eli, sharing Auden's insomniac lifestyle, joins her on a fun quest to experience some of the things she missed from her childhood, like bowling and food fights and delivering newspapers. She cannot admit, however, that she does not know how to ride a bike. How she meets that challenge changes her friendships, and ultimately, her future.

One of the primary themes in this book is that people can change, a theme that I believe adults can appreciate as much as teen readers. At the beginning of the novel, we hear Auden's mother say repeatedly that people never change, in particular, her ex-husband, Auden's father. She has become stuck in her ways, and is unconsciously trying to drag Auden down with her. But as Auden begins to change her mind about the people she meets, and the activities they participate in, the people around her begin to change too. By the end of the novel, we see that the adage is true: people do live up to your expectations of them. The main characters are complex, intelligent, and compassionate towards one another, giving each other the space to heal and grow.

Another theme is that people are often not what they seem. While this may be obvious, it is worth reminding us again not to stereotype. Maggie seems like a frou-frou sort of girl, yet she's been accepted into the same university as Auden, and can jump a bike as well as the guys. Heidi, with her girly clothes and bright pink painted store (I would love to shop there!), is a shrewd business woman who turns a profit on a year-round business that in normal circumstances would be summer only.

This book encouraged me to remember that no matter what our past held for us, we can always decide to change the course of our future. It also made me grateful that I learned to ride a bike when I was young! I've been sharing it with adult friends who seem to be enjoying it as much as I did. If you've never given young adult literature a try, this would be a great place to start.

Comments

[Chris]

I haven't been to many actual readings, but I think I need to make an effort to do so - much more involving than a simple signing.

[Suitcase of Courage]

I loved this book - and coming from a guy, and someone who is, um, not a young adult, that's saying something.

Of course, the bike stuff helped! Many of life's lessons have been learned riding a bike.

[Robin]

Cute picture of you with the author!! You look so excited to be there!

[Sara]

You and I both think authors are rock stars! They are! Hey, they make my world go round...

That book sounds very interesting!

[Kara]

I love her! I have a couple of her books and they are so great. What a fun experience!

[Kristen]

It is exciting to meet an author, especially one whose books you really enjoy. The book sounds like one that would be worthwhile recommending to some of my students.

[Sheepish Annie]

Meeting the author always makes the book seem more special, I think. How fun that you got to see her!

[Pam]

Thanks for the suggestion - I've never quit reading "young adult" - I just reserved the audio book at the library -- might be good for some summer driving with the family.

[Sydney]

I don't go to that many readings, but I've enjoyed the ones I've gone to. I feel like I get more insight into the book.

[Dorothy W.]

I'm glad you got to meet her and that you liked the book so much! That's a great photo of you two. I think the idea that people can change is a really important one for anybody to hear -- it's so easy to believe otherwise.

[Danielle]

This is the second time today that I've come across this author. I love books that can be appreciated by both adults and teens, and this sounds like a good one! Lovely photo by the way!

[Sonya]

Meeting authors is so interesting. Great picture too!

[Robin]

I've never heard of this book, but it sounds like something I would have loved in my teenage years. Great that you got to meet the author, how nice for her that she had a full house!

[Shannon]

Oh what a small world... I'm (sort of) real life friends with one of her UK cousins. We've known each other (me and the cousin) online for 7 yrs or so now. Glad you got to meet a "rock star". ;)

[Sarah]

AAAaaahhh I can't believe you got a picture with her!!!! Wow!!!! You know, she grew up in NC :) I should pick up her newest, you make it sound so good!!!

[Brigitte]

What a great review, thanks! I think I may look it up.

I can't think of too many people I'd line up to see - but the ones I do are authors!