Review of "What Happened To Goodbye"

"What Happened to Goodbye"
by Sarah Dessen
 
5
Pub. Date: May 10, 2011
Pages: 402
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group

Synopsis: Since her parents' bitter divorce, Mclean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move - four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, Mclean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, Mclean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself - whoever that is. Perhaps her neighbor Dave, an academic superstar trying to be just a regular guy, can help her find out. 

Combining Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading. 

This is another book that I LOVED reading.  I just love Sarah Dessen, but who doesn't?!  Something about her writing and characters engulf me in her books every time.  Mclean was an interesting character to follow because I wasn't sure how she was going to react as new situations developed.  I already knew she was out of her routine by using her real name at her new school, but would she be able to accept people knowing her real self?  Did Mclean even know who she was after so many moves and identities?  Mclean wasn't the only character who seemed to lose herself in a new identity, Mclean's mother started a new family and seems to have become a whole other person.  This creates a lot of tension in the book and it was interesting to see their dynamic.  Mclean also had a very interesting relationship with her father.  I had a hard time believing he didn't realize his daughter changed identities like most teenagers change clothing, but he did work a lot.  If Mclean's family wasn't interesting enough then her friends surly were.  They were a pretty random group Mclean seemed to assemble throughout the book, some of them picking her without giving her an option.  That really seems to be the way true friendships are made.  I wont even get started on the amazingness that is Dave.  He is a dork after my own heart.

Part of the reason I love this book because it does deal with a lot of issues teens deal with everyday-search for identity, parents' divorce, new stepfather, new half siblings, and fitting in at a new school- but Mclean's situations are so extreme it just makes it more interesting.  People may move a couple of times while in high school, but Mclean seems to only stay in one place for maybe 6 months at a time.  If that isn't enough, the details of her parents divorce is blast all over the media for the world to see.  I'm not even a fan of basketball and I enjoyed how the characters were obsessed about it.

I wouldn't call "What Happened to Goodbye" a fast-paced book, but I had trouble putting it down just the same.  She is a fantastic storyteller and she knows how to deal with tough teens issues.  "Just Listen" and "Dreamland" are the only two books by Sarah Dessen I haven't read, but I will probably be finished them by next summer.  Sarah Dessen really is a must read authors for teens or lovers of teen books.  If you like Sarah Dessen then check out Susane Colasanti, Deb Caletti, and Maureen Johnson. 

Excerpt from Sarah Dessen's New Book "What Happened to Goodbye"

I am sure you have heard this by now, but Sarah Dessen posted the first chapter of her new book "What Happened to Goodbye" online a couple days ago. The book comes out in May and I CAN'T WAIT! I think I have to skip reading the first chapter because I will probably die from anticipation for this book. I love Sarah Dessen, once I start reading a book I can't stop. Her writing is my drug of choice.

Sorry I went on a bit of a rant! If you are interested in checking out the first chapter, which I am sure more of you are like "shut up and post the link already?!", just click here.
I think I am going to have to read some Sarah Dessen soon... I think I am going through withdrawal!

"Along for the Ride" Delivers

"Along for the Ride"
by Sarach Dessen

6

Since she was little, Auden has always done exactly as her mom expected. This continued after her parents divorce until the summer before her freshman year of college when she decides to spend it with her dad and step mom. Even though Auden has never been one to spend time outside, she can't deny that the prospect of a summer at the beach is way more appealing than watching her mother throw dinner parties for the mostly male crowds that attend.

Even though Auden's original plans involved getting ahead of her college reading and relaxing by the beach, she ends up helping her stressed out stepmother deal with life as a new mom. Auden begins up working in a boutique on the boardwalk with a group of girls that she struggles to relate to. Auden feels out of place in her new environment until she meets the mysterious Eli who also suffers from insomnia. Eli helps Auden to participate in all the activities she missed out on while living an academically focused childhood. These little activities turn into a full-blown quest that they share together with two individual goals in mind.

I haven't read all of Sarah Dessen's books, but I've enjoyed all the ones that I’ve read so far. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors and I was not disappointed one bit while reading "Along for the Ride". I really loved how the characters in the book were flushed out (especially Eli) and some of them really surprised me. Even Auden surprised me at the end of the book when I thought I had completely figured her out. It is nice to see Dessen continue to make strong female characters that manage to find their way through all the craziness surrounding them. I think Dessen does a beautiful job of making sure that her characters aren’t stereotypes and finds ways for them to stay true to themselves. I also loved the family dynamics in “Along for the Ride”. Even though Dessen focuses on this topic in many of her books, she always finds a way to make each one unique by featuring a different family structure. There were just so many great elements to this book that I’m finding myself wanting to just go on forever! Although, if I do that then I’ll give everything away and there will be no point in you reading it! I’ll try to wrap up my gushing so that you can get to reading the book instead of this review!

Dessen has a great skill for creating memorable characters that suck you into their world. I could not put the book down and was up all night getting deeper into the story Auden’s summer. I think out of the Dessen books I have read, it was one of my favorites (“This Lullaby”’ still wins… barely…). If you are a fan of Sarah Dessen, or are just looking for a great read this summer, then be sure to pick up “Along for the Ride”. Incase you didn’t know, it is being released today (June 16)! FINALLY!