Sarah Dessen Writing

We had to do this author focus thingie for Lit. and I chose Sarah Dessen.

Introduction
On numerous occasions, I ask my friends, and even a few teachers, for recommendations on authors. Many, many, many times I have been suggested Sarah Dessen. Of course, I never really had a chance to read any of her books. I had heard that Sarah Dessen really speaks to the young adult audience. Now, after reading Keeping the Moon, I truly believe that.
Sarah Dessen helped me see life in a different light. Keeping the Moon is one of my favorite books now. What interests me the most about Sarah Dessen is that she seeps into the teenage mind, reminding you that she, too, was once our age.
Many types if readers would appreciate Sarah Dessen’s work. If you enjoy growing up stories, you particularly will love Sarah Dessen’s novels. Comedy is included in Sarah Dessen’s books, but it’s more like a taste of comedy with a lot of seriousness.
By reading Sarah Dessen’s novels, a reader experiences many things. They help you learn more about yourself, and life. Her books also teach you about friendship and how to love yourself for you. I, personally, have benefited very much by reading just one of Sarah Dessen’s novels.

Sarah Dessen was born in Illinois in the year 1970. But, she was raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She was really into reading and writing while growing up. Sarah always had an active imagination. “I have a tendency to embellish.” she admits on her website, SarahDessen.Com. “Once you learn how to make a story better, it's hard not to do it all the time.” she says. For college, Sarah attended the University of North Carolina. At UNC, she graduated with a degree in English and studied Creative Writing. After graduation, Sarah Dessen’s parents were wishing that Sarah would get a new, “real job.” But, despite their wishes, Sarah Dessen kept her waitressing job at The Flying Burrito and tried publishing a novel. Sarah’s time at The Flying Burrito inspired her to write a few of her books, including Keeping the Moon.
Most of Sarah Dessen’s novels were inspired by her group of friends from high school. Three years after Sarah graduated from college, she sold her first novel, That Summer. A year after that, she was offered a job in teaching and finished waitressing. Currently, Sarah Dessen has published eight young adult books. Although she writes a great young adult book, that wasn’t her intention. Her agent said that her second book had a very strong teenage voice. Now, Sarah realizes that writing young adult books fits her quite well.
Sarah Dessen presently lives with her daughter, Sasha, her husband, and her two dogs. Just recently, she published her latest young adult book, Lock and Key in the April of 2008.


Book List
· Keeping the Moon
Colie has been an outcast her entire life. It started because she was overweight. But even after she lost an entirety of forty-five and a half pounds, she was still on the outside. This summer, as her mother-Kiki Sparks, weight loss and self-esteem queen-goes on her European tour to promote her new products, Colie is sent to her out-of-the-ordinary Aunt Mira’s house in Colby, North Carolina. Instantly, and unexpectedly, Colie meets two waitresses who teach her about life and how to love and be loved.
· Just Listen
Once, Annabel Greene was the girl who had it all. She modeled for local print ads and commercials. Her wardrobe was beyond compare. Annabel and her best friend, Sophie, were always invited to any party out there. But at one particular party, on the last day of school, Sophie thinks she sees Annabel being “friendly” with her boyfriend. Just like that, Annabel went from the girl who had it all, to the girl with nothing. The next fall, Annabel begins the school year with nobody. Instead of exposing the truth, not wanting to hurt anyone, or herself, Annabel keeps quiet about what happened that last year. But soon, with the help from a fellow outsider, she begins to find herself. Also, she begins to scrape up the courage and hope to reveal what happened on the night that she has tried so hard to avoid.
· That Summer
Things in Haven’s life are simply changing too fast. She’s getting taller every day. Her father is getting remarried to a woman who is only five years older than Haven’s older sister, Ashley. Ashley is also preparing for her own wedding. All Haven wants is for her life to be normal again. That is, back to how everything was. Then, one of Ashley’s old boyfriends, Sumner shows up in Haven’s life. Haven had always admired Sumner, and held Ashley responsible for breaking his heart by dumping him. But soon, Haven learns the truth of the break up and comes to surface with reality.
· Someone Like You
Scarlett and Halley have been best friends for what seems like forever. Crushes, secrets, and clothes are just a few of the things they share. Scarlett was the popular, lurid one, while Halley stood there as her right-hand girl. Halley never minded this, though. But, at the start of their junior year, their roles quickly change. Tragedy strikes when Scarlett’s boyfriend gets killed in a motorcycle accident. Soon after this disaster, Scarlett learns that she is pregnant with his baby. Now, Scarlett really needs Halley. With these problems in Haley and Scarlett’s lives, will their friendship fall apart?