Music is a total constant. That's why we have such a strong visceral connection to it, you know? Because a song can take you back instantly to a moment, or a place, or even a person. No matter what else has changed in your or the world, that one song stays the same, just like that moment.
Annabel Green is the girl who had it all. Or at least she was until her best friend, Sophie, turned her into a social pariah. Sophie was the mean girl who liked to assume instead of understand the facts, which left Annabel with no friends when the school year started. No one sees a change in her at home since one of her older sister's became anorexic. She also has no one to sit with at lunch which leads her to sit on the wall by herself. Only she's not by herself. Some few feet away sits Owen. Annabel has never talked to him because of where they fit on the social ladder. It also doesn't help that Owen is intimidating and known around the school as a fighter.
When Sophie does something at school one day to embarrass Annabel, it's Owen who offers his help. Confused, but open to the idea of finally having someone to talk to again, the two begin talking at lunch. Owen's favorite topics: being honest and music. His headphones are always attached to his ears and she wonders what he's listening to and what makes him so strongly attached to music. Through Owen, Annabel learns all about the wide expanse of music out there in the world and the impact it has on anyone and everyone while also learning that there's music inside of you that needs to be listened to in order for understand and appreciate your own life.
I'm doing my best to rip through the Dessen books, kids. After not really being into some of them, I was very happy to have liked this one. I am a firm believer in all things music, so it was really great to read certain parts and think, "See! I am not the only one who thinks like this! It IS universal and it does make life better!" At the same time, it was a Dessen book and they can get sort of formulaic, but that's why you like them. You know what you're in for when you pick one up and that's okay. It was a quick, enjoyable read and that's all that matters.
One of the best parts: Remy and Dexter! I really love when she picks characters and throws them into another story or just references them in another situation. The books all take place in pretty much the same town, so it's nice to see familiarity every now and again instead of pretending like they never existed. I missed Dexter and Truth Squad. Anyway, I'd recommend this to girls, but it really isn't a male's cup of tea.
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