Along for the Ride

Along for the Ride

Contemporary Fiction

Author: Sarah Dessen

Publisher: Viking Juvenile 

Copyright: 2009

“It's the things you fight for and struggle with before earning that have the greatest worth. When something's difficult to come by, you'll do that much more to make sure it's even harder -if not impossible- to lose." 

This is one of the many things Auden learns her summer before college, when she decides to live with her father in the beach town of Colby.  Never one for sleeping, Auden finds companionship in Eli, another insomniac.  After growing up in an adult world where childhood was something to be overcome, Auden embarks on a quest to reclaim her childhood with Eli as her guide.  A coming of age novel that provides food for thought, this novel is also a good read that keeps you turning the pages.  I feel this would be a good book for reluctant readers, as Dessen's voice pulls you in and makes you want to read her other books.  While I don't see an immediate use in a typical classroom, I have a librarian colleague who has used this book with good success in student book clubs.  Students seem to respond well to it and it is a jumping off point for some good conversations on change, relationships, trust, family dynamics, and more.

Related Links:  

• Book Profile on Goodreads.com - This social media site contains more reviews by readers and information on the author.
• SarahDessen.com - This is the author's website.  It has information on her books, a blog written by the author, and other resources.
• Twitter - The author of this book is a frequent user of Twitter.  You can communicate with here there and ask questions.