Along for the ride

Dessen, S. (2009). Along for the ride. New York, NY: Viking.

This is a story of Auden who visits her father's new family before she starts university, make friends with local girls and boys and falls in love with Eli, a boy who has to overcome the traumatic loss of his best friend.

While she is challenged by new friends, conflicts between her father and step-mum and new responsibilities of being a big sister to Thisbe, she comes to realise what she has missed so far: to have a care-free childhood. With the help of Maggie and Eli, she can face the challenges and finally feel more assured about who she is and who she would like to be in her relationship with her parents and the others.

Through the main characater Auden, a sensitive girl who has pre-matured before her age, due to her immature and self-centred parents and their unhappy marriage and divorce, Dessen makes us think about the role of parents, the importance of happy childhood, lost opportunities, etc.

Sarah Dessen is a well renowned, prolific writer of YA novels. You can find more information on her and her books on her blog  http://sarahdessen.com/blog/ .