living
BOOK REVIEW
by Katie Wisniewski
Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
It’s never fun living in someone else’s shadow, but somehow Sydney, the main character in Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen does it with such grace and integrity; I couldn’t wait to pick up my book each night and read more about her journey. Sydney is a sixteen year old girl from an affluent
family. Her older brother, Peyton, is a trouble-mak- er, so she tries to be as easy and invisible as possible, always quietly doing the right thing. Peyton’s rebellion changes Sydney’s life because when Peyton chooses to drink and drive, he hits a younger boy and paralyzes him. Consequently, Peyton is sentenced to jail time.
To avoid drama, Sydney changes schools and for- tunately meets the Chatham family. The Chathams arrive at just the right time in her life, showing her love, understanding and acceptance when she needs it most. Mrs. Chatham teaches Sydney how to let go of the guilt she feels for what her brother has done, and she brings peace back into Sydney’s life. Layla becomes her new best friend, and Mac gives her butterflies and makes life exciting again. The storyline is bolstered by great dialogue, suspense, and a little romance, but the most surprising and moving part of the story is the way the relationships between Sydney, her parents, and Peyton grow and mature. Sydney finds ways stand up for herself and create her own role in the fam- ily, independent of Peyton, and her parents begin to understand who she really is and appreciate and love her because of it. Sydney also finds a way to let go of the view she had of Peyton and accept that he too can change. This book will make stay up way too late read- ing not only for the story but because of Sydney. Sydney is a terrific example of a teen successfully navigating the intense and difficult high school years. She finds hope and love in even the most difficult circumstances. She gives me the courage to be a little more brave, a little more humble, and a lot more forgiving of both myself and others; what more could you want out of a book?
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