Teenagers can undoubtedly relate to Sarah Dessen’s characters. They sound real, as do their friends, family problems, and questions. In “Along for the Ride,” Auden, a studious insomniac, escapes her control-freak mother by going to visit her father, his young wife, and their new baby for the summer. Though she’s terrified of letting her guard down and making mistakes, the summer becomes one of self-discovery for Auden, with new experiences, second chances, and a love interest. Though most of Dessen’s novels follow a similar formula, teen readers don’t seem to mind. Dessen's “Just Listen” occupied the No. 2 slot on the 2007 list of top teen choices.
