Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

There are some authors who you pick up and are immediately swept away into the story.  Since I've been away from reading YA books for a few years, it is so great to be able to order books by some of these authors.  Sarah Dessen is one of those authors for me.  I love her books! 

Saint Anything is the story of Sydney whose whole world turned upside down when her brother her someone in an accident.  Now, her parents lives revolve around him and his needs.  But Sydney feels guilt, anger, and lonely now.  When Sydney starts at a new school for a fresh start, she meets a whole new group of friends.  She is a great kid, but her parents are very worried she will follow the path her brother took and so they keep her on a very short leash.  Sydney needs to learn how to live with the results of her brothers actions, and figure out how she can move forward. 

This story, like so many of Sarah Dessen's books are so great for students.  This one has a few mature bits in it, references to drinking, but nothing that is too extreme.  I would not hesitate to have this book on my grade 7 shelf for kids to read.