Saint Anything

A book by Sarah Dessen never misses, and Taylor Meskimen's narration is sure to be a hit. Sydney is a good kid, but she's always lived in the shadow of her older brother, Peyton. Now that he's is serving a jail sentence for drunk driving, Sydney begins to develop her own identity. Meskimen delivers Sydney's words with just the right emotion and expression, and characterizes her friends, Mac and Layla, well. Sydney's parents and the concept of family are an important part of this story, and Meskimen portrays them realistically, giving Sydney's mother both an assertive voice as she takes on a new project and a more resigned one when her relationship with Peyton falters. Sydney's father is portrayed in a more distant tone. With its engaging story and narrator, this audiobook will keep listeners wanting to hear more. E.N. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

Starred review from February 16, 2015
Sydney Stanford and her family are devastated when her older brother, Peyton, paralyzes a local boy while driving drunk and is sent to jail. Sydney’s mother throws herself into supporting Peyton (while seeming to scarcely acknowledge his guilt), and Sydney switches schools, carrying heavy guilt on behalf of the injured boy, David, and trying to escape the damage Peyton has left in his wake. Sydney’s parents virtually ignore her as they navigate the complicated prison system on Peyton’s behalf, even inviting his older friend Ames into their home, his leering presence making Sydney uneasy. Sydney finds relief with her new friend Layla, Layla’s family and friends, and especially her handsome brother, Mac. Dessen (The Moon and More) delves deeper than ever into the complex dynamics of families suffering loss and confronting changes that upend everything. Once again, Dessen demonstrates her tremendous skill in evoking powerful emotions through careful, quiet prose, while delivering a satisfying romance. The author’s many devotees are sure to enjoy this weighty addition to her canon. Ages 12–up. Agent: Leigh Feldman, Writers House.

August 31, 2015
In Dessen’s novel, the teenage Sydney comes to terms with the incarceration of her golden-boy brother Peyton while navigating a new high school and the vicissitudes of first love. Reader Meskimen’s excellent performance is centered on the unassuming, quiet tones of the main character, but she also offers other voices, including a delightfully whimsical narration for Sydney’s new best friend Layla and a tight intonation for Sydney’s controlling mother. Other characters include Ames, a creepy hanger-on whose constant presence as a substitute family member during Peyton’s absence is a source of much of the novel’s tension; Meskimen captures his outward charm as well as the more sinister subtext. In all, this is a very satisfying audio performance by a young narrator worth following. Ages 12–up. A Viking hardcover.