Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen

When her mother, aerobics queen Kiki Sparks, spends the summer touring Europe, fifteen-year-old Colie is stuck in sleepy Colby, North Carolina, with her aunt Mira. At first, she's sure it's going to be the worst summer of her life-but she finds herself changing her mind. For one thing, Mira's a sweet, laid-back eccentric; for another, no one in Colby knows that, back home, Colie is seen as a loser- formerly fat, and "easy." And then, by fate or by accident, Colie lands a waitressing job where she meets Morgan and Isabel. The two wisecracking- and wise- twentysomething waitresses help her see herself in a whole new way and realize the potential that has been there all along.

Let me just start by saying that Sarah Dessen is my absolute favorite author, so in my eyes all her novels are AMAZING. If I could meet her sometime during my life, or have her as a mentor, my life would be complete. I must say though, that this novel is one of my favorite! You can really connect with what Colie goes through, especially her sense of low self esteem. We've all been there sometime during our lives. We even know people who are in a similar situation. And like the inside cover says "Sarah Dessen's eagerly awaited third novel is better than a Cinderella story-because, unlike a fairytale, it could happen to you." That is absolutely true. Her writing style draws you into the plot, and makes you want to keep on reading. I must admit that I never wanted to put it down at night. I even brought it with me to school, and would read it during the classes that I did nothing in. Unlike science fiction (which I hate, no offense)the plot and story is so realistic. Dessen is all about writing about situations any normal person faces at least once during their life. Morgan and Isobel are those crazy girls that are amazing friends. Even though they just met Colie, they are so respectful towards her. They help her see who she really is, and show that nobody should bring you down. They are the girls you want to be bestfriends with in real life. Sarah Dessen is a role model for all readers, young or old. I recommend this novel to ANYONE, not matter what genre you prefer. I also recommend reading her other novels, for they get better each time.