In Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen, teenager Sydney Stanford struggles to find her own way after her older brother Peyton is incarcerated for drunk driving, causing a serious accident. Transferring to a new school, Sydney forms a close bond with Layla and her brother Mac from the Chatham family, who help her navigate her feelings of frustration and find her own identity. The book discusses substance abuse and the impact of a sibling’s criminal behavior.

Sarah Dessen’s Saint Anything poignantly explores themes of family, forgiveness, and identity through the eyes of its relatable protagonist. Positive reviews highlight the novel’s emotional depth and well-crafted characters. However, some critics find the pacing slow and predictable. Overall, it is a heartfelt and engaging read, especially for fans of contemporary YA literature.

Fans of contemporary young adult fiction like Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone and This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen will relish Saint Anything. Ideal for readers drawn to heartfelt, character-driven stories, this novel explores themes of family, friendship, and finding oneself amid life's challenges.

Contemplative / Emotional / Bittersweet / Heartwarming / Nostalgic

- Saint Anything was inspired by Sarah Dessen's fascination with the themes of invisibility and visibility, both literal and metaphorical, in people's lives.
- The book was selected as one of the Best Books of the Year by Publishers Weekly and Amazon.com, highlighting Dessen's consistent ability to resonate with readers through young adult literature.
- Sarah Dessen's writing process for Saint Anything included creating an extensive playlist of music that helped her channel the emotional tone she wanted to convey in the story.

Plot Summary

Book Brief

Explore Saint Anything reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Book Brief Saint Anything

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Saint Anything and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Saint Anything

Book Brief

Saint Anything

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Saint Anything?