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“The emotional resonance of
Elise’s journey…feels very much of the moment.”
— New York Times
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“What sets this apart from so
many problem novels is how honestly and deeply Sales probes the life of a
miserable sixteen-year-old, from her cringe-worthy attempt at ‘learning’ how to
be popular to the observational, rather than emotional, look at what it feels
like to be with a guy.”
— Booklist (starred review)
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“Elise is a remarkably self-aware
character. Her journey toward acceptance—of others and of herself—is compelling.
The supporting characters are equally well-developed, with the strengths and
flaws of real people. Sales’ narrative, rich with diverse music references,
reverberates with resilience. Pulsates with hope for all the misfits.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
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“Elise is a complex, well-drawn
character, and it’s easy to relate to her sense of feeling like an outsider.
Sales fills her third YA novel with honest insights about high school’s cruel
politics, tender conversations between Elise and her equally struggling
parents, and visceral descriptions of life as a DJ.”
— Publishers Weekly
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“This Song Will Save Your Life is a transformation story. Being
such, it improves drastically as its protagonist evolves. Initially, Elise is
self-pitying to the extent that the narrative is hard to swallow. When she
finds some self-confidence, however, the book becomes very engaging. The
friends she makes are especially lovable. The action is well balanced between
the roaring excitement of a nightclub and the quiet tension of Elise’s family.
Ultimately, this book has the potential to be quite inspirational.”
— VOYA Reviews by Teen Review Holly Storm
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“A razor-sharp and honest view of a
misfit trying to find her place in the world…Elise is smart and funny and very
relatable. Her love of music is a huge part of her story, and there are many
references to bands and songs throughout, so some teens will take to this book
and love it. Others might not be interested enough to follow Elise on her
journey of self-acceptance.”
— School Library Journal
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“Sales does a nice job of exposing
the harsh world of high school and the feeling of loneliness that encompasses
all of us at some point. At the same time she leaves readers feeling hope for
the future and a world beyond high school: a world where we are free to be who
we want to be.”
— Children’s Literature
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“Narrator Rebecca Lowman embraces
the earnestness that is the essence of Elise Dembowski…Lowman portrays Elise’s
amazement at discovering DJing, friendship, first love, and finding her true
self.”
— AudioFile