Rule #1: There are no rules
Just when you think you've got everything figured out for yourself, things get turned upside down. Families change. Lives end. New lives begin. And love sneaks up on you when you least expect it. The trick is finding that one person you can always count on, that one person who will throw out the rules and help you figure out how to deal with it all.
Here, from acclaimed author Sarah Dessen, are two books about girls who stick together and manage to get it right — the two books that served as inspiration for the film How to Deal, starring Mandy Moore. Read them, and you'll see where Halley and Scarlett's story began.
For more on this hot new movie check out the official How to Deal website!
Based on two of Sarah Dessen's bestselling novels, "How to Deal" is a new feature film from New Line Cinema starring Mandy Moore. This is a two-in-one edition with the complete text from both novels--"That Summer" and "Someone Like You, " plus a movie tie in cover.
Sarah Dessen is the New York Times bestselling author of ten books which have sold more than four million copies. She lives her with her family and two dogs in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
As far back as she can remember, Dessen has always wanted to write. She remembers churning out wildly imaginative stories on an old manual typewriter her parents gave her when she was eight or nine years old. So it was only natural that after college she would forego a "real job," choosing instead to support herself by waiting tables at a local eatery while trying to publish a novel. In 1996, just three years after graduation, she sold her first book, the witty, wry coming-of-age story That Summer. A second novel, Someone Like You, followed two years later. (In 2003, these two books were loosely adapted into the movie How to Deal, starring teen sensation Mandy Moore.)
Dessen claims she never set out to be a YA writer, but somehow her memories always bring her back to high school, a time and place that resonates strongly for her. Living in her hometown where she is still in contact with many childhood friends, she finds it pretty easy to get in touch with her "inner teenager." In addition, the books she read from that time have a special, magical staying power. She explains it this way on her website:
"[W]hile I couldn't tell you complete plots of novels I read even six months ago, I do remember even the smallest descriptive details from Lois Lowry's A Summer to Die or Judy Blume's Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. I think it was because back then books were still somewhat new to me, and when I found an author who seemed to say just what I was feeling, it really struck me and resonated. I hope that my books do that for the people who read them."If one can judge from her growing fan base and continued presence on the bestseller lists, Dessen can safely say "mission accomplished."
Anonymous
Posted Wed Aug 29 00:00:00 EDT 2007
this book is awesome.ive read someone like you a thousand times.i just saw how to deal at my grandmas house. i hope more of sarah dessens books are made into movies.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MuSiC-iS-lOvE
Posted Sat Oct 25 00:00:00 EDT 2008
Two heartfelt books in one, both by Sarah Dessen, these are two stories that will make you laugh, cry, scream for joy, maybe even want to dance. If you're a teenage girl and are going through a tough time, pick this book up and realize you're not the only one.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Wed Nov 09 00:00:00 EST 2005
sarah dessen is my all time FAVORITE author. i always love her books because they draw me in and make me feel for the characters.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2004
This book was awsome! It really drew me in to Haley's life. I loved it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Wed Jul 14 00:00:00 EDT 2004
I didn't realize this was a book targeted for teens before I started reading. When I did realize, I almost decided not to finish the book. Glad I didn't! While I am no longer a teenager, I could relate to the very real characters and issues. I wish these stories had been around when I was younger. Haley's experience with the guy who was so bad for her (and how she ultimately handled it so well) was worth the read alone!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Fri Jun 11 00:00:00 EDT 2004
Oh my goodness! This book was great! It made me laugh and cry, and the best part, I could totally relate to it! I loved how realistic the book was. It talked about real issues that people go through, and it made it easy to read and to understand! I would deffinetly recomend this book to freinds and family! It is an all around great read!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sun Dec 28 00:00:00 EST 2003
As soon as I bought this book, I started reading it. Well, I stayed up all night and then finished it the next morning- I did not want to put it down! Both Haley and Haven are very interesting, realistic characters. i also recommend the movie-I understood it a lot more after reading this book!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sat Aug 29 00:00:00 EDT 2009
My daughter read this book and liked the story line, but there were some innapropriate parts dealing with drugs, bad language, one character isn't married and gets pregnant... not a very good example for teens.
0 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Thu Nov 02 00:00:00 EST 2006
The first book, i thought, was amazing and touching. I didn't like the second book as much because it was slow moving and the writing wasn't very good.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Thu Jun 08 00:00:00 EDT 2006
I love Sarah Dessen and all the work that she has done but these two stories were not her bright and shiny moments. Neither grabbed my attention and neither endings satisfied me. After reading The Truth About Forever I was shocked to read what I found to be a much lower quality of writing.
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Mon Oct 04 00:00:00 EDT 2004
I read the first book of the two and was completely unimpressed. They were both so poor I skimmed through a lot of the first, and didn't finish the second.
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sun May 02 00:00:00 EDT 2004
This book is so great!! I own the book and the movie and i love them!! And if your an teenager you will love it to!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sun Apr 18 00:00:00 EDT 2004
How to Deal is a book that sucks you into a girl's life that she thinks is spinning out of control. This is one of my favorite books.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sun Feb 29 00:00:00 EST 2004
this is the best book i've ever read.I think that everyone should read this book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Mon Nov 24 00:00:00 EST 2003
SOMEONE LIKE YOU WAS A CUTE STORY I JUST DIDNT LIKE THE ENDING WHEN I READ I JUST I THOUGHT 'THATS IT!' AND FOR THAT SUMMER I THOUGHT IT WAS TOO DRAMATIC THE CHARACTER HAVEN HAD ISSUES OR SOMETHING BUT THE SAME THING WITH THE ENDING 'THATS IT' THE ENDINGS SEEMED UNFINISHED FOR BOTH BOOKS.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Fri Nov 21 00:00:00 EST 2003
I haven't finished the book yet, it is vary touching book! you might not even put down book! I just thought that it was another one of those books that would put u to sleep but this one doesnt! then theres alwayz the movie to watch so read the book and watch the movie!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2004
After I saw the movie, I had to get the book. Someone like You is definetly now my favorite book. It gives a great perspective about first loves, and you can't help but feel like Halley, Scarlet and Macon are your best friends!!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Wed Nov 12 00:00:00 EST 2003
this was one of the best books i ever read! i could not put it down. it made you laugh and cry and from the first page you were hooked. it deals with everything in a teen's life from love to fights to parents. a definate must read!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sun Dec 07 00:00:00 EST 2003
I REALLY LIKED IT. LOVE THE TAGLINE THOUGH
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sun Aug 10 00:00:00 EDT 2003
OMG i loved this book soooooooooooo much. its so interesting how the 2 families are so alink and different. i cant wait to see the movie and see how halley, and haven's family mix in the how to deal movie.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
Rule #1: There are no rules
Just when you think you've got everything figured out for yourself, things get turned upside down. Families change. Lives end. New lives begin. And love sneaks up on you when you least expect it. The trick is finding that one person you can always count on, that one person who will throw out the rules and help you figure out how to deal with it all.
Here, from acclaimed author Sarah Dessen, are two books about girls ...