How many books has Sarah Dessen written?

Sarah Dessen has published 13 novels, 2 children's books and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.

What order should I read Sarah Dessen's books in?

Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Just Listen.

What is Sarah Dessen's most famous book?

Just Listen (2006) is Sarah Dessen's most widely read book.

Which Sarah Dessen books have been adapted?

3 books have been adapted for film or TV, including That Summer (as How to Deal, film, 2003), Someone Like You (as How to Deal, film, 2003) and Along for the Ride (film, 2022).

Sarah Dessen books in order

American writer

Born: 1970
Country: United States
Books: 16

Sarah Dessen has published 13 novels, 2 children's books and 1 other book, beginning with That Summer (1996). The best-known is Just Listen (2006). The latest is Once and for All (2017).

Updated September 2026

Where to start with Sarah Dessen

Start here
Just Listen
Sarah Dessen's most-read book.
Shortest way in
That Summer
One of the most-read, at about 198 pages.
Newest
Once and for All
Published 2017.

Standalone novels in order

That Summer (Oct 1996)
198 pages★ 3.6 (5 ratings)Adapted for film
Buy
Someone Like You (May 1998)
281 pagesAdapted for film
Buy
Keeping the Moon (Sep 1999)
228 pages
Buy
Dreamland (Sep 2000)
256 pages
Buy
This Lullaby (2002)
345 pages★ 4.4 (7 ratings)
Buy
How to Deal (2003)
486 pages
Buy
The Truth About Forever (May 2004)
374 pages
Buy
Just Listen (2006)
378 pages★ 4.5 (15 ratings)
Buy
Lock and Key (Apr 2008)
422 pages
Buy
Along for the Ride (Jun 2009)
★ 4.4 (13 ratings)Adapted for film
Buy
What Happened to Goodbye (2011)
Buy
The Moon and More (Jun 2013)
435 pages
Buy
Once and for All (2017)
376 pages
Buy

Children's books in order

Last Chance (Bite) (2002)
256 pages
Buy
Saint Anything (2015)
417 pages
Buy

Other books in order

Change of Plans
Buy

Film and TV adaptations

How to Deal (2003)Film · from That Summer
How to Deal (2003)Film · from Someone Like You
Along for the Ride (2022)Film · from Along for the Ride

About Sarah Dessen

Sarah Dessen is an American novelist known for her contributions to young adult fiction. Her first book, That Summer, was published in 1996, and has since published more than a dozen other novels and novellas. In 2017, Dessen won the Margaret Edwards Award for some of her work, and two of her books were adapted into the 2003 film How to Deal.

Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Sarah Dessen FAQ

How many books has Sarah Dessen written?: Sarah Dessen has published 13 novels, 2 children's books and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read Sarah Dessen's books in?: Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Just Listen.
What is Sarah Dessen's latest book?: Once and for All (2017).
What is Sarah Dessen's most famous book?: Just Listen (2006) is Sarah Dessen's most widely read book.
Which Sarah Dessen books have been adapted?: 3 books have been adapted for film or TV, including That Summer (as How to Deal, film, 2003), Someone Like You (as How to Deal, film, 2003) and Along for the Ride (film, 2022).