“Lock and Key” by Sarah Dessen is a poignant young adult novel that tells the story of a teenage girl named Ruby who is forced to confront her troubled past and learn to trust others in order to build a better future for herself.
The novel opens with Ruby living alone in her mother’s rundown apartment in a big city, struggling to make ends meet and keep her life together. When her mother abandons her, Ruby is forced to move in with her estranged older sister, Cora, and Cora’s wealthy husband, Jamie, in their luxurious home in a small town in North Carolina.
At first, Ruby is resistant to her new living situation and feels like an outsider in her sister’s perfect life. However, as she begins to adjust to her new surroundings, she starts to uncover secrets about her family’s past, including the reason why her mother left her and her sister when they were young.
As Ruby navigates the challenges of fitting in with her new classmates and adapting to a life of privilege, she begins to form meaningful relationships with people who help her understand the importance of trusting others and opening up about her own struggles. In particular, she forms a close bond with Nate, a boy from her school who helps her see that it’s okay to let down her guard and let others in.
Through Ruby’s journey of self-discovery, “Lock and Key” explores themes of family, trust, and the importance of finding a place where you belong. The novel is beautifully written, with characters who feel both authentic and relatable, and it offers a powerful message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. Overall, “Lock and Key” is a must-read for fans of young adult literature, and a touching story that will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the final page.