I first read Sarah Dessen in grade 11 when the How to Deal combo caught my eye on the bookstore shelf. From that point I was hooked. Pretty sure that I read every single one of her books that was in publication at that time within the next few weeks (I wish goodreads existed back then so I could have official documentation of what order I went in), and proceeded to stalk her on her livejournal and buy every new book the day they were published. To me, Sarah Dessen is YA. The Truth About Forever is my very favourite, but I have loved every single one, and you are so right in saying that the best way for new readers to start would be at the start.

Um so in short, I liked your post.
My recent post Review: Don't Even Think About it by Sarah Mylnowski

Oh, how I love this list. I had to limit my Sarah Dessens to just one on my TTT list for contemporary YA so as not to take up the whole thing, but I like your idea better.