Doktorski,
Jennifer Salvato. Famous Last Words.
Macmillan/Henry Holt 2013 279p $17.99 ISBN 978-0-8050-9367-4 jr/sr
Realistic fiction VG-BN
Sam's wild best friend Shelby wants her
to make this last summer before her senior year of high school a crazy one
dedicated to partying and the pursuit of boys, but as an intern at a local newspaper tasked with
writing obituaries, Sam instead learns her way around both the news room and the real
world as she starts to make some momentous realizations about politics, ethics,
her family, romance, and herself. Author
Doktorski shows that she knows what she's doing in the novel's excellent
pacing, which never allows the plot to lag or become bogged down in unnecessary
minutiae. At the same time, the characterization
is delightfully realistic: Sam's relationship with her family is refreshing and
her relationship with her friend Shelby demonstrates the sort of depth and
history one should expect from a friendship as long-standing as theirs. This is more than a
story about a girl finding a boyfriend, even though Sam does eventually end up with one. There are lessons
learned from hijinks involving corrupt politicians and a nod to the
difficulties faced by print news media. By the time readers reach the last pages, everything feels as if it
has come to a natural conclusion and they will come away satisfied.
Summary: As an intern at a local paper tasked with writing obituaries, Sam learns her way
around both the news room and the real world as she starts to make some
momentous realizations about politics, ethics, her family, romance, and
herself.
Journalism-Fiction, Friendship-Fiction --Bethany Geleskie
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