This extremely enjoyable story introduces us to 16-year-old Sam’s summer internship at the local newspaper. Her chief duty is compiling and writing obituaries and even though she anticipated more glamorous tasks she learns that writing about dead people is actually more about living and life stories than she realised. At this old school newspaper headed by crusty journalists who are a dying (no pun intended!) breed, Sam has to find her way, learn to fit in and also make her mark.

She is a very likeable girl who is mostly comfortable in her own skin even if at times she questions herself and her friends. Sam’s coming of age summer sees her dazzled by the handsome cad at work while nearly oblivious to a possible romance right under her nose. Smart and funny, warm and engaging, Famous Last Words is realistically written YA fiction for ages 12 and up.

Alexa Dretzke