“This is a hilarious, beautiful, meaningful coming-of-age story. The main character, Donna, lost her father several years ago. Her brother has been away at college; her mother doesn’t understand her; and she feels invisible at school. During her senior year, she realizes that the only place she really feels comfortable, the only place she really connects with people, is at the local funeral home. So she approaches the owners and asks what it takes to be a mortician. One of the brothers who runs the funeral home explains that the main qualification for the job is ‘loving the whole person.’ This really resonated with me. It’s a perfect lesson for a teenage girl who is trying to learn to love herself, but it’s also such a comforting thought to anyone who is grieving . . . Suffice to say, this book has it all: Donna’s hilarious and honest voice, tender flashbacks, wacky relatives, pagan rituals, great friendships and even sexy romances! It’s a teen read, but it would also make a good summer read for adults.”—Tegan, Queen Anne Books, Seattle. Buy Putting Make-up on Dead People from Queen Anne Books.
Face Out
Putting Makeup on Dead People by Jen Violi
August 5, 2011