Lynn has no idea how to begin handling the news about her oldest friend, David. He's dead, having first shot his parents and then himself. She must cope with this information and all of the subsequent fallout early in her senior year of highschool and as the months move on. But how can she, when she cannot even remember the last thing he said to her?

Set up as a journal kept by the main character, Lynn, About David chronicles her efforts to cope and possibly understand what happened to David. She has to deal with her peers at school, her parents who were family friends to David and his parents, the newspapers covering the issues, and throughout it all, her own jumbled emotions regarding the entire situation. It is an emotional journey, but related in almost emotionless terms as Lynn takes a moment apart to write it all down. There is very little description, mood-setting wise, and most of the writing could be descrived as expositional. This detracts somewhat from a compelling story of pain and memories. This is not an amazing book, but it is a solid read that examines different reactions to violent grief. Given the amount of time between beginning and end of the journal, mental recovery is not unlikely, but my key complaint [the lack of enthusiasm for the style is not a complaint but rather an observation] is that the author very handily wraps everything up. Too neatly, if not too soon, Lynn finishes the journey and the journal as well. ( )