What is the author's tone in the novel, You’ve Reached Sam?

Tone is as important as language in reference to the dialogue between the characters in the novel. Between Julie and Mika, for example, the tone Julie takes belies the frustration she feels toward her for not understanding her method of grieving and criticizing her. The tone Julie takes with herself throughout the novel reveals her journey of personal growth because she begins to see herself as capable of moving on to finish high school and going to college while remembering Sam. She finds reason to smile at the close of the novel with her newfound self-confidence. She is able to remember Sam while still allowing her own life to progress. She still listens to the last voicemail he left her “on the days I miss Sam most and want to hear his voice again” until she has it memorized and no longer needs to listen (226).