Jennifer Salvato Doktorski is the author of five young adult novels, including "How My Summer Went Up in Flames," "Famous Last Words," a Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, and "The Summer After You & Me," a YALSA Teens' Top Ten nominee. Her forthcoming novel, "Finding Normal," is set for release in 2025. A recipient of a 2024 Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Doktorski's works explore themes of self-discovery, relationships, and humor, often set against the backdrop of New Jersey summers.
Doktorski began her writing career crafting obituaries for the North Jersey Herald & News, an experience that honed her sharp wit and appreciation for deadlines. Her diverse professional background includes roles as a speechwriter, ghostwriter, and editor for a music zine, which informs her engaging and relatable narrative style. She has also contributed articles and essays to national publications such as Cosmopolitan.
Based in New Jersey, Doktorski draws inspiration from her coastal surroundings, frequently incorporating the shore's vibrant atmosphere into her stories. Her ability to blend humor with poignant coming-of-age themes has solidified her reputation as a distinctive voice in contemporary young adult fiction.