Shopping cart
Your cart empty!
Sam: A Read with Jenna Pick
READ WITH JENNA BOOK CLUB PICK AS FEATURED ON TODAY • “I’ve been an Allegra Goodman fan for years, but Sam is hands down my new favorite. I loved this powerful and endearing portrait of a girl who must summon deep within herself the grit and wisdom to grow up.”—Lily King, New York Times bestselling author of Writers & Lovers
NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE • What happens to a girl’s sense of joy and belonging—to her belief in herself—as she becomes a woman? This unforgettable portrait of coming-of-age offers subtle yet powerful reflections on class, parenthood, addiction, lust, and the irrepressible power of dreams.
A VOGUE AND REAL SIMPLE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
“There is a girl, and her name is Sam.” So begins Allegra Goodman’s moving and wise new novel.
Sam is seven years old and living in Beverly, Massachusetts. She adores her father, though he isn’t around much. Her mother struggles to make ends meet, and never fails to remind Sam that if she studies hard and acts responsibly, adulthood will be easier—more secure and comfortable. But comfort and security are of little interest to Sam. She doesn’t fit in at school, where the other girls have the right shade of blue jeans and don’t question the rules. She doesn’t care about jeans or rules. All she wants to climb. Hanging from the highest limbs of the tallest trees, scaling the side of a building, Sam feels free.
As a teenager, Sam begins to doubt herself. She yearns to be noticed, even as she wants to disappear. When her climbing coach takes an interest in her, his attention is more complicated than she anticipated. She resents her father’s erratic behavior, but she grieves after he’s gone. And she resists her mother’s attempts to plan for her future, even as that future draws closer.
The simplicity of this tender, emotionally honest novel is what makes it so powerful. Sam by Allegra Goodman will break your heart, but will also leave you full of hope.
More Books from Allegra Goodman
Reviews
I loved this book. It’s strange and wandering and really well written. It is so true to the teen mind. Amazing!
By espnsn
Great book!! It’s a fast read!
By BurkinaDoc
No my favorite
By Lika boss3
I’ve been hooked since Family Markowitz, so I keep reading, actually waiting for her next release. Since I didn’t really devour Chalk Artist, I was a little hesitant on Sam, but this one didn’t disappoint. Character development is a Goodman signature and each of the characters read authentic from Sam to her autistic brother to her dreamer father. With the rock climbing theme as the glue, the story weaves its tale through personal tragedy, struggle and love. You’re invested in the characters because of the authenticity and unique yet familiar storylines. The end lingers like all good books.
By VeniceDad
It is simply a book about the average girl going up in a divorced family. And she has some struggles but in the end she is on her way to be a success. So no excuses, get your life in order everyone.
By Cars2345