The blurb on today's read caught my attention. The story is set in a juvenile center with a character, who is temporarily held there. It isn't exactly one I've seen often, especially not for the middle grade audience. I'm hoping it's well done and leaves readers with something to let their brain gears churn about. And not go too far, either, since it is middle grade.
Only one way to find out what this book holds, and so off we go!
SAM
by Eric Walters
DCB Young Readers
Middle Grade Contemporary
208 pages
ages 9 to 12
COMING...
MAY 24th!!!
Redheaded orphan Sam can’t seem to stay out of trouble. His latest incident — defending himself by hitting the high school quarterback in the face with a can of soda — lands him in the Johnson “Blue Gables” Juvenile Center while he awaits trial. Sam needs to keep his nose clean, but can he control his temper when he’s targeted by a long-term Gables resident?
When Sam is given a reading assignment, he thinks he’ll have no interest in a classic book about another redheaded orphan. But he soon realizes that he’s found a kindred spirit in the book, and maybe even an unexpected source of hope.
MY TIDBITS
The first few pages had me wondering if this read would be a better fit for the young adult audience, since the main character is in high school and the tale centers around acts of violence, but it slides wonderfully into the middle grade age group (and even younger YA readers) with a powerful message that will bring food for thought.
Sam's been struggling with life since his parents died in a car accident, leaving him as an orphan in the foster care system. He's changed homes very often due to his attitude but has managed to keep his record clean. Until three football players from his latest high school cause trouble outside of a store, and Sam breaks the quarterback's nose before they can beat him up. After they target him in the bathroom in a move for revenge, Sam finds himself in court facing all sorts of charges. Despite the entire incidence being in the gray area of right and wrong, the judge places him in a detention center for the several weeks leading up to the trial. Sam has to be on his best behavior to have any chance of doing well at the trial, but his temper, the guards, and the other residents aren't going to make it easy. When his assigned teacher gives him the 'perfect' book to read, he's sure she's picking on him...but the book might be more of a help than he ever suspected.
First off, it was interesting to have a book set in a juvenile detention center, have scenes in the court with a judge, and see talks with lawyers. It lays out the system for the reader in a grabbing way and gives insight into several of the processes and thoughts of those working within the system. And it does this without much bias, keeping Sam's situation and development at the forefront the entire way through.
Despite Sam's anger issues, he comes across as a likable and understandable character. His past has added baggage to make his attitude understandable, and even when he goes too far, the reasons behind it are laid out to keep him easy to root for. The issues he faces carry enough rawness to grab and add a dash of bite without leaving what is appropriate for the age group. Those around him offer support to add goodness and hope, and other characters bring a few surprising twists along the way. The ending was a bit too perfect for a wrap-up, and that contrasted with the rest of the read, but this also works well with the message of hope and offers inspiration.
The author uses many references to Anna of Green Gables to spice up the plot with a little more wisdom and character arc, which will work better with those, who know a bit about that story (and I'm not sure how many will). However, it's not confusing for those, who don't know about Anna's tale, since the references are explained and are self-explanatory most of the time.
Summed up, this is a grabbing read with sharper edges to draw in and create material for discussions and thought.
And here he is...
Eric Walters began writing in 1993 as a way to entice his grade five students into becoming more interested in reading and writing. Walters has now published over 130 novels and picture books. His novels have become bestsellers, been translated into sixteen languages, and won over one hundred awards, including ten Forest of Reading awards and the 2020 Governor General’s Literary Award. He conceived of the I Read Canadian Day and is a tireless presenter, speaking to over 100,000 students per year across North America. In 2014, Walters was named a Member of The Order of Canada. He lives in Guelph, Ontario, with his wife, Anita, and they have three grown children — Christina, Nicholas, and Julia — and six grandchildren.
