Honestly this is a style of book I feel like I don't read very much. Just a very straight forward read about a character and their life. But I did enjoy it for the most part. I felt like overall, Sam was a very consistent character. She remains stubborn throughout the story, for example. I liked the realistic portrayal of a deadbeat dad and overworked mom combo. It has a significant affect on the story and Sam's personal character growth. 
I also appreciate when an author can convincingly write in a way that children think and act. Sam really does act her age throughout the book. 
And although I do not care about rock climbing, I liked that Sam had a consistent hobby and a goal to work towards. 
One thing I did not like was the story did not condemn Declan enough for what he did, everyone just kind of moves past it. Which I guess is a more accurate reflection of real life, as sad as that is to say. 
Another thing I had a hard time with is Sam leaving Justin. I just feel like it was never really explained why she did this and it felt kind of out of place.
Overall, a decent book though. 
Read from the Spokane Library. 

This coming of age story is laser focused on Sam. The narrative is told in third person.  Some readers may not enjoy this style of prose. A benefit of this style of prose is that readers know how Sam feels about what’s going on around her immediately. Even though Sam’s indifference to the death of her father’s death is not shocking, it will make her unlikable

This was a very emotional read and there is a chance that I was not in the right headspace for this type of book at the time.

 Sam is a very quiet understated novel which follows a young girl named Sam from childhood into early adulthood. She certainly faces some problems - her father struggles with addiction and is frequently not present, her solo mother works two jobs but money is still tight, her younger brother has behavioural difficulties, one of her mother’s boyfriends can be violent, a coach initiates an inappropriate relationship with her - but overall Sam’s life is remarkably ordinary rather than drama filled. And isn’t it sad that the events she experiences are ordinary? Sam is a rock climber and the sport really showcases her strengths as well as her weaknesses. I think the author did a good job using many of the rock climbing scenes as metaphors for life in general. Her depiction of the heart, mind and voice of child Sam was heartstring tuggingly perfect. I think Sam’s story is a good illustration of how bright and confident 7 year olds have often lost some of that strength by their early 20s. It also starkly highlights the role socio-economic status plays in a child’s life and how difficult it can be to escape from the hamster wheel that is “barely getting by/only just keeping your head above water. This may be a quiet story but it is one that has staying power. I was fully invested in Sam’s story, pleased and relieved by the direction her life seemed to be taking by the novel’s end. 

I loved the character development Sam had. I loved Sam’s Dad & Justin. This is a 5 star to me, but not in the way my FAVORITES are. those are 6 stars to me. but I found myself having visceral reactions to these characters like they were real! 

“Sam” is the raw coming of age story of aptly named Sam. Sam is the perfect main character for a coming of age story. She has realistic trauma, she makes poor choices, and she is innately endearing. The narrative is told in third person, but Sam’s voice is so vivid it feels like it’s in first person. The plot is Sam’s everyday life, and it’s so realistic it could be a memoir instead. I really fell in love with this ordinary story about an ordinary girl.