Sam

A Novel

By: Allegra Goodman

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman

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.

I Have Never Wrote a review for a BOOK

Goodman writes about child growing up in a dysfunctional family and how success is achieved with determination. Sam’s life is a reflection of her parents, but she surpasses loss with her desire to succeed. Most of the story, is parallel with her drive to climb rocks. What a metaphor! Even the narrator, reflects her determination in the cadence and rhythm of her speech. I wasn’t addicted at first, but everyday I need to listen to see how Sam was doing. Teachers should read this one.

Loved it!

I wish all my students that didn’t fit in could listen to it. People that don’t relate must have had perfect families, because this exposed what so many single parents and children go through. It reminded me of my own mom busting her ass to provide for her kids.

Coming of age

A lackluster coming of age story. Wish it had a stronger message. Felt like the story was missing a climax.

Coming of Age

This book started out a little slow for me but I really enjoyed it. Sam navigates a childhood/adolescence/early adulthood marked by deprivation and loss. What stands out is the character development---all of the people in this story felt real, flawed but doing their best. I was drawn into the story and was loathe for it to end

Great story

This book follows a girl from youth until she grows into adulthood. Great story of a girl figuring life out with lots of complex relationships and emotions along the way.