The Secret Life of Sam

Name: The Secret Life of Sam
Brand: Harper Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Kim Ventrella
ISBN: 9780063028265

Author: Kim Ventrella

Narrator: Todd Menesses

Unabridged: 7 hr

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: 09/29/2020

Categories: Children's Fiction, Fantasy Stories, Children's Social Themes

Synopsis

The timelessness of Bridge to Terabithia meets the wonder of Big Fish in this bittersweet, magical story, perfect for fans of Barbara O’Connor, Lisa Graff, and Dan Gemeinhart. When Sam’s dad dies in a car accident, Sam is shuttled off to the dusty town of Holler, Oklahoma, to live with a long-lost aunt. There he encounters a mysterious mangy cat who leads him to an unassuming tree that turns out to be a portal—a passage through which Sam can revisit his old life for a few minutes at a time. Sam’s visits to the bayou become stranger and stranger. Pa’s old stories unfold around him in beautiful but sinister detail, and Pa is not quite himself. Still, Sam is desperate to find a way for them to stay together—no matter what it takes.

About Kim Ventrella

Kim Ventrella is the author of the middle grade novels The Secret Life of Sam; Hello, Future Me; Bone Hollow; and Skeleton Tree, and she is a contributor to the anthology Don’t Turn Out the Lights: A Tribute to Alvin Schwartz’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Her works explore difficult topics with big doses of humor, whimsy, and hope. Kim has held a variety of interesting jobs, including children’s librarian, scare actor, Peace Corps volunteer, and French instructor, but her favorite job title is author. She lives in Oklahoma City with her dog and cowriter, Hera. Find out more at www.kimventrella.com.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Darla

The grief of losing a loved one -- especially a parent--is a burden no child should ever have to endure. When it happens, children respond differently. Sam's response to a new home (with a previously estranged aunt), new town, new school, etc. seems authentic for a boy of his age. What is not normal......more

Goodreads review by Kristen

I find I have to go middle of the road on this one. It was okay, but it was not what I was expecting after reading the synopsis. I read this as a read-aloud with my 7.5 year old son. He loves daring adventures, and I thought that's what I was getting with this. I was expecting an fantastical adventu......more

Goodreads review by Lauren

Kim Ventrella’s The Secret Life of Sam paints a moving portrait of a grieving young person with care and compassion. In addition to Sam’s grief, Ventrella also tackles other challenging but relevant topics, such as the effects of and recovery from addiction. The author does so with sensitivity and u......more