Sam

An Anne of Green Gables tale for modern readers, Sam by Eric Walters brilliantly integrates the classic with the modern for a very appealing YA story.

Sam is an orphan and has been hopping from foster home to foster home, his anger issues often getting the better of him and forcing Child Services to move him. When he is pushed too far by the high school quarterback he finds himself in juvenile detention to await trial. A carefully placed roommate and a special reading assignment help Sam discover more about himself and help him to a path of redemption.

Eric Walters has crafted the most brilliant story that is certain to appeal to a diverse audience of readers. I love how he has used Anne of Green Gables as the inspiration for a modern take on Anne and her story. This story feels very of the now while also taking the magic that has made Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne so popular through the years.

Sam is the most perfectly imperfect character. Someone plagued by so much anger that he finds himself in juvenile detention with reminders all around him of what can happen the more he lets his anger control him. There is so much compassion built into this story and many different characters from adults to other residents of Blue Gables who lead Sam on his path of self discovery and recovery.

This was a story that I simply just could not put down and I am not a die hard Anne of Green Gables fan. In fact I have never even read the books because I have a hard time with the pages and pages of description, although I did enjoy the 1985 made for TV movie Anne of Green Gables. Through this story I have rediscovered the beauty of Lucy Maude Montgomery’s work.