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Sam

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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.

206 pages, Paperback

Published May 24, 2025

5 people are currently reading
19 people want to read

About the author

Eric Walters

163 books916 followers
Eric was born in Toronto in 1957, which makes him "real old". But, as Eric says, "Just because I have to grow old doesn't mean that I have to grow up!" In his many roles as parent, teacher, social worker, youth sports coach and writer he is in constant contact with children and young adults. He draws from these experiences and feels that this helps him to capture the realistic interaction between young people—the conflicts, tensions, stresses and interests that make up their lives.

Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.

Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).

"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.

Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.

Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.

The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).

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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Amina .
1,393 reviews81 followers
February 19, 2025
✰ 3 stars ✰

“And upstairs in the east gable, a lonely, heart-hungry, friendless child cried herself to sleep.”
To my utter shock I burst into tears. The same way I had last night when I’d read that line to myself at bedtime.”


giphy-22

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ When fourteen-year-old Sam arrives at Johnson "Blue Gables" Juvenile Center to serve out his six-week sentence, while he awaits his sentence for a criminal and assault charge, he never expected his time here would be his saving grace. For while he's doing his best to rein in his temper and not needlessly act out in anger, avoid conflict from the resident bully who sees him both as a threat and easy target, and be a supportive friend to his shy roommate, Nigel, who may very well be the voice of reason to save him from landing him in hot water, it's his assigned English reading of Anne of Green Gables that speaks to him in ways he never thought possible - teaching him that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope.​ 💟🙏🏻

“When nothing but bad is all that ever has happened to her, why does she believe the next thing isn’t going to be bad too?”

“That’s how she was able to survive,” Nigel said. “Hope was all she had.”


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ As much as I did find Sam's anger a bit unnerving, wishing he could keep his mouth shut and assess the gravity of the situation before facing the fire, I liked how seeing Anne's hopeful courage taught him to see the good in things. That by being sent here was actually a godsend, for if he hadn't he would have never read about Anne, despite being so smart and knowledgeable about other books. The intimate moments in which he and Nigel discussed Anne's dilemmas with her other peers, laughed at how she acted out in rage, but always had her spirits uplifted was both encouraging and inspiring. 🥹👌🏻​ 'Was hope her way of surviving?' For it was through her eyes, that he saw how he was responsible for his actions, and he could learn from his mistakes. It was even more bittersweet when he saw that they're both orphans - looking for a home - a place to belong, when all they wanted was a chance to be accepted and loved. That kinship becomes his driving force to be better, to change and appreciate the kindness from those who care about his well-being, a sentiment he's seldom felt since his parents' death in a tragic car accident four years ago.​ 🥺

“She was a morsel of neglected humanity.”

“That’s probably the most painful line in the book.”

“I know. When I read that line I felt it right here,” I said, touching my chest with a hand.”


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I adored his friendship with Nigel - the Diana Barry to his Anne. He was the one person who he truly cared for and wanted good things to happen - someone who was as unjustly and unfairly sent here, despite how they both acted out in violence, but only because wrong was being done unto them. 'You’re not just my best friend. You’re my kindred spirit.'​ 🫂❤️‍🩹 I enjoyed their discussions on Anne's current dilemmas, how he coaxed Sam to give her a chance, encouraging him to be more receptive and open, and see how Anne was no different than him; that if she can face her problems with her head held high and even come out on top, then why should he not be treated with the same trust and have faith.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The one thing I really appreciated was how Sam and Nigel both realized that it was okay to like things that do not fit their general stereotype​ - how boys and girls are perceived to only fit a certain mold. The way Sam acknowledged that because of his own limited perspective, he had avoided some great classics like Matilda, Pippi Longstocking, simply because they featured female protagonists. Reading and connecting with Anne of Green Gables made him appreciate the diversity and range that he had yet to wander into. ​ 👍🏻📖 And the little heart-to-heart he shared with Nigel about his own personal crisis really was heartbreaking, especially considering the special circumstances Nigel found himself in - a self-imposed sacrifice that really hurt to see him in that position.​ 😢

“Just keep an open mind and an open heart. That’s all I ask of you. Live with hope.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ As much as this is very much an homage to Anne of Green Gables in how by reading it, and how it spoke to Sam in meaningful ways - 'she had. She did. She still was' - I'm not sure the whole way of outlining it at the end was a very effective one. It felt very impersonal and indifferent to me.​ 😕 It's not that I am discrediting the effort Sam put in to feel the similarities and learn from it, I just felt that the conclusion lacked heart, despite its happy and very much deserved ending. Which is a shame, because until then, I had felt every emotion and tug at the heart strings.​ 😔

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The author also convincingly portrayed the juvenile residence in which Sam and Nigel were in - the good, the bad, the helpful guards, and the not so sincere ones. It evoked a hostile distrustful environment, while also one that featured those superiors who had their residents' best interest at heart. 😟​ It is those subtle signs of kindness and care that help Sam also find in him the hope he had lost. And on a side note. The ​Edelweiss​ cover features Sam with the hoodie off his head, so we can see the iconic red hair. ​I hope​ upon its release they will consider that version, rather than this one with the hoodie covering his head. This one gives a more stand-offish, criminal-vibe, whereas that captures his innocence, as well as the vulnerability of looking up with his hands cuffed behind him.

Just a small suggestion...​ ☺️

*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for As You Wish.
781 reviews28 followers
July 23, 2025
I know this isn't classified as a retelling of Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables, #1) by L.M. Montgomery , but I think it tells a very modern story with a similar protagonist. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Ms. Yingling.
4,186 reviews618 followers
January 22, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Sam, who has red hair, has been in a variety of foster care homes since his parents were killed in a car accident four years previously. One morning, as he is trying to pick up breakfast at a convenience store on his way to high school, he has a problem with the owner, who claims Same gave him a $10 bill instead of a $20. The two argue, and the owner eventually flings a $10 at Sam. He leaves, and runs into Cody, a football player, who also gives him a hard time. Fed up with everything, Sam hits Cody with a pop can, breaking his nose. Sam runs to school, where Cody's friends find him in the bathroom. Luckily, a coach finds them before more harm can come to Sam, but he ends up in trouble. His social worker, Jenna, gets him a lawyer, but he ends up being sent to the Johnson Juvenile Center, aka The Gables, for assessment. On the way, he meets Nigel, who is also in because of a temper flare up, and his stepfather didn't want him back home. There are some problematic guards at The Gables, like Mr. Roberts, but also nice people, like Kate, who manages to have Sam and Nigel room together. Sam has trouble controlling his temper, and runs afoul of Bruce, a boy who is in the center for the long term. There are some nice guys, like Scott and Jordan, who try to warn Sam about how things are. Nigel and Sam are being taught by Mrs. Martinez, who tests them and finds they are quite smart. They've also read a lot, including all five books in The Rule of Three trilogy. She assigns Sam Anne of Green Gables to read. He's insulted, and doesn't want to read it, but is intrigued when Nigel starts to read it out loud. As he progresses, he starts to see why Mrs. Martinez assigned it. He has to navigate issues with Bruce, as well as him impending trial. He's not happy that the lawyer wants him to take a plea deal, and asks if the security footage can be reviewed. Jenna is looking for another placement for him, and it looks like Nigel won't be able to go home, either. When there are allegations that the boys are dealing drugs, it's clearly a set up, and Kate saves the day. In the end, there is a very happy ending, just like in Anne of Green Gables.
Strengths: Sam has good reasons for his anger, and it was constructive to see that the judge, lawyer, and social worker all make it very clear that Sam is being sent to The Gables (which are blue!) so that he can get help. Mrs. Martinez does a good job of keeping the boys engaged in their education, and praising them. Kate is kind and helpful. There's even a psychologist who helps Sam understand why he keeps lashing out. There are also very realistic problematic people, like Cody, Bruce, and Mr. Roberts, and these never veer into the cartoonist evil that many stories embrace. I adored Mr. Walters' shout out to his own books, and the little joke about the five books in the "trilogy"! Nigel is much more centered than Sam, but has family problems, so the two work well together. The cover is fantastic. Tween readers are very curious about the juvenile justice system, and this has a lot of good details about Sam's process through it without being sensationalistic.
Weaknesses: While the use of the iconic Canadian Anne of Green Gables is well done, I'm not sure how many of my students will appreciate the reference. It will definitely ladn well with teachers and librarians, though! The ending is a bit unlikely, but still good to see.
What I really think: This is about the only book I know of about life in a juvenile detention center, aside from Holman's On the Run, and is a bit grittier than Farr's Pavi Sharma's Guide to Going Home. It has the same sort of vibe as Choldenko's The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman, in that it's oddly fascinating to read about Sam's horrible circumstances, but also a huge relief when things work out well. I think this will be a big hit with the right readers, so I will definitely purchase a copy.
Profile Image for Tonja Drecker.
Author 3 books237 followers
May 19, 2025
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.
547 reviews7 followers
August 6, 2025
Sam has been in foster care since his parents died in a car crash. He has been in a lot of foster homes, actually, partly due to his quick temper and tendency toward action. However, just a couple of months after starting at yet another new school, his argument with his foster parents about not eating the last two slices of bacon leads him to escalate after a store clerk tries to cheat him out of ten dollars in change. When he exits the store, he accidentally jostles a football player, who makes an issue, and somehow, just like that, Sam is remanded to juvenile detention. While there, he makes enemies (expected), but also friends (unexpected). Can Sam learn from his experience and find a way out and through to a better life? I enjoyed reading a book about someone in foster care and detention who had adults determined to do their best for him. I felt the story was both realistic and hopeful.
Profile Image for Anne.
31 reviews
July 5, 2025
I couldn’t put this down, I read it in one sitting. Walter’s has created a modern, relatable story for all ages and genders. As an Anne of Green Gables fan, I wasn’t sure I’d appreciate his adaptation of a beloved storyline but was pleasantly surprised! In fact, I think it should become a companion novel in schools to the original.
Profile Image for Ren.
800 reviews10 followers
December 11, 2025
This starts off a little rocky, in my opinion, but picks up well. I ended up liking Sam and Nigel's dynamic, and though it is a little far fetched it was interesting. A solid 4.5 for me.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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