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Sam's Top Secret Journal #3
Memorial Day
Sam is a ninth grade girl trying to enjoy her first year of high school. Sam knows she has Down syndrome but she doesn't feel different; even though other kids sometimes treat her that way. Sam's new adventure involves a mini family reunion, exploring the interesting spaces of a retired military base and learning how hard it can be to "do the right thing". Challenges and new mysteries are all chronicled in Sam's private journal. In this book, Sam discovers that being yourself isn't just about what people can see; sometimes what you can't see is the most important part.
126 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2015
4 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Sean Adelman
10 books27 followersSean Adelman is a practicing orthopedic surgeon in Seattle, Washington. He grew up in a military family and served in the Air Force.
Sean is an advocate for exceptional kids and enjoys his free time with his lovely wife, Susan, and their three children. When he’s not busy being a dad, surgeon, and author, he can be found running or playing classic rock and roll on his electric guitar.
Sean is an advocate for exceptional kids and enjoys his free time with his lovely wife, Susan, and their three children. When he’s not busy being a dad, surgeon, and author, he can be found running or playing classic rock and roll on his electric guitar.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 21, 2015
Sam is in ninth grade and has Down Syndrome. Writing and drawing in her journal helps her think and make sense of what looks messy at the beginning.
In this third book in the series Sam's family is having a short vacation during the Memorial Day long weekend in a rented house near a retired military base. There they gather with other relatives, including Madison, Sam's teenage cousin whose father was injured while serving in Afghanistan and is still being treated in a hospital. It's a difficult time for Madison and she is not coping really well. It's really hard to get along with her. At some point Sam sees Madison doing something really bad, and she struggles about the best way of handle the situation to make things right without hurting anybody's feelings.
Sam is a sweet girl, and the story is focused in her strength and skills, and not in her differences. I think the approach is fantastic. Any kid of her age can relate with her.
I suggest you take a minute to stop by at Sam's top secret journal and Raise expectations facebook pages.
I received this copy from the author via Bostick Communications in exchange for an honest review.
Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog!
In this third book in the series Sam's family is having a short vacation during the Memorial Day long weekend in a rented house near a retired military base. There they gather with other relatives, including Madison, Sam's teenage cousin whose father was injured while serving in Afghanistan and is still being treated in a hospital. It's a difficult time for Madison and she is not coping really well. It's really hard to get along with her. At some point Sam sees Madison doing something really bad, and she struggles about the best way of handle the situation to make things right without hurting anybody's feelings.
Sam is a sweet girl, and the story is focused in her strength and skills, and not in her differences. I think the approach is fantastic. Any kid of her age can relate with her.
I suggest you take a minute to stop by at Sam's top secret journal and Raise expectations facebook pages.
I received this copy from the author via Bostick Communications in exchange for an honest review.
Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog!
June 11, 2020
This book is targeted for middle grade. Sam is a young teen and middle child. She also has Down's Syndrome. Although she may have to do things at a slower pace, Sam is portrayed as strong, friendly, caring, helpful, and responsible. I love her strong character!
She, her younger brother, and older sister are on a family trip over Memorial Day weekend. They are joined by cousins whose father is in the military but hurt in a hospital. A girl cousin is a trouble maker who takes something valuable from a former military man who has a display in town.
As stated in the synopsis Sam finds herself in a situation where she knows the truth but does not know how to handle it. Her sister is helpful and throughout this 'journal' helps Sam to stay true to self but revealing what is also true.
The only issue I had this time, with this book, is you are lead to believe that this is mostly about Memorial Day, which it is not. The book does have the underlying theme with a parade and military base but mostly that is it. I did find that a little disappointing but it did not completely draw me away from a good book.
This book is written in a quarter journal form (Sam's) with her inner most thoughts and pictures and the rest mostly in narrative. I love Sam is loved and seen as some one who is differently capable.
This book is also a series. I recommend them and get them in the hands of kids! 4 stars.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle
She, her younger brother, and older sister are on a family trip over Memorial Day weekend. They are joined by cousins whose father is in the military but hurt in a hospital. A girl cousin is a trouble maker who takes something valuable from a former military man who has a display in town.
As stated in the synopsis Sam finds herself in a situation where she knows the truth but does not know how to handle it. Her sister is helpful and throughout this 'journal' helps Sam to stay true to self but revealing what is also true.
The only issue I had this time, with this book, is you are lead to believe that this is mostly about Memorial Day, which it is not. The book does have the underlying theme with a parade and military base but mostly that is it. I did find that a little disappointing but it did not completely draw me away from a good book.
This book is written in a quarter journal form (Sam's) with her inner most thoughts and pictures and the rest mostly in narrative. I love Sam is loved and seen as some one who is differently capable.
This book is also a series. I recommend them and get them in the hands of kids! 4 stars.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle
May 27, 2016
Sam is a 9th grader who also has down syndrome. She tries to fit in and be like everyone else but knows that sometimes she is just too different. Sometimes others treat her poorly and she expresses her feelings in her journal, either through her writing or drawing. When her family travels to an old military base for Memorial Day Weekend, she realizes that other people feel differently as well.
Sam's cousins are also joining them over the weekend. Her cousin Madison is dealing with her feelings of anger and frustration over her dad, Sam's uncle, who was injured in Afghanistan. He wasn't able to join them on this weekend trip like they had planned because he is still in the VA hospital receiving therapy. Madison's anger is causing her to act out and make poor choices. Sam sees her making these choices and resorts to her journal to figure out how to help Madison.
This is an easy read and perfect for those in the middle to upper elementary. Even though the main character is a freshman, the themes are relatable to a younger audience. Readers will problem solve with Sam and learn about kindness, empathy, and handling our emotions.
Since the book is set during Memorial Day weekend, it focuses on our Veteran's and their great sacrifices for our country. The family visits an old military base and learns from a WWII vet about his service in Japan.
There is a lot you could discuss with your child while reading this novel including children with down syndrome, handling anger, having empathy for others, and how to honor our Veterans.
Sam's cousins are also joining them over the weekend. Her cousin Madison is dealing with her feelings of anger and frustration over her dad, Sam's uncle, who was injured in Afghanistan. He wasn't able to join them on this weekend trip like they had planned because he is still in the VA hospital receiving therapy. Madison's anger is causing her to act out and make poor choices. Sam sees her making these choices and resorts to her journal to figure out how to help Madison.
This is an easy read and perfect for those in the middle to upper elementary. Even though the main character is a freshman, the themes are relatable to a younger audience. Readers will problem solve with Sam and learn about kindness, empathy, and handling our emotions.
Since the book is set during Memorial Day weekend, it focuses on our Veteran's and their great sacrifices for our country. The family visits an old military base and learns from a WWII vet about his service in Japan.
There is a lot you could discuss with your child while reading this novel including children with down syndrome, handling anger, having empathy for others, and how to honor our Veterans.
November 11, 2015
A story about a slightly atypical ninth grader, with the normal problems of fitting in
Sam is in the ninth grade and has Down syndrome, making her different, something she is well aware of. The other children remind her of that fact, pointing out her differences. Sam keeps a journal in which she jots down her poetry, in nearly all ways she is a normal child.
The story is about a small family reunion taking place over the long Memorial Day weekend. They rent a large house near a retired military base and Sam’s cousin Madison is one of the people there. Madison is developing into a problem child, Madison’s father was wounded in action in the middle east and has not been released from the hospital.
Sam witnesses Madison’s behavior, including an act of theft. Sam simply does not know what to do or who to tell. She has an older teenage sister and a brother, yet cannot make up her mind what to do. The story is told from the perspective of Sam, she is described as a very normal child in terms of her feelings, struggles to fit into the world and goals for life. This is the most significant trait of what is otherwise an average book. By depicting Sam as a normal child with small differences, the author points out to the readers that Down syndrome children are in most ways ordinary kids with the problems that kids have. With maybe a few more.
This book was made available for free for review purposes
Sam is in the ninth grade and has Down syndrome, making her different, something she is well aware of. The other children remind her of that fact, pointing out her differences. Sam keeps a journal in which she jots down her poetry, in nearly all ways she is a normal child.
The story is about a small family reunion taking place over the long Memorial Day weekend. They rent a large house near a retired military base and Sam’s cousin Madison is one of the people there. Madison is developing into a problem child, Madison’s father was wounded in action in the middle east and has not been released from the hospital.
Sam witnesses Madison’s behavior, including an act of theft. Sam simply does not know what to do or who to tell. She has an older teenage sister and a brother, yet cannot make up her mind what to do. The story is told from the perspective of Sam, she is described as a very normal child in terms of her feelings, struggles to fit into the world and goals for life. This is the most significant trait of what is otherwise an average book. By depicting Sam as a normal child with small differences, the author points out to the readers that Down syndrome children are in most ways ordinary kids with the problems that kids have. With maybe a few more.
This book was made available for free for review purposes
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews