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Sam!
Sam loves riding his bike and learning about the American Revolution. He is full of laughter and joy. There’s just one Sam’s family knows him as a girl named Isabel. Sam feels a sense of relief when he finally confides in his annoying but caring sister Maggie, and then his parents, even though it takes them a while to feel comfortable with it. But with lots of love and support, Sam and his family learn and grow through Sam’s journey to embrace his true self. In the vein of I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel, Sam! is based on a true story. With a note from the author explaining their family’s experience, Sam! is an important addition to a list of books that help children and adults discuss gender identity.
52 pages, Hardcover
Published September 10, 2019
1 person is currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 28, 2019
This kind of picture book is difficult to review, given that it's based on a true and personal story. While I appreciate the intent and overall premise, I have problems with some of the execution.
The writing has some technical issues. I also wasn't sold on the dialogue and behaviour of the kids, especially Maggie. Too often, children in literature come across like little adults.
While it's wonderful that Sam's family was so accepting right from the start, I don't know how universal of an experience that is for transgender kids. I think this may have worked better as a non-fiction title, rather than as a picture book that appears to tells a fictional story, because it does little to address the resistance that some kids face within their own families when they reveal who they truly are. (I understand that the book says it's based on a true story, but if kids fail to read that little bit of information, they're likely to assume it's a fictional tale.)
The illustrations are really not my cup of tea. The perspective is odd at times, making the characters' bodies look like they have strange proportions.
Overall, I wasn't that impressed with this. Books tackling this subject are important, but I think this would've worked better as a biography rather than as a "based-on-a-true-story" picture book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penny Candy Books for providing a digital ARC.
The writing has some technical issues. I also wasn't sold on the dialogue and behaviour of the kids, especially Maggie. Too often, children in literature come across like little adults.
While it's wonderful that Sam's family was so accepting right from the start, I don't know how universal of an experience that is for transgender kids. I think this may have worked better as a non-fiction title, rather than as a picture book that appears to tells a fictional story, because it does little to address the resistance that some kids face within their own families when they reveal who they truly are. (I understand that the book says it's based on a true story, but if kids fail to read that little bit of information, they're likely to assume it's a fictional tale.)
The illustrations are really not my cup of tea. The perspective is odd at times, making the characters' bodies look like they have strange proportions.
Overall, I wasn't that impressed with this. Books tackling this subject are important, but I think this would've worked better as a biography rather than as a "based-on-a-true-story" picture book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penny Candy Books for providing a digital ARC.
August 5, 2019
This is a much needed addition to books featuring transgender children. It provides a good starting point for conversations. Now if we could only get all parents of transgender kids to be like Sam’s!
This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
July 15, 2019
What a great portrayal of sibling relationships! Siblings will nag and fight and drive each other crazy but in the end they are family and they should love and support each other.
Sam had someone to turn to and his sister listened with a open heart and an open mind.
The art in the book is simple and easy to follow. The emotions of each page are perfectly portrayed.
Thank you NetGalley #Sam #NetGalley
Sam had someone to turn to and his sister listened with a open heart and an open mind.
The art in the book is simple and easy to follow. The emotions of each page are perfectly portrayed.
Thank you NetGalley #Sam #NetGalley
January 6, 2020
THIS is why trans people should be writing things about trans people.
The author is a genderfluid parent writing this book for their trans son and it avoids all the common misconceptions that cis people often do when they write about transness.
+Didn't equate boyhood with traditional masculinity (like clothes or what toys and activities they prefer)
+Provides a guide for how families reading this can be supportive
+Shows that there's more to trans people than just the discrimination they face
All in all if you want a better alternative to I am Jazz that covers trans identity in kids and doesn't whitewash the main character, I'd highly recommend this!
The author is a genderfluid parent writing this book for their trans son and it avoids all the common misconceptions that cis people often do when they write about transness.
+Didn't equate boyhood with traditional masculinity (like clothes or what toys and activities they prefer)
+Provides a guide for how families reading this can be supportive
+Shows that there's more to trans people than just the discrimination they face
All in all if you want a better alternative to I am Jazz that covers trans identity in kids and doesn't whitewash the main character, I'd highly recommend this!
September 28, 2019
I almost started crying at my desk for work. Dani Gabriel's love for their trans son is so clear in this story. I appreciate how Sam's sister listens and protects him--I've read a few picture books where older siblings of trans kids struggle with their sibling being trans, which is understandable, but it's great to read something affirming.
Absolute joy. <3
Absolute joy. <3
September 23, 2019
Um , I illustrated this book.
August 9, 2022
Content warnings are listed at the end of my review!
3.5 Sam! is a typical coming out story children's book, following 9 year old trans boy Sam and his older sister Maggie as Sam comes out as trans. It's alright, as I said it's very typical, presenting a very minimal and dry story without much else. Sam is a boy and he knows that on the inside, runs out of school crying when boys talk about how boys and girls must be certain ways, and with the help of his sister comes out to his parents- his deadname used a lot in the process of all this.
Sam! just feels like Calvin or Call Me Max but without all the character. It did do a nice job of not equating or explaining Sam's gender as directly because he likes war history, dinosaurs, and dressing more masculine, something that trans children's books deeply struggle with, giving it a massive bonus. Really, it's not bad content wise, especially for 2019, it just had the potential to be a lot more vibrant and informative.
Summary:
Readability: ★★★★☆, It's a simple read! There's really little story at all to follow, plus it's short, so it's hard to get invested in. Though, it's very straightforward with little embellishment which should make it easy to follow for small children.
Entertainment: ★★★☆☆, Again, it's just a coming out story, the best part is the character arc of Maggie's relationship with Sam. Sam has a positive environment but he also experiences transphobia that is met with no repercussions besides Maggie making a funny face at the bullies. His deadname is used frequently, contextually it makes sense, but could confuse or upset some readers.
Audience: It felt in a way related to My Sister, Daisy, depicting siblings working together to be supportive, as Maggie goes from the overbearing older sibling to looking out for Sam while he is coming out. I think this would be best for parents with a trans child, especially to read to the siblings of the trans child. Trans kids could probably appreciate the representation but there's little substance otherwise.
Content Warnings: bullying, crying, deadnaming, dysphoria, misgendering, sibling rivalry, transphobia
3.5 Sam! is a typical coming out story children's book, following 9 year old trans boy Sam and his older sister Maggie as Sam comes out as trans. It's alright, as I said it's very typical, presenting a very minimal and dry story without much else. Sam is a boy and he knows that on the inside, runs out of school crying when boys talk about how boys and girls must be certain ways, and with the help of his sister comes out to his parents- his deadname used a lot in the process of all this.
Sam! just feels like Calvin or Call Me Max but without all the character. It did do a nice job of not equating or explaining Sam's gender as directly because he likes war history, dinosaurs, and dressing more masculine, something that trans children's books deeply struggle with, giving it a massive bonus. Really, it's not bad content wise, especially for 2019, it just had the potential to be a lot more vibrant and informative.
Summary:
Readability: ★★★★☆, It's a simple read! There's really little story at all to follow, plus it's short, so it's hard to get invested in. Though, it's very straightforward with little embellishment which should make it easy to follow for small children.
Entertainment: ★★★☆☆, Again, it's just a coming out story, the best part is the character arc of Maggie's relationship with Sam. Sam has a positive environment but he also experiences transphobia that is met with no repercussions besides Maggie making a funny face at the bullies. His deadname is used frequently, contextually it makes sense, but could confuse or upset some readers.
Audience: It felt in a way related to My Sister, Daisy, depicting siblings working together to be supportive, as Maggie goes from the overbearing older sibling to looking out for Sam while he is coming out. I think this would be best for parents with a trans child, especially to read to the siblings of the trans child. Trans kids could probably appreciate the representation but there's little substance otherwise.
Content Warnings: bullying, crying, deadnaming, dysphoria, misgendering, sibling rivalry, transphobia
June 13, 2020
"You are filled with dreams and spirit and laughter", said Mama.
Empfehlungskategorie C (empfehlenswert)
Diversitätsindex 9/20
DIE GANZE GESCHICHTE IN WENIGEN WORTEN
Isabel fühlt sich als Junge Sam. Zuerst traut er sich nicht, das anderen zu sagen. Dann spricht er mit seiner Schwester und seinen Eltern. Schließlich erfährt es sein ganzes Umfeld. Am Ende lernen alle Sam als Jungen zu sehen und zu respektieren.
DAS INTERESSANTE THEMA
Der #Geschlechtsausdruck und das Empfinden, einem Geschlecht zugehörig zu sein, ist nicht unbedingt deckungsleich mit dem biologischen Geschlecht und den damit zusammenhängenden Anforderungen. Die damit zusammenhängenden Herausforderungen im Alltag und das Offenbaren gegenüber anderen werden einfühlsam und wertneutral dargestellt. Die Lösung besteht im Umlernen des Umfeldes und wird auch so versprachlicht "We will have to learn a lot, together".
FAZIT
Das Bilderbuch ist für Kinder angenehm zu lesen. Viele Illustrationen sind jeweils mit (wenig) Text versehen, so dass vor allem für junge Lesende ein passendes Verhältnis zwischen Text und Illustration besteht. Um das Thema #Transidentität wertschätzend und authentisch zu vermitteln eignet sich das Buch hervorragend.... und das Besondere an diesem Buch ist, dass es auf eine wahre Begebenheit beruht.
WEITERE INFORMATIONEN
Verlagsseite
Dani Gabriel
Robert Liu-Trujillo
#Geschlechtsidentität #Geschlechtsausdruck #transgender #genderdiversity #diversitédegenre #diversitàdigenere #διαφορετικότητατωνφύλων #éagsúlachtinscne #ジェンダーの多様性 #トランスアイデンティティ #diversitatdegènere #rodnaraznolikost #genderdiversiteit #kjønnsmangfold #transidentitet #zróżnicowaniezewzględunapłeć #diversidadedegênero #iomadachdgnè #könsskillnad #raznolikostspolov #diversidaddegénero #genderovározmanitost #cinsiyetçeşitliliği #amrywiaethrhyw #geslachtferskaat #sam #pennycandybooks #danigabriel #robertliutrujillo
Empfehlungskategorie C (empfehlenswert)
Diversitätsindex 9/20
DIE GANZE GESCHICHTE IN WENIGEN WORTEN
Isabel fühlt sich als Junge Sam. Zuerst traut er sich nicht, das anderen zu sagen. Dann spricht er mit seiner Schwester und seinen Eltern. Schließlich erfährt es sein ganzes Umfeld. Am Ende lernen alle Sam als Jungen zu sehen und zu respektieren.
DAS INTERESSANTE THEMA
Der #Geschlechtsausdruck und das Empfinden, einem Geschlecht zugehörig zu sein, ist nicht unbedingt deckungsleich mit dem biologischen Geschlecht und den damit zusammenhängenden Anforderungen. Die damit zusammenhängenden Herausforderungen im Alltag und das Offenbaren gegenüber anderen werden einfühlsam und wertneutral dargestellt. Die Lösung besteht im Umlernen des Umfeldes und wird auch so versprachlicht "We will have to learn a lot, together".
FAZIT
Das Bilderbuch ist für Kinder angenehm zu lesen. Viele Illustrationen sind jeweils mit (wenig) Text versehen, so dass vor allem für junge Lesende ein passendes Verhältnis zwischen Text und Illustration besteht. Um das Thema #Transidentität wertschätzend und authentisch zu vermitteln eignet sich das Buch hervorragend.... und das Besondere an diesem Buch ist, dass es auf eine wahre Begebenheit beruht.
WEITERE INFORMATIONEN
Verlagsseite
Dani Gabriel
Robert Liu-Trujillo
#Geschlechtsidentität #Geschlechtsausdruck #transgender #genderdiversity #diversitédegenre #diversitàdigenere #διαφορετικότητατωνφύλων #éagsúlachtinscne #ジェンダーの多様性 #トランスアイデンティティ #diversitatdegènere #rodnaraznolikost #genderdiversiteit #kjønnsmangfold #transidentitet #zróżnicowaniezewzględunapłeć #diversidadedegênero #iomadachdgnè #könsskillnad #raznolikostspolov #diversidaddegénero #genderovározmanitost #cinsiyetçeşitliliği #amrywiaethrhyw #geslachtferskaat #sam #pennycandybooks #danigabriel #robertliutrujillo
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March 30, 2021Sam loves a lot of things including dinosaurs, bike riding, and learning about the American Revolution. He also has an annoying older sister, Maggie. But Sam is only Sam inside. Outside people call him Isabel and use she/her pronouns. This doesn’t feel right at all to Sam and often makes him sad. One night, after a bad day, he tells Maggie about who he really is and Maggie, after taking it in stride and accepting him wholly and completely, steps up to help Sam tell their parents and show the world his true identity.
Beautifully illustrated as always by Robert Liu Trujillo in his signature soft watercolor spreads and spot illustrations. The pictures bring this sweet story of coming out and acceptance to life. Sam is an adorable little boy and his smiling face is hard to resist. Trujillo is also gifted at depicting neighborhoods. They feel like specific places while also feeling like they could be just about anywhere, which makes them easy for young readers to see their own communities.
I especially love how the book treats Sam as Sam until a reveal part way in tips the reader off that the rest of the world isn’t privy yet to who Sam is. And after the rest of the world knows, the book treats Sam as Sam, not a caricature, lesson, or token.
This is a great book about finding yourself and telling the world who you are and while the book is specific to a trans child, the theme is still relevant to all audiences. More importantly this book should be in school, public, and home libraries for trans kids who need to see themselves, for their siblings to see support and love modeled, for parents to see support, learning, and love modeled, and for cis kids who need to see transphobia and transmisia (hatred for trans people) dismantled.
Beautifully illustrated as always by Robert Liu Trujillo in his signature soft watercolor spreads and spot illustrations. The pictures bring this sweet story of coming out and acceptance to life. Sam is an adorable little boy and his smiling face is hard to resist. Trujillo is also gifted at depicting neighborhoods. They feel like specific places while also feeling like they could be just about anywhere, which makes them easy for young readers to see their own communities.
I especially love how the book treats Sam as Sam until a reveal part way in tips the reader off that the rest of the world isn’t privy yet to who Sam is. And after the rest of the world knows, the book treats Sam as Sam, not a caricature, lesson, or token.
This is a great book about finding yourself and telling the world who you are and while the book is specific to a trans child, the theme is still relevant to all audiences. More importantly this book should be in school, public, and home libraries for trans kids who need to see themselves, for their siblings to see support and love modeled, for parents to see support, learning, and love modeled, and for cis kids who need to see transphobia and transmisia (hatred for trans people) dismantled.
June 27, 2019
Sam! is the story of a transgender boy's journey through telling others that he' feels like a boy inside, not a girl named Isabel, as everyone else views him. His sister, Maggie, helps Sam come out to his parents, who ask him perhaps the most important question of all: "Does being Sam make you happy?" After Sam replies yes, the entire family begins referring to him by his chosen name.
Soon, Sam is able to come out at school, too. He does run into some difficulties, which helps keep the book realistic. At the same time, even hurtful commentary from others has less of an effect because he's finally free to live his life as he's always felt: like Sam, a courageous young boy.
The illustrations are emotive and help bring the story to life. They have an old school children's book vibe, but it works pretty well here. Some young readers may not connect with their more muted approach, but the text of the book is definitely a good starting point for having a conversation about transgender individuals of all ages.
Soon, Sam is able to come out at school, too. He does run into some difficulties, which helps keep the book realistic. At the same time, even hurtful commentary from others has less of an effect because he's finally free to live his life as he's always felt: like Sam, a courageous young boy.
The illustrations are emotive and help bring the story to life. They have an old school children's book vibe, but it works pretty well here. Some young readers may not connect with their more muted approach, but the text of the book is definitely a good starting point for having a conversation about transgender individuals of all ages.
November 24, 2019
“Isabel was the name everyone called Sam. It was not his name, but nobody knew that. Nobody knew that he was a boy except him.”
Sam finally has the courage to tell his sister, Maggie, that he’s always been a boy, even though everyone thinks he is a girl. Maggie is very understanding and helps Sam tell their parents this truth. It takes awhile for his family to adjust and for the teachers to adjust, but Sam is much happier now. Even when kids make fun of him, Sam remembers how good it feels to be who he is. And with a supportive family, his dreams, spirit and laughter return.
Sam finally has the courage to tell his sister, Maggie, that he’s always been a boy, even though everyone thinks he is a girl. Maggie is very understanding and helps Sam tell their parents this truth. It takes awhile for his family to adjust and for the teachers to adjust, but Sam is much happier now. Even when kids make fun of him, Sam remembers how good it feels to be who he is. And with a supportive family, his dreams, spirit and laughter return.
November 16, 2020
Sam is full of “dreams and spirit and laughter,” but he also has a secret; he knows he is a boy named Sam and not a girl named Isabel. Sam’s supportive older sister Maggie helps Sam tell his parents and his teachers so he can be Sam everywhere, not just in secret. Sam, full of dreams and spirit and laughter.
September 25, 2023
The more books out there that tell all kinds of stories about all kinds of kids, the better. Not every trans kid is going to have a story where they are accepted by their family right away, but those stories are important, too. And I'm glad that this is the experience that some kids have.
February 17, 2024
A child's experience bravely sharing their truth with their loving and supportive (thank goodness!) family.
"My name is Sam, and I'm a boy. And I've always been a boy and everyone treats me like a girl, an I hate it!"
"My name is Sam, and I'm a boy. And I've always been a boy and everyone treats me like a girl, an I hate it!"
September 5, 2019
A pretty good story and a lovely message to send out to people to be accepting of others no matter the circumstances. I liked the illustrations too.
April 28, 2020
I liked the way in which this tender subject was addressed. Lovely book.
October 22, 2022
A story about a transgender child telling his family who he really is. A simple conversation starter for children, but adults will probably need fill in more information if it is a new concept.
May 24, 2025
I love the creative choice Gabriel took by writing it from the perspective of Sam. As a reader, we experience what it’s like to be misgendered. Important book. Like the illustrations too.
May 19, 2022
This is the story of a young trans boy coming out to his sister, parents and community. It is lovely to see a story of a trans child who is immediately accepted and assured love by their family. However I found that Sam's sister speaks rather unrealistically for an 11-year-old, more like an adult than a kid. This makes the story a bit didactic. Otherwise, it is a great picture book about being trans.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews