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Last Sam's Cage
Last Sam?s Cage is the story of fifteen-year-old Eddie Slater. Already labeled as a young offender, Eddie runs away from his abusive step-father and takes up residence at the Calgary zoo, a place where he feels safe. There he meets Jack, a middle-aged man who has been coming to the zoo every day for thirty-two years to watch the children at the playground. Convinced that this man is either a pervert or just plain weird, Eddie follows him home one day, and eventually breaks into his house. Eddie discovers a bedroom wall covered with photos and newspaper clippings about a six-year-old girl who was abducted and murdered at the zoo, while in the care of her twelve-year-old brother, Jack. As Eddie struggles to survive on his own, he encounters the perils of street life and finds himself pursued by an enemy and trapped inside Last Sam?s Cage ? the zoo?s only reminder of the days when animals were kept in cages. When Jack comes to Eddie?s rescue, the incident allows both to reevaluate their choices, and to make some important decisions about the future. A brilliant achievement by a unique voice in young adult fiction.
- GenresYoung Adult
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2004
3 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
David A. Poulsen
30 books23 followersDavid A. Poulsen has been a rodeo competitor and rodeo clown, rock singer, high school football coach, stage and film actor, documentary television writer and host, and college English instructor. Since retiring from rodeo competition - he admits to being a not-very-good bareback rider and later an accident-prone rodeo clown, David Poulsen has taken up residence in announcer's stands across North America. The results have been tremendously positive both for David and audiences who have listened to his knowledgeable and enthusiastic commentary for the last twenty-six years.
With 1500 performances to his credit, the likable Alberta native has appeared at many of the major rodeos and bull riding events in Canada, among them the Canadian Finals Rodeo (three times), the Calgary Stampede for the last sixteen years in a row and, the PCB Bull Riding Finals. He has been at the microphone for twenty-eight Finals events in seven different associations. Equally at home in front of a TV camera, he has been seen on CTV Wide World of Sports, TSN Television Sports and each year co-hosts the popular Stampede Roundup program on Calgary's CFCN-TV with Glen Campbell. He also acted as co-host of the documentary series The Complete Rider for The Outdoor Life Network. David's announcing talents have also taken him to the big screen. He twice played the role of a rodeo announcer in the successful family series The Black Stallion and was behind the microphone for the rodeo scenes in the movie Convict Cowboy that starred Jon Voigt
David is also a successful writer with some 17 published books to his credit. His writing career began in earnest in 1984 when his short story The Welcomin’ won the Alberta Culture Short Story Writing Competition. His newest book Last Sam's Cage (published by Key Porter Books, Toronto, ON) arrived in bookstores in October, 2005 and has been enjoying a tremendous reception with readers across Canada and beyond. Because a number of his books target young readers, David spends between 60 and 80 days a year in classrooms across Canada, talking to kids about his books and his life as a writer and sharing his stories with students.
David and his wife Barb raise running quarter horses on a small but picturesque ranch (El Rancho Pequino) in the Alberta foothills west of Claresholm.
With 1500 performances to his credit, the likable Alberta native has appeared at many of the major rodeos and bull riding events in Canada, among them the Canadian Finals Rodeo (three times), the Calgary Stampede for the last sixteen years in a row and, the PCB Bull Riding Finals. He has been at the microphone for twenty-eight Finals events in seven different associations. Equally at home in front of a TV camera, he has been seen on CTV Wide World of Sports, TSN Television Sports and each year co-hosts the popular Stampede Roundup program on Calgary's CFCN-TV with Glen Campbell. He also acted as co-host of the documentary series The Complete Rider for The Outdoor Life Network. David's announcing talents have also taken him to the big screen. He twice played the role of a rodeo announcer in the successful family series The Black Stallion and was behind the microphone for the rodeo scenes in the movie Convict Cowboy that starred Jon Voigt
David is also a successful writer with some 17 published books to his credit. His writing career began in earnest in 1984 when his short story The Welcomin’ won the Alberta Culture Short Story Writing Competition. His newest book Last Sam's Cage (published by Key Porter Books, Toronto, ON) arrived in bookstores in October, 2005 and has been enjoying a tremendous reception with readers across Canada and beyond. Because a number of his books target young readers, David spends between 60 and 80 days a year in classrooms across Canada, talking to kids about his books and his life as a writer and sharing his stories with students.
David and his wife Barb raise running quarter horses on a small but picturesque ranch (El Rancho Pequino) in the Alberta foothills west of Claresholm.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 12, 2015
Not a solid three or four, Last Sam's Cage falls somewhere between. The beginning convinced me the book would probably end up a three, but the story, the narrator, the theme, and the writing have an admirable workhorse effect that culminates. My final prognosis? A 3.6 or 3.7, at least!
Eddie Slater, the 15 year old narrator, is a thoughtful, sensitive kid who enjoys reading a little, though that does not come out until later. Unfortunately, Eddie's stepfather beats him and his mother does not intervene. Also, at the start of the story, Eddie has already spent time behind bars for various offences, like stealing cars. Since the beatings are getting progressively worse, Eddie fears for his life and runs away. Security at the Calgary Zoo is lack, apparently, and he chooses to live there, in a tool shed, for the time being.
Eddie is interesting. Despite hiding in a zoo without any plans for what next, he spends a lot of time worrying about how he appears to the opposite sex. That struck me as realistic, and amusing! He lives day-by-day, writes in a journal, and reflects on life and the past a little. There is a lot of reflection in this novel, but action too, so stick with it; it builds! There are familiar YA elements, such as a dead parent and conflict with identity, but Poulsen's writing, though occasionally awkward, is generally polished, genuine and caring.
This novel may be a great choice for boys who are reluctant readers. Women or girls are not prominent characters, and Eddie dreams but is not yet a player. Girls, of course, may be interested in the themes, but maybe not. Eddie meets an old man at the zoo but is reluctant to befriend him. Many of the boys he was incarcerated with had been victims of sex abuse and Eddie is careful. He rarely leaves the zoo during the time of the story but when he does, action ensues. Some of it is everyday, like talking to a beautiful girl, some of it is not, like breaking into a house for money and other items. The conclusion is not sappy, and there is violence. I have not told you about the villains. Life on the streets is not pretty, and that is presented. (Life in some homes is not pretty, and that is also presented.)
Eddie Slater, the 15 year old narrator, is a thoughtful, sensitive kid who enjoys reading a little, though that does not come out until later. Unfortunately, Eddie's stepfather beats him and his mother does not intervene. Also, at the start of the story, Eddie has already spent time behind bars for various offences, like stealing cars. Since the beatings are getting progressively worse, Eddie fears for his life and runs away. Security at the Calgary Zoo is lack, apparently, and he chooses to live there, in a tool shed, for the time being.
Eddie is interesting. Despite hiding in a zoo without any plans for what next, he spends a lot of time worrying about how he appears to the opposite sex. That struck me as realistic, and amusing! He lives day-by-day, writes in a journal, and reflects on life and the past a little. There is a lot of reflection in this novel, but action too, so stick with it; it builds! There are familiar YA elements, such as a dead parent and conflict with identity, but Poulsen's writing, though occasionally awkward, is generally polished, genuine and caring.
This novel may be a great choice for boys who are reluctant readers. Women or girls are not prominent characters, and Eddie dreams but is not yet a player. Girls, of course, may be interested in the themes, but maybe not. Eddie meets an old man at the zoo but is reluctant to befriend him. Many of the boys he was incarcerated with had been victims of sex abuse and Eddie is careful. He rarely leaves the zoo during the time of the story but when he does, action ensues. Some of it is everyday, like talking to a beautiful girl, some of it is not, like breaking into a house for money and other items. The conclusion is not sappy, and there is violence. I have not told you about the villains. Life on the streets is not pretty, and that is presented. (Life in some homes is not pretty, and that is also presented.)
March 9, 2013
Wow, what a fantastic book. I got this at school as part of this thing where you get a random book and I know that I normally wouldn't read a book like this, but I'm glad I did. Based in my city! Haha. And the ending was happy and sad, almost bittersweet. Very underrated book unfortunately, so read it if you get the chance.
February 21, 2018
Good book for boys who are reluctant readers and need a social issue (in this case, homelessness)
March 5, 2012
excellent character development. The reader can sympathize every step of the way.
January 30, 2013
An interesting book and I loved the fact that it was based in Calgary.
July 4, 2016
A book you just want to keep reading!
August 25, 2016
Interesting characters and plot had a couple interesting turns. The author worked a little too hard for the ending and many parts were easily skim-read but a good story that some teens would enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews