You've Reached Sam
Heartbreaking tale deals with love, loss, second chances.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Dustin Thao's You've Reached Sam is a heartbreaking tale about love, loss, regret, and second chances. Seventeen-year-old Julie Clarke gets a second chance to say goodbye to her boyfriend when he unexpectedly answers her phone call after dying in a car accident. Characters blame Julie for Sam's death. Throughout the novel, she and other characters try to process their grief. A girl punches a drunk college student in a bar. She also gets into a fight at school. A White character makes anti-Asian comments. Characters kiss, make out, and go skinny dipping. Strong language includes variations of "s--t," "asshole," and "god's sake." There are brief mentions of underage drinking, beer, and adults drinking champagne.
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What's the Story?
In YOU'VE REACHED SAM, 17-year-old Julie Clarke's life is drastically changed when her boyfriend, Sam, dies and she isn't given a chance to say goodbye. Heartbroken and unable to process her grief, Julie does everything to erase Sam from her life. She skips his funeral, gets rid of all his things, and deletes every text message and voicemail she has from Sam. But what happens when Julie calls Sam's phone and he picks up? How will Julie use her second chance to say goodbye, and will she be able to let him go?
Is It Any Good?
Dustin Thao's heartbreaking novel tackles love, loss, regret, and second chances while reminding teens that they'd don't have to grieve alone. At times, Julie is so consumed by her grief that she fails to see how deeply others are hurting. And while readers never find out why she and Sam can communicate, they'll appreciate the way Julie sacrifices her connection with Sam to help his family and friends heal. As You've Reached Sam progresses and Julie finds a way to say goodbye to Sam, teens will understand the importance of gratitude, compassion, empathy, and communication.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of loss in You've Reached Sam. What books have you read in which the main character has lost someone they loved? In what ways do the characters react the same way? In what ways do they react differently?
Talk about the various kinds of diversity in the novel. Why are diverse representations important in children's and young adult literature?
How do the characters demonstrate compassion, gratitude, empathy, and communication? Why are these important character strengths?
Book Details
- Author: Dustin Thao
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
- Topics: Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, High School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Wednesday Books
- Publication date: November 9, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 18
- Number of pages: 304
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: January 4, 2022
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