Sam: The Boy Behind the Mask

By Tom Hallman Jr.

Book Overview

Sam: The Boy Behind the Masktells the true, heart-wrenching story of Sam Lightner. Born with a rare disfiguring growth that covers and distorts the left side of his face, skull, and neck-Sam is determined to live a normal life. For fourteen years, doctors refuse to operate on Sam, until an elite team of surgeons at Boston Children's Hospital undertake a risky thirteen-hour operation to remove the malformation. Sam nearly dies on the operating table, but survives, and returns home to begin his freshman year of high school. However, when doctors discover excess fluid around his brain, Sam slips into a coma, and is not expected to live. As the family and doctors begin to give up, one doctor-pediatric neurosurgeon Monica Wehby-keeps believing, even as all hope seems lost. The only female in the boy's club of neurosurgery, Dr. Wehby is scorned for refusing to accept facts and for allowing her emotions-as a woman-to cloud her medical judgment. But she perseveres, staying by Sam's side, until he moves first a finger, then a foot, and finally, begins to interact with those around him. Tom Hallman's Pulitzer prize-winning series on Sam Lightner in The Oregoniantouched the city of Portland so profoundly that it generated more than ten thousand letters from readers. Now Tom Hallman takes us far deeper into the world Sam inhabits, encompassing startling and inspirational events up to the present day. A human story of hope in the face of tragedy, and the compassion to attempt the impossible, Sam: The Boy Behind the Maskshows how one boy-wanting nothing more than to be part of the regular world-is helped along his journey by medical miracles, and by the generosity of the human heart.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399149333
• ISBN13: 9780399149337
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Putnam Adult
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.7" x 1.0" x 5.7"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

GREAT read for anyone, especially teens.

This story will touch your heart in an incredibe way! The author reaches inside you and grabs your heart, in order to take you from the day of his birth, when Sam's problems started, though his recovery process, after his surgery. The book is so well written and it invites you to view Sam's experiences in an up-close and personal way. If you want to learn about what life really means, or if you have a teenager that feels self-conscious, read this. This book makes you realize that inspiration can come from anywhere and that you should count your blessings and be happy for what God has given you. Learn from Sam and live.

an amazing story of an incredible boy

This is the extraordinary story of Sam Lightner, a boy who showed me more about beauty and courage than anyone I've ever known. He has the toughness and persistence of any *ten* adults, and his parents and brother and sister are simply angels. The author's top-notch reporting and soulful writing make for an enlightening read. I'm usually more of a "library rat" than a book buyer, but this is one book I'm adding to my personal collection. Read Sam's amazing story, and pass it on to your family and friends.

A Beautiful Story, Beautifully Told

This is a marvelous story of love, devotion and courage. This is the story of Sam Lightner, who has faced more setbacks and pain as a teen than most of us will confront in a lifetime. He's an extraordinary young man, in every sense of the word. Where does this marvelous courage come from? At least in part, from a wonderful family that truly shows the meaning of the term "unconditional" love. This is also the story of the medical professionals who sought to help Sam, often in the face of opposition from colleagues who said the boy was beyond help. This is also a story marvelously told by Pulitzer Prize winner Tom Hallman. His style is as clear as glass. He has obviously put in long hours to gain the trust of the Lightners and the medical professionals, and has managed to probe beneath the surface to recreate their hopes, doubts and fears at critical moments during the story. Yet, except for the afterword, Hallman never writes in the first person. Throughout this narrative, he is the unseen observer, who has the grace, humility and good sense to let the story unfold on its own terms.

THE BOY WITH TEN TONS OF COURAGE

The insight into this boys life and family is amazing.The reader is drawn into Sam's life hook, line and sinker.By the end of my reading I was mesmerized by the courage this boy has, in the face of numerous almost impossible medical problems. Hallman expresses this boys courage without a feeling of sympathy to Sam and I believe that's what Sam would want. If most people had half the character of Sam, America would be a better place.Revatilizes your soul with the same warmth that "Tuesday with Morrie" did. A good read!

Great story about an amazing kid.

I read the original newspaper series about Sam, and when I heard there was a book being published, I couldn't wait to read it. I was not disappointed. This more in depth and up-to-date look at Sam's life, his struggles, and his strength is an awsome testimony to the strength of the human spirit and of the importance of a close and supportive family.The things Sam has faced in his short life make any difficulties you and I face seem very trivial. He is a true life hero, as are the amazing doctors who have helped him alaong the way. If this story does not touch you in a deep and meaningful way, I don't know what will.Tom Hallman has done an excellent job of putting the reader in Sam's life where we can experience a little of what he faces every day. Yet, he keeps the book moving so we don't get too bogged down in the details. This is positively a book you will want to, and can, read cover to cover in a short period of time.