Surviving Sam

By Karen Rivers and TurtleMe

Book Overview

Karen Rivers is one of Canada's most exciting new writers for teens. In a recent article, the Vancouver Sun wrote: "The most promising direction [in books for teens in Canada] is represented by Karen Rivers ... the pool of children's books that deal with higher truths is so small that it is exciting to see a B.C. writer dipping her toe into it."Surviving Sam clearly demonstrates Rivers' talent. The "Sam" in Surviving Sam is a 16-year-old boy who dies in a mountain-climbing accident. His twin sister, who was also involved in the accident but lived to tell about it, is the survivor. The gritty but fulfilling story is about the unthinkable death of a beloved sibling, and how one teenaged girl copes with her numbness, depression and grief-and learns, slowly but surely, how to live again.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1551925060
• ISBN13: 9781551925066
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: Raincoast Books, Polestar
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.0" x 0.5" x 4.5"
• Age Range: 13 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grade 9 and higher

Customer Reviews

At Least She's Surviving, And That's The Best Thing We All Could Do

I've lost a sibling, and this is a book about losing siblings and coping with that loss. However, I did not read this book because of that. Pagan is a reclusive teenager who stands out becuase her twin brother Sam died in a mountaineering accident. Both Sam and Pagan were semi-popular, and people often wonder what is wrong with Pagan. She is forced to wear an eye-patch as her cloudy eye reminds her and everyone about Sam. I like that Pagan (with the help of Prozac though) tries to piece together her broken existence. Unfortunately for her, she's trying to put together all the wrng pieces and gets nowhere. This is a downer novel for sure, but that doesn't stop it from being good.

The best book I have ever read

If you have ever lost somebody close to you, this book is the one for you. It is amazing. Never in my life have i been more moved by a book, then i am with this one.The author had an amazing way of describing the pain of losing a sibling. Like the main character Pagan, I too lost my brother when I was 14 years old. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Surviving Sam.