{"product_id":"the-secret-life-of-sam-isbn-9780062941183","title":"The Secret Life of Sam","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe timelessness of Bridge to Terabithia meets the wonder of Big Fish in this bittersweet, magical story, perfect for fans of Barbara O’Connor, Lisa Graff, and Dan Gemeinhart.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen Sam’s dad dies in a car accident, Sam is shuttled off to the dusty town of Holler, Oklahoma, to live with a long-lost aunt. There he encounters a mysterious mangy cat who leads him to an unassuming tree that turns out to be a portal—a passage through which Sam can revisit his old life for a few minutes at a time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSam’s visits to the bayou become stranger and stranger. Pa’s old stories unfold around him in beautiful but sinister detail, and Pa is not quite himself. Still, Sam is desperate to find a way for them to stay together—no matter what it takes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMagical Realism:\u003c\/b\u003e A mysterious cat, a magical tree, and a portal back to the Louisiana bayou where his father’s tall tales are alarmingly real.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA Powerful Father Son Story:\u003c\/b\u003e Sam gets a second chance to be with his Pa, but the man he finds through the portal isn’t quite the father he remembers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDealing with Grief:\u003c\/b\u003e A heart-wrenching and hopeful look at navigating sorrow, as one boy must choose between a magical past and a new, uncertain future in Holler, Oklahoma.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFinding Friendship:\u003c\/b\u003e Amid the loss, an unlikely friendship with a girl named Edie offers a glimmer of hope and a reason to stay in the real world.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e | \u003cp\u003e\"Ventrella brilliantly renders Sam’s gentle nature, defensiveness, and deep sadness; her evocative prose and the small but resonant cast shine, and Sam’s voice effectively relays his path toward the other side of grief.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"The heartrending story and vividly described settings will captivate readers.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHorn Book Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Ventrella’s comforting storytelling reveals a magical world where a skeleton can grow and where a family’s love for each other can provide healing.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“[An] emotional roller coaster tempered by a touch of magic and a resilient, likable protagonist.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Quietly powerful; dark yet whimsical.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Ventrella fearlessly tackles the sensitive subject of death for a middle grade audience.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"The magic is rooted in evocative descriptions and strong emotions. Magically mesmerizing and moving.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"The magic is rooted in evocative descriptions and strong emotions. Magically mesmerizing and moving.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePraise for Kim Ventrella: “Set in the rural South, the syrup-soaked, rich imagery is a sensory delight. Gabe’s voice is distinct, and the evolution of his conflict reinforces the humanity amid the magic. A heck of a good read about the bright side of some durn bad luck.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eSkeleton Tree\u003c\/em\u003e is a powerful and tender story. Kim Ventrella knows when to be playful and when to break your heart.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eCassie Beasley, New York Times bestselling author of Circus Mirandus\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44889323897061,"sku":"NP9780062941183","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780062941183.jpg?v=1730231007","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-secret-life-of-sam-isbn-9780062941183","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}