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Sharing Sam (Love Stories For Young Adults #2)

by Katherine Applegate (Goodreads Author)

4.06 of 5 stars 4.06 · rating details · 579 ratings · 86 reviews

How can you take the guy your best friend loves . . . when your best friend’s going to die?

Alison Chapman has always believed she’d fall in love hard. And she does—with Sam Cody, a new guy with a gorgeous face and brooding eyes, a guy who’s impossible to resist. When Sam asks her to the Valentine’s Day dance, Alison is elated . . . until she finds out that her best friend,...more

Mass Market Paperback, 183 pages

Published January 1st 1995 by Bantam Books for Young Readers

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May 17, 2013 Oksana *Bookaholic* rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: the world's girls who've experienced heartbreak or really like a cute tale

Shelves: cute, shocking, white-cover-challenge, amazing

I don't like these types of books. They're whiny and BLEH.

But THIS, this was amazing. This book hit me like Breaking Beautiful. Not my type. Not my topic. But when I started reading it, I couldn't put it down.

One reason I don't like these books is because of the fake-ness. They talk about a life topic, like cancer or death, but really, the MC spends the whole story hating on everyone and everything and life and you just want to tell them to shut up and get a life. Really. Not this book!

It was...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 29, 2011 Kelley Smith rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Really a 3.5: Predictable but Cute

Title: Sharing Sam
Author: Katherine Applegate
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publishing Date: 1995 (but reads like a current YA)
Source: Library

Cover: Very fitting for the story. It seems typical for the contemporary YA genre, but this time it makes sense.

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance: The bittersweet edition. Sharing your new love interest with your friend because you’ve just found out she’s dying can lend itself to being heavy-ish material.

Plot: This book is really...more

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 27, 2011 Osanna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Sharing Sam was one of those stories of truly loving your bestfriend, and will possibly give up anything just to see her smile, even if that means giving up the love of your life, your boyfriend, Sam.

See, this story is not normal. What girl do you know, will willingly give up her boyfriend and give him to her bestfriend who is just as in love with him as you are. But, it's kind of got a twist. Alison's bestfriend, Izzy has been diagnosed with brain cancer, and after her brain surgery the doctor...more

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Sep 20, 2010 Sheila rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, romance, relationships, current_issues

Sharing Sam is a pleasantly short and fascinatingly deep young adult novel about love and loss. Alison rides horses, is joined at the hip to friend Isabella, and struggles to relate at all to her younger sister. Sam rides motorbikes and bleeds on Alison’s T-shirt. Their friendship seems unlikely, but there’s something about Sam, quiet, keeping himself to himself, rather like Ali and Izzy on the fringes of teen society. But Izzy, who is also falling for Sam, just happens to be sick.

Izzy’s parents...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 18, 2010 LynnMarie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

LynnMarie’s Review

Sharing Sam was a short book packed with emotion. If you enjoy Young Adult books, you should really give this one a read, but prepared for a bit of heartache along the way.

Alison finally finds the boy of her dreams in Sam Cody. He’s the bad boy, but ends up being perfect for her. They fall hard in love for each other, but keep their relationship a secret. The problem…Alison’s best friend has a crush on Sam.

Alison is torn between a deep friendship with Isabella and her love for...more

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Feb 04, 2010 Sara Shalash rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I just finished reading Sharing Sam a few minutes ago, I can literally say I devoured it in one sitting. I feel a bunch of different things all at one, emotional/touched, and even sad that the book ended so quickly. I almost wished a read it slower, so it would last longer. Sharing Sam is a unique story that covers just about everything from love, loss, humor, and the sacrifices made for true friendship. Risk-taking high school student Alison Chapman hears rumors about the "hot" new kid Sam Cody...more I just finished reading Sharing Sam a few minutes ago, I can literally say I devoured it in one sitting. I feel a bunch of different things all at one, emotional/touched, and even sad that the book ended so quickly. I almost wished a read it slower, so it would last longer. Sharing Sam is a unique story that covers just about everything from love, loss, humor, and the sacrifices made for true friendship. Risk-taking high school student Alison Chapman hears rumors about the "hot" new kid Sam Cody. Alison gets to make her own judgments about Sam while practically saving his life. From then on, Alison knew she had deep feelings for Sam, that butterfly sickening stomach feelings. On the other hand, her best friend, Isabella Cates-Lopez, finds out out that she is diagnosed with cancer, dying, but also falling in love with Sam. Alison doesn't know what to do, she doesn't have the heart to tell her about her feelings/relationship with Sam. She becomes torn between telling the truth or lying to protect someone you care about. Allison comes up with a plan, to share Sam.

I really couldn't decide whether Allison was doing the right thing or not. I loved her character, she was honestly a good person, who wants to help others. This might just be me, but I really liked how the main characters acted their age, in other books I feel like the characters act way older than they actually are. Along with liking Allison and Izzy, I loved Sam. He was mysterious at first, but once you find out the truth to the "rumors", you can't help but fall in love with Sam. He's sweet and just different than other boys. The book was written a couple of years ago, so it was a bit outdated, but it wasn't a problem. The story had a bit of a twist at the end, which was a surprise.

Overall, I glad I picked this book up last second. I did have some tears, not all sad ones, near the end, so make sure to be prepared with a box of tissues nearby. My only wish was that the book was longer, but other than that if your looking for a deeper romantic, emotional, read that will leave you thinking at the end, pick this one up!

Taken from my book review blog at http://sarasbookjourney.blogspot.com/.(less)

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Apr 17, 2013 Noellie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, romance

Sharing Sam is definitely different from the books that I usually read. When I first read the synopsis I thought 'what the heck? she shares the guy she likes with her best friend?' and almost put it back on the shelf. But something made me want to give this book a chance, that little nudging feeling that tells you 'don't be so hasty with this book'.
Sharing Sam is a book about the sacrifices you make for friendship and the lengths you'll go to for the people you love. This was a really cute book...more

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Aug 30, 2011 Kristy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: advisory-2011-2012

This book was short, but it was enjoyable. I liked the main character's decision and I thought that it was rather nice of her to let her best friend be with the guy she likes, it really showed how much the best friend meant to her. Alison, the protagonist was able to wait, she was patient. It also introduced me a whole new way to bond with my own sister. Alison's character actually have a lot in common with me even though we do not live in the same time period. Alison's determination to make her...more

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Jun 12, 2012 Isis rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Sharing Sam is a very sad love story about a complicated love triangle. Allision has fallen hard for mysterious bad boy Sam, but at the same time her bestfriend Izzy has fallen in love with him too. At first Sam shared the same feelings for Allison, but then everyone was in a shocker when Izzy finds out she only has a few months to live due to brain cancer. So Allison thinks up of a plan to make Izzy's last months happy.She begs Sam to go out with Izzy just to make her happy. Its a hard desision...more

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Feb 04, 2012 Vicky rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read this awhile ago and had to review it on Goodreads because I totally forgot who the author of this book was until I searched around. Then I had that moment where I thought, "Yes, I finally found it!"

I read this book with the mindset of it being really girl and whatnot, but what I read was actually really unexpected. I loved the main character's tone throughout the novel. It was a fast read and I really enjoyed it. The main character selflessly gave up a relationship that was just about to...more

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Aug 14, 2011 Trendhater73: S. Bledsoe rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I want to give this five stars, but can't bring myself to do it. The book was great, but I wanted so much more. It ended too abruptly and I felt it could have been developed a little deeper. Give me more! I loved the characters enough to want more time with them.

Kathrine Applegate writes beautifully and I am adding this book to my required reading list when I finally start teaching. Slowly, but surely, I am finding great young adult books that I want my students to read. This is one of them for...more

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Jul 22, 2009 Abraham Lateiner rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Despite the lame cover and title of this book, I really enjoyed it. I'll admit, I picked it up just because I need to make sure I read a diverse selection of YA (not just what I want to read), but it surprised me. It deals with impending death, friendship, and the gray moral area of lying to protect someone you care about.

I even laughed out loud a few times! If you enjoy teenage romance books that are not light and fluffy, this is a good book for you. It's not ditzy or superficial, and it will...more

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Mar 30, 2012 Rachel rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone

Recommended to Rachel by: My friend Tianna

I really loved it. It's about this girl named Alison Chapman who meets a boy named Sam Cody who goes to school with her. She has a close friend named Cates Lopez, who has a brain tumor. She has a few months to live and she has fallen in love with Sam. So Alison decides to share Sam, but it is risky. She could lose Sam's love forever if she risks that. As Cate and Sam start going out, conflicts reel in as the months go by. Anyone who loves romance, or even a conflict such as this should read it....more

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Sep 29, 2012 Sara (sarabara081) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

You can find more of my reviews at Forever 17 Books.

I have been craving something quick, fun and perhaps a little touching to read and that is exactly what I found with Sharing Sam! Standing as one of the shortest novels I have read at only 155 pages, I was tremendously impressed with the amount of story compacted in those pages.

I was a little worried at the beginning... it opens up with a super cheesy scene with Sam crashing his motorcycle and Alison ripping off her shirt (don't worry, she was...more You can find more of my reviews at Forever 17 Books.

I have been craving something quick, fun and perhaps a little touching to read and that is exactly what I found with Sharing Sam! Standing as one of the shortest novels I have read at only 155 pages, I was tremendously impressed with the amount of story compacted in those pages.

I was a little worried at the beginning... it opens up with a super cheesy scene with Sam crashing his motorcycle and Alison ripping off her shirt (don't worry, she was wearing a bikini underneath) to help stop the minor head bleed. Then she rides him home on her horse. I'm serious. But then something magical happened. We are introduced to an amazing friendship between Alison and her friend Izzy, who finds out she has a brain tumor. The love these two shared for each other along with the sacrifice Al was willing to make really touched me, though at times I wanted to slap her for keeping secrets. With such a serious issue, the author was able to add a lot of humor and comic relief with a few secondary characters. I for one loved Alison's 10 year old sister, Sara. She was so snarky towards her sister and made me laugh! Then there was Sam's grandfather with his parrot, horse and dogs galore! This part might have been a little silly but it was so much fun.

Was there some insta-love happening? Yeah, basically. But in a novel that is only 155 pages, it is a little hard to avoid it. And you know what, it fit! A connection between Sam and Alison was needed before the plot could progress to the main focus, and that was sharing Sam, as the title states. Sam is such a selfless character, willing to do anything for the people he loves - his grandfather, Allison and even Izzy. Even though he wasn't fond of this idea Alison had to share him with her dying best friend, he was willing to do it to make Alison happy because he loved her. I would have loved for this novel to have been longer and give us some more character development BUT it all worked out just perfect.

If you are in need of something short, fun but also sweet and heartfelt, then I would recommend this novel to you! You can easily polish it off in just a couple hours or less.(less)

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Oct 24, 2011 Joanne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-contemporary

Sharing Sam is a very sweet, very short novel which explores the brilliant bond of friendship in arguably the worst scenario friends can find themselves in. Alison seriously fancies new boy Sam, and Sam returns her feelings. However, Alison's best friend, Izzy, likes him too - and she's dying from a brain tumour. With the desire that her best friend's last few months are happy, Alison asks Sam to go out with Izzy instead, even though he's not interested and it will hurt her.

At 183 pages (my edit...more Sharing Sam is a very sweet, very short novel which explores the brilliant bond of friendship in arguably the worst scenario friends can find themselves in. Alison seriously fancies new boy Sam, and Sam returns her feelings. However, Alison's best friend, Izzy, likes him too - and she's dying from a brain tumour. With the desire that her best friend's last few months are happy, Alison asks Sam to go out with Izzy instead, even though he's not interested and it will hurt her.

At 183 pages (my edition - which has a different cover from the one shown above. I couldn't find a quality image of my cover, which is the one you see below), Sharing Sam is really short. Because of this, it's a little difficult to get emotionally involved; before you know it, the book is over. Although there is a complete story, it feels like you only scratch the surface of who these people are. In an ideal world, the book would have been a lot longer, with more chances to see how difficult it is for all the characters; Izzy being ill, Izzy and Sam together, Alison seeing them together. It's these instances that would really draw the reader into how sad the story is, if only there was a bit more meat to the book.

Saying all this, it's not a bad story. It's actually really quite sweet. Seeing Alison and Sam together at the beginning, you can't help but smile, they really are just adorable. But what's wonderful is that Alison "happily" hands Sam over to Izzy to make her happy, even though it hurts her. Sometimes it does seem like Alison is only cares about Izzy, and seems to forget Sam has issues - quite big issues - of his own to deal with. And on top of thos issues making his life hard, Alison wants Sam to stay away from the girl he wants and go out with another - a girl who is going to die he inevitably starts having feelings for. Yes, her best friend is going to die, and it's really sad, but she just seems to push Sam into it, not caring much about how he feels, because they can be together once Izzy's gone... it just seems a bit much. Though I guess you can take the view point that because of her encouragement, Sam ends up getting to know and care for such a wonderful person, and gets to have her in his life.

That is the main focus of the story, their relationships and Izzy's happiness. We don't find out too much about Izzy's tumour or her treatment. All we really know is she's going to die, and Alison wants her happy while she's alive. And although it's a short story that only scratches the surface, that's what stays with you, their love and friendship. Hours after finishing the book I was still thinking about it, but how could I not be? It really makes you think, could I do that? Give up the one thing you want more than anything, sacrifice your own happiness, so your best friend can spend her last temaining days smiling in bliss? It's a question I must admit I struggle with, as bad as that sounds, but it makes me admire Alison's strength and bravery and love. I think it's just brilliant.

Despite it's length and not giving me as much as I would have liked to see, Sharing Sa, is still a really good book, and I loved reading it. I really recommend you give this book a go, it's brilliant.

From Once Upon a Bookcase - YA book blog(less)

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Jul 20, 2010 Justine rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Sharing Sam can easily be devoured in one sitting having gone through spiking, powerful emotions. Happy and sad -- I think I felt both at the same time. It was hard to tell the difference.

All the while, I wasn’t sure that Alison’s plan to share Sam to make her best friend happy was such a good idea. I was always on the fence. At one point my foot would go to the other side, and the next thing you know, I would be switching sides again. But I really admire Alison’s genuine loyalty towards her bes...more

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Jun 01, 2011 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, love-story, coming-of-age, on-my-shelf, favorites, review, changed-my-life, tearjerker

A tearjerker, yes. But well worth it. The book was originally published in 1995, re-released in 2002. It’s one of those books that is everlasting and any generation can relate to, like Judy Blume’s Forever…

The book opens with Alison and Sam meeting on a trail after he wrecks his motorcycle. She helps him. Then she finds out her best friend Isabella has brain cancer and only 6 months left to live. Then she find out that Sam likes her. And that she likes Sam. And that Izzy likes Sam too. So Alison...more

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Jan 29, 2008 Tammy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Teenagers

Risk-taking and caring high school student Alison Chapman is hearing rumors about the "gorgeous" new kid Sam Cody but also starts to like him once becoming friends with him. On the other hand, her outgoing best friend, Isabella Cates-Lopez, finds out out that she is diagnosed with cancer, dying, but also falling in love with Sam.

With a great sense of humor of friendship in the beginning, the book always keeps its main characters exciting and full of potential. I really loved reading this book be...more

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May 17, 2011 Megan M rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: love, friendship, trust

I don't have to think about rating this book.... its a most certainly five stars!!! it was about to girls, Ally and her friend liz. When Ally finds out that Liz has cancer, Ally is shocked and scared. Liz only has a month to live, so Ally is determined to make it the best month of her life! in order to do that Ally might have to give up her secret boyfriend Sam who Liz is crushing on. Hope to see this book on your going to read list!!

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Jan 25, 2010 Odette rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I can't tell if I gave this a four simply because of who wrote it, or if I actually enjoyed it as much as other four books. I did enjoy it, and I thought that KA did a good job of exploring the conflicting emotions that would have gone on had this occurred, especially on the part of Sam. I also liked Izzy's character a lot. It could have been longer, but I think KA goes for the brevity.

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Sep 01, 2010 Nathalie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Well i can honestly say it's a sad romance. But non the less a beauty in its on. Love in youth, is very much Amazing :D You won't regret reading it. It made me cry so hard and it made me feel that it was okay to cry. It made me realize that tomorrow isn't garunteed for anyone. It made me appreciate my loved ones. It's a great story!

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Oct 15, 2008 Leslie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2008, ya, fiction, for-tearjerker-study, providence-public-library, nonmonogamy

I really dislike books/movies/etc where, in order to be noble, the protagonist tells (and keeps telling) an outlandish lie. I don’t care how hot, young and dying I am!

What do you do when your best friend develops brain cancer before you can reveal your secret teen dream romance? Convince your teen dream boyfriend to date your best friend! Who cares if he doesn’t want her? Who cares if you have to take your budding romance to the grave? Because it’s a real shame to die without that first boyfrie...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Aimee rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I picked this up at the library when I was zipping through. It's a short book and I got through it in a couple hours. I liked it even though it was a bit weird. Sharing your boyfriend? So he can fall in love with your best friend? There were lots of tender and touching moments though. Some mild swearing.

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May 25, 2010 Miriam rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was about a girl named Alision who feel as if she is falling in love,but the only problem is that her best friend Isabella aslo thinks that she is in love with Sam. The only difference is that Isabell is dieing because of brain cancer, also known as a tumor.In the book Alison feels like it is best to let Izzy enjoy the last few months of her life so Alison decides she want to share Sam. At first Sam disagrees, but when her goes with it he finds out that he has feeling for both Alison...more

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Apr 19, 2010 Venessa (PebbleCafe) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, young_adult, own

The first two chapters had me skeptical and I almost stopped. I keep reading. Before I knew it I was halfway done and attached to the characters, which is rare (for me) with super short books (150 pages). Parts of the book I'm still on the fence about, but overall a good, sweet, sad story.

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Jun 01, 2010 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love this book this book is about to best friends named alison and Iabella and they both fall in love with a boy named Sam. The part I hate was when Alison found out that Isabella has brain cancer. She want Isabella's last days to be the best ones even if it means she has to share sam. The best part was when Sam and Alison told each other that they love each other,but Isabella has fallen for sam to this book is so sad and happy at the same time I totally recommend it!

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Apr 15, 2010 Susette rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

this was a cute book. very short, very sweet. i wanted to kick the protagonist sometimes because i thought she was being stupid, but she was depicting a teenage girl and sometimes they are stupid. lol. not my fav book by any means, but it was still short and enjoyable.

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Jun 09, 2011 Kelly Gordon added it · review of another edition

Sharing Sam is heart-warming story about a complicated freindship between Alison and Isabella. Both happen to like the same boy Sam, but when Alison finds out bad news about her freind she tells Sam to be with her so that she will be able to enjoy her last days.

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Apr 07, 2011 kirpa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Amazing. Heart wrenching. Beautiful. That's what this book was.
Teary-eyed. Sniffling. Smiling. That's what I looked like after I read it. Sharing Sam explores the sacrifices that some of us would never dream of making. I kept waiting for a screaming match or a argument between the friends but it never came. The conflict was there. It was just never exposed raw. I felt for all the characters. Every single one. The mom, the best friend, the boyfriend. I didn't think that a resolution would ever be...more

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Jul 13, 2010 Dedria rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was a book about friendship and about love. How both can bring such happiness and sadness. If your in the mood for a moving story about first love and saying goodbye this is a great story to curl up with.

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About Katherine Applegate

Applegate was born in Michigan in 1956. Since then she has lived in Texas, Florida, California, Minnesota, Illinois, North Carolina, and after living in Pelago, Italy for a year, she has moved back to Southern California. She has an eleven year old son named Jake Mates, although she says the Animorph leader is not named after him. In 2003 she and her husband, Michael Grant, her co-author on many p...more

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Sharing Sam (Love Stories For Young Adults #2)

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