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Saving Sam
A young boy's future hangs in the balance when those sworn to protect him become abusers.
A tragic domestic dispute between his parents lands eleven-year-old Samuel Simms and his siblings in the Downswell Place of Safety. The challenges come hard and fast, but the one thing Sam doesn't count on is being left behind in the children’s home. Angry and disillusioned, he gives up hope of adoption.
A ray of light comes in the form of a foster family, but everything is not what it seems in the Miller household. After a harrowing five-month stint, Sam runs away. A victim of child abuse, he's determined not to repeat his mistake and opts to remain a ward of the Jamaican government until he’s eighteen. The burden of secrecy is more than he can bear and Sam's hair-trigger temper makes him disruptive.
Under pressure from his aunt, Sam caves in and shares a tale of horror surrounding his foster parents. With his ordeal exposed, Sam must make life-changing choices. He can continue to be brainwashed by his abuser or face his nemesis in a court of law and stop a habitual predator from harming other children.
Saving Sam is a moving coming-of-age story that explores relationships, the abuse of trust and the ease with which evil can hide under the guise of Christianity and philanthropy.
A tragic domestic dispute between his parents lands eleven-year-old Samuel Simms and his siblings in the Downswell Place of Safety. The challenges come hard and fast, but the one thing Sam doesn't count on is being left behind in the children’s home. Angry and disillusioned, he gives up hope of adoption.
A ray of light comes in the form of a foster family, but everything is not what it seems in the Miller household. After a harrowing five-month stint, Sam runs away. A victim of child abuse, he's determined not to repeat his mistake and opts to remain a ward of the Jamaican government until he’s eighteen. The burden of secrecy is more than he can bear and Sam's hair-trigger temper makes him disruptive.
Under pressure from his aunt, Sam caves in and shares a tale of horror surrounding his foster parents. With his ordeal exposed, Sam must make life-changing choices. He can continue to be brainwashed by his abuser or face his nemesis in a court of law and stop a habitual predator from harming other children.
Saving Sam is a moving coming-of-age story that explores relationships, the abuse of trust and the ease with which evil can hide under the guise of Christianity and philanthropy.
230 pages, ebook
First published October 5, 2013
2 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Campbell
101 books306 followersJ.L. Campbell is fascinated with Jamaican flora and has hundreds of photos in her collection. She writes contemporary and sweet romance, romantic suspense, women's fiction, as well as new and young adult novels.
Campbell, who features Jamaican culture in her stories, has written over forty books. She is also a certified editor.
Feel free to join her mailing list for news and updates https://sendfox.com/lp/1rk5gx or connect with her on social media.
Campbell, who features Jamaican culture in her stories, has written over forty books. She is also a certified editor.
Feel free to join her mailing list for news and updates https://sendfox.com/lp/1rk5gx or connect with her on social media.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 21, 2013
Some stories of the ills that haunt children's lives can be very difficult to read. It's so hard to imagine that people meant to cherish and care for the most innocent of our world would, could and DO the awful things too many children experience.
In Sam's case, something terrible happened, but that wasn't the only thing this story deals with. It deals with the real emotions, the doubts, the fears, the trepidation and the struggle of coming to grips with telling the truth. And with every step Sam took, each little thought he had, I felt as if I were right there with him. It tugged at my heartstrings and kept me turning the pages to the very end.
J.L Campbell's use of a closed door approach to the details of the grittier things lends this story to be a useful tool to share with middle graders. That's because it's more than a story of a child victimized. It is a story of a child overcoming, and that's certainly a story every child should know.
I applaud you, J.L. :-)
In Sam's case, something terrible happened, but that wasn't the only thing this story deals with. It deals with the real emotions, the doubts, the fears, the trepidation and the struggle of coming to grips with telling the truth. And with every step Sam took, each little thought he had, I felt as if I were right there with him. It tugged at my heartstrings and kept me turning the pages to the very end.
J.L Campbell's use of a closed door approach to the details of the grittier things lends this story to be a useful tool to share with middle graders. That's because it's more than a story of a child victimized. It is a story of a child overcoming, and that's certainly a story every child should know.
I applaud you, J.L. :-)
December 20, 2013
Saving Sam is the second in this series by Joy Campbell, the first being Christine's Odyssey. I would recommend that one read Christine's story first, but Saving Sam is a stand-alone story. The cover is very moving.
Focusing on child abuse, this is a riveting story about an eleven year old boy who learns that he does have rights, how to stand up for them and how to accept the love and support of his family, the police and the professionals who care for him.
Beautifully written, with great skill in showing the nature of the abuse without actually revealing details, the story is shown through Sam's perspective, with gentle sensitivity.
An uplifting, satisfying novel by a fine author who will, hopefully, bring out the third in the Simms children series in the near future.
September 9, 2015
Saving Sam hits on a topic most don’t want to talk about or even think about when it comes to the male gender. “Nothing like that would ever happen here;” most believe, like it can only happen in faraway lands and never in your own back yard. Well, J.L. Campbell will make you look at the back yard and draw pause to ones naive thinking.
As with most Mrs. Campbell’s family novels she has the best heroes, whether they are female, male, or a dog as in the case of the last book I read by Mrs. Campbell, A Vet’s Christmas; at least for me. Of course most would say it was the vet, but if the dog hadn’t been at the right place at the right time, life for them would have been without the love they all needed, including the pooch.
With Sam it is no different. A night of tragedy took away his family and led him into a system where predators linger for their moment to strike. And true to Mrs. Campbell’s nature two heroes sprang in to help a boy whom could have been lost in the system of repeated abuse.
Meeting Sam led to meeting his big sister Christine. Now I am going to go read her story Christine’s Odyssey which is book one of the sibling series which I failed to realize until I was in the middle to Sam’s story.
I am looking forward to more family novels from Mrs. Campbell. I believe she has a real talent to draw at the heart and pull you in all kinds of directions of emotions, leaving you to never forget the characters she brought to life with a stroke of her keyboard or pen. I like the think pen and stacks of legal pads wore and loved.
As with most Mrs. Campbell’s family novels she has the best heroes, whether they are female, male, or a dog as in the case of the last book I read by Mrs. Campbell, A Vet’s Christmas; at least for me. Of course most would say it was the vet, but if the dog hadn’t been at the right place at the right time, life for them would have been without the love they all needed, including the pooch.
With Sam it is no different. A night of tragedy took away his family and led him into a system where predators linger for their moment to strike. And true to Mrs. Campbell’s nature two heroes sprang in to help a boy whom could have been lost in the system of repeated abuse.
Meeting Sam led to meeting his big sister Christine. Now I am going to go read her story Christine’s Odyssey which is book one of the sibling series which I failed to realize until I was in the middle to Sam’s story.
I am looking forward to more family novels from Mrs. Campbell. I believe she has a real talent to draw at the heart and pull you in all kinds of directions of emotions, leaving you to never forget the characters she brought to life with a stroke of her keyboard or pen. I like the think pen and stacks of legal pads wore and loved.
October 20, 2013
SAVING SAM could be a true story. It doesn't matter that it takes place in Jamaica, because it could just as easily have taken place in the United States, Canada, Europe or anywhere in the world.
Sam is a bright, intelligent and self-aware eleven year-old who has experienced the murder of his father, the death of his abusive mother, being separated from his siblings, then being put into a foster home where he is sexual abused. Because I worked for 23 years with abused, neglected and emotionally disturbed children, I know that Sam's story is not impossible. The sad truth is, Sam's story is heart-breakingly real.
And yet, just as I witnessed time and time again, Sam is resilient, has a great deal of strength and is compassionate. Because Sam's story is every abused child's story, it is one that needs to be told, something that J. L. Campbell has done very well. Now, your job is to read it and be moved to do something to help children like Sam.
Sam is a bright, intelligent and self-aware eleven year-old who has experienced the murder of his father, the death of his abusive mother, being separated from his siblings, then being put into a foster home where he is sexual abused. Because I worked for 23 years with abused, neglected and emotionally disturbed children, I know that Sam's story is not impossible. The sad truth is, Sam's story is heart-breakingly real.
And yet, just as I witnessed time and time again, Sam is resilient, has a great deal of strength and is compassionate. Because Sam's story is every abused child's story, it is one that needs to be told, something that J. L. Campbell has done very well. Now, your job is to read it and be moved to do something to help children like Sam.
October 30, 2013
Samuel Simms is an intelligent, sweet-natured boy whose life is in havoc after a family tragedy that occurred in the previous book of this series. Living in an orphanage is not easy. What’s worse is what happened before the orphanage in the hands of foster parents.
After revealing the truth to his aunt and law enforcement about the abuse endured under his foster father, Samuel’s life becomes even more turbulent. The horrors of the abuse will never be forgotten. Now he has to prove himself in a court of law when the foster father is an adamant liar. With people on his side and an inner strength that becomes more apparent, Samuel’s case and his future are still on the line.
This is a powerful read, although not easy because a child has been abused. I was hooked reading this and read it in a day. I found it even more engaging than book 1 and look forward to the next book in the series.
After revealing the truth to his aunt and law enforcement about the abuse endured under his foster father, Samuel’s life becomes even more turbulent. The horrors of the abuse will never be forgotten. Now he has to prove himself in a court of law when the foster father is an adamant liar. With people on his side and an inner strength that becomes more apparent, Samuel’s case and his future are still on the line.
This is a powerful read, although not easy because a child has been abused. I was hooked reading this and read it in a day. I found it even more engaging than book 1 and look forward to the next book in the series.
December 20, 2014
The writing talents of J.L. Campbell always impress me. She is a very prolific writer and absolutely does not disappoint in her novel, Saving Sam—the second book in the Simms Siblings Series.
Sam is a strong eleven-year-old boy who has endured tragedy and abuse in his life. But through his inner strength and the support of family, Sam is able to overcome his challenges with courage and dignity. Sam learns to self-advocate, and the book demonstrates how standing up for one’s self is empowering.
Campbell demonstrates the after-effects of child abuse without going into the graphic details. Instead, she approaches the story from a character-driven point of view by revealing the multi-layered tiers the victim, Sam, experiences in dealing with his feelings about himself, his environment and toward his abuser.
I highly recommend Saving Sam. Though this is the second book in the series, it is definitely a stand-alone novel, as well. It is worth every star!
Sam is a strong eleven-year-old boy who has endured tragedy and abuse in his life. But through his inner strength and the support of family, Sam is able to overcome his challenges with courage and dignity. Sam learns to self-advocate, and the book demonstrates how standing up for one’s self is empowering.
Campbell demonstrates the after-effects of child abuse without going into the graphic details. Instead, she approaches the story from a character-driven point of view by revealing the multi-layered tiers the victim, Sam, experiences in dealing with his feelings about himself, his environment and toward his abuser.
I highly recommend Saving Sam. Though this is the second book in the series, it is definitely a stand-alone novel, as well. It is worth every star!
October 20, 2013
I strongly recommend this book by Jamaican author JL Campbell. It's from the Simm Sibling Series and it's really good. They are about two siblings that have suffered a family tragedy and how it has effected each differently.
The stories are well written and discuss issues that affect young and old in the country of Jamaica. You really start to understand the cultures and traditions. I think it's a must read for all children, right along with To Kill a Mockingbird and The Grapes of Wrath.
The stories are well written and discuss issues that affect young and old in the country of Jamaica. You really start to understand the cultures and traditions. I think it's a must read for all children, right along with To Kill a Mockingbird and The Grapes of Wrath.
November 15, 2014
Riveting
Saving Sam had me on an emotional ride.
Tears for a child who suffered at the hands of a sick individual.
Anger at wife who turned a blind eye.
Laughter at his relationship with his sibling.
Warmth feeling of love that his Aunt had to share.
I would love to see more of Sam and how he transition into his new life.
Saving Sam had me on an emotional ride.
Tears for a child who suffered at the hands of a sick individual.
Anger at wife who turned a blind eye.
Laughter at his relationship with his sibling.
Warmth feeling of love that his Aunt had to share.
I would love to see more of Sam and how he transition into his new life.
June 29, 2014
This is a very moving story. It reminds us that at times good things come even though it is shaped from a bad experience. Having people in your life that love you and will stand beside you no matter the circumstances is one of life's greatest gifts.
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January 30, 2015Author's guest post at my blog:
http://bookfare.blogspot.com/2014/11/...
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews