The Secrets of Sam and Sam

by Susie Day

Sam likes being a twin. He likes having two mums. He likes cheese sandwiches and his dog and drawing comics with his friend Pea. He does not like humous - or heights...

His twin sister Sammie likes being a twin too. She knows that she's perfect best friend material for somebody - the girls in her class just haven't realised yet. And she knows that she's the best Sam - Sam A.

Both Sam and Sammie - and everybody in their lives seems to be keeping secrets - which ones will come out?

Meet the very different twins and their very different problems in this funny, heart-warming story of modern family life for boys and girls.

Genres: Middle Grade, Contemporary, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Humor, LGBT

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 2015

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I looooooove Susie Day's books, especially her Pea's Book series, so I was incredibly excited when I found out she had written a new book about Sam & Sam, Pea's twin neighbors. (Horrifically, as fraternal twins, one boy and one girl, they were BOTH named Sam and given identical haircuts, and one of their child-psychologist mums is writing a book about the whole experience! It's a great tribute to what a fabulous writer Susie is that I find their moms so likeable and hilarious even as I REALLY want to shake them into seeing sense.)

So, I counted down the days to publication...but when it finally came out, I was in America, so I had to wait to read it. ARGH!

Last Friday, I finally got my own copy of THE SECRETS OF SAM AND SAM, and it is *wonderful* - so, so funny and wacky and with so much heart. I love sweet Sam, who is determined to prove he is not just a sidekick, AND fierce Sammie, who can't understand why jabbing sharp things at people doesn't make them want to be her friends. The sections of their mum's book that are quoted are hilarious, especially with Sammie's scrawled-in addendums, and I love both of their mums, despite the fact that I often disagreed intensely with their parenting decisions. There was one small twist at the very end which I personally found more creepy than heartwarming (as I *think* it was intended to be), but honestly, the whole rest of the book was just wonderful (and others may disagree with me about that particular final twist - it really is a matter of personal taste).

And I can't wait to read whatever Susie Day writes next!

[Ella Zegarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original de: El Extraño Gato del Cuento

The Secrets of Sam and Sam tiene todo lo que el mundo actual ya está aceptando sin perder la inocencia e hilaridad de la niñez. La sinopsis no te cuenta exactamente de que va la historia y es porque en realidad no hay una historia marcada en la trama, mientras va avanzando, todo va evolucionando, lo que empieza con demostrar quién es Sam A y Sam B, termina con casas destrozadas, literalmente, y gatitos huérfanos. ¿Cómo es eso? Los que tienen hermanos pequeños, hijos o sobrinos o al menos tengan contacto con niños muy seguido, sabrán cómo el desastre está asegurado con ellos. Sobre todo si están en silencio.

Este libro es adorable desde el inicio, uno de esos libros donde no sabes cuál elegir como tu personaje favorito porque todos son malditamente adorables y quieres abrazarlos hasta dejarlos sin aire. Y ¡Las ilustraciones! cute af

Al igual que me pasó con What Milo Saw, se me hizo fácil y natural la diversidad de personajes en la historia; tanto personas de color, sexualidad, tamaños... Leer a través de la perspectiva de un niño sobre estas cosas me encanta.

‘Mum K, I’m sorry for calling you a weirdo,’ she said, in a dreary sing-song voice. ‘This was wrong because I’m not meant to say things like that, even if they are undeniably true because of . . . reasons. In future, I will only call you a weirdo when you aren’t here.’

¿Tengo algún Sam favorito? Sin duda Sammie querrá que diga es ella y lo es. Pero también su hermano, se me hizo imposible no identificarme con ellos cuando estaba más chica. Creo que puedes ver un poquito de ti en ellos o sus amigos, que también son algo inolvidable.

The Secrets of Sam and Sam me ha encantado absolutamente todo porque no solo es sobre como nuestros protagonistas maduran sino también sus padres, dejando en claro que por muy psicólogo que seas, ser padre no es algo que venga con receta.

Y sí, si tuviera la seguridad que tendría a Sam y Sam, consideraría tener hijos u.u

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[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

So lovely and funny and warm, with that rare thing in kidlit: good parents! that they're two mums is even better. Both Sams are delightful in their own ways and make beguiling narrators.

[Phiwo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This served as a bit of very light reading to jog your brain after a long time without reading any books. The book was pleasant enough but it's really for primary school kids or if you want a book for relaxation, a book that will cause you no stress. All in all, a lovely book.

[Daisy May Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to start this review by talking about another book. Stay with me, there's a reason for this.

I nominated Pea's Book of Big Dreams by Day as my pick for the Carnegie last year. The Carnegie, for those of you who don't know it, is a big and wonderful award for children's literature in the United Kingdom. One of the big bonuses about being a member of CILIP is that I get to pick a book. Pea's Book of Big Dreams was my pick for last year. I chose it because, really, it's perfect.

And I rather suspect that The Secrets of Sam and Sam might be right up there for my pick for this year.

Day is so good. Seriously. Her books are just a constant joy of humour, of emotion, of life and of living and of siblings. She's one of my epochal authors; a writer who can give you heart and soul and Cover Important Things and biscuits and just wrap it all up in a perfect little package of just proper good bookishness. I want to cry, really, because I've literally just finished this book (one, which I dropped everything to read) and I want to start it all over again.

I love her books. I love The Secrets of Sam and Sam so much.

I love it because it is a coming of age story in a family that is full of adults that are not perfect, children who are trying to figure out who they are, and drooly occasionally-green dogs. Sam and Sam have previously appeared in the very wonderful Pea Books and this is their solo adventure. The Sams have two mums, one occasionally-green dog, biscuits and secrets. Lots of secrets. Growing up is hard. Sam is struggling to come to terms with hummus and heights, whilst his sister Sammie is navigating the whole deep water that is best friends in year six. Everything around them is changing and it's time for some secrets to be told, others to be kept and basically I love this book, I love what Day does, I love that she gets that moment when you suddenly realise that you've become somebody but now (thank you hormones and teenager-ness) you have to be somebody else and you're not really sure who that somebody else does. I love that her books tell you so wholeheartedly that it's okay to be different, that it's okay to be who you are and that yes, that journey is complicated, but you'll get there eventually and it'll be okay.

I'm babbling. I love this book. I was excited about it the moment I heard about it, and now I'm just rapturously in love with it. Just, I say, just. I don't think anything could quite coherently express my admiration for the work of Day at this point.

(TL:DR? Book good. Read book).

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on Snuggling on the Sofa

I’ve only read one Susie Day book before this (though I have every intention to read more!) so I was excited to see how it went. It is also a little older than Susie’s Pea books, which suits me perfectly. The Secrets of Sam and Sam tell the stories of twins, and their mums, and their dog.

I love how Susie manages to weave the complexities of life into the story, such as having two mums, being twins, anxieties, friendship and so much more. That actually, having a phobia such as heights, and being afraid of being lonely or not having friends are basically the same feeling. And this book is all about feelings, and how it is to grow up.

I really enjoyed the voices too. I thought Sam and Sammie were very distinctive characters, with very separate voices and personalities. Although this book is probably still a little young for me, I can see it being perfect for children and young teens. It says the things we are all thinking, and provides great talking points.

Above all else though, this book is fun. Its full of adventure and quirkiness and its just entirely heart warming. It was a joy to read – if only this had been published when I was younger!

The Secrets of Sam & Sam was everything I wanted it to be. It was funny and powerful and real and beautiful. Just every day struggles of two siblings, trying to figure out the world. 4 sofas!

[Luna's Little Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam and Sam, now going by Sammie have Mum K who’s writing a book about child development staring both Sam’s and Mum Gen who is very calming and therapeutic and treats people at their home. They also have a dog called Surprise. Sam is calm, ‘nice’ and worried about hummus in his sandwiches. Sammie is energetic and worried the fact that her best friend seems to have moved on. Neither twin is that sold on the description Mum K gives about them in her book.

And then there are the secrets…

What sold me on Susie Day’s book was this family, the whole unit. Each twin is unique. Each Sam has their own set of concerns and they find their own way of dealing with things, while still being supportive of one another. Same goes for their parents who have a really great relationship.

I liked the fact that The Secrets of Sam and Sam portrays family so well. So yes, it’s not always perfect but as a unit this is a really supportive family and that’s a great thing – even when they don’t always get it right.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fabulous read from Susie Day with lots of heart and thoughfulness challenging stereotypes and labelling. Really lovely.

I love the contrast between the twins and how their personalities break stereotypes with each twin actively encouraged to be the person they want to be without worrying about the different expectations society can put on them. Parents of young children should all be forced to read this.

I also liked the outlook this book had on family. The twins are raised by a Lesbian couple and think nothing of it. It was interesting to see the reactions of people who were not familiar to the family. I loved how the story showed that what is important is the people who are there in your life as opposed to the ones who aren't no matter whether they are blood related or not.

A fantastic and thoughtful read. Very much recommended.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of round characters and kid-friendly scenarios (like hiding in the attic for a week), but I found the twins' having the same name to be very confusing. I liked the two mothers so much that I could tell you which one I resemble (hint: not the one with the professionally gentle voice); however, they might have been a bit more realistic if they (or one of them) had had some second thoughts about their efforts to raise their kids in a gender-free manner. Especially given the pain Sammie goes through with the pubescent girls in this story. I also felt as though Sammie was given short shrift, played for laughs when she was in a rather worse spot than her brother. Refreshing to have a book showing a diverse world and a non-traditional family.

[Aimee Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book; it was a great way to prepare my younger sister for her residential at school. The author, Susie Day really does immerse the reader in allowing them to put themselves in the main characters, Sam and Sammie's shoes, gaining a great perspective of what it is like to be 11. Having the pleasure of meeting and having my copy of this novel signed, whilst Susie conducted a book talk on World Book Day to my Year 6 class was a great experience. She even shared her drafts, edits and redraft with the class, which then encouraged my pupils to replicate this process with ease within their own writing.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my 3 and 5yr old. We all enjoyed it. I was happy to have a good book where none of the characters were stereotypical. The girl Sam was hysterical, naughty and adventurous. The boy Sam was loveable, creative and very brave. My favourite bit is definitely getting over Emilyphobia.