Sam the Man & the Rutabaga Plan

Sam the Man #2

by Frances O'Roark Dowell, Amy June Bates (Illustrations)

Sam the Man has a new school project. He’s got to “babysit” a vegetable in this second hilarious chapter book in a new series from Frances O’Roark Dowell.

Sam the Man is back, and he needs a NEW plan. Sam has already solved a chicken problem, but this time, he’s having rutabaga issues. Rutabaga? Yes, Rutabaga. You see, Sam thought he was quite clever, missing school while his classmates were picking out their vegetable for a two-week science project. But, instead of being able to skip the project, he gets stuck with the vegetable that no one else the rutabaga !

What even is this thing? It’s dirty and kinda purple, and it does not look like something Sam would ever eat. Sam the Man is not a vegetable man to begin with, and he doesn’t think he’ll ever be a rutabaga man. But after drawing a little face on it, he starts to grow fond of the curious veg. Then it dawns on him that vegetables don’t last forever…so he changes his he has to keep this rutabaga happy—and rot-free—for as long as he can. To do that, he’ll have to make the best dirt possible. All he needs is a little help from nature, and, of course, his chickens!

Genres: Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Juvenile

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

While Frances O'Roark Dowell (Dovey Coe, The Secret Language of Girls, Trouble the Water) is best known for her award-winning novels, she also hosts the popular "Off-Kilter Quilt" podcast, where she talks about her latest quilt projects with friends and fellow quilters around the globe. Her own little corner of the globe is Durham, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, two sons, and a dog named Travis. Connect with her online at FrancesDowell.com.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. Another sweet, funny, engaging entry in the series. If you have any interest in vegetable gardening with your children, you must read this with them. Also the intergenerational friendships are still going strong, with new details. What a lovely bunch of people in this neighborhood, such a comfort read... but not unrealistically perfectly happy either.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Sam has a problem he comes up with a plan. His chicken plan solved his problem of needing money - it also solved some even more important problems Sam didn’t even know he had. Now Sam needs a Rutabaga plan. What the heck even is a rutabaga he wonders. He had thought he was lucky to miss science during the start of the vegetable unit - Sam hates vegetables - but now he’s stuck for two whole weeks studying the most boring vegetable on the the planet: the rutabaga. But much to his surprise the rutabaga has hidden depths and once again Sam's plan solves more than an unpopular vegetable problem.

All the charm and humor of the Clementine series, with animal and vegetable accuracy thrown in for good measure. I adore this new series, I just hope kids are willing to read a book that doesn't have 'sparkle' or 'battle' in the title.

[Denese Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute early chapter book! For a science project, Sam must learn everything he can about the vegetable he's given-a rutabaga! After learning that they grow in dirt, Sam is determined to create the best dirt possible for his new "friend". Sam has good support from his parents, his older sister, and some neighbors. This book has some silly language (i.e. worm poop) that will appeal to some kids, and has good messages of working together and perseverance.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sam's teacher assigns a vegetable project when he is absent and Sam gets stuck with the rutabaga. Sam becomes attach to the rutabaga after his sister draws a face on it. While I can see a teacher giving such an assignment, I can't imagine that vegetables would also be distributed and expect children to keep them for two weeks.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character is Sam, a second grader who helps his neighbor with her chickens...cleaning and feeding them every day. He gets a science/english project where he has to be buddies with a rutabaga. Its a cute story about a boy discovering about composting, worm ranches and helping to help grow plants as well as cultivating friendships in the neighborhood.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam and his class are learning about vegetables in science class and he has been assigned a rutabaga. He must take care of it and learn about for two weeks. During that time he must also work at his part time jobs of walking his neighbor and caring for another neighbors chickens. Nice sense of community. Early elementary readers.

[Danielle Booey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, simple, quick read. The Sam the Man series has a lot going for it. Cute illustrations, good characters, and another silly story. I'm still liking this series and I am excited to see what Sam's next plan is.

[William Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series. Each one seems to get better! Nice amount of word repetition, so I recommend this as an early reading full-length book to help K-3 kids who are struggling. The story is fun and engaging.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read, good early elementary story.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun way to learn about veggies and compost.

Read with my girls at bedtime.

[Librariann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming early chapter book! Might get missed by some who are looking for something more Diary of a Wimpy kid like, but a perfect slice of life fiction.

[Lillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very similar to the other one but good problem solving for younger kids. Also like the project ! Fun book

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second-grader “Sam the Man,” who doesn’t like vegetables, is given a rutabaga for a class science project. He soon grows fond of “Rudy,” draws a smiley face on the odd-looking vegetable, and carries it around in his backpack in a box of worm dirt. Sam bargains with his neighbor, Mrs. Kerner, for permission to make a compost pile at her house, and he invites his classmates to contribute their mushy vegetables to it at the end of the project. When Sam finally pulls Rudy out of his backpack to add to the compost, however, he discovers that the rugged rutabaga is not rotting—and has a surprise for all of them. Pencil sketches throughout the book add to the fun. Readers who missed Sam’s first adventure will enjoy reading Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan (2016).

[Elaine Bearden · Rating 4 out of 5]

gr adv 2-4
This is another Sam adventure. I think the main character's face on the cover is a little off-putting. However, the writing is still strong, (sequel to Sam the Man and the Chicken Plan) and who doesn't enjoy saying the word "rutabaga"? And some of the characters show up again, like the neighbor Mr. Stockfish. Solid story, spot sketches. Good read-aloud. And involves Sam's school this time.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not reading because geared toward 6-9 year olds.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great problem solving and intergenerational friendships that seem authentic, helpful and kind. Wish all kids could experience these kinds of relationships - people really interested in helping each other.