Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse by Susan Vaught

An autistic girl and socially-awkward boy team up to solve a crime and absolve an innocent man.

Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse by Susan Vaught.  Paula Wiseman Books (Simon & Shuster), 2019, 309 pages

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12

Recommended for: ages 10-14

When the tornado hit, Jesse was being bullied by the usual trio—Chris, Trisha, and Ryker, a.k.a. Jerkface and the Cockroaches.  Then the siren sounded and the sky went greenish and all heck broke loose—

But back up one week, when the real trouble started.  Jesse’s mom is on deployment in Iraq, her great-aunt Gustine (Gus) is the resident mom, and Sam-Sam, her Pomeranian is her furry little soulmate.  Her dad teaches English at Avery (Kentucky) High School and the trouble started when he was accused to stealing over $2,000 from the Library Fund.  Jesse knows he wouldn’t steal anything but how can she prove it?  She has certain strengths—a whiz at numbers—but certain limitations too.  She doesn’t pick up on body language or verbal clues, and still experiences meltdowns in times of stress.  Fortunately, her new friend Springer Regal has the emotional intelligence she lacks.  Together, they might be able to find the real thief.

Jesse tells her own story and her voice seems authentic and original.  Her trash talk about the “Cockroaches” gets a bit wearying, but they are bullies. Later on she will gain some insight into why they are that way.  The friendship dynamic between her and Springer is unique and interesting, though he shows extraordinary perceptiveness for a boy his age.  “Neurodiversity” is hot in children’s publishing now, due to the rise of children on the autism spectrum, and this is a sympathetic look from the inside of a brain that processes differently.

Cautions: Language (mild vulgarity, such as “butthead,” “pissed,” and one “ass”)

Overall Rating: 4 (out of 5)

  • Worldview/moral value: 3.5
  • Artistic value: 4.5

Stay Up to Date!

Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.

Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

Support our writers and help keep Redeemed Reader ad-free by joining the Redeemed Reader Fellowship.

Stay Up to Date!

Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.

Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

FREE Bible Guide!

Get a guide to the Best Bibles for Children and Teens. Perfect for an Easter gift.

Janie Cheaney

Janie is the VERY senior staff writer for Redeemed Reader, as well as a long-time contributor to WORLD Magazine and an author of nine books for children. The rest of the time she's long-distance smooching on her four grandchildren (not an easy task). She lives with her equally senior husband of almost-fifty years in the Ozarks of Missouri.

We'd love to hear from you!

Our comments are now limited to our members (both Silver and Golden Key). Members, you just need to log in with your normal log-in credentials!

Not a member yet? You can join the Silver Key ($2.99/month) for a free 2-week trial. Cancel at any time. Find out more about membership here.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.