Sharing Sam

By Katherine Applegate

From the author of the New York Times Bestseller Crenshaw

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, Isabella Cates-Lopez, has fallen for Sam,
too . . . until she finds out that Isabella is dying. Now Alison wants Isabella’s last days to be her happiest ever—even if she and Sam have to hide their love. Even if, by sharing Sam, Alison risks losing him forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Apr 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9780307832092

Katherine Applegate

Katherine Applegate is the Newbery Medal-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous books for young readers, including the One and Only series, the Endling series, Crenshaw, Wishtree, the Roscoe Riley Rules chapter books series, and the Animorphs series. She lives with her family in Nevada.

Reviews for Sharing Sam

[brandileigh2003 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I wanted to read this one because I am drawn to anything with cancer, and it was an interesting concept with the best friends and one boy. The cancer and death looming over Isabella. My biggest issue was that Alison should have spoken up in the first place. The cheating gets to me even though this is a unique situation. I know that Alison had the best of intentions, and that she didn't want to say she had feelings for him because of the timing--the day that Izzy told her that she has cancer and its pretty severe. It was an emotional book, and I connected with Alison. She is a little awkward in her own shoes, but she is okay with it. She is smart and works hard and has a dream for her future. She is mostly just the girl next door. She is loyal to Alison and they are so good as best friends. Alison has the humor to cheer up Isabella when she's feeling pretty dark. I also liked Alison with her younger sister. They had a bit of a rough relationship at the beginning of the book, but I like how Sam's grandpa Morgan was something that brought them together and gave them something in common again, and avenues to talk to each other. I like Sam pretty well. He is the bad boy image but he is a softie underneath. He is juggling so much and I know that he and Alison had chemistry. It was hard though when Alison asked him to go with Isabella. Bottom Line: Good with a couple issues. Liked the main character and friendship.

[rumyana2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful book that makes you feel and relive again what it means to fall in love at 16. It poignantly tells the story of two girls, Alison and Izzy, who are best friends and fall in love with the same boy, Sam. Only beautiful and brilliant Izzy has brain tumor and only a few months left to live. Even though Sam and Alison are in love with each other, as hard as it is, Alison decides to put aside her love and to share Sam with Izzy, hoping to make Izzy's last months as happy as possible. This novel reveals that love and friendship can be so close, it would be hard to tell which one is more important. It also puts things in perspective by reminding us how precious every moment is, and how exciting love can be. It shows that young adults are capable of deep feelings. They can be mature, responsible, caring, loving their families, decent human beings. Regardless of Izzy’s death, the novel leaves one hopeful and optimistic about our youth and the future in general.

[rinny_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

a good love story! This would be a really cute movie.