The Book of Samuel is a bittersweet tale of growing up. Samuel's father receives a calling from God which leaves his family in a lurch. Just because Dad is going walk about doesn't mean the family will follow. Trouble at school compiles with Samuel's fears and frustrations. It's a great book about growing up, and realizing that sometimes your parents are who you've idealized them to bo.

Samuel Gerard is growing up in Denver in the 1980s. His mom is skeptical about religion, while his dad rigorously studies the Bible and attempts to share it with others. One day Dad leaves, and Samuel is left to find his way between these two extreme approaches to religion. Meanwhile, he and his best friends have a growing beef with some Mexican kids who have started using their bike jumps. While all of this sounds heavy, Raschke skillfully shows how Samuel navigates social and emotional challenges while maintaining a normal junior-high existence filled with hijinks and shenanigans. He also demonstrates that although it's not easy to find peace with oneself, or with the world around you, the effort and discipline required will help Samuel grow into a stronger, kinder man. Erik Raschke and I both graduated from Earlham College, a small liberal arts school affiliated with the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers. Quakers believe in nonviolence and peaceful conflict resolution. I think Raschke has done a great job of showing how, although it can be hard to be a peacemaker, all of us can and must do so. ( )

A slow start takes a little time to settle into this novel which has Samuel, a twelve year old boy, getting everything but the kitchen sink thrown at him. ..
His Father decides he is going on a religious "save the world" quest leaving Samuel at the mercy of the socially changing world around him. Once you pass through what I felt was an initial lag in getting anything to really happen, the book seems to draw you in through the challenges thrown at this young character, some of which I'm certain I've heard before ~ leaches?? hmmm ~ but the climax certainly is unpredictable for a change.
I'm not sure that this is a "teen" book, as many ideas would be lost I'm sure, probably suitable more for readers ages 20+
Overall I found it a challenging read but was glad that I pushed forward. However, comparing this novel to King's "Stand by Me" in the first sentence of the synopsis is perhaps a little over the top. (leaches??)
I dont think this is a masterpiece by any stretch but worth the time just the same. Would look into another outing from this author. ( )

Samuel and his friends don't like the Mexican kids. They're always harassing them and one day the Mexican kids stole their expensive bikes. Jonathon and Jesse had enough and they are out for revenge. Samuels dad spends morning, noon and night reading and studying the Bible. He starts to think that he can save the world and one day, he leaves the family to do just that.
Samuel's mom is depressed and cries all the time, his Grandma hates everyone. Samuel's friends decide they need to do something about the Mexicans so they order a kit in the mail and it comes with instructions on how to create a pipe bomb.
Grandma has medical problems and ends up in a nursing home for round the clock care and no one knows where his Dad is. His mom decides to move her sisters troubled son in with them and Samuel problems escalate with a girl at school and his whole world is upside down.
I really enjoyed reading this book, sometimes I wanted to hug poor Samuel and the end was a surprise. Definitely recommend it. ( )

Unlike some of the other reviewers here, I felt that the ending actually made the book worthwhile. Throughout the novel, I kept thinking, "Wow, could more crap happen to this poor kid?!" Finally, the end offered a "redemption" of sorts. At the very least, I didn't see the end coming and it wasn't predictable. It kept me reading the final page, which some books simply do not.

I'm not sure that this is a novel YA/teens would be interested in. The life lessons and moral of the story are not really apparent. I cannot help but think that young readers especially would just feel sad, particularly if they empathize with Samuel on any level. ( )