Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse

Gr 4–6—Words that describe Jesse Broadview include: dog lover, "Messy Jesse," heroine, and "on the spectrum." Her quirkiness can lead to extreme behavior from burning tank tops that are too itchy, building a secret hideout in the forest, and throwing water bottles at bullies. Jesse's life is clearly anything but typical, but when a tornado strikes her small Kentucky town and her father is accused of stealing money from the school library, Jesse faces her own apocalypse. Jesse will pave her own path as she dabbles in a first true friendship, navigates the mystery surrounding her father, and stands her ground against a fierce toronado. Vaught invites readers into Jesse's world, which is simultaneously intriguing and jumbled. The novel bounces between the missing money mystery and the action building toward the tornado, which enhances the plot's energy, but can initially cause confusion for readers. Vaught's detailed accounts of events through Jesse's perspective builds not only an understanding, but also an experience for the reader, and provides intimate insight on her neuroatypicality.