SLAM Nick Hornby

Sam tells us he is happy with his life – no problems at home or school and great fun skateboarding with friends. Then he meets Alicia and suddenly his life becomes complicated. He is still a sixteen year old boy but because of ‘a little accident’ he is expected to behave like a responsible adult. Nick Hornby is skilful in his portrayal of Sam; we enter Sam’s head and heart and share his thoughts and feelings. Sometimes the story is ‘laugh out loud’ funny but it is very moving too. I was touched by Sam’s attempts (not always successful) to ‘make things OK’. Gradually he realises that wisdom, confidence and strength arise from the difficult times not the easy ones.