Displaying 1 of 1 2023 Format: Book Author: Melleby, Nicole, author. Title: Sam makes a splash / Nicole Melleby. Edition: First edition. Publisher, Date: New York, New York : Algonquin Young Readers, 2023. Description: 210 pages ; 22 cm. Summary: "Eleven-year-old Sam, who lives with her siblings and mothers in a house on Sunrise Lagoon, tries to come up with a plan to save the family's charter boat business before the summer is over"-- Provided by publisher. Target Audience Note: 0 Lexile. Series: House on Sunrise Lagoon ; book 1 Subjects: Sibling rivalry -- Juvenile fiction. Foster parents -- Juvenile fiction. Lesbian mothers -- Juvenile fiction. Boats and boating -- Juvenile fiction. Family-owned business enterprises -- Juvenile fiction. Sibling rivalry -- Fiction. Foster parents -- Fiction. Lesbian mothers -- Fiction. Boats and boating -- Fiction. Family-owned business enterprises -- Fiction. Oregon Battle of the Books 2024-2025 3rd-5th Grade Division. OBOB 2024-2025 3rd-5th Grade Division. Notes: Booklist, 030123, p. 56 Kirkus Reviews,030123 Publishers Weekly,030623 LCCN: 2022049809 ISBN: 9781643753102 9781523523771 * 9781523523788 9781643753102 164375310X Other Number: 1352478975 System Availability: 4 # Local items: 1 Call Number: J Melleby, N Sam make # Local items in: 1 # System items in: 2 Current Holds: 0 Place Request Add to My List Expand All | Collapse All Where is it? Suggestions and more Large Cover Image Trade Reviews Publishers Weekly ReviewIn this joyful series opener set on an idyllic New Jersey lagoon, 11-year-old Samantha Ali-O'Connor vows to save her Mom's struggling boat charter and repair business as a way to "solidify her place" in her bustling adoptive family. Alongside 11-year-old Harbor, nine-year-old Marina (who's also adopted), seven-year-old twins Cordelia and Lir, Mom, and schoolteacher Mama, Sam is both the most recent addition to the Ali-O'Connor household and the only member who can't swim, which, despite her moms' assurances, distresses her. Accidentally overhearing her parents discussing their strained finances, Sam realizes that her dream of taking over the family company is in jeopardy, and she launches a secret campaign to attract business before summer's end. But Sam quickly discovers that she needs help, and she turns to four-months-older Harbor, with whom she shares an intense rivalry, as well as the Badger brothers, who spend summers across the lagoon. Moments of madcap humor and familial warmth characterize this emotionally generous summer tale from Melleby (Camp QUILTBAG), which showcases the author's command of fully realized characterization and distinct relationship dynamics. Most characters read as white; the twins share Mama's Syrian genes. Publishing simultaneously: Marina in the Middle (The House on Sunrise Lagoon #2). Ages 8--12. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (May)Booklist ReviewIn this new series, 11-year-old Sam(antha) seeks reassurance of her place in the sprawling Ali-O'Connor household, where Mom runs a boat charter and repair business and Mama teaches school. Sam wants nothing more than to take over Mom's business when the time comes, but whispered comments convince her that Mom might have to sell. Compounding her worries is Sam's fear of water; she is the only sibling who cannot swim, a distinct disadvantage if you live on a Jersey Shore lagoon. As in similar family series (e.g., Jeanne Birdsall's Penderwicks) the Ali-O'Connors are an appealing bunch, each with their own quirks and foibles. The rivalry between Sam (who is adopted) and slightly older sister Harbor (Mom's biological child) is both believable and heart-wrenching at times; Marina (also adopted) is book-loving and reserved; and younger twins Cordelia and Lir (Mama's biological children) add humorous, relatable moments to the story. Perhaps most heartwarming is the tentative alliance that develops between Sam and Harbor as they team up to help Mom. Book 2, Marina in the Middle, publishes simultaneously.Kirkus ReviewWith business and family, it's sink or swim. Former foster child Samantha, an 11-year-old adoptee, came to live with the Ali-O'Connors three years ago. She's had to adjust to being one of the oldest siblings while also being the newest out of five. Her sister Harbor is only four months older, and they end up competing for everything, like a blanket on the couch, time alone in the room they share with middle sibling Marina (who is also adopted), and their mothers' attention. Schoolteacher Mama is the main caregiver, offering special smiles to the kids. Mom runs a boat charter and repair business out of their backyard, which borders Sunrise Lagoon along their lively, water-centered New Jersey neighborhood. Sam and Harbor both intend to inherit their Mom's boat business someday, although Sam is still learning how to swim. Then one night Sam overhears her mothers discussing money troubles and the possibility of Mom's needing to sell the business. Sam is determined not to let that happen and decides she must come up with a plan before the end of summer. Layered family dynamics run through the heart of this character-driven story in which the love and devotion shared are as sure as the tides. Sam is a determined, sometimes stubborn protagonist with understandable insecurities. Many characters read White; Mama and her biological twins, Cordelia and Lir, have Syrian ancestry. An enjoyable and heartwarming read. (Fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission. Summary From an acclaimed author comes a cheerful, uplifting story of family and belonging, the first in a series perfect for fans of the Vanderbeekers and the Penderwicks. If you want to get to know eleven-year-old Samantha Ali-O'Connor, you need to know three things: One, she isn't the only one of her siblings who is adopted, but she is the only one whose name isn't inspired by the ocean. Two, she and Harbor always compete with each other to be the best Oldest Sibling--and just about everything else. And three, she is determined to prove she's a real Ali-O'Connor by taking over the family business, repairing and chartering boats. Except there's a Capital-P Problem: Her mothers have been Serious Whispering about selling the business before summer's end! Sam needs to come up with a plan, quick, before Harbor finds out. And before Sam loses her chance to inherit the business and be an Ali-O'Connor forever. 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