Just Call My Name

by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Overview

The happily-ever-after of Holly Goldberg Sloan's acclaimed debut, I'll Be There, is turned on its head in this riveting, emotional sequel about friends, enemies, and how those roles can shift in a matter of moments.

Emily Bell has it all. She's in love with a boy named Sam Border, and his little brother has become part of her family. This summer is destined to be the best time of their lives—until a charismatic new girl in town sets her sights on Sam. Now Emily finds herself questioning the loyalty of the person she thought she could trust most.

But the biggest threat to her happiness is someone she never saw coming. Sam's criminally insane father, whom everyone thought they'd finally left behind, is planning a jailbreak. And he knows exactly where to find Emily and his sons when he escapes...and takes his revenge.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316122825
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	01/05/2016
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	656,849
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Holly Goldberg Sloan is the author of the New York Times bestselling Counting by 7s and the highly acclaimed novel I'll Be There, and has written and directed a number of successful family feature films. She was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and spent her childhood living in California; the Netherlands; Istanbul; Washington, DC; and Oregon. The mother of two sons, Holly lives with her husband in Santa Monica, California.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Just Call My Name:
"Immensely satisfying, heartfelt, and lyrical.... A truly compelling novel.... Sloan succeeds in skillfully combining the tenderness of young love, various distinct voices, and fast-paced action."—School Library Journal

"Strong dialogue and genuine emotional concern...make this a heart-warming novel.... Definitely a book worth the read."—VOYA

"Lively, tender, and satisfying."—The Horn Book

"[Delivers] an ultimately hopeful message about how friendships and families can form. Sure to be savored by fans of the first installment."—Kirkus Reviews

"Destinies collide in Sloan's thrilling sequel to her heart-wrenching I'll Be There. The fast-paced plot, complex story lines, and compelling characters grab readers from the get-go."—Booklist

From the Publisher

"A phenomenal hold-your-breath read. Sloan has created a heart-thumping adventure out of love, loyalty, brotherhood and tragedy and has given readers a touching, unforgettable journey."

A.S. King

"Sloan creates an entire world here--inhabited by fascinating characters, overflowing with connection, hope, humor and affection. A poignant love story on many different levels."

Matt de la Pena

"The fine but sturdy threads of connection in this story are woven into an intricate web of people, places, time, and love, holding Sam and Riddle's world together, as they do all of ours."

Sara Zarr

"A fascinating glimpse of life at the very edge of society: thrilling, romantic, and so suspenseful I had to peek at the end. Sam and Riddle are two of the most compelling and original characters to come along in ages."

Natalie Standiford

"Heartbreaking, suspenseful, life-affirming, magical--and yet unlike anything I've ever read."

Gayle Forman

"Holly Goldberg Sloan crushed my heart, accelerated its beat, and then lit my chest aflame. I'll Be There reminds us that empathy is an extremely powerful force, and perhaps our most beautiful."

Matthew Quick

"Sam and Riddle are wonderfully appealing characters that readers will root for....A highly suspenseful read with a dynamic, cinematic quality that keeps the pages turning to the satisfying conclusion."

Booklist

* "[A] life-affirming exploration of the subtleties of love, compassion, and relationships....Like the song it was named for, this book is hard to get out of your head."

The Horn Book

* "Any reader who has ever questioned whether even the smallest gesture of kindness can make a difference will appreciate this book....This riveting story will keep readers interested and guessing until the end."

starred review SLJ

Teens Sam and Emily found each other in I’LL BE THERE. Now, Laura Jennings’s deliberately paced narration highlights their deep emotions as their blossoming relationship is threatened. Jennings’s quiet, even delivery suits the serious teenagers who are desperate to hold on to each other even as a new, quirky girl looks to capture Sam’s attention. Jennings’s gruff timbre and somber tone are well suited to many of the characters and the tension that arises as Emily is kidnapped. Through the climax, Jennings’s pace never wavers, allowing profound emotions like fear and desperation to shine without being overshadowed by melodramatics. Listeners will find themselves absorbed by this compelling novel, and though the experience would be heightened by listening to the first one, it’s not necessary. J.M. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

SEPTEMBER 2016 - AudioFile

2014-05-19
Sam and Riddle are slowly adjusting to a newly stable environment, having found a home with the Bell family after narrowly escaping their murderous father's intents (I'll Be There, 2011).Though the boys are now separated from their father, this sequel explores the ongoing impact of the years of abuse. Twelve-year-old Riddle is largely illiterate, and 17-year-old Sam has had little formal schooling, leaving him uncertain about his future despite his intellect and musical talents. Fear of burdening their loved ones coupled with a strong desire to protect them makes the boys reluctant to share their concerns. Riddle hides his deep terror that his father will return, an event he believes is inevitable, while Sam conceals his anxieties about being labeled an academic failure. Consequently, miscommunications develop, most notably straining Sam's genuinely deep romantic connection with Emily Bell. Witnessing the unraveling of the strong emotional ties that were forged in the previous book is difficult. But when Sloan take something away, she replaces it, and several secondary characters who begin the story with less-than-admirable motivations are redeemed in the end, delivering an ultimately hopeful message about how friendships and families can form.Sure to be savored by fans of the first installment. (Fiction. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews