Just Between Sam and Me by Cat Michaels and Rosie Russell | Review
Just Between Sam and Me by Cat Michaels, Rosie Russell Published by 2101 Ink on November 19, 2020
Genres: Family Life, Fiction, Friendship, Middle-Grade, Multi-Cultural
Format: eBook
Just Between Sam and Me
A tale for tweensBy Cat Michaels and Rosie Russell
6th Grade is Tough with a Mean Girl Against YouShy Olivia just wants to do her best in 6th grade and care for the animals on her family farm. But the new girl at school is determined to turn that world upside down.
So Olivia pours out her heart in a journal to the only one who truly understands …
her cat, Sam!Will Olivia discover how to speak up for herself?
Can she make it through the pitfalls of tween social life?Join Olivia and Sam in this purr-fect tale of courage and hope to find out!
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Source: Kindle Unlimited, Received from the author or publisher for review.
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Just Between Sam and MeShop on Amazon Digital 
Just Between Sam and MeShop on Amazon Paperback
This book is also available on Kobo, and iTunes.
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My thoughts on Just Between Sam and Me by Cat Michaels and Rosie Russell
Just Between Sam and Me, co-authored by Rosie Russell and Cat Michaels, touches that hidden spot in the heart we all carry with us. That hard nugget formed during the pre-teen years when something happened to embarrass us or hurt our feelings. Bullying is nothing new. What is new are the many ways we have to combat it?
Olivia is bullied, harassed, and belittled by the new girl in sixth grade. Eleven is a fragile stage for the psyche. While Olivia confides all her trauma to her cat via a journal, this is not the ideal solution. If we’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that bottling these feelings up and ignoring the situation is dangerous. Olivia learns she has a unique support system if she’ll only be brave enough to reach out.
The book isn’t just about bullying. The authors dive into the complexities of family dynamics, school pecking orders, coming of age, and small-town life.
With all that said, the book portrays a beautiful slice of rural America. From the town festival to supporting local sports, we step into a bit of nostalgic remembrance.
The book is wonderfully suited to middle-grade readers. Just Between Cat & Me delivers an essential lesson to boys and girls while entertaining with a fun story.
I received an advance copy of the book. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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Just Between Sam and Me by Cat Michaels and Rosie Russell
About Cat Michaels
Author and blogger CAT MICHAELS has more than two decades of teaching experience and has managed communication and training programs.
Her chapter books for young and reluctant readers have been recognized for excellence in writing children’s literature with three Purple Dragonfly Awards, a first-place honor from the Children’s Literary Classics Book Awards, and a silver medal by the Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards. Her last book, Sweet T and the Turtle Team, also won the Wind Dancer Films competition and was considered for adaptation to movies or TV.
Cat co-wr0te a book for tweens, "Just Between Sam and Me," with author Rosie Russell. This book is out now.
Cat and her family live near Raleigh, North Carolina, where she creates a fairy garden for neighborhood children, enjoys nature photography, works out most days, and writes.
About Rosie Russell
Rosie Russell is the author and illustrator of:
"Beasley's Journey"
"Beasley and Friends to the Rescue"
"Maggie, Millie, and Merrie's Magical Adventure," Book #1
"Maggie, Millie, Merrie's Magical Coins" Book #2
"Maggie, Millie, and Merrie's Mystery Mail" Book #3
"Avi Jackson Best Friends"
"A Search and Find of Every Kind with Jake and his dog named Cain"
"Sherman the Shopping Cart A Search and Find"
"Moonshadow Mae"
"Just Between Sam and Me"
She studied Early Childhood Education and taught elementary and middle school students for fifteen years in the Midwest.
Rosie now writes and illustrates full time and is looking forward to sharing her books with students, encouraging them to write and illustrate their own stories.
A portion of her books' profits will be donated to different causes, depending on the subject of her books.
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Book Trailer:
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Buy the Book Here:
Just Between Sam and MeShop on Amazon Digital Just Between Sam and MeShop on Amazon Paperback
This book is also available on Kobo, and iTunes.
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I also share many of my reviews on the following websites:
Lovely Audiobook’s Monthly Link-up (Not limited to audiobooks)
The Inspire Me Monday Link Party
Inspire Me Monday with Anita Ojeda
Grammy’s Grid Unlimited Monthly Link Party
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[…] Just Between Sam and Me by Cat Michaels & Rosie Russell […]
Gina, we’re over the moon that you picked up on our themes of family dynamics, school pecking orders, coming of age, and small-town life in addition to the major thread about bullying. We want the book to help kids with self-esteem but also full of hope and feel-good moments. Thanks for your honest review of our tale!
[…] Just Between Sam and Me […]
Thank you so much for featuring our book today, Gina.
We appreciate your kind words and review.
Yes, the print is coming soon. Amazon had a glitch and it should be available very soon.
Thanks again,
Rosie Russell
Hi Gina – Just Between Sam and Me looks like a really good book that a couple of my grandchildren might like, but is it only available as an e-book? With kids being forced in front of a screen for remote learning every day, somehow an e-book format just doesn’t seem like something that would appeal to them. Thanks & hope all’s well! ~ mim
Hey Mim. Amazon was supposed to release it in print today (Dec 2) but they have been running behind. Hopefully it will be out soon. I’ll keep checking and add the print version to the post as soon as it’s available.
Mim, thank you for your interest. I wanted to let you know, our print book is up and running now.
We hope your grandchildren will enjoy, “Just Between Sam and Me.”
Rosie Russell