Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head [Hardcover]

Nancy Viau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Ten-year-old Samantha Hansen is a mad scientist. But not the crazy kind—she doesn’t blow stuff up or mix potions or dissect bugs. She just loves science—especially rocks—and figuring out how the world around her works. But there are some things there just isn’t a scientific answer for. Like, why can’t her bossy big sister keep her hands off Sam’s rock collection? And why can’t Sam control her temper? There are some bigger questions, too, like why did her father have to die? And why won’t her mom talk about him anymore?

 

When Sam’s mom announces a family trip to the Grand Canyon, it’s a dream come true. But it’s also a challenge: If Sam can’t learn to calm down and ignore her irritating sister, she’s going to miss her chance to see one of the world’s biggest rocks and maybe find the answers to some of her questions.

Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head is a hilarious and touching debut that introduces an exuberant new character who studies the world around her as she discovers what is in her own heart.

 

F&P level: S

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–6—Samantha Hansen loves studying rocks, so when her mother announces that she is taking Sam and her 15-year-old sister on a vacation to the Grand Canyon, the fourth grader is in heaven. First, though, Sam has to learn to control her temper—not an easy task when her big sister seems to delight in provoking her, and when a classmate taunts her at recess and causes her to end up in the principal's office. Sam's mother comes close to canceling, and it is only Sam's redoubled efforts to count to 10 when she knows that she is about to lose control that enable the plans to go forward. During the trip, Sam discovers more about the death of her father when she was younger, and she and her sister learn to appreciate one another a little more in spite of the ongoing sibling squabbling. Overall, Sam is an engaging and realistically drawn protagonist, although some of her mannerisms are a little too reminiscent of Junie B. Jones and what works for a first grader isn't as appealing in a fourth grader. Nonetheless, Sam's love of science is refreshing, and Viau does a nice job of incorporating information about the Grand Canyon and the study of geology into the story line. Readers will easily relate to Sam as she tries to make sense of the world around her.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
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About the Author

Nancy Viau has written stories for numerous children’s magazines, including Highlights and Ladybug. This is her debut novel. She lives in Mullica Hill, New Jersey.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Amulet Books; Library Binding edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810972999
• ISBN-13: 978-0810972995
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,515,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nancy Viau is the author of Samantha Hansen Has Rocks In Her Head (Middle-Grade Novel, 2008), I Can Do It! (Picture Book, 2013), and Storm Song (Picture Book, 2013). Her stories, poems, and activities appear in Highlights, Ladybug, and many other magazines. She is a member of The Authors Guild, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and The KidLit Authors Club, a marketing group she started that consists of authors who bring interactive book parties to bookstores, libraries, festivals, and conferences. Please visit http://www.NancyViau.com to find out about her assembly programs and writing workshops.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What I like about Samantha Hansen..., September 23, 2008

By 

Jeffry W. Johnston (Broomall, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head (Hardcover)

What I like about Samantha Hansen is that she is not one of those extra cutesy or overly precocious characters who seem able to get out of any situation no matter how preposterous. She's real, and her issues (learning how to handle her temper; dealing with the death of her father and how it affects her family) are real, and she overcomes them with a believable intelligence and a wonderful sense of self. Samantha's love for rocks and all things geological is catching, and Nancy Viau's writing is subtle as she introduces facts about rocks into the story without ever sacrificing plot. The main character may be a very intelligent girl but this book is for girls and boys (my 10-year-old son is very much looking forward to reading it). Samantha Hansen is a welcome addition to the canon of modern children's literature, and I look forward to reading more of Sam's adventures in the future.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Story Siren Reviews:, September 21, 2008

By 

The Story Siren "Kristi" (Indiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head (Hardcover)

Ten year old Samantha Hansen is a mad scientist. Not the crazy kind- she doesn't blow stuff up or mix up potions. She just loves science (especially rocks) and figuring out how the world around her works. But there are some things there just isn't a scientific answer for, like why her bossy big sister can't seem to keep her hands off Sam's rock collection. Or why Sam can't control her temper. And there are some bigger questions, too, like: Why did her father have to die, and why won't her mom talk about him anymore?

When Sam's mom announces an upcoming family trip to the Grand Canyon, it's a dream come true. But it's also a challenge: If Sam can't learn to put a lid on her temper and ignore her irritating sister, she's going to miss her chance to see one of the worlds biggest rocks, and maybe find out the answers to some of her questions.

I don't usually read MG novels, but I might have to start incorporating more of them! I absolutely loved Samantha Hansen has Rocks in Her Head! It was such a cute and funny novel and it was also very moving. I couldn't help but love Samantha's character! I remember having my own rock collection and digging in the yard. I even had a rock tumbler that would make the rocks smooth and shiny! After finishing the book I was inspired to dig out my old rock collection! The plot itself is not only charming but it is multi layered. As well as Samantha's constant hunger for learning about things around her, Viau also touches on a more serious note. Samantha finally is able to discuss the death of her father with her mother, and learns that having a big sister isn't always a bad thing. I would absolutely recommend this as a great read to MG readers!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!, August 26, 2008

By 

walkwrite - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head (Hardcover)

If you're tired of stale, moping characters, and too-sugary-sweet storylines in your middle grade novels, then you have to check out this book. Finally, there's a girl whose hilarious imperfections will keep you laughing all the way through the story. With a sharp wit and a short temper, Samantha Hansen isn't afraid to speak up for herself.

But if she can't learn to bite her tongue, Sam's mom won't take her to the Grand Canyon for a rock-lover's dream vacation. And Sam loves rocks. She's gaga for rocks. And lists, too. It's all part of the love of science Sam inherited from her dad who died years earlier. As Sam searches for information about her father, a touching storyline emerges which Viau has deftly woven in, adding depth and heart to this otherwise adorable book.

With sassy humor and a winning character coupled with a high-stakes plot and cool science facts, there's something for every reader in this book. SAMANTHA HANSEN HAS ROCKS IN HER HEAD is "ab-so-lutely" hysterical, and I can't wait to see more of Sam in the future!