Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Ghosts by Katie and Kevin Tsang

1. Bibliography: 
Tsang, Katie, and Kevin Tsang. Sam Wu Is Not Afraid of Ghosts! Egmont UK Limited, 2018. ISBN: 9781405287517

2. Plot Summary:

Sam loves learning and watching about space. On his class field trip the Ralph challenges him that he is too scared to go into an adult ride. When Sam is in there the class finds out he is scarred. Sam is off to prove that he is not scared.

3. Characters:

Sam is written as a dynamic character. He changes as the story line continues by wanting to prove he is not a scaredy-cat. Facing his fears make him stronger and bond with his pet snake. While doing this he must follow his culture that his family continues to instill in their household.

4. Setting:

The setting is in any community. The main specific place is Sam’s house. The setting shows small insights of his culture. When Sam sits down to eat, he talks positively about the food he eats, Congee, duck and turnip cake. These are eaten with the chopsticks but, his family does not make the others feel uncomfortable because they do not how to use them. Another subtle cultural difference is Sam tells them to take off their shoes when they come into the house. He tells his friends it is a rule. These differences give the reader the feeling of his culture.

5. Illustrations:

These delightful and hilarious illustrations are in a cartoon drawn. Each illustration gives the reader a feeling of how Sam feels. When Sam is scarred that his snake is no longer in his tank the illustration captures this with the facial expression, and the intense hair standing up more than usual.  When the lights go out the page is completely black with a negative space illustration. The closet with Na Na’s sweater shows the negative space and symbolizes the ghost. 

6. Theme:

The theme is facing one’s fears. The author has the main character Sam go through several events to continue his path of facing his fears. Becoming a ghost hunter in his house shows the traditional Asian belief through Na Na believing in ghost and a modern Asian with his parents not believing in ghosts.  

7. Cultural Marker:

The authors are very positive on how they represent this diverse culture. Sam show enthusiasm for several food dishes his parents make him. Other ways are made not to be a big deal. Facts that make this authentic is the type of food they eat. There are no sources notes, or biography. There is an acknowledgement that talks briefly about who they would represent from the TV show Space Blasters in the story line. The minority characters are shown as equal. There is not a time where the culture is set in a negative time. There is a time where Ralph teases Sam, but it is not in a bully form.  There are no non-English. There are names of specific dishes and the authors create a kid like footnote at the bottom to explain what it is. The Congee is recommended not to put chocolate chips in it because it makes it hard to eat. This is a high-quality book away from the multicultural characteristics. Young people can relate in having fears, and learning to over come them.

8. Connections Teacher and Library Corner:

Students will complete the writing process. Students will write about something they are scared of. The students will add how they feel they could overcome this fear. Once the student is completed the writing process, they will then create a cartoon illustration of themselves with their fear.

9. You Tube

Here Katie and Kevin the authors face their fears just like Sam. 

10. Review Excerpts:

"Sam Wu has the perfect plan to prove that he’s brave: embark on a bold adventure, get a ‘trusty companion,’ and defeat the ghost in his home! After an INCIDENT that has people calling him Scaredy-Cat Sam, Sam’s efforts to prove them wrong take on a life of their own. . . . [Sam’s] authentically funny voice still appeals . . .  Reluctant readers and fans of the Wimpy Kid series and its ilk will appreciate the book’s dynamic type, graphics galore, cartoonish illustrations, and ironic footnotes. . . . will resonate with anyone who has ever felt different. . . . a solid purchase for those looking to diversify their early chapter book collections." Kirkus 

“Sam Wu loves outer space and science-fiction TV—and he’s desperate to prove he’s not the scaredy-cat his classmates think he is. So when his class goes on a trip to the local space museum, he accepts a dare to ride a rocket simulator that’s for adult riders only. And he suffers embarrassing consequences as a result. More determined than ever to demonstrate his bravery, Sam is aided by his friends Bernard and Zoe in adopting a snake and hunting down a ghost that lives in his closet. When Sam soaks his sheets in pickle juice or constructs a special ghost trap, readers are sure to be delighted, but adult readers will see his true act of courage occurs when his friends come to his house for the first time. Amid worries about what Zoe and Bernard will think of the food his mother serves for dinner, Sam stands up for his favorite Cantonese dishes, and his friends enjoy them. It’s a nice bit of cultural reflection that isn’t seen often in literature for this age group; many readers will appreciate it. Fans of Alvin Ho and Hank Zipper will laugh out loud at Sam’s zany ­capers.” School Library Journal 

“Sam Wu has troubles. Classmate Ralph Phillip Zinkerman the Third makes fun of him; the pet snake he bought to make himself look brave has disappeared; and a trip to the space museum becomes the scene of the INCIDENT, where an unsanctioned visit to a rocket-ship exhibit results in him wetting his pants (see trouble number one). Written with lots of energy and illustrated with ink drawings throughout (the book’s design, with its bold lettering and clever format, also makes a strong statement), this is will no doubt remind readers of the Wimpy Kid and his compatriots. The fact of Sam’s ethnicity comes out here and there—there’s a funny scene where he invites kids home for dinner—but mostly Sam is an every kid, trying to fit in, hoping he can become braver, and determined to outsmart his nemesis, Ralph, which is difficult, but not impossible. A quick read for young middle-graders.” Booklist Online

11. Children’s Reviews:

“This book is so funny! I really liked his pet snake and space like him.” Ty age 7

12 Awards and Recognitions:

None at this time.

13. Book Suggestions by Katie and Kevin Tsang

Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Sharks ISBN: 9781454932567

Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Spiders ISBN: 9781405294280

Other Books:

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look ISBN: 9780375849305

The Alien Next Door 1: The New Kid by A.I. Newton ISBN: 9781499805581

14. Official Website:

There are none at this time.

15. Rating:

I give this book 5 stars. It is great for a younger audience. The younger audience can relate to the feelings Sam has about the events that happen to him. This is a really cute book. If I could I would rate it higher.