The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni

So this is one of my favorites of all time. My review won’t do it justice but I’ll give it a go.

Sam Hill was born with red pupils, earning him the unfortunate nickname “devil boy Sam HELL” from his classmates. He makes friends with two other misfits; Ernie, the lone black student in their class, and Mickie, a girl viewed as bold and weird. Together they endure a lot of crap from their classmates and a stern nun at their Catholic school.

Sam’s mother calls his ocular albinism “God’s will,” a notion he struggles to accept throughout his childhood. Forty years later he reflects on his life and realizes that all the good, all the strength, and all the toughness he’s shown is due to being different.

I thought about this book many days after reading it. I think I connect to the story because of my childhood. I’ve found out that being the weird quiet kid is actually called social anxiety disorder. Those of you who knew me growing up know exactly what I’m talking about. I don’t think I would be any good at art if I hadn’t avoided people so much growing up, just like Sam… well, I won’t give up the ending. Just read it.