How does Sam change from the beginning to the ending of the book?

Sam is thirteen years old as the story opens. He is the youngest son of Roland Childs, a civil rights activist who follows the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sam is struggling with his identity as the son of this family because he feels that his father's peaceful demonstrations haven't created the changes quickly enough. Sam is struggling also with his independence. He has grown up with his father's demands and ideals, and there's a part of him that feels disloyal thinking there might be another way to think. However, he is learning about the militant group, the Black Panther Party, and when he witnesses the strength of their methods, he wonders if this might be the better alternative. Sam is a strong character though he believes he is not. This is the result of always standing in the shadow of his father and older brother. Sam is also anxious to live up to the expectations of others. For example, he is upset that his actions might have disappointed his father but even more upset that his actions might have come to the attention of Dr. King, a man Sam greatly admires. Against the backdrop of the civil rights movement in Chicago, Sam is also struggling to make friends, establish his first relationship with a girl, and to come to terms with his changing family situation.

While Sam's father preaches non-violent demonstrations as a way to prompt change, the Black Panthers believe this approach isn't strong enough. Sam geets caught in the middle of the two groups, and it takes a great deal of time for him to make a decision as to which is right. His father is a leader who has embraced the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. King's philosophy is of peaceful demonstrations and Roland points out that many of those demonstrations have captured the attention of the entire nation. Roland believes in doing everything to avoid violence, but the Black Panthers believe that stand is too passive to achieve anything. Sam notes that he has seen the same kinds of demonstrations his entire life and believes the attitudes toward civil rights aren't changing quickly enough.

Sam is impressed when he sees several members of the Black Panthers, armed with guns, stand up to police officers who are bullying a youngster. The mere presence of the young men with guns is enough to stop the situation. While the group is militant, the leader of the local Black Panthers, Leroy, is against outright violence. In the end, Sam chooses family, but he also decides to pursue his connection to the black panthers.