The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Goodman, Allegra. Sam. Penguin Random House LLC., 2023.

Allegra Goodman's novel Sam is written from the third person point of view. This third person narrator is limited to the protagonist Sam's consciousness. This means that the way in which the narrator renders the narrative world, its characters, dimensions, and conflicts, is inspired by Sam's perception. The novel spans over a decade of Sam's life, and is written in the present tense and follows a linear plot line.

Sam lives in Massachusetts with her mother Courtney and brother Noah. Her dad Mitchell lives in town, but is often away. Because her parents are not together and Mitchell is an alcoholic, Sam does not get to see him as regularly as she would like to. Despite all of the ways Mitchell is unable to satisfy Sam's needs, Sam worships him. He is her hero. Therefore, when Mitchell suggests that he teach her climbing, Sam is thrilled. She already knows how to climb doorframes and trees. Learning to climb at a gym would be even more exciting.

However, shortly after Mitchell makes this promise to Sam, he disappears from her life. She tries to focus on climbing instead of on her father's absence. She starts going to the YMCA with Noah after school. She practices climbing during these afternoons. She also makes friends with another climber named Halle.

When Sam's father eventually resurfaces in her life, she is reluctant to forgive him. He gives her climbing shoes, but they are the wrong size. Despite her hurt feelings, Sam does eventually let her father back into her life. For several years, he remains sober and stable.

Not long later, however, Mitchell relapses and disappears. Sam tries to be loyal to him and their relationship. However, when Mitchell fails to resurface or to contact her, she gives up hope. Sometimes it is easier for her to forget him.

Meanwhile, Sam develops her climbing skills. She and Halle have been climbing on the Boulders gym's team. Sam has improved over the years. At times, however, she feels like a failure and considers quitting.

During Sam's high school years, her mother constantly presses her to focus on her schoolwork. She wants Sam to apply herself and do well so she has a chance of attending college. Sam hates her mom's nagging almost as much as she hates school. She prefers climbing and hanging out with her friend Corey. When she later becomes involved with her bouldering coach, Declan, she becomes even more distracted. After this affair ends, Sam stops attending climbing practice and focuses on school instead.

Near the end of high school, Sam discovers that her father has died. Overwhelmed by emotion, she blames herself for his death. She wishes that she had let him back into her life.

In the wake of Mitchell's passing, Sam starts to visit Red Rocks, a climbing site in Gloucester. While here, she makes friends with a group of climbers. She eventually starts dating one of the boys, Justin. She and Justin become serious. However, over time, Sam fears that Justin is distracting her from her academics. She has finished high school and is now attending college classes. She temporarily puts her relationship with him on hold so that she can focus. Not long later, she reveals that she applied to and was accepted at Amherst. Although her family and friends will miss her, they support her decision to leave.