A Tale as Tall as Jacob - by Samantha Edwards (Paperback)

About the Book

When Jacob is born, Samantha is excited to have a little brother, but Jacob quickly grows into a loud, chaotic, and seemingly unstoppable force. His diagnosis with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is shared by millions of kids, so why does Samantha's unruly homelife feel so uniquely difficult? As Samantha struggles to understand and survive Jacob's daily shenanigans, shared moments of lighthearted fun remind her of the value of loving your famly for who they are.

Book Synopsis

In this charming and poignant debut graphic novel, a young girl struggles to understand, accept, and support her remarkable little brother as he adapts to life with ADHD. Based on the author's own childhood and told through funny, beautifully illustrated vignettes, this story of two siblings celebrates empathy and embraces how difference makes every family unique.

When Jacob is born, Samantha is excited to have a normal little brother to play with. But those expectations are quickly upended as he grows into a loud, chaotic, and seemingly unstoppable force. And even though he can be a handful, Jacob's extraordinary strength and curiosity have a way of landing him in some unexpected, hilarious, and even heartwarming situations.

As Samantha struggles to get along with her little brother and survive his daily shenanigans, sweet moments of lighthearted fun surface to remind her--and the reader--that loving your family for who they are isn't so complicated after all.

Review Quotes

STARRED REVIEW - "[Samantha Edwards] really hits the nail on the head in this empathetic and realistic portrayal of a sibling with ADHD. She endows her characters with lots of expressiveness and helps middle grade readers experience Jacob's differences with a lovingly empathetic vibe."
(Stephanie Tournas, Youth Services Book Review)

STARRED REVIEW -- "This deeply empathetic, tender look at raising and loving a child with ADHD will resonate with readers, especially those whose siblings have a similar diagnosis." (School Library Journal)

"[T]his is a terrific graphic novel that I would highly recommend for any elementary or middle school library collection."
(No Flying, No Tights)

WINNER: Midwest Book Awards 2022, Children's Fiction (Midwest Independent Publisher Association)

STARRED REVIEW -- "The bright colors and the characters' animated expressions showcase a simultaneously hilarious, heartbreaking, and loving sibling dynamic many readers will find familiar ... All the feelings will be felt with this engaging and genuine story of a sister and brother." (Kirkus Reviews)

About the Author

Samantha Edwards is an author, artist, and librarian based in Kansas City, where she is a head children's librarian.