At a glance
Changes for Samantha: A Winter Story
Children's fiction
Changes for Samantha: A Winter Story
67 pages · First published 1988
Samantha has moved to New York City with Uncle Gard and Aunt Cornelia when she learns that her friend Nellie and Nellie’s younger sisters have been sent to an orphanage. Knowing how harsh the institution can be, Samantha is determined to help the girls even when adults and rules make intervention difficult. Her efforts force her to see more clearly how poverty and lack of family protection shape children’s lives very differently from her own privileged experience. The final original Samantha story combines friendship and Progressive Era social concerns with a young heroine learning that caring about injustice sometimes requires action.
Paired for this story
Jump to the pours ↓Chocolate Milk + Family Secret Sour
Choose your bookseller
Find the Book
Print retailers offer a search when an exact edition is unavailable. Kindle links open a specific edition. Audiobook links may open an edition or a search.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Book Bartender earns from qualifying purchases. Bookshop.org links also earn us a commission on qualifying purchases. Your price is not affected. Read the full affiliate disclosure.
No surprises at chapter twelve
Content notes
Death of both parents from influenza; orphanhood and sibling separation; child labor; institutional/orphanage hardship; fear and a risky escape; poverty and grief.
Alcohol-Free Pour
Chocolate Milk
Serve it warm for Samantha's winter story of friendship, generosity, and making room for others.
What you'll need
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.How to mix it
- Makes 1 serving.
- Pour the milk into a glass and add 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup.
- Stir well until the syrup is fully mixed in. Taste and add more syrup if you like a richer chocolate flavor.
- For a warm version, gently heat the mixed chocolate milk in a small saucepan, stirring until warm; do not boil. Pour into a mug and let it cool to a comfortable drinking temperature.
- Garnish: Top with a swirl of whipped cream, if desired.
- Glassware: Tall glass for cold chocolate milk; mug for the warm version.
Shop glassware & tools
We earn a commission from qualifying purchases through these Amazon links, at no extra cost to you.
Highball glass ↗Mug ↗Cocktail Pour · 21+
Family Secret Sour
For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.
A warming pour with a sharp edge suits a wintry evening with a book.
What you'll need
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice ↗
- 3/4 oz simple syrup ↗
- 1/2 oz pasteurized egg white or aquafaba (optional) ↗
- Ice
Alcohol-shopping links are not shown on children's or young-adult book pages.
How to mix it
- If using egg white, dry-shake first. Add ice and shake again, then strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish: Lemon peel.
- Glassware: Rocks glass.
Shop glassware & tools
We earn a commission from qualifying purchases through these Amazon links, at no extra cost to you.
Rocks glass ↗Set up the bar cart
Shop the Barware
Find the glasses and tools for your next pour.