Sammy Keys and the Hotel Thief

Sammy Keys and the Hotel Thief

By Van Draanen, Wendelin.

(2005). New York: Dell Yearling.

ISBN: 978-679892649

Reading Level: Grades 4-5

Summary: Sammy Keys is in trouble again. All because she was surveying her neighborhood with her binoculars. And just happened to witness a robbery at the hotel across the street from her grandmothers house. And then waved at the robber. And she’s pretty sure he saw who she was. But the detectives investigating the case don't believe her. Sammy is determined to help catch the robber before he can discover who she really is. With a little help from her friend Marissa, Sammy shows that it doesn't take a detective to solve a case, just someone willing to look at all the clues!

Review: Sammy Keys is a fulfilled mystery story written in a fast paced fashion. The protagonist is a spunky girl who shows tremendous loyalty to her friends and family, and a streak of ingeniousness when it comes to protecting them. The book encourages the reader to think about who the robber could be, though it would take a kid smarter as Sammy to figure it out before her! This title was picked due to its current popularity with the tween age group. It is the first book of a series which all feature Sammy solving some sort of mystery. Sammy Keys will continue to delight readers looking for a fun and contemporary mystery that shows that sometimes kids can outwit adults.

Selected Award: 1998 Edgar Award for Best Children’s Mystery