Sammy Keyes and the Art of Deception

Gr 5-8-In this eighth novel featuring the feisty seventh grader, Sammy's art teacher encourages her students to visit local galleries and while attending an opening reception, the young sleuth foils an attempted robbery. Intrigued by the work, she interviews Diane Reijden to learn more about being an artist, and to try and figure out why her paintings were the object of the thief. Unfortunately, Sammy is not the only one intrigued by Diane. Her good friend, 72-year-old Hudson, is entranced, much to the distress of Sammy's grandmother. There are dead ends and red herrings before the protagonist figures it all out, this time with the help of her grandmother, who turns out to be just as bold, fearless, and gutsy as her granddaughter. Lively, with nonstop action, this novel will be enjoyed by longtime fans of the detective and by those who are meeting her for the first time. Subplots involve Sammy's budding romance with eighth-grader Casey (brother of her arch-rival Heather), and her gradual realization that her grandmother is a separate person with her own emotions and complications.-Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Wendelin Van Draanen's Sammy Keyes and the Art of Deception marks the eighth title about the spunky detective. To fulfill an assignment, the sleuth attends an art opening. When a bandit crashes the event and yanks paintings from the wall, Sammy attacks. But the real detective work begins when Sammy seeks the truth about a so-called painter. Copyright 2003 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

"Sammy Keyes is the hottest sleuth to appear in children's books since Nancy Drew."-The Boston Globe