Wendelin Van Draanen
Wendelin Van Draanen has made a recent splash on the children's scene, starting with her book How I Survived Being a Girl, published in 1997 (HarperCollins, Ages 8 to 12, $14.95, and $4.95). Our reviewer Donna Brumby remarked that Carolyn's story is a warmhearted narration of her family, friends, neighborhood and small town adventures that come across as funny and touching descriptions of a young girl growing from a child into a nice young woman.
The same might be said of Wendelin, who lives in a town located on the central coast of California. There she is a computer science instructor at the local high school; she also coordinates the yearbook and manages the school newspaper. A mother of two sons, Wendelin looks like she is still in high school. Her bio says that she is a part time singer in a rock band and that she jogs with her very large Siberian husky. That and her close association with students undoubtedly give her insights into the tumultuous world of today's teens.
Writing takes discipline and Wendelin starts early (at 5 a.m.) to get her writing underway before answering the demands of motherhood and her teaching job. Perhaps her compressed schedule is reflected in her wonderful stories starring Sammy Keyes, a spunky young detective. The events usually take place in a matter of days. The characters are not static, they do grow.
In Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief (1998, Knopf, Ages 10 up, $15.00 and $4.99) readers learn that Sammy lives with her grandmother in a seniors only building. She sleeps on the couch and all her things are hidden. "Nothing stops Sammy Keyes. She lives an action-packed life of excitement that she either finds or creates. Sammy's snappy voice is distinctive throughout," noted reviewer Jackie Hechtkopf.
The second book, Sammy Keyes and The Skeleton Man (1998, Knopf, Ages 10 up, $15.00), will generate interest on the part of middle school readers, because Sammy is intelligent, fun loving and willing to try anything to solve a mystery. "Fun for all who like a mystery," according to reviewer Ru Story-Huffman. The most recent in the series, Sammy Keyes and the Sisters of Mercy, is a rollicking adventure that has Sammy as the prime suspect.
Contributor: Marilyn Courtot
Visit www.randomhouse.com/kids/vandraanen/ to learn more.
Reviews
Flipped
Wendelin Van Draanen
Bryce moves into the neighborhood and straight into Juli's heart, all before second grade. Juli's world is turned upside down trying to win his boyish affections. Her attempts continue through the seventh grade and include giving him answers to tests, giving his family eggs from her chickens and befriending his grandfather. In the meantime, Bryce, not appreciating the adoration she has for him, only sees her as a nuisance and tries to have as little to do with her as possible. His ploys only make Juli angry and eventually he lies to her and hurts her feelings. By the time Bryce realizes he is fond of Juli and apologizes for his behavior, they are in the eighth grade. Juli is hesitant about Bryce's change of heart at this point and finds herself getting over him. The author provides added enjoyment by giving readers the story from both Juli's and Bryce's point of view. A story about the ups and downs of childhood puppy love, it is primarily for teens but will have adults reminiscing as well. 2001, Borzoi/Alfred A. Knopf, Ages 12 to 16, $16.99. Reviewer: Michele Wilbur
ISBN: 0-37591-174-X
How I Survived Being a Girl
Wendelin Van Draanen
Carolyn's story, a warm-hearted narration of her family, friends, neighborhood and small town adventures, comes across as a funny and touching description of a young girl growing from a child into a nice young woman. Carolyn, with two brothers, is necessarily something of a tomboy, but is just beginning to think about her old chum Charlie in a different light. There's plenty of action; Mom's expecting, the next-door neighbors are fun to spy on, and life seems pretty satisfactory for Carolyn, even in spite of her "dragon lady" teacher and too many girls with dolls, hair ribbons, and shiny Mary Janes. Fun is always a bike ride away for Carolyn, and lucky readers are invited to come along. 1997, HarperCollins, Ages 8 to 12, $14.95, $14.89 and $4.95. Reviewer: Donna T. Brumby
ISBN: 0-06-026671-6
ISBN: 0-06-026672-4
ISBN: 0-06-440725-X
Sammy Keyes and the Curse of Moustache Mary
Wendelin Van Draanen
Sammy and her friends are surprised to discover that the flowers they are helping to deliver are for a funeral and not for a party. Their surprise turns to shock when elderly Lucinda Huntley opens the casket and speaks to the corpse. Prior to his death Mr. Murdock had sent a letter to Lucinda to apologize for his part in continuing the family feud. But when Lucinda's great-grandmother's pioneer home is burned, she is convinced the Murdocks are the culprits. As Sammy begins to delve into this mystery, she discovers there is more than meets the eye as seemingly disparate items-a stolen skateboard, a pet pig, a family feud and a buried treasure-provide clues. Van Draanen skillfully ties together all the loose ends. Readers will discover a cast of interesting characters, a bit of pioneer history, a little romance, and just enough red herrings to send amateur sleuths in the wrong direction. Fans of Sammy Keyes will enjoy matching wits with her in her latest case. 2000, Alfred A. Knopf, Ages 10 to 14, $16.99 and $14.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-375-90265-1
ISBN: 0-375-80265-7
Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief
Wendelin Van Draanen
Illustrations by Dan Yaccarino
Sammy lives with her grandmother in a seniors only building. That means she sleeps on the couch and all her things must stay tucked away in one bottom drawer. It also means she has to sneak in and out of the building to avoid a nosy neighbor. Sammy doesn't let these inconveniences stop her. Nothing stops Sammy Keyes. She lives an action-packed life of excitement she either finds or creates. In this mystery series debut, Sammy witnesses a robbery while spying with binoculars. Realizing that the thief looks oddly familiar, she waves, and the chase begins. The fast-paced mystery and its resolution are peppered with funny interactions with friends, suspects, and an ongoing conflict with a girl named Heather. Sammy's snappy voice is distinctive throughout. This quick-witted girl has an assertive personality kids will love but teachers may question. Sammy is so feisty, she thinks hitting another girl in the nose is a stupid reason to be suspended. At the end of the book, she engineers a public humiliation of her enemy and the vice-principal that is so complete, other students congratulate her for punching Heather out. A fun book for individual pleasure but not a classroom reader. 1998, Knopf, Ages 10 to 13, $15.00 and $4.99. Reviewer: Jackie Hechtkopf
ISBN: 0-679-89264-8
ISBN: 0-679-98839-4
Sammy Keyes and the Runaway Elf
Wendelin Van Draanen
Sammy Keyes is the newest mystery solver for middle schoolers, and the author Wendelin Van Draanen, has proven her skill by winning an Edgar award. Sammy is a tough, funny, and very smart girl who is bound to grow up to be a parboiled detective like Kinsey Milhone. Van Draanen's mysteries function in much the same way, a number of plots threading through the book, all come together at the end. In this adventure, Sammy faces an ugly gossipy woman who's blackmailing her, holds the hand of her hated adversary Mrs. Graybill as she dies, comforts a little girl who's still traumatized by her father's death, and tries to make peace with the fact that her flighty mother is starring in a commercial about having gas. 1999, Knopf, Ages 10 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Susie Wilde
ISBN: 0-679-88854-3
Sammy Keyes and the Sisters of Mercy
Wendelin Van Draanen
Sammy Keyes is a likeable seventh grader with friends, a boy interest, and a grandmother as her only family. Sammy plays on her school's baseball team and dutifully fulfills her after-school detention of community service at the local Catholic church. It is there Sammy meets the Sisters of Mercy, three traveling nuns who have arrived in town to raise money for the church with entertaining performances. When valuable items are stolen from the church, Sammy is accused. Yet Sammy is resourceful and pursues the trails of possible culprits. Sammy receives help from her grandmother's friend who knows a great many things and, Sammy thinks, may have worked for the CIA. Sammy adds opening a safe to her list of problem-solving skills. In this third book of the Sammy Keyes mysteries, the climax deals with competing tensions as Sammy struggles in the playoff games, the Sisters of Mercy perform their final show, and Sammy takes control of the NunMobile. 1999, Alfred A. Knopf, Ages 8 to 12, $15.00 and $16.99. Reviewer: Jacki Vawter
ISBN: 0-679-88852-7
ISBN: 0-679-98852-1
Sammy Keyes and The Skeleton Man
Wendelin Van Draanen
Sammy is a seventh grader who loves to solve mysteries. Twenty years ago, a family had its heirlooms stolen by a man in a skeleton costume. Now, Sammy is the one who may be able to solve that crime. The fast-paced and well-written story of Sammy Keyes is one that will delight and entrance those who read it. Of special note is the interest that will be generated by middle school readers, because Sammy is actually Samantha Keyes, who lives with her grandmother and is intelligent, fun loving and willing to try anything to solve a mystery. Fun for all who like a mystery, and a great choice for Halloween. 1998, Alfred A. Knopf, Ages 10 up, $15.00. Reviewer: Ru Story-Huffman
ISBN: 0-679-88850-0
Added 2001
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