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Sammy Keyes #4
Sammy Keyes and the Runaway Elf
And this new adventure is Wendelin Van Draanen's most complex and compelling yet! It's Christmastime in Sammy's hometown of Santa Martina, but some people are being very, very naughty. Pranksters dressed as wise men sabotage the Christmas Parade. In the ensuing chaos, some thugs dognap a prize Pomeranian. Then the Pom's owner blackmails Sammy into finding the dog so she won't have to pay the ransom. Sammy doesn't have to check her list twice to know that these people belong in the naughty column!
But in the course of her search for the doggone dog, Sammy also comes across some characters who are harder to a runaway elf, an embittered old biddy, a puffed-up policeman, and a sneaky Secret Santa. Still, someone's got that dog and whoever it is had better watch out--'cause Sammy Keyes is nosing around...and she's willing to be pretty naughty herself to make sure the bad guys pay.
But in the course of her search for the doggone dog, Sammy also comes across some characters who are harder to a runaway elf, an embittered old biddy, a puffed-up policeman, and a sneaky Secret Santa. Still, someone's got that dog and whoever it is had better watch out--'cause Sammy Keyes is nosing around...and she's willing to be pretty naughty herself to make sure the bad guys pay.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
73 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
Wendelin Van Draanen
51 books2,196 followersWendelin Van Draanen has written more than thirty novels for young readers and teens. She is the author of the 18-book Edgar-winning Sammy Keyes series, and wrote Flipped which was named a Top 100 Children’s Novel for the 21st Century by SLJ, and became a Warner Brothers feature film with Rob Reiner directing. Her novel The Running Dream was awarded ALA’s Schneider Family Award for its portrayal of the disability experience.
Van Draanen's latest book, Hope in the Mail, is part memoir, part writing guided, designed to encourage aspiring writers to pursue their dream.
Van Draanen is also the author of two short chapter-book series. The Gecko & Sticky books, are fun read-alouds, perfect for reluctant readers, and the Shredderman books—featuring a boy who deals with a bully—received the Christopher Award for “affirming the highest values of the human spirit” and became a Nickelodeon made-for-TV movie.
Van Draanen was a classroom teacher for fifteen years. She and her husband reside in California and have two sons.
Van Draanen's latest book, Hope in the Mail, is part memoir, part writing guided, designed to encourage aspiring writers to pursue their dream.
Van Draanen is also the author of two short chapter-book series. The Gecko & Sticky books, are fun read-alouds, perfect for reluctant readers, and the Shredderman books—featuring a boy who deals with a bully—received the Christopher Award for “affirming the highest values of the human spirit” and became a Nickelodeon made-for-TV movie.
Van Draanen was a classroom teacher for fifteen years. She and her husband reside in California and have two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
January 5, 2019
One of my holiday re-reads, this is a fun mystery, but also a good book about the importance of family and friends during the holidays.
Reread 2018-19: Read this aloud to my kids for the first time. They liked it!
Reread 2018-19: Read this aloud to my kids for the first time. They liked it!
February 4, 2016
I started reading this series when I was in middle school and even though I am a junior in college now, making them it a little beneath my age group, I still eagerly devour each book. The fourth book in the series, Sammy is blackmailed into helping a rich and powerful elderly woman recover her missing dog who was kidnapped at a Christmas parade.
As always, Wendelin Van Draanen displays a great talent for interweaving various subplots in a way that keeps the reader interested and in such a way that they don't get confused or have a hard time keeping track of what is going on.
Sammy faces a whole host of problems here, with the tension of being kicked out of her grandmother's apartment because of Lilia Landvogt's threats and of course the eternal battle with Heather Acosta (although I must say, she did a brilliant job getting back at her---it's amazing how smart and creative she is for her age!). And yet throughout all this I loved how the author showed us that Sammy is a kid too, and like all kids there are new experiences for her to learn and discover. She becomes a mentor to a young child named Elyssa who's father passed away recently, and she helps her come to terms with his death in a way that no one else had been able to. She even learns to forgive and empathize with Mrs. Graybill in ways that she herself never could have imagined. Mrs. Graybill's death was a new experience and milestone for Sammy because it marked her evolution as a character and it showed her becoming becoming more mature. She realized that time can change a person so much that they may not even recognize themselves.
Of course throughout it all she is stuck with the puzzle over who kidnapped Lilia Landvogt's dog and the list of suspects is long, since she is a woman with countless enemies. Even though this is more of a middle-school aged book and the writing is more suited to kids in that age group, I have always enjoyed these books and this one is no different! Once again, Wendelin Van Draanen tells an entertaining, deep, and humorous story as she recounts Sammy's latest adventure!
As always, Wendelin Van Draanen displays a great talent for interweaving various subplots in a way that keeps the reader interested and in such a way that they don't get confused or have a hard time keeping track of what is going on.
Sammy faces a whole host of problems here, with the tension of being kicked out of her grandmother's apartment because of Lilia Landvogt's threats and of course the eternal battle with Heather Acosta (although I must say, she did a brilliant job getting back at her---it's amazing how smart and creative she is for her age!). And yet throughout all this I loved how the author showed us that Sammy is a kid too, and like all kids there are new experiences for her to learn and discover. She becomes a mentor to a young child named Elyssa who's father passed away recently, and she helps her come to terms with his death in a way that no one else had been able to. She even learns to forgive and empathize with Mrs. Graybill in ways that she herself never could have imagined. Mrs. Graybill's death was a new experience and milestone for Sammy because it marked her evolution as a character and it showed her becoming becoming more mature. She realized that time can change a person so much that they may not even recognize themselves.
Of course throughout it all she is stuck with the puzzle over who kidnapped Lilia Landvogt's dog and the list of suspects is long, since she is a woman with countless enemies. Even though this is more of a middle-school aged book and the writing is more suited to kids in that age group, I have always enjoyed these books and this one is no different! Once again, Wendelin Van Draanen tells an entertaining, deep, and humorous story as she recounts Sammy's latest adventure!
December 13, 2023
I picked this because I thought it would be Christmas-themed. I should have started at the beginning of the series, so I had history behind some of the characters. Granted, as a middle grade novel, I was able to figure it out, but would recommend starting at the beginning is someone thinks they may be interested in the entire series. If you are looking for Christmas-themed, this did not have nearly as much as some. Aside from the theme of the parade to open the book, and a Kris Kringle gift exchange in class, it did not have much Christmas theme. I will not read more of these, but it was quick and easy enough, so was not a huge commitment.
October 24, 2019
I don’t know what it is about Sammy Keyes that has me so engulfed. But reading this series over the last few weeks has really helped me through my work shifts, and I’m not mad about it.
Sammy has spunk, she has sass, she has smarts and she has heart. Every book my love for her just grows. I love the fact that she marches to the beat of her own drum and doesn’t care what others has to say about it. Each ending teaches you a lesson rather it be about family, friendship, life or self. Sammy Keyes is okay in my book.
Sammy has spunk, she has sass, she has smarts and she has heart. Every book my love for her just grows. I love the fact that she marches to the beat of her own drum and doesn’t care what others has to say about it. Each ending teaches you a lesson rather it be about family, friendship, life or self. Sammy Keyes is okay in my book.
July 3, 2020
Sammy learns a valuable character quality and that is forgiveness. She learns this in the midst of losing someone she kept having unpleasant encounters with and while being blackmailed into finding a kidnapped dog!
Somehow Wendelin Van Draanen strikes the hard balance of creating a lovable character who routinely finds herself in hot water and leaning some timely truths without it feeling cheesy.
Somehow Wendelin Van Draanen strikes the hard balance of creating a lovable character who routinely finds herself in hot water and leaning some timely truths without it feeling cheesy.
February 8, 2018
This review was originally posted on Rachel Reading. For more like this, check it out!
As you probably know by this blog, I love Sammy Keyes. I grew up with the books and I wanted to do a reread of the books because I wanted to see if they held up, and the good news is that they do. Also, the audiobooks are still just as phenomenal as they were when I was a kid. This story picks up around Christmas time, and Sammy has been dragged into helping out Meg and Vera with the Pup Parade, and while she's showing Marique, a prize-winning Pomeranian, she escapes, and goes missing. Sammy gets blackmailed by her owner who seems to have dirt on everyone to solve the crime. Although, in this book, the crime seems to take a backseat to some bigger issues.
One of the things that I love about how van Draanen writes is that she talks about big issues, like in this, we find a discussion of loss and death, and what that looks like for kids. She deals with something that is so hard, and so big, but does it in a way that is just phenomenally accessible it blows my mind. Sammy meets Elyssa, who continually runs away from where she's supposed to be. She's younger than Sammy, and Sammy decides to kind of take on a mentor role with her. It's revealed later in the book that We get a beautiful scene in a graveyard with Elyssa and Sammy who are just two kids trying to make sense of what losing someone looks like. We also have Mrs. Graybill in this book with her final appearance, and we see Sammy experience the complexities of grief.
This book is so extremely well done, just like all of these books are. Sammy is so realistic, and I think we can all see some of ourselves in her. I can't recommend this series enough, and this book is a hidden gem in all of them.
As you probably know by this blog, I love Sammy Keyes. I grew up with the books and I wanted to do a reread of the books because I wanted to see if they held up, and the good news is that they do. Also, the audiobooks are still just as phenomenal as they were when I was a kid. This story picks up around Christmas time, and Sammy has been dragged into helping out Meg and Vera with the Pup Parade, and while she's showing Marique, a prize-winning Pomeranian, she escapes, and goes missing. Sammy gets blackmailed by her owner who seems to have dirt on everyone to solve the crime. Although, in this book, the crime seems to take a backseat to some bigger issues.
One of the things that I love about how van Draanen writes is that she talks about big issues, like in this, we find a discussion of loss and death, and what that looks like for kids. She deals with something that is so hard, and so big, but does it in a way that is just phenomenally accessible it blows my mind. Sammy meets Elyssa, who continually runs away from where she's supposed to be. She's younger than Sammy, and Sammy decides to kind of take on a mentor role with her. It's revealed later in the book that We get a beautiful scene in a graveyard with Elyssa and Sammy who are just two kids trying to make sense of what losing someone looks like. We also have Mrs. Graybill in this book with her final appearance, and we see Sammy experience the complexities of grief.
This book is so extremely well done, just like all of these books are. Sammy is so realistic, and I think we can all see some of ourselves in her. I can't recommend this series enough, and this book is a hidden gem in all of them.
September 24, 2012
My favorite Sammy Keyes book yet. While Sammy cannot be described as a truly "dynamic" character in the strictest sense--she needs to remain largely consistent through the series, after all--she does go through her moments of reflection and growth as she moves through each book. Book number 4, 'The Runaway Elf', portrays some of these moments most effectively of the five books I've read so far (And I do hope to finish the series eventually, if they continue anything NEARLY as good as this one!).
Her relationship with Elyssa is touching, and what transpires with old Mrs. Graybill is definitely one of Van Draanen's nicest pieces of work...but I don't want to give it away. It IS evidence that you really don't want to read the books out of order, if you can possibly follow through the series as written. Without giving out a spoiler, I will say there is a moment I LOVED midway through the book (p. 85, to be exact) when Sammy looks at the lives of Mrs. Graybill and "cranky ol' Mr. Petersen". Thinking about how they had turned out the way they are as adults, she says "There was no way I ever wanted to look back at a picture of myself at seventeen and not recognize me."
Of course, there is plenty that is still reliable and constant. Heather Acosta, Sammy's chief nemesis, remains as evil as ever; but having read this book, I can't help but wonder if she might ever find redemption and if she and Sammy might ever find some common ground. I don't expect it to be anytime soon. There's a lot more ground to cover in the series. Can't wait to see what happens next!
Her relationship with Elyssa is touching, and what transpires with old Mrs. Graybill is definitely one of Van Draanen's nicest pieces of work...but I don't want to give it away. It IS evidence that you really don't want to read the books out of order, if you can possibly follow through the series as written. Without giving out a spoiler, I will say there is a moment I LOVED midway through the book (p. 85, to be exact) when Sammy looks at the lives of Mrs. Graybill and "cranky ol' Mr. Petersen". Thinking about how they had turned out the way they are as adults, she says "There was no way I ever wanted to look back at a picture of myself at seventeen and not recognize me."
Of course, there is plenty that is still reliable and constant. Heather Acosta, Sammy's chief nemesis, remains as evil as ever; but having read this book, I can't help but wonder if she might ever find redemption and if she and Sammy might ever find some common ground. I don't expect it to be anytime soon. There's a lot more ground to cover in the series. Can't wait to see what happens next!
June 26, 2009
This book like the rest of it in the series was amazing. It started around Christmastime. Santa Martina was having its annual Chritmas parade. But then some people thimkit would be funny to throw cats at a dosg float. That throws the whole parade into chaos. In the process, a prized Pomeranian is stolen. Sammy is being blackmaild into finding or else she's out on the streets. While looking for the lost dog, she also finds a lost elf! How much weirder can it get?
December 23, 2023
Reread 2023: reading this aloud with my kids (9, 7, and 5) was so fun. They loved it and laughed and laughed (especially at the gas away lady). It has been fun to share Sammy with them.
Original review: Sammy is one of my favorite characters to read! It is also so satisfying when the "bad guys" get what is coming to them in the end.
Original review: Sammy is one of my favorite characters to read! It is also so satisfying when the "bad guys" get what is coming to them in the end.
December 7, 2019
i think it was better then some of the others books in the series. i like how she meets a knew person and she sees another side of her mean next door neighbor and finds out more about her. and i just thought that was sweet. but it definitely wasn't one of the best books in that series.
December 31, 2022
gave me an existential crisis about life after death at the ripe age of 10! 🎶 What a time what a time what a time 🎶
October 8, 2021
The best book of the series so far but it couldn't have been any other way. The reason it's so good is because of the foundation that has been laid in the previous books - Mrs. Graybill, Lady Lana, Sammy herself, and even Officer Borsch (what an amazing name, by the way - every time he is in a scene I imagine a strong cabbage smell).
Sammy goes through so many difficult experiences in this book. Her growth is immense as she comes face-to-face with the harsh realities of life and learns from every terrible and heartbreaking thing that happens to her. While she comes off as a troublemaker at times at the start of the series, a bit rough around the edges, by the end of this book she has fully developed into a compassionate, strong, and wise person. A person who sees and understands the complexities of life. I was close to crying while reading the last chapter, which was written so beautifully that I'm still getting goosebumps thinking about it.
It amazes me how much readers can learn about life from this series. What seems to be a simple whodunit for kids is so much more than that. I want to stress once again how much better written this series is than most adult mysteries, many of which I suspect are published for the money, whereas Sammy Keyes has never been about that. Sammy Keyes is all about heart.
Sammy goes through so many difficult experiences in this book. Her growth is immense as she comes face-to-face with the harsh realities of life and learns from every terrible and heartbreaking thing that happens to her. While she comes off as a troublemaker at times at the start of the series, a bit rough around the edges, by the end of this book she has fully developed into a compassionate, strong, and wise person. A person who sees and understands the complexities of life. I was close to crying while reading the last chapter, which was written so beautifully that I'm still getting goosebumps thinking about it.
It amazes me how much readers can learn about life from this series. What seems to be a simple whodunit for kids is so much more than that. I want to stress once again how much better written this series is than most adult mysteries, many of which I suspect are published for the money, whereas Sammy Keyes has never been about that. Sammy Keyes is all about heart.
February 18, 2018
Whew, this one was a lot darker than the other books so far. Sammy gets into real danger here (a gun is pulled on her twice--it was all very Nancy Drew) and is being blackmailed by a woman who talks trash about another woman who has had several miscarriages. Van Draanen also references Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart," though the good news is that there's no murder here.
Sammy also deals with the abandonment she feels because her mother dumped her at her grandmother's (her words), and there's some talk of death of grown-ups. Also, I didn't expect a lesson about resentment, spite, and heartbreak in the middle of this book, but it was well-placed and well-handled. And sad, of course.
You can tell this book was written in the late '90s/early aughts because a group of middle schoolers sneak off to smoke, and Sammy checks the bathroom for smokers waiting to sneak a cigarette. Also, all the roaming around town! The runaway elf is a seven-year-old latchkey kid, and I don't even think those exist anymore (I could be wrong).
I listened to the audiobook, and it was A+ as usual.
Sammy also deals with the abandonment she feels because her mother dumped her at her grandmother's (her words), and there's some talk of death of grown-ups. Also, I didn't expect a lesson about resentment, spite, and heartbreak in the middle of this book, but it was well-placed and well-handled. And sad, of course.
You can tell this book was written in the late '90s/early aughts because a group of middle schoolers sneak off to smoke, and Sammy checks the bathroom for smokers waiting to sneak a cigarette. Also, all the roaming around town! The runaway elf is a seven-year-old latchkey kid, and I don't even think those exist anymore (I could be wrong).
I listened to the audiobook, and it was A+ as usual.
August 18, 2017
I liked this one a lot. I think this was the first Sammy book I ever read. The whole Christmas-y vibe just made it feel real nice and cute. I found it interesting how the heather plot line was kinda forced in this. Like the author didn't see how heather could fit in this book and she figured she'd just add the random cat plot line into the story just to insert heather in the book. I didn't mind though. I just found the storyline out of place. Loved the Elyssa plot line too. I felt like we didn't get to hang out with Sammy and Co. this time but that's ok. I really hated the crocodile. She was just so terrible. I'm glad that Nora decided to be petty and kick crocodile out of the high society events.
Now for real, I'm super excited for the next book because I know that's when He makes his first appearance!!
Now for real, I'm super excited for the next book because I know that's when He makes his first appearance!!
June 3, 2024
Sammy Keyes finds herself on the case again, when she has to find a missing Pomeranian. Seems the pup is quite valuable and the owner is a real pain. Also Sammy was responsible for the dog during its riding on a float in the Christmas parade, but the dog escaped!
As Sammy investigates, she finds the dog’s owner is quite a despicable person, and isn’t like by many who know her. Could this be a kidnapping and that is why Sammy can’t find the pup?
Sammy also finds herself with a “runaway elf” on her hands, named Elyssa. A little girl in need of a friend and also has some serious questions on her mind.
A theme that runs through this book is “loss. Different characters have loved ones they have lost through death or otherwise, and find they’ve yet to deal with it.
This is a fun read from a series. Sammy is pretty smart and not afraid to go after a solution when there is a mystery or problem to solve.
As Sammy investigates, she finds the dog’s owner is quite a despicable person, and isn’t like by many who know her. Could this be a kidnapping and that is why Sammy can’t find the pup?
Sammy also finds herself with a “runaway elf” on her hands, named Elyssa. A little girl in need of a friend and also has some serious questions on her mind.
A theme that runs through this book is “loss. Different characters have loved ones they have lost through death or otherwise, and find they’ve yet to deal with it.
This is a fun read from a series. Sammy is pretty smart and not afraid to go after a solution when there is a mystery or problem to solve.
February 27, 2018
really enjoyed this! the fourth installment of the Sammy Keyes series takes place during the holiday season and features a good mystery as well as themes of family, blackmail, death and forgiveness. throughout the book are many hilarious and awkward moments, but Sammy does also encounter some heavier matters along the way which ultimately results in gaining just a bit more life experience for her. :)
January 17, 2019
I really should stop being surprised by these books, because not only are they childhood books so theoretically I remember them, but like--these books have a lot of interesting subject matter, and they deal with them in a really realistic and funny way, and I love Sammy as a main character, I am pretty sure the combination of her + The All-American Rejects are why I started wearing high-tops, these books are so good.
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July 20, 2021This one deals with deal and saying goodbye, making amends with those you've done wrong towards. Also Sammy makes steps towards getting along better with the police. She's making another friend and getting pulled toward kid stuff like girl scouts after receiving macaroni crafts and loving them. Her struggle with her mom is dealt with a bit more. She gains even more perspective about good and bad when she meets the lady she calls the crocodile. Suddenly some other people don't seem so bad.
December 23, 2024
I knew of the Sammy Keyes series as a kid but never got around to reading it, and I've continually been surprised by the mature topics it features. This book deals with death and grief, as well as Sammy confronting her pent-up emotions over her mom leaving her.
Reveal:
Reveal:
November 28, 2021
Look I'm not a pearl clutcher. I think Junie B. Jones is a hoot, but this book is one I'm glad I didn't read with my kids. A man pulls a gun on a child twice, 13 year olds smoke in the school bathroom, and there are terms used that I don't write much less say out loud. If I hadn't been alone on a very long drive I would have just turned it off.
December 19, 2022
Sometimes children’s books are the best at outlining hard and complicated topics. In this instance, forgiveness. Sammy isn’t perfect with forgiveness, but it’s moving to watch her navigate away from grudges towards forgiveness more and more with each book. The last chapter was moving and I had a hard time not crying reading it to my kids tonight.
March 12, 2018
I love the crazy situations that Sammy gets herself into. But I also love all the supporting characters. They seem like real people. These mysteries always make me think about life without being preachy. I love that.
December 31, 2022
Really enjoying re-reading this series. Maybe it’s just nostalgia but I think they’re better than a lot of the YA books I’ve read. Reflecting on them, some of them (especially this one) are surprisingly dark.
January 24, 2023
Just reading through my favorite YA series. Van Draanen does an amazing job of keeping the book fun and light while bringing up serious topics (like death, loss, and regret) and discussing them in a way that anyone can read, understand, and relate
January 8, 2024
Maybe I'm just overly sensitive (and I am!) but I don't like books where kids are throwing cats or dogs are getting kidnapped and held ransom. The writing of this book was excellent for middle grade readers, but I just couldn't rate higher based on the animal issues.
February 10, 2024
“Do I have to buy her a present?”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “A present that’s not from the heart is no present at all, Sammy.”
“So does that mean I don’t?”
His head was still shaking. “That’s up to you.”
24.02.10
🧧❤️
August 17, 2017
These are just a little too old for my 11 year old. Holding off for now.
December 8, 2018
Not an objectively bad book, I just struggled to stay engaged and get through it.
However, there was a good storyline about forgiveness.
However, there was a good storyline about forgiveness.
January 27, 2020
This is almost better than Nancy Drew.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews