Sammy Keyes and the Dead Giveaway

Sammy Keyes #10

by Wendelin Van Draanen

Sammy accidentally makes a deadly mistake, but all clues point to her nemesis Heather. As Sammy struggles with her conscience, she helps an ailing senior citizen in her fight against urban renewal. Sammy's also dealing with her feelings for Casey, Heather's brother, who she's attending the Farewell Dance with on a "non-date."

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Mystery Thriller

Audio CD

First published September 27, 2005

About the author

Wendelin 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.

Reviews

[Reeny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this series when I was 9 years old. At age 20 I've outgrown a lot of things I used to read (ex: the Meg Cabot books I picked up in 6th grade), but for some reason not Sammy Keyes. It's distinctly Children's Lit and not YA, but it is still quite well written (It also contains some quite adult themes--I mean teenagers with meth labs? Pregnant teenagers looking for a way out of gangs? Homeless teens?) Sammy is mature, sharp and witty as always. This particular installment was more of a coming of age tale for Sammy than an intense mystery, but I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next one.

[Cassandra Hamm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my two favorites of the Sammy Keyes books as a kid (the other was #11, the Wild Things). We’ll see if it stays that way, but I just adore this book. While I was pretty stressed out by the lying plotline in the first half (where Sammy keeps digging herself in deeper and deeper), there is so much good Casey and Sammy content in this one. His nervousness when he asked her to the dance. The Humvee ride (ahoy, me hearties!). The dance itself (when he sang to her and dipped her!!!). The ice blocking.

Wendelin Van Draanen definitely gave me unrealistic expectations for middle school dating. I mean, Casey!!! Sweet and considerate and adoring and supportive and just generally perfect. Where is a grown up Casey for me. XD

I also remembered this one’s end because it was just so interesting. I won’t say anything more, but the twists were very good.

Just beware—there is a dead lovebird involved. :( poor Tango, sweet baby.

[chloe-phloe ₊ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“And what’re you doin’ here in the middle of the night? Spyin’ on me?”

“No! We’re going ice-blocking.”

“Ice-blocking? What’s that?”

“It’s sledding for the snowless,” Billy tells her.

24.02.22
SNOWLESS REPRESENTATION RARARARRARAR

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of her best in this series. If you've got children and/or grew up on Nancy Drew, this is a modern twist about a junior high school student who solves mysteries in her not so posh neighborhood while she deals with her not so posh life. Great reading for kids of today's age.

[Alex F_E2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me want to read and read and read and read and read with out stopping. I felt like that this book was the best book I ever read because the author made this book really really intreasting!

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the wilder mysteries of this series! But also lots of fun - as always!

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of the book was almost unbearable, but not in a bad way—I never did anything as bad as accidentally kill a bird, but Van Draanen really nailed when you’re thirteen and accidentally did something terrible and it eats away at you as you try to hide it. Almost uncomfortable to read, she did such a good job. The pirate stuff was a bit too silly for me, and the ending was way more gruesome than I’d have expected, but again, not in a bad way.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The basic points are:
- I loved this book. I feel like the first time I read it a few years ago, I missed out on a few things but now I caught them this time around
- the plot was a bit on the heavier side, dealing with moral issues and domestic abuse But it was still really good. I kinda didn't follow along with the plot completely but when the culprit was revealed, a few of the statements Sammy said about how she knew whodunnit made sense but still some of the things she said were kinda out there but that's a normal thing with Sammy Keyes books. Sammy restling with her conscience was refreshing to see too.
- most importantly, CAAAAAASSSEEEYYYY FREAKING ACOSTA was just so so so smooth in this book again. when they were slow dancing and he moved her in and out, gaahhhh I was so giddy because it was so cute 😍😍 he's just so cute and I love him and he just likes Sammy so much and he's sweet and please get me a Casey Acosta
- seeing Brandon again was nice because he's pretty cute too

So happy I can finally read 'wild things' now because I think that's my favorite book in this series so far and it's so Sammy x Casey centric!!

[Tamila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I think Sammy Keyes can’t get any more wild, the next book proves me wrong. Though the heaviest topic of this book isn’t at the forefront of the plot and is only discussed toward the end, it still knocked the socks off me because I wasn’t really expecting it. Sammy continues to mature and takes a big step in her process of growing as a person and becoming a citizen of the world. I am so impressed by her and sometimes it does feel a little too fiction-y, because who could ever be this smart and wise at 13 years old? And don’t even get me started on Casey. No way has any 13-year-old boy ever been as sweet, kind, cool, fun, and interesting as he is. But such is the beauty of books and of the Sammy Keyes series.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was okay, not as good as the others, I didn't really enjoy how the big mystery seemed so easily solved, there wasn't a huge following of clues and the ending..well no one could have figured that out and it wasn't particularly shocking. Sure it dealt with some tough subjects for youth literature but I have come to expect so much more out of Sammy. Hopefully the rest of the series delivers. Also...where the hell is my own Casey Acosta? I give up.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book talks a lot about the value of telling the truth, even when it’s hard, and also about how people can step up and make a difference in their community. I love Sammy and the whole cast of characters in her life. This is also an interesting mystery even though it’s not clear exactly what the mystery is through most of the book.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is kind of a strange book, but the entire series is strange (in a good way). The B-plot about an accidental bird death stressed me out, but I really like how that and the core mystery paralleled each other in the freedom that comes from being honest.

Reveal: Mrs. Stone, the neighbor of the woman Sammy helps (Mrs. Willawago) killed her abusive husband and buried him in their yard. Because she would be exposed if her property was suspended through eminent domain, she staged the threats to get the public on her side and not force them to move.

[Allen Beasley · Rating 1 out of 5]

it talks about confession of themselves and teaches us a lesson of lying. For example Sammy lies about killing the bird Tango and was hiding in the closet. Another example of lying is when she got images of birds telling her she did a wrong thing.
You would like this book if you liked a lesson always being learned in the end.I dont like the book tho.But still read it you probable will have a different opinion

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I’ve listened to too many of these in a row, but I had mixed feelings about this one. I found it a little too extra: a little too outlandish, a little too wish fulfillment, a little too on the nose, a little too unevenly paced, and a little too bogged down in detailed descriptions. Still fairly dark in some good ways, but it feels like the series is losing some of its best qualities. Of course, it’s probably not really meant to be binged by someone twenty years older than the characters.

[Milly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been using this series as a bumper between my next reads. And while I have been enjoying them because they bring such nostalgia, I am ready for it to be OVER! I’m also very type A and once I’ve started something I cannot stop until it’s finished. But I also hate listening to myself so. So the real question is will I finish or will I not?

[mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s been over 10 years since I last picked up this series. But I’m glad it was this book that I chose. Some politics in a middle grade book? Along with the mystery of boys, mean girls, and hidden antagonists? I love. Sammy and her circle remain adorable favs.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone needs a Billy. What a hoot.

And a Casey. What a cutie.

And a Marissa. What a friend.

I enjoyed seeing Sammy chose truth (after watching lies destroy the Sammy I loved) and riding in that Hummer.

I did not enjoy Mrs. Willawago.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually managed to guess this one, which is a rarity for a Van Draanen book which is usually very unguessable. Despite figuring it out, I still thoroughly enjoyed this read and it's been a long time since I was this absorbed in a book.

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorites of the series so far! I loved seeing Sammy with her friends, especially on their group date. I also loved the mystery aspects and the plot twist. My favorite part was the theme of the weight of keeping secrets and the way it was handled. I can't wait for the next book!

[Tracy Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sammy got herself in an awful predicament and then lied about it. It literally hurt my heart that Sammy would keep such a big lie that continued to grow. But in true Sammy fashion she faces the truth. It is a great lesson for others to learn.

[Aleisha Zolman · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a cute one, I really enjoyed the friendship dynamic between marissa and sammy. and the boys, now that i mention it. recommend it to everyone!

[Gerda Leek · Rating 2 out of 5]

for middle school girls

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sammy wrestles with her conscience, helps an elderly lady, deals with corrupt politicians, goes on her first 'date' and finds parts of a dead body. She sure lives an interesting life.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I love the way the story presses you to tell the truth. I'm also a lot like Marissa. It's such a romantic book. I almost wish it were a life story(ish) scenario.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audible.

[Presley · Rating 5 out of 5]

💕💕

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heather gets her comeuppance and Sammy learns a lesson

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Featuring the only instance where it is acceptable to give a dog chicken bones: when you are trying to tempt him away from a human bone of a man whose wife buried him in the backyard

[Amyanne Murray]

there’s just something so good and nostalgic about reading a book in a day. also sammy with that low key high key truth as the antithesis to shame narrative going on okaaaaaayyyyyyy 🔥

[Katie]

Listening to all the Sammy Keyes books, and this one was absolute chaos. What in the world.