Sammy Keyes and the Cold Hard Cash
6 CD Set (see all formats)

"From the opening sound effects of an airplane-"This is your pilot speaking"-this is an engaging recording. What would we do without punctuation marks? Mr. Wright and his class explore this notion as they begin a class read-aloud that has no punctuation. "Thisisweirdthepunctuationismissinguhohwherecoulditbeyikes!" John Beach rises to the challenge of giving each punctuation mark its own distinctive vocal sound. He articulates each postcard from each vacationing punctuation mark with its specific sound effect. The results are hilarious when Mr. Wrongo's class writes an urgent letter, and the punctuation ends up in entirely wrong locations. It will take several "listens" before the vocals add to the humor of this story and are not a distraction, but it's well worth making the effort."

"While sneaking into her grandmother's seniors-only apartment, the titular 13-year-old sleuth gets the fright of her life when she scares a man to death on the fire escape. With his dying words, the stranger tells Sammy to "get rid of it," referring to the bundles of twenty-dollar bills stuffed in his pockets. Sammy's newfound wealth leads her into more trouble than she expects. Life with Sammy and her friends is never dull, and narrator Tara Sands ramps up the energy in this fun and engaging reading. While her adult characters often come across as forced, Sands excels at joyfully capturing teenage nuances."

"In the twelfth installment of this popular series, Sammy literally scares a man to death on the fire escape of her grandmother’s seniors-only high-rise. Right before he succumbs to a heart attack, the man tells Sammy to empty his pockets of cash. While Sammy decides what to do with the money, she also deals with the other problems in her life, including boys. Sands reprises her performance (other series titles are available from Live Oak) of the irrepressible Sammy and her quirky family and friends. The characters are unique and memorable, from youthful, expressive Sammy to her calming, young-at-heart grandmother. Sands is as equally competent with Sammy’s circle of friends as she is with a gruff police officer and the zany seniors. Fast pacing and endless twists and turns ensure listener enjoyment."