Sammy Keyes and the Wedding Crasher
7 CD Set (see all formats)

"Sammy is back in action in Edgar winner Van Draanen's thirteenth series title. Sands' joyful reading is so perfectly reminiscent of an adolescent that listeners will feel they are listening to Sammy read her detective journal aloud. There are big issues at play here-death threats against an unpopular teacher (and Sammy is a suspect), fights and the marriage breakup of best friend Marissa's parents, and negligence from Sammy's mother-and Sands communicates the heart-on-sleeve emotions and scary action with aplomb. There is also plenty of fun, and Sands readily expresses Sammy's sarcastic humor and romantic escapades tinged with audible sweetness and confusion. She also does a good job with middle-school mean-girl drama, making her voice drip with venom. Sammy's move into eighth grade widens the appeal of this can't-miss series title." BOOKLIST

"In the 13th installment (Knopf, 2010) of Van Draanen's middle-school mystery series, the beginning of eighth grade brings a slew of surprises for Samantha Keyes. For one thing, her minor role in Officer Borsch's wedding has been upgraded to bridesmaid. But trading in her high tops and jeans for sparkly heels and a frilly princess dress in the least of her worries. Her mother is dating the father of the boy Sammy has a crush on, a boy who happens to be the brother of Sammy's arch-enemy, Heather. Her best friend's family is falling apart. And someone is leaving death threats for her despised history teacher, Mr. Vince, with Sammy herself the number-one suspect. Fortunately, Sammy is just the sort of girl who will be able to put together all the clues and clear things up, even if she has to look like a fairy godmother while she does it. Tara Sands brings Sammy's energetic, wisecracking voice to life, and skillfully portrays the many other characters. Highly recommended for school and public libraries."