Author Description

From School Library Journal Grade 5-8–Wendelin Van Draanen's eighth title in the Sammy Keyes series (Knopf/Borzoi, 2003) finds the middle-school detective solving the mystery of an art gallery theft. Sammy is attending a gallery event with her grandmother and elderly friend, Hudson, when she foils an attempted robbery. She finds an unlikely ally in her grandmother, who is more fully developed in this story. Grams and Hudson seem to be developing a relationship until Hudson becomes mesmerized by the victimized artist. Although she is distracted by bother her grandmother's love life and her own, Sammy eventually unravels the mystery. She discovers that the art world is not unlike junior high school with its own share of intrigue, backstabbing, and confusion. Tara Sands does an excellent job of narrating the story, infusing Sammy with just enough attitude for a seventh grader. Mystery fans will enjoy the plot and interesting cast of characters.–Katherine Devine, Westminster Academy, Elizabeth, NJ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.