Sammy Keyes and the Psycho Kitty Queen
The Sammy Keyes Series
Wendelin Van Draanen

Random House (Paperback)
ISBN-10: 0-440-41910-7 (0440419107)
ISBN-13: 978-0-440-41910-5 (9780440419105)
Publication Date: April 2006
List Price: $5.99

Review: In the mood for an up-lifting book? Are you looking for a book that keeps you gripping the page until the very end? Well here’s a book made just that will be utmost satisfying. Sammy Keyes and the Psycho Kitty Queen, written by Wendelin Van Draanen, is an excellent book that has mysterious twists … such as finding a dead cat in a dumpster! Sammy and her very close friend Holly set out to find the cruel person who could do such a thing to a poor and helpless cat. The 9th book in the series is a praiseworthy book.

Sammy once again finds herself sucked into mystery ... just like Wendelin Van Draanen is pulling you deeper into Sammy Keyes and the Psycho Kitty Queen! Wendelin Van Draanen keeps the story so intense it feels as if you are there yourself! You can also feel the unique emotions flowing throughout the book. Sammy also shows some unexpected interests such as watching wrestling. The book has a great amount of suspense mixed into the already very juicy plot. Sammy and Holly find a cat in the dumpster and not just any cat, a dead one! Sammy is ready to solve this crime no matter what it would interfere (even her birthday!) this cat-lover is up to the case! Other mysterious things are going on around Sammy, a wrestler dressed up in a cat costume who has never been seen without his costume off anywhere and a cave-man/bull dog person roaming the streets. Or being chased through a dark alley by an unknown man who has a cleaver. What is going on with Sammy? Working vigorously trying to find the cat murderer Sammy hasn’t ever been this clueless in all her mystery solving days. One clue will be all she needs to find this murderous villain.

The book is told from an odd point of view and this book is even more interesting to read because it’s a turning point for Sammy as she takes one big leap to becoming more mature and having more responsibilities and priorities. The book has moments where it can be fascinating and all the same horrifying. Many new twists that would have seemed unimaginable in previous books occur. The sense of “What, are you serious!” comes up a lot and gives you the urge to read on. The book doesn’t give a single hint of who it might be until the near-end. If you are a mystery lover then satisfy yourself with this one of a kind book!

This great, highly enjoyable, out of whack, unique and interesting book is a pleasure to read any time of day!

Review written by Asheena, Grade 6. Date of review: March 2009.

Review: Have you ever read a dull book? Too boring to comprehend? Well if you want some change and spice in your book selection, Sammy Keyes and the Psycho Kitty Queen by Wendelin Van Draanen is the book for you! Sammy's back and she's got attitude! Sammy and Holly don't mess around when they find a dead cat in a dumpster! They decide to get to the bottom of this mystery and go digging around for clues. Read along as Sammy and her friends find the sick minded person who did this!

Wendelin Van Draanen manages to pull you into the story as you read this book. In the following excerpt you can see how well Van Draanen captures the moment of fear and excitement: "But then a very scary thing happened. The guard started walking our way. And just as we're starting to panic, thinking maybe he's spotted us, something bumps inside the van." See that moment of excitement and fear? When you read this book you feel as though you're there, going through all the emotions Sammy does. I would suggest this book to older and more mature children (ages 10-14) due to mild language and violence.

All in all, this was a fabulous book and once I told my friends about it they just couldn't stop reading! It has a sense that all children can relate to; being trapped, not knowing what to do, falling behind, living through middle school, and of course dealing with your arch enemy. I would suggest this book any day.

Review written by Tiffany, Grade 6. Date of review: October 2008.

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