Sammy Keyes and the Sisters of Mercy (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Father Mayhew isn't the kind of man you'd ever steal from..." (more)
Key Phrases: sammy keyes, complicated eyes, parish hall, Father Mayhew, Mary Margaret, Brother Phil (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-The resourceful, wise-cracking seventh grader returns in another whodunit filled with nonstop action and true-to-life dialogue. Sammy's adventures begin as she is working off 20 hours of detention time by helping out at St. Mary's church after school. While cleaning windows, she notices an unfamiliar girl. Before she can introduce herself, Father Mayhew discovers that his treasured papal cross has been stolen. Circumstances point to Sammy, and the gauntlet has been thrown. When she sees the mysterious girl again at the church soup kitchen, her curiosity is aroused. Does the stranger know anything about the stolen cross? Savvy readers may pick up clues that point to the real thieves but it is Sammy who eventually pieces it all together. Van Draanen deftly intertwines other subplots, adding depth and interest to an already engrossing mystery while capturing the angst of junior high school, cliques and all. Sammy also worries about the softball playoffs and her troubles with her arch enemy and rival team member, Heather Acosta. The mystery is solved in a climax full of excitement that culminates in a chase scene. Readers who have already met this amateur sleuth will welcome her back, and others will scramble to read the earlier mysteries.
Jennifer Ralston, Harford County Public Library, Belcamp, MD
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6. Junior-high sleuth Sammy, last seen in Sammy Keyes and the Skeleton Man (1998), returns for a third adventure. This time out, she's serving detention time by helping out at St. Mary's church when Father Mayhew's valuable ivory cross is stolen. Although it seems at first as if all the suspects are members of religious orders, Sammy cuts through the disguises to uncover a heist of enormous proportion. In addition, she has to deal with dirty tricks from her old nemesis, Heather, all while helping her softball team win the play-offs. As always, quirky characters are Van Draanen's strength; the singing missionaries who live and travel in a bus nicknamed the NunMobile and Father Mayhew's slobbery, carrot-chomping dog are particularly memorable. Give this one to mystery buffs and fans of this humorous series. Kay Weisman --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (October 12, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375801839
• ISBN-13: 978-0375801839
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #314,014 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great! Very unpredictable!, October 17, 1999

By A Customer

If you like mysteries, you'll love Sammy Keyes! In her 4th book, which is the longest so far, has great descriptions of the characters from meanie Heather Acosta to Sister Bernie. Read the first page and you won't be able to stop until the last line! Sammy keeps you on the edge of your seat. Every detail could be the clue to help you solve this mystery! Who could have stolen Father Mayhew's stuff? Brohter Phil? Holly, a homeless girl? The Sisters of Mercy? Or is it just Father Mayhew? Read the book to find out!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars There is a New Detective in Town, January 17, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Sammy Keyes and the Sisters of Mercy (Turtleback)

That Sammy Keyes is such a detective. Nancy Drew better watch out there is a 7th grade crime solving detective on the case. I like this book a lot because there is a 7th grader solving mysteries. I mean she is an ordinary kid in middle school going through what real 7th graders go through and she still solves mysteries and she won't give up on them no matter how long it takes her. She goes through controversy and things like that. This book "Sammy Keyes and the Sisters of Mercy" is a very good book. I recommend all of you guys to read it. I am not a mystery type person, but still this is a book for mystery or non-mystery type people should read. This book is better than another Sammy Keyes book I read and I would have given that book almost 4 stars. I only read three books of Sammy Keyes, but I can't wait until I get my hands on another Sammy Keyes book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Mystery, October 10, 2001

By A Customer

Another great Sammy Keyes book. Sammy helps out at St. Mary's chuch to work of some detention time when Father Mayhew's cross is stolen. Sammy becomes the prime suspect. Brother Phil, 2 nuns, Holly who is a homeless girl, and the 3 Sisters of Mercy are all suspects on Sammy's list. This is a wonderful mystery filled with suspense. You should definety read this.