Her coming-of-age adventures formed the basis for the comical problems she later forces Sammy Keyes to suffer. Entering adolescence was a time of added uncertainty for Van Draanen. The situation provided the inspiration for the intrepid, tomboy protagonists of her books, though the future author described her own juvenile persona as tentative and shy. Until she was in the fourth grade and her sister was born, Van Draanen grew up the sole daughter in a family with three children, having an older and a younger brother. Van Draanen's first book in the series-only her second ever published-won the Edgar Award for Best Children's Mystery in 1999. The middle schooler also combats some tough family and social situations with the same sense of humor and adventure. The misunderstood heroine, whose formal name is Samantha, often starts out as the primary suspect in some sort of minor crime and finds the real culprit through efforts to clear her own name. Wendelin Van Draanen is the author of the popular "Sammy Keyes" mystery series for young readers, featuring an indomitable tomboy with a penchant for landing herself in trouble. Meet the Gecko, illustrated by Brian Biggs, Knopf (New York, NY), 2005.Įnemy Spy, illustrated by Brian Biggs, Knopf (New York, NY), 2005. Secret Identity, illustrated by Brian Biggs, Knopf (New York, NY), 2004.Īttack of the Tagger, illustrated by Brian Biggs, Knopf (New York, NY), 2004. Sammy Keyes and the Wild Things, Knopf (New York, NY), 2007. Sammy Keyes and the Dead Giveaway, illustrations by Dan Yaccarino, Knopf (New York, NY), 2005. Sammy Keyes and the Psycho Kitty Queen, illustrations by Dan Yaccarino, Knopf (New York, NY), 2004. Sammy Keyes and the Art of Deception, Knopf (New York, NY), 2003. Sammy Keyes and the Search for Snake Eyes, Knopf (New York, NY), 2002. Sammy Keyes and the Hollywood Mummy, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, Knopf (New York, NY), 2001. Sammy Keyes and the Curse of Moustache Mary, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, Knopf (New York, NY), 2000. Sammy Keyes and the Runaway Elf, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, Knopf (New York, NY), 1999. Sammy Keyes and the Sisters of Mercy, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, Knopf (New York, NY), 1999. Sammy Keyes and the Skeleton Man, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, Knopf (New York, NY), 1998. Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, Knopf (New York, NY), 1998. Swear to Howdy, Knopf (New York, NY), 2003. How I Survived Being a Girl, HarperCollins ( New York, NY), 1997. AWARDS, HONORS:Įdgar Allan Poe Award for Best Children's Mystery, Mystery Writers of America, and Best Book for Young Adults selection, American Library Association, both 1999, both for Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief Edgar Allan Poe Award nomination for best juvenile, 2001, for Sammy Keyes and the Curse of Moustache Mary, 2003, for Sammy Keyes and the Search for Snake Eyes, and 2004, for Sammy Keyes and the Art of Deception Teen's Choice Award, 2004, for Flipped. Worked variously as a teacher of high school math and computer science, a forklift driver, a sports coach, and a musician. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, running, and playing in a rock band.
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