Sammy Keyes and the Power of Justicce Jack by Wendelin Van Draanen-ESSENTIAL

Van Draanen, Wendelin, Sammy Keyes and the Power of Justice Jack. Alfred A. Knopf, 2012.pgs. 294. Language: PG  (1 swear, no "f"s). Violence: PG, Sexual Content: G

 When Sammy Keyes meets Santa Martina, Justice Jack, she’s a little skeptical of his crime-fighting superhero abilities. To make matters worse, all the elderly people are fond of the man and want to hire him to track down Sammy’s neighbor, Mrs. Wedgewood. Despite the superhero’s best efforts, Sammy is steal better at caching criminals than he is. When a mystery pops up with relation to a city statue and the superhero’s true intentions, Sammy can’t resist her newest caper. Can Sammy discover who this kooky superhero really is? Will she solve the mystery and find her neighbor?

 Sammy is a multidimensional character with a flare for mysteries. With multiple sub-plots, Wendelin Van Draanen humors her readers once again. Her lovable, colorful, oddball characters are a delight. This entertaining spoof will keep the reader turning pages. EL (4-6), MS. ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.