**Samantha Josephine “Sammy” Keyes**  
The 13-year-old protagonist and narrator is a curious and impulsive amateur sleuth who investigates a string of robberies while navigating life in seventh grade.

**Rita “Grams” Keyes**  
Sammy’s nurturing and supportive grandmother, with whom she secretly resides at the Senior Highrise, constantly worries about maintaining their living situation.

**Oscar/Larry Daniels**  
Initially known to Sammy as Oscar, a friendly ice cream vendor, his true identity as Larry Daniels connects to the robbery subplot.

**Marissa McKenze**  
Sammy’s loyal and somewhat nervous best friend, who supports her in personal and investigative endeavors.

**Officer Borsch**  
The grumpy police officer assigned to the robbery cases, who often doubts Sammy’s abilities.

**Heather Acosta**  
Sammy’s junior high school bully with fiery hair and a penchant for manipulative and attention-seeking behavior.

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief by Wendelin Van Draanen is celebrated for its gripping plot, witty protagonist, and engaging narrative, appealing to young readers. While its fast pace excites, some find character development lacking. Overall, it's a charming mystery with humor and suspense that captivates its audience despite minor criticisms.

Readers who enjoy Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief by Wendelin Van Draanen will likely appreciate middle-grade mysteries with a strong, witty female protagonist, much like Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh or Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene. These readers relish clever plots and tenacious heroines.

In Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief by Wendelin Van Draanen, a young person named Sammy Keyes witnesses a crime from a distance while using binoculars. As she navigates the complexities of solving the mystery, she encounters a series of challenges and learns valuable lessons about friendship, courage, and integrity.

Mysterious / Adventurous / Suspenseful / Humorous

- Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief is the first book in the Sammy Keyes series, which includes a total of eighteen books.
- The book was awarded the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Juvenile in 1999, recognizing it as an outstanding mystery novel for young readers.
- Wendelin Van Draanen began writing the Sammy Keyes series after being inspired by her experiences as both a teacher and a parent, aiming to create a spunky and relatable young heroine.

Wendelin Van Draanen

Middle grade

Novel

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Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief Summary and Study Guide

Background

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 4

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief Prologue-Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-9

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief Chapters 5-9 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 10-14

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief Chapters 10-14 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 15-19

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief Chapters 15-19 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief Character Analysis

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Themes

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief Essay Topics

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief?

Reading Age

Book Details