Sammy Keyes and the Kiss Goodbye – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Sammy Keyes and the Kiss Goodbye

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2014

88%

WISE Score

4.5

Amazon

Sammy Keyes hangs up her high-tops in a finale that’s more 'Die Hard' than 'Nancy Drew'—with heart to match.

Sammy Keyes and the Kiss Goodbye

book

2014

88%

WISE Score

4.5

Amazon

Sammy Keyes hangs up her high-tops in a finale that’s more 'Die Hard' than 'Nancy Drew'—with heart to match.

4.5

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Screenwise Verdict

If your kid hasn't read the first 17 books, don't start here—you’ll be lost. But as a series closer, it’s a masterclass in middle-grade noir.

Van Draanen doesn't pull punches. Sammy gets hurt, things get scary, and the 'bad guys' aren't just cartoon villains. It’s smart, fast-paced, and holds up surprisingly well even a decade after its release.

It’s rare to find a series that grows with its audience, but Sammy Keyes managed it. This is a solid, satisfying 'Kiss Goodbye' to one of the best detectives in the genre.

Age Fit

Perfect for 10-14 year olds. It’s the sweet spot for kids who want a 'real' story but aren't quite ready for the full-blown cynicism of adult thrillers.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Sammy is a loyal friend and a champion for the underdog. While the series involves real-world grit like gangs and drugs, the core is about community and doing the right thing even when it's hard.

Imaginative

It's grounded in reality, so no magic here, but the deductive reasoning and clever problem-solving encourage kids to look at their own world with a more critical eye.

Safe

For a middle-grade book, it gets heavy. Sammy ends up in the hospital and faces a villain seeking genuine revenge. It's safe for the target age, but it's not a 'cozy' mystery.

Enriching

The series finale wraps up years of character growth. It deals with transition, saying goodbye, and the weight of consequences in a way most kids' books avoid.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Sammy is the antidote to the 'perfect' protagonist; she's messy, nosy, and relatable.
The mystery actually requires brainpower, not just lucky coincidences.
It provides a genuine sense of closure for kids who have grown up with the series.
It tackles 'adult' themes like revenge and criminal consequences without talking down to the reader.

⚠

What to Watch For

The stakes are high: Sammy is physically attacked and hospitalized in this installment.
Mentions of darker elements from previous books, including gang activity and drug dealing.

Conversation Starters

"Sammy has spent years 'poking the bear.' Do you think the risk she took was worth the outcome?"
"Why do you think all of Sammy's friends showed up for her at the end?"
"How does Sammy's relationship with her grandmother change throughout the series?"
"If you were in Sammy's shoes, would you have stopped investigating once things got dangerous?"

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