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. 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. The junior-high schooler also combats some tough family and social situations with the same sense of humor and adventure. 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 audience I have in mind is the kid who's coming to a place where they have to make decisions on their own," the writer told Authors and Artists for Young Adults (AAYA). "I try to shed a little light on the merits of being good, heroic, and honest...