This book was mentioned on Episode 1 of Checking Out. Listen here!

This review originally appeared on my blog, Rachel Reading. If you like this, check out the site for more!

I. Love. This. Series. Seriously, I have no shame. I've decided to do a reread of this, one book a month, so that I can read the ones I haven't read fully informed of everything that happened before. Sammy Keyes is in middle school and lives with her grandmother at the Senior High Rise where she really isn't supposed to be living.

One day, while trying to entertain herself in the apartment, she sees a thief through binoculars, and then he sees her. She does the unthinkable, she waves. Sammy then tries to help solve the crime while also dealing with the drama that comes with middle school and the evil Heather Acosta. The book is told with lots of humor, memorable characters and clues along the way that keep you intrigued.

I actually reread this as the first book when I nannied kids over the summer, ages 6-14. All four of them (males and females) absolutely LOVED this book. They laughed, and refused to let me stop reading out loud for hours. They then demanded that I read them the second one. I love that this book has held up over the years (I remember reading it when I was young), and that kids of both genders love it. Sammy is absolutely a strong female heroine that we need more of in the books. She's not "Oh woe is me", she's strong and doesn't take anyone's crap.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone, I think it's a fun, easy read that kids of all ages, and adults would enjoy!