Sammy Keyes and the Runaway Elf (Unabridged) Audiobook, by Wendelin Van Draanen Play Audiobook Sample

Sammy Keyes and the Runaway Elf Audiobook (Unabridged)

Sammy Keyes and the Runaway Elf (Unabridged) Audiobook, by Wendelin Van Draanen Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Tara Sands Publisher: Live Oak Media Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 3.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 2.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: January 2008 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN:

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Publisher Description

It's Christmas, but leave it to Sammy Keyes to find trouble even in the midst of the holiday parade. Trying to help a friend, she reluctantly volunteers on the Canine Calendar float, only to have the famous cover dog dog-napped on her watch! The animal's owner orders Sammy to find the dog before the $50,000 ransom being demanded comes due. But all that Sammy can uncover is a little elflike girl named Elyssa, whose problems seem more important than a missing dog. Still, Sammy does her best to round up the dog-nappers, while forming a bond with the mysterious elf girl. Clever clues and characters abound, making this satisfying mystery unforgettable at Christmas or anytime.

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"My favorite Sammy Keyes book so far. There's a greater depth -- more soul-searching, if you will -- in this adventure. More sadness, too. The mystery is perhaps not as mysterious, nor is it as much front and center, as in the other stories, but the result is a more well-rounded and captivating novel. And with its theme of forgiveness, it makes a perfect Christmas read."

— Jennifer (5 out of 5 stars)

Sammy Keyes and the Runaway Elf (Unabridged) Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.97560975609756 out of 53.97560975609756 out of 53.97560975609756 out of 53.97560975609756 out of 53.97560975609756 out of 5 (3.98)
5 Stars: 11
4 Stars: 20
3 Stars: 9
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Continues to grab you with likable characters in interesting situations. "

    — Brett, 2/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I learned that a girl named sammy finds an elf and then the elf runs away,so sammy goes and find the runing elf so that she can get him back to santa so that all the kids can get all their gifts. I like this book because its all about mysteries which are my favorite books of all other books i have read. "

    — Louis, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Wow. The characters and plot line in this were really extravagant. Loved the emotions towards the middle and end of the book! Can't wait to read more. "

    — Fred, 2/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Sammy Keyes, gotta love that girl! I think this is the shortest book in the series. I've been reading these books out of order since I"m borrowing them from the library and picking up whatever ones they have at the time, so it's interesting going back and forward and I was quite surprised that in this one Sammy actually stood up to Heather throughout the story and Heather was scared and quite timid. So I guess I haven't read the book when it turns the other way. I don't want to give any spoilers away, but I actually had tears in my eyes when it came to one very sad part. Was I surprised at that (tears in my eyes)! And not to give it away, but there is a twister in this one. Enjoy! "

    — Shelley, 1/28/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " These books rock!!! So far this has been my favorite. Finished it in one day. "

    — Anna, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not my favorite, but still fun. The Heather/Sammy conflict wasn't as interesting in this book, and there were some loose ends that weren't tied up. However, Sammy is still a likeable character and the mystery was still good. "

    — Christina, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I READ THIS BOOK IN ONE DAY!!!!!!!!!! "

    — Allison, 1/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Sammy Keyes is my fictional role model. She's the reason I wear high tops. :) "

    — Ashley, 12/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I Thought this was the most humorous book of the series especially because it's christmas time "

    — Jonathan, 11/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is the best one so far... "

    — Gergely, 11/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I read this one for a children's lit class. What a lovable character Sammy is! "

    — Jennie, 11/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " this was a good book but i knew al along who the dog theif was all along! it was obvious! right? "

    — Alissandra, 11/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Cute kids book for upper elementary/jr. high level. Fun to read. "

    — Debbi, 11/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " One of my holiday re-reads, this is a fun mystery, but also a good book about the importance of family and friends during the holidays. "

    — Jessica, 10/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I love Sammy! "

    — Katy, 10/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This one was a bit of a tear jerker. I know it's juvenile fiction but it deals with death and is very poignant. "

    — Desiree, 10/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I have only one thing to say: A practical joke based on a horror story? I seriously doubt you can find a wickeder combination than that! "

    — Brooke, 7/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Aaah, small children can change so much in the peoples lives they touch. "

    — Kaelyn, 6/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Christmas is here!...no mystery here. Kids won't love it. "

    — Sean, 6/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " so far this is the best in the series its a little sad but i only have 3 chapters left!!! "

    — Pablo, 5/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " My favorite so far in the spunky Sammy Keyes series! "

    — Lee, 3/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I do enjoy a good Sammy Keyes! :) "

    — Derrick, 2/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " i like these books- it's my favorite mystery series. the mysteries are really interesting, and sammy keyes is awesome. I love it when I find out who's the culprit a second before sammy does. "

    — Sella, 10/7/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Another great-fun book with Sammy. "

    — David, 8/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was about a little girl who doesn't really have a "family" and how Sammy helps her. Plus it adds all her school drama with Heather which is always hilarious and full of revenge! "

    — Lilly, 6/20/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is quickly becoming one of my favorite mystery series. In this case Sammy is blackmailed to find a lost dog, becomes friendly with a few former enemies and awaits her mother's return. "

    — Dru, 5/31/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " this is an awesome book i lov it "

    — cassie, 5/12/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Sammy is at it again! "

    — Abigayle, 5/10/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " (youth review)These are really funny books that are quick to read. I liked this one best of all of them. ~Hannah, 3rd grade, MIS "

    — ConwayCountyLibrary, 5/9/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " My husband got this book for Christmas, but I still listened to the audiobook because I think the reader is so fantastic. Another fun read, but way more predictable than some of her others, but I think this was only her third one, so it's understandable that the later ones ar better. "

    — Julie, 1/30/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " pretty sweet, had very good time reading this "

    — Saher, 8/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " its sad but cute and a matter of life and death "

    — Aleynandaw, 5/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This one was a bit of a tear jerker. I know it's juvenile fiction but it deals with death and is very poignant. "

    — Desiree, 1/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " (youth review)These are really funny books that are quick to read. I liked this one best of all of them. ~Hannah, 3rd grade, MIS "

    — ConwayCountyLibrary, 10/20/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Sammy Keyes is my fictional role model. She's the reason I wear high tops. :) "

    — Ashley, 10/10/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " My favorite so far in the spunky Sammy Keyes series! "

    — Lee, 7/13/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Continues to grab you with likable characters in interesting situations. "

    — Brett, 12/14/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Cute kids book for upper elementary/jr. high level. Fun to read. "

    — Debbi, 12/13/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Who has the dog who is writing these ransom notes, who, who. Certinally the person you don't expect!! "

    — Ginny, 5/27/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " this one i gave 3 stars..... it was OK. "

    — Sonia, 12/28/2008
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was about a little girl who doesn't really have a "family" and how Sammy helps her. Plus it adds all her school drama with Heather which is always hilarious and full of revenge! "

    — Lilly, 12/5/2008

About Wendelin Van Draanen

Wendelin Van Draanen is the author of many beloved and award-winning books. For middle graders, she’s written Swear to Howdy and the Sammy Keyes mystery series. For teens and tweens, there’s Flipped, The Running Dream, Confessions of a Serial Kisser, and Runaway. And for younger readers, check out the Shredderman quartet and the Gecko and Sticky series.

About Tara Sands

Tara Sands is an American actress, television host, and voice talent who has won numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards for narration. She is former cohost of Fridays on the Cartoon Network. In addition to performing in plays and musicals, her voice can be heard on numerous commercials, audiobooks, cartoons, and video games.