Family Life Magazine

A Kid's View Book Reviews

Reinventing the Girl Detective: New Teen Sleuths Are on the Case
by Veronica Hernandez

Nancy Drew is the original “girl detective,” paving the way for others, like this month’s new book selection. A product of the Edward Stratemeyer Syndicate, Nancy Drew was created for girls who enjoyed the Hardy Boys series. However, eventually her fan base extended much further, her series selling more than 80 million books over the course of 79 years. While Nancy was portrayed as the perfect teen, today’s authors write about girls in a more authentic way.

Classic: The Secret of the Old Clock, by Carolyn Keene

Nancy Drew’s sleuthing began in 1930 with The Secret of the Old Clock. In this adventure, she searches for the will of the recently-deceased Josiah Crowley, a generous, well-to-do man who lived with many different relatives. Since most of them were poor, he had promised to include them in his will. It seemed he would keep this promise until he moved in with the Tophams, wealthy social-climbers, and unexpectedly wrote a will giving them all his money. After his death, Mr. Crowley’s other relatives are suspicious, and know there has to be a later will. Can Nancy find it before the Tophams inherit everything?

Timeless and wholesome, Nancy Drew appeals to girls of all ages. The popular series — which totals an astounding 56 titles — has spawned spin-off books, movies, a TV show, and much more, providing endless opportunities for readers to enjoy the tales of this classic girl detective.

Current: The Red Blazer Girls: The Ring of Rocamadour, by Michael D. Beil

Meet Sophie, Margaret, and Rebecca, students at a private school in Manhattan. They think their lives are normal and boring until they encounter Ms. Harriman, who lives next door to the school. She asks them to complete a scavenger hunt created years earlier by her father. The scavenger hunt prize is “a gift of rare and precious beauty.” The girls soon find out that the gift is one of the rings of Rocamadour, rumored to grant wishes and dreams. Intrigued, the Red Blazer Girls decide to take Ms. Harriman’s case. Before they know it, the trio is thrust into a whirlwind of hidden secrets, challenging puzzles, and shady characters who also want the priceless ring.

In his debut novel, English teacher Michael Beil gives us three fresh voices and plenty of adventure. This fast-paced and funny book is full of interesting quirks, like a backwards copyright page and funny chapter titles. A sequel, The Vanishing Violin, is scheduled for release in Spring 2010. Witty and genuine, the Red Blazer Girls won’t fail to catch a girl’s attention.

Veronica L. Hernandez is a 9th grader in Southwest Florida. An avid reader, she swims, fences, and shops, when dragged away from her books. She can be reached at hernandezaldir@gmail.com.

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