I've read Nancy Drew since third grade maybe... I'm not quite sure. But like Cam Jasen, it was a mystery and about a girl, which was a big thing for me in my elementary school years. I didn't want to read a story about a dumb boy. (This was one of my reasons for not wanting to start Harry Potter one night when I was in 1st or 2nd grade. But I finally gave in and told my mom to go get it and I would TRY to listen and enjoy it. HA.)
So back in the days when there were still Harry Potter books and movies to come out I had to find other books to read, and Nancy Drew was definitely up my alley. I loved solving mysteries, if not with, before Nancy, Bess, George, Ned, and the other boys. Another thing I loved about Nancy is that my grandmother had read her too, though my mom had not. My grandma lived at my house during my elementary school years so sometimes I'd go curl up in her room and read with her.
But anyways, Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew and the Women Who Created Her explains the mystery behind the pseudonym of Carolyn Keene. I first saw this book a year or two ago at Barnes and Noble. I was quick to pick it up, but it was a hardcover, so I wasn't so quick to pull out my wallet just yet. I think it was $30. (eek. BOOKS COST WAY TOO MUCH!) So when the paperback came out, I was okay with buying it for less.
I'm not that far into it, though I started it a week ago (I got distracted.) But so far I've learned that Edward Stratemeyer was the first to come up with the idea of this girl detective. He had quite the charming rag-to-riches, American Dream story. Something that you always here from authors. "I always loved to right!" or "Ever since I can remember I've been writing!"and such. And his immigrant father was pleased with his pursuits and he sold his first story to a magazine for maybe $5.
But before Nancy becomes anyone Stratemeyer dies... and that's all I know right now. So, I'm looking forward to see who picks up the torch.
1/20/10--happy new year!
ReplyDeleteFYI--the woman who wrote many of the ND books died just a year or so ago. Another girl detective series you might enjoy is Trixie Belden.
Good choices--but remember to blog as you read. I know it's hard, but it will force you to pay attention to details as you go, rather than to write everything in sweeping reflections.