The Bobbsey Twins Keeping House

Original Bobbsey Twins #18

by Laura Lee Hope

Strange noises and spooky happenings unnerve the Bobbsey household shortly after Nan and Bert buy a valentine surprise for Freddie and Flossie

Genres: Childrens, Mystery, Adventure, Novels, Middle Grade

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1925

About the author

Laura Lee Hope is a pseudonym used by the Stratemeyer Syndicate for the Bobbsey Twins and several other series of children's novels. Actual writers taking up the pen of Laura Lee Hope include Edward Stratemeyer, Howard and Lilian Garis, Elizabeth Ward, Harriet (Stratemeyer) Adams, Andrew E. Svenson, June M. Dunn, Grace Grote and Nancy Axelrad.

Laura Lee Hope was first used in 1904 for the debut of the Bobbsey Twins, the principal characters of what was, for many years, the Stratemeyer Syndicate's longest-running series of children's novels. Other series written under this pseudonym include: The Outdoor Girls (23 vols. 1913-1933), The Moving Picture Girls (7 vols. 1914-1916), Bunny Brown (20 vols. 1916-1931), Six Little Bunkers (14 vols. 1918-1930), Make Believe Stories (12 vols. c. 1920-1923), and Blythe Girls (12 vols. 1925-1932).

The first of the 72 books of the Bobbsey Twins series was published in 1904, the last in 1979. The books related the adventures of the children of the middle-class Bobbsey family, which included two sets of mixed-gender fraternal twins: Bert and Nan, who were 12 years old, and Flossie and Freddie, who were six.

Edward Stratemeyer himself is believed to have written the first volume in its original form in 1904. When the original series was brought to its conclusion in 1979, it had reached a total of 72 volumes. At least two abortive attempts to restart the series were launched after this, but in neither effort was the popularity of the original series achieved.

Speculation that Stratemeyer also wrote the second and third volumes of the series is believed to be incorrect; these books are now attributed to Lilian Garis, wife of Howard Garis, who is credited with volumes 4–28 and 41. Elizabeth Ward is credited with volumes 29–35, while Harriet Stratemeyer Adams is credited with 36–38, 39 (with Camilla McClave), 40, 42, 43 (with Andrew Svenson), and 44–48. Volumes 49–52 are attributed to Andrew Svenson, while 53–59, and the 1960s rewrites of 1–4, 7, 11–13, and 17, are attributed to June Dunn. Grace Grote is regarded as the real author of 60–67 and the rewrites of 14 and 18–20, and Nancy Axelrad is credited with 68–72. Of the 1960s rewrites not already mentioned, volumes 5 and 16 are credited to Mary Donahoe, 6 and 25 to Patricia Doll, 8–10 and 15 to Bonnibel Weston, and 24 to Margery Howard.

--from Wikipedia

Reviews

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually have no idea how many times I've read this book. Let's just say many, many times. A mystery, snow and a Valentine's Day party. And lots of fun. What more could you ask for. This was definitely a childhood favorite and still is one today.

[Ale · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have to keep in mind that this was published in 1925. Some of the language used would be offensive today, but was pretty standard. It still doesn’t make it right, but it is what it’s not something you can change either. It reminds me of shows I watched as a kid with my mom, like Leave It To Beaver, My Three Sons and Donna Reed. Mrs. Bobbsey’s voice was assigned to Donna Reed. The interesting thing is the narrator breaks the 4th wall to speak with the audience, and I wasn’t expecting that. If you like a little bit of nostalgia for old tv shows, and you know a little bit about how old buildings and the ways of life worked before tech took over, you may get some enjoyment out of this book.

[Linda]

Growing up in the '50's, I owned and read the first 40 of the Bobbsey Twins. These are the books that first hooked me on reading. These old editions are terribly racist, but there are new ones that have eliminated that problem. But for this reason, I am not rating the series.

[Laura Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun and exciting mystery for kids. A little more updated than some of the previous books. A little more suspenseful, too, as there is an intruder continually creeping around inside the twins' house while they're sleeping and the parents are away. The last might make "The Play House Secret" a little scary for younger readers.

Aunt Sallie Pry is always amusing. I like that the twins' friends were involved in the story, too. I think the books set in Lakeport or at the twins' cousins' houses are more relatable than the stories where the family is trekking halfway around the globe. The entire story was just very well crafted.

My favorite illustrator is not employed here, but the drawings are much better than the stick figures used in a few previous books, so a bonus.

[Brad Wilber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Bobbsey stories with real-life difficulties that eventually NEED adults, not just little twin twinkles of resourcefulness, and this has some of that: Dick and Mary are away, and sitter Aunt Sallie Pry is sick in bed; a blizzard is moving in. The "case" is trying to be ingenious, when it's added to all of the above, the story ends up feeling a bit cluttered.

[Wintermote · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the somewhat more ordinary mystery at home this time. It is a little easier for kids to imagine the shelves as the detective when it happens at home. Also enjoyed a story that was not during the summer.

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 4 out of 5]

There has been an error in labeling this a paperback. It should be listed as a hardcover. The other information including in this edition coincides with the first edition.

[Arlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read these books as a child 1950’s

[Josh Spear · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bobbsey twins have a lot to deal with. Bert is accused of breaking a window, their parents and servants get called away in an emergency, their aunt is sick, and a massive blizzard threatens to trap them in their house. Despite all the hardships they come through without major incident.
Read more... http://www.oldbookhunter.com/?p=289

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I read after the Dick and Jane readers (1950 or 1951). This book enchanted me and began a lifelong love of reading that has always opened the door to new worlds, new people and new experiences.

[Willow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm working on entering all the books I've ever read. This book was one of them. I read this book when I was 10 years old.