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Nancy Drew Clue Book #1
Pool Party Puzzler
Help Nancy and her friends find out who’s causing a major pool party problem in this first book in an all-new, interactive Nancy Drew chapter book series. Includes space for readers to jot down their own ideas and solutions to the case!
Snooty Deidre Shannon writes in her blog “Dishing with Deidre” that since eight is half of sixteen, she’s entitled to a Super Sweet Half-Sixteen party this year! And since the Shannons have a pool, she’s decided to make mermaids her theme. Nancy, Bess, and George are invited to the big bash, where all party guests must dress in under-the-sea-themed costumes.
For her grand entrance, Deidre dresses as a mermaid and is carried out on a giant half-shell by six teenage “sea creatures.” The garden boasts hedges clipped into the shapes of various types of ocean life. Deidre’s father even booked “Queen Mermaid Marissa” to perform in their pool—fin and all.
But when a squirmy snake is found swimming in the pool too, Queen Marissa leaves in a huff! Who would sabotage the mermaid pool performance? Nancy, Bess, and George intend to find out!
Snooty Deidre Shannon writes in her blog “Dishing with Deidre” that since eight is half of sixteen, she’s entitled to a Super Sweet Half-Sixteen party this year! And since the Shannons have a pool, she’s decided to make mermaids her theme. Nancy, Bess, and George are invited to the big bash, where all party guests must dress in under-the-sea-themed costumes.
For her grand entrance, Deidre dresses as a mermaid and is carried out on a giant half-shell by six teenage “sea creatures.” The garden boasts hedges clipped into the shapes of various types of ocean life. Deidre’s father even booked “Queen Mermaid Marissa” to perform in their pool—fin and all.
But when a squirmy snake is found swimming in the pool too, Queen Marissa leaves in a huff! Who would sabotage the mermaid pool performance? Nancy, Bess, and George intend to find out!
96 pages, Hardcover
First published July 7, 2015
33 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,013 books3,869 followersCarolyn Keene is a writer pen name that was used by many different people- both men and women- over the years. The company that was the creator of the Nancy Drew series, the Stratemeyer Syndicate, hired a variety of writers. For Nancy Drew, the writers used the pseudonym Carolyn Keene to assure anonymity of the creator.
Edna and Harriet Stratemeyer inherited the company from their father Edward Stratemeyer. Edna contributed 10 plot outlines before passing the reins to her sister Harriet. It was Mildred Benson (aka: Mildred A. Wirt), who breathed such a feisty spirit into Nancy's character. Mildred wrote 23 of the original 30 Nancy Drew Mystery Stories®, including the first three. It was her characterization that helped make Nancy an instant hit. The Stratemeyer Syndicate's devotion to the series over the years under the reins of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams helped to keep the series alive and on store shelves for each succeeding generation of girls and boys. In 1959, Harriet, along with several writers, began a 25-year project to revise the earlier Carolyn Keene novels. The Nancy Drew books were condensed, racial stereotypes were removed, and the language was updated. In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.
Other writers of Nancy Drew volumes include Harriet herself, she wrote most of the series after Mildred quit writing for the Syndicate and in 1959 began a revision of the first 34 texts. The role of the writer of "Carolyn Keene" passed temporarily to Walter Karig who wrote three novels during the Great Depression. Also contributing to Nancy Drew's prolific existence were Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Nancy Axelrod, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller Jr., and Margaret Scherf.
Edna and Harriet Stratemeyer inherited the company from their father Edward Stratemeyer. Edna contributed 10 plot outlines before passing the reins to her sister Harriet. It was Mildred Benson (aka: Mildred A. Wirt), who breathed such a feisty spirit into Nancy's character. Mildred wrote 23 of the original 30 Nancy Drew Mystery Stories®, including the first three. It was her characterization that helped make Nancy an instant hit. The Stratemeyer Syndicate's devotion to the series over the years under the reins of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams helped to keep the series alive and on store shelves for each succeeding generation of girls and boys. In 1959, Harriet, along with several writers, began a 25-year project to revise the earlier Carolyn Keene novels. The Nancy Drew books were condensed, racial stereotypes were removed, and the language was updated. In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.
Other writers of Nancy Drew volumes include Harriet herself, she wrote most of the series after Mildred quit writing for the Syndicate and in 1959 began a revision of the first 34 texts. The role of the writer of "Carolyn Keene" passed temporarily to Walter Karig who wrote three novels during the Great Depression. Also contributing to Nancy Drew's prolific existence were Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Nancy Axelrod, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller Jr., and Margaret Scherf.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 7, 2022
Maisie loved this book. She was so into the process of figuring out the mystery and always begged for another chapter. It made me feel happy nostalgia for my childhood mystery reading obsession too. We’ll be continuing with the series.
January 9, 2024
Cute, but not great. Hoping the next book is better since I bought a few of these at a second-hand shop.
June 15, 2016
I am a giant Nancy Drew fan, so when I saw these cute books I wanted to try them out. Though I also was a bit hesitant.
That was because the last time I read a new Nancy incarnation it was just absolutely terrible (see my review for Strangers on the Train here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...). The characters didn't match the age they were supposed to be, and various other things. So yeah, I was worried about this book. Would this Nancy feel natural? Would her age fit? How about all the other little things, since this one is set in a time with technology.
And the answer to all that is yes. Yes, and so much yes. This Nancy is Nancy, but then in child-form. She didn't feel strange, it felt perfectly normal. Like we are finally getting a glimpse in Nancy's life when she was a kid (just set a different time period).
Bess and George are also perfect in this one. They didn't feel off, it was completely natural.
In this book Nancy, Bess, and George are at a party. A Happy Sweet Half-Sixteen party by Deidre (who is still rich, and really snobby). Of course this being a Nancy book you can imagine that this party isn't going all right, and indeed, mysterious stuff happens, and our trio set out to find out who the culprit is. They have a list of people who could be it, and they go after them one by one, checking for clues, talking to suspects, talking to anyone. It was so much fun to see them walking around (though with some restrictions, since they are 8 years old in this one).
The whodunnit was a fun one to figure out. I had so much fun sleuthing alongside of Nancy, George, and Bess. And in the end, when Nancy figured out the whodunnit I also knew who had done it. It was a nice surprise though, I wouldn't have expected that person, but all the clues really did lead towards her. And her reasoning? Typical. :)
There are also illustrations in this book, and I just loved how the gang looked, and also how other characters looked. It was just so adorable and so fun to see the characters in tiny form.
So I am going to get this whole series, and I hope that there will be many more books from this author (I would love to know who it is, yes, I know it says Carolyn Keene, but that is for all, if not most, Nancy universe books, I would like who is behind the ghostwriting).
I would highly recommend this book to everyone!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
That was because the last time I read a new Nancy incarnation it was just absolutely terrible (see my review for Strangers on the Train here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...). The characters didn't match the age they were supposed to be, and various other things. So yeah, I was worried about this book. Would this Nancy feel natural? Would her age fit? How about all the other little things, since this one is set in a time with technology.
And the answer to all that is yes. Yes, and so much yes. This Nancy is Nancy, but then in child-form. She didn't feel strange, it felt perfectly normal. Like we are finally getting a glimpse in Nancy's life when she was a kid (just set a different time period).
Bess and George are also perfect in this one. They didn't feel off, it was completely natural.
In this book Nancy, Bess, and George are at a party. A Happy Sweet Half-Sixteen party by Deidre (who is still rich, and really snobby). Of course this being a Nancy book you can imagine that this party isn't going all right, and indeed, mysterious stuff happens, and our trio set out to find out who the culprit is. They have a list of people who could be it, and they go after them one by one, checking for clues, talking to suspects, talking to anyone. It was so much fun to see them walking around (though with some restrictions, since they are 8 years old in this one).
The whodunnit was a fun one to figure out. I had so much fun sleuthing alongside of Nancy, George, and Bess. And in the end, when Nancy figured out the whodunnit I also knew who had done it. It was a nice surprise though, I wouldn't have expected that person, but all the clues really did lead towards her. And her reasoning? Typical. :)
There are also illustrations in this book, and I just loved how the gang looked, and also how other characters looked. It was just so adorable and so fun to see the characters in tiny form.
So I am going to get this whole series, and I hope that there will be many more books from this author (I would love to know who it is, yes, I know it says Carolyn Keene, but that is for all, if not most, Nancy universe books, I would like who is behind the ghostwriting).
I would highly recommend this book to everyone!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
June 22, 2016
Nora says, "It was a mystery about who throwed a snake into Deirdre's pool at her half sweet 16 party. It was better than great and better than good. It was awesome. I super loved it and I'm sad it's over."
November 9, 2024
We finished the last Magic Tree House book a litte early in the week and the Bug hadn’t been to the library to pick up a new one. That left us with some time to return to a book we’d picked up on one of our weekly Barnes & Noble trips.
After we read Brad Meltzer’s I am Sonia Sotomayor and her love for the Nancy Drew books was discussed, the Bug wanted to check out mysteries, especially the Nancy Drew books. After some looking around I found two series aimed at her age: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew and Nancy Drew Clue Book
The most recent Nancy Drew book we read was Pool Party Puzzler, the first book in the Clue Book line (which just had its latest release this year.)
Premise
The figure of Nancy Drew as a young girl who takes on the mantle of detective and solves mysteries with her friends likely needs little introduction to anyone who’s read books in the English speaking world since the early 20th century. The original books started in 1930 (and the first will enter Public Domain in 2026!)
The Clue Book series ages Nancy and her friends down from teenage detectives to eight-year-olds who decide to solve smaller, less scary to young children, mysteries.
Pool Party Puzzler revolves around Nancy and her friends Bess and George solving the mystery of who threw a snake into the pool at their friend Deirdre’s birthday party.
What I Liked As a Parent
First off, there’s a difference between the Clue Book series and the earlier Clue Crew series that I want to point out as a really cool exercise for a parent of a child who’s in the process of learning to read and I occasionally want to make sure she’s keeping up with the story. The book actually has a page right before the ultimate chapter where the whole mystery is solved where it prompts the reader to stop and think and make their own guess at the answer to the mystery.
I found it really cool because it’s a prompt to take a second and talk kid to grown-up about what’s going on in the story and which pieces of the puzzle we each picked up on and where we think the story is going next because of those. Sure, that’s a thing you can just do, but I still find it cool that it’s something the books actually prompt you to practice.
Each of the three main protagonists has their own niche characterization that they fit into, especially Bess and George. Bess fits the “girly girl” archetype but with the twist that she builds and fixes things, while George fits the tomboy tech junkie role. Nancy sits between them in a thoughtful medium, almost working as a pure audience avatar but with a bit more characterization than you usually see in that role.
What Sort of Missed
It’s a bit of a nitpick because I can see why this happens to keep the story moving, but the younger versions of Nancy Drew and her friends instantly jump to blaming other kids for whatever the root cause of the mystery is, and confronting them in a pretty hostile way, in a “guilty until proven innocent” sort of way. In a story like this one, where the final cause ended up being completely off the initial suspect list, this especially looks like the girls just shouting down whoever happened to be in the vicinity.
But, the books are under 100 pages long, and they need that “I have an idea and need to go look into it” momentum to tell the full mystery in that space. So it’s kind of an artifact of the medium. And it’s not like any of that hostility is left once the magic piece of evidence that drops someone from consideration comes up. Which sometimes feels weird when the kid who 30 seconds ago was being accused of ruining a party is just fine with it once “Oh our bad, we didn’t know that” comes up. But again, short books for short kids, the story structure has to do things to make it work.
Overall
I’m having fun reading these small mysteries with the Bug at bedtime. They take a couple nights at our pace, the plots are simple enough that a half-asleep first-grader can keep track of things night to night, and the characters are fun to watch on the page. This and the Clue Crew books are definitely entering a permanent rotation at bedtime for the Bug.
After we read Brad Meltzer’s I am Sonia Sotomayor and her love for the Nancy Drew books was discussed, the Bug wanted to check out mysteries, especially the Nancy Drew books. After some looking around I found two series aimed at her age: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew and Nancy Drew Clue Book
The most recent Nancy Drew book we read was Pool Party Puzzler, the first book in the Clue Book line (which just had its latest release this year.)
Premise
The figure of Nancy Drew as a young girl who takes on the mantle of detective and solves mysteries with her friends likely needs little introduction to anyone who’s read books in the English speaking world since the early 20th century. The original books started in 1930 (and the first will enter Public Domain in 2026!)
The Clue Book series ages Nancy and her friends down from teenage detectives to eight-year-olds who decide to solve smaller, less scary to young children, mysteries.
Pool Party Puzzler revolves around Nancy and her friends Bess and George solving the mystery of who threw a snake into the pool at their friend Deirdre’s birthday party.
What I Liked As a Parent
First off, there’s a difference between the Clue Book series and the earlier Clue Crew series that I want to point out as a really cool exercise for a parent of a child who’s in the process of learning to read and I occasionally want to make sure she’s keeping up with the story. The book actually has a page right before the ultimate chapter where the whole mystery is solved where it prompts the reader to stop and think and make their own guess at the answer to the mystery.
I found it really cool because it’s a prompt to take a second and talk kid to grown-up about what’s going on in the story and which pieces of the puzzle we each picked up on and where we think the story is going next because of those. Sure, that’s a thing you can just do, but I still find it cool that it’s something the books actually prompt you to practice.
Each of the three main protagonists has their own niche characterization that they fit into, especially Bess and George. Bess fits the “girly girl” archetype but with the twist that she builds and fixes things, while George fits the tomboy tech junkie role. Nancy sits between them in a thoughtful medium, almost working as a pure audience avatar but with a bit more characterization than you usually see in that role.
What Sort of Missed
It’s a bit of a nitpick because I can see why this happens to keep the story moving, but the younger versions of Nancy Drew and her friends instantly jump to blaming other kids for whatever the root cause of the mystery is, and confronting them in a pretty hostile way, in a “guilty until proven innocent” sort of way. In a story like this one, where the final cause ended up being completely off the initial suspect list, this especially looks like the girls just shouting down whoever happened to be in the vicinity.
But, the books are under 100 pages long, and they need that “I have an idea and need to go look into it” momentum to tell the full mystery in that space. So it’s kind of an artifact of the medium. And it’s not like any of that hostility is left once the magic piece of evidence that drops someone from consideration comes up. Which sometimes feels weird when the kid who 30 seconds ago was being accused of ruining a party is just fine with it once “Oh our bad, we didn’t know that” comes up. But again, short books for short kids, the story structure has to do things to make it work.
Overall
I’m having fun reading these small mysteries with the Bug at bedtime. They take a couple nights at our pace, the plots are simple enough that a half-asleep first-grader can keep track of things night to night, and the characters are fun to watch on the page. This and the Clue Crew books are definitely entering a permanent rotation at bedtime for the Bug.
January 1, 2025
Good morning and happy 2025 to all my Goodreads friends. This is the ninth year in a row that I set my Goodreads challenge to 1 book. Yes, 1. It does not matter if I read 25 or 185 or any number in between. What matters is that I am not interested in having a computer algorithm dictate how far ahead or behind I am in my reading. I use the challenge to track my books and from year to year I can go back and see what I read at a given time, so it is good for some things, just not as a straight reading challenge. I have my own for example men vs women read, classics, Pulitzers, Read Christie, etc. There is never a shortage of books, and thanks to my friends here, I am never at a loss of what to read, constantly adding more books to my yearly calendar that I maintain on a spread sheet. Now that my challenge is complete, I can read at my leisure even if it is a chunky history book because reading is supposed to be for enjoyment not for competition.
On that note, I usually pick a Nancy Drew book to read on January 1. I did last year as well. I love mysteries and I can usually finish a middle grade Nancy Drew book in under an hour. The Clue Crew series features Nancy, Bess, and George as eight year olds. Perfect, start mystery readers young. It is the introduction to the series so there is background information given about the characters and setting just in case someone is new to the Nancy Drew world. Because this book is geared toward elementary school girls, there might be some new Nancy Drew readers. The length at eighty pages will hold their interest and the case, solving who threw a rubber snake into a pool at a birthday party, is appropriate for that age as well. There is even a checklist that parents and teachers can print off so that kids can write down clues and eliminate suspects just like the Clue Crew. I wish that some adult mystery books had one of those as they would come in handy.
Last year I nearly completed the Nancy Drew Diary series. I only have two left to read but because the series is geared toward middle school girls, I found the mysteries cliched and easily solvable. I know that I will eventually circle back and finish those books because it is not like me to leave a series unfinished, especially with only a few books remaining. I did make a point this year to read less kids books and more short stories that I can find online in the public domain so we shall see where that leads. I have a feeling, however, that this is not the last I will see of Nancy Drew. I love mysteries too much and Nancy Drew at any age for me to walk away from her completely. With new series for readers of all ages being developed, there is never a shortage of Nancy Drew as she nears one hundred years of existence. I am looking forward to that celebration in a few years.
And now my reading challenge is complete. Happy 2025, everyone!
On that note, I usually pick a Nancy Drew book to read on January 1. I did last year as well. I love mysteries and I can usually finish a middle grade Nancy Drew book in under an hour. The Clue Crew series features Nancy, Bess, and George as eight year olds. Perfect, start mystery readers young. It is the introduction to the series so there is background information given about the characters and setting just in case someone is new to the Nancy Drew world. Because this book is geared toward elementary school girls, there might be some new Nancy Drew readers. The length at eighty pages will hold their interest and the case, solving who threw a rubber snake into a pool at a birthday party, is appropriate for that age as well. There is even a checklist that parents and teachers can print off so that kids can write down clues and eliminate suspects just like the Clue Crew. I wish that some adult mystery books had one of those as they would come in handy.
Last year I nearly completed the Nancy Drew Diary series. I only have two left to read but because the series is geared toward middle school girls, I found the mysteries cliched and easily solvable. I know that I will eventually circle back and finish those books because it is not like me to leave a series unfinished, especially with only a few books remaining. I did make a point this year to read less kids books and more short stories that I can find online in the public domain so we shall see where that leads. I have a feeling, however, that this is not the last I will see of Nancy Drew. I love mysteries too much and Nancy Drew at any age for me to walk away from her completely. With new series for readers of all ages being developed, there is never a shortage of Nancy Drew as she nears one hundred years of existence. I am looking forward to that celebration in a few years.
And now my reading challenge is complete. Happy 2025, everyone!
September 4, 2017
Keene, Carolyn Pool Party Puzzler (Nancy Drew Clue Book #1). Simon & Schuster 2015. $5.99. Content: G.
When spoiled Deidre Shannon's backyard pool party is ruined by the discovery of a snake in the water, Nancy and her friends are determined to discover the culprit. But considering how many people Deidre's behavior has alienated, the Clue Crew has a lot of suspects to clear first.
This spinoff series introduces a younger Nancy Drew to a new generation of children. The mystery adds some fun suspense and will likely keep many readers guessing. The frequent pictures, amusing dialogue, and relatable characters add some fun to the story.
EL -- ADVISABLE. Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
When spoiled Deidre Shannon's backyard pool party is ruined by the discovery of a snake in the water, Nancy and her friends are determined to discover the culprit. But considering how many people Deidre's behavior has alienated, the Clue Crew has a lot of suspects to clear first.
This spinoff series introduces a younger Nancy Drew to a new generation of children. The mystery adds some fun suspense and will likely keep many readers guessing. The frequent pictures, amusing dialogue, and relatable characters add some fun to the story.
EL -- ADVISABLE. Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
November 28, 2024
I've read a book called pool party puzzler of Nancy Drew serie book by Carolyn Keene. It's about a show called a pool party and someone who's trying to ruin the show so a young eight year old girl Nancy and her friends trying to find out who is trying to ruin the show. Well in the book I enjoyed the character Nancy how she's investigate on who is trying to ruin the show.Overall I dedicate the book to anyone of those who also like to investigate on mystery case.
By:Shaalini Gogineni
By:Shaalini Gogineni
June 13, 2020
Greta’s review:
I recommend this book because it is a mystery. In this book they were trying to solve a case about who put snakes in the pool. And it was one of the main characters, Deidra, who had a birthday party. My favorite part was when they found out who it was. She put fake snakes into her own pool because she didn’t want the other queen of all mermaids, Marissa, in her pool.
I recommend this book because it is a mystery. In this book they were trying to solve a case about who put snakes in the pool. And it was one of the main characters, Deidra, who had a birthday party. My favorite part was when they found out who it was. She put fake snakes into her own pool because she didn’t want the other queen of all mermaids, Marissa, in her pool.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2018
It's not like I expect a bunch of 8-year-olds to be solving murders, but this "mystery" was lame. Who cares who threw a snake in the pool? They should have investigated the breach of contract between the mermaid and the parents (haha, not really).
There were good twists and turns, so solving the mystery was fun-ish, but when no one really cares about the end mystery, what's the point?
There were good twists and turns, so solving the mystery was fun-ish, but when no one really cares about the end mystery, what's the point?
January 1, 2019
First book to read this year with my 8 year old daughter. It was a fun way to start the year and introduce her to Nancy Drew. She had guessed "who done it" even when I did not included her as one of the suspects. We enjoyed it very much.
January 22, 2023
My daughter and I read this one together and she loved it! She loved trying to guess who the culprit was and she even snuck and read ahead so she would know before I did. I love Nancy Drew as a child and I am happy to be able to introduce my 7 year old to her with the Clue Crew.
June 13, 2017
It was a really good book, and funnym because they figured out that (X) was the one that was at the party. (L, aged 5)
August 26, 2017
My first grade daughter liked this one and said she'd recommend it to kids who like mysteries.
November 23, 2017
I think little kids would love this book. The mystery is a silly one but there is an option to try to solve it yourself so that's fun. I love Nancy Drew, no matter her age!
December 12, 2020
Cute mystery series starring 8 yr old Nancy Drew, George and Bess
January 17, 2021
This book was so good Spoiler alert Deirdre through theFake snakes in the pool And ruined her own party
Read
November 7, 2021Loving this series—learning all about suspense, red herrings, foreshadowing! Very entertaining for mom too 😂
November 13, 2021
7-year old rating 5/5.
January 31, 2022
So cute with an easy-to-follow “formula”, that made my daughter excited to read mysteries!
February 21, 2022
I know I'm too old for these books, but I can't NOT read every Nancy Drew series there is!
March 28, 2024
Cute little mystery for beginning readers.
September 26, 2024
I’ve decided to read one book each out of a handful of different Nancy Drew series. As a kid, I read Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew and Nancy Drew: Notebooks. I also read a couple of the middle grade/young adult series, but it’s been awhile, so reading this reminded me of a bunch of characters like Bess, George, and Deirdre. I don’t remember those that much, but I think this reads similarly to Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew. In this mystery, Nancy and her friends search for the person who put fake snakes in Deirdre’s pool at her party. It was an easy read and engaging enough for the target readers.
January 3, 2017
Cute. Not my favorite mystery series for kids but ok.
December 19, 2016
Nancy Drew and her best friends Bess and George are attending spoiled Deirdre Shannon's "sweet half-sixteen party" when they come upon a mystery. Just at the moment when Deirdre's special guest, the mermaid queen, is set to begin her swimming routine, a fake snake appears at the bottom of the pool, scaring the mermaid performer so much that she leaves the party. Though Deirdre claims she doesn't care who played the prank, Nancy and her friends can't resist doing a little investigating - and digging up the surprising truth!
Like most contemporary Nancy Drew books, this one is thin on plot and even thinner on characterization. Nancy, Bess, George, and Deirdre are their usual stereotypical selves, acting out more youthful versions of their long-established personalities, and the storyline is far-fetched and not especially engaging. Kids who have no familiarity with mysteries at all might be intrigued by the contrived sets of suspects and clues that Nancy uncovers, but readers who have read even one Cam Jansen story, are likely to be too savvy to believe that the girls can't solve this case more quickly.
There is one thing this book does, however, that would be a great feature to include in other mystery books. Just before Nancy reveals the identity of the prankster, there is a pause in the story so that the reader can fill in a notebook page with her personal conclusions about the mystery. Then, on the next page, she can compare her own estimation of the case with Nancy's. Obviously, this concept could be a drawback for libraries, since one kid writing in the book will essentially spoil the mystery for all readers, but for kids who own their own copies of the book - or whose teachers can photocopy the page for them - this is the perfect way to encourage kids to reflect on what they read, instead of simply letting the characters do all the work.
Because of name recognition and parental nostalgia, Nancy Drew is likely to continue to be popular, but there is nothing particularly special about this series to recommend it over any of the other previous elementary school incarnations of Nancy. If you are in need of a replacement for a set of Nancy Drew Notebooks or Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew books, then this new Nancy Drew Clue Book series will suit your needs. Otherwise, there are many better-written mysteries at this level, including Cam Jansen, A to Z Mysteries, and Nancy Clancy.
Like most contemporary Nancy Drew books, this one is thin on plot and even thinner on characterization. Nancy, Bess, George, and Deirdre are their usual stereotypical selves, acting out more youthful versions of their long-established personalities, and the storyline is far-fetched and not especially engaging. Kids who have no familiarity with mysteries at all might be intrigued by the contrived sets of suspects and clues that Nancy uncovers, but readers who have read even one Cam Jansen story, are likely to be too savvy to believe that the girls can't solve this case more quickly.
There is one thing this book does, however, that would be a great feature to include in other mystery books. Just before Nancy reveals the identity of the prankster, there is a pause in the story so that the reader can fill in a notebook page with her personal conclusions about the mystery. Then, on the next page, she can compare her own estimation of the case with Nancy's. Obviously, this concept could be a drawback for libraries, since one kid writing in the book will essentially spoil the mystery for all readers, but for kids who own their own copies of the book - or whose teachers can photocopy the page for them - this is the perfect way to encourage kids to reflect on what they read, instead of simply letting the characters do all the work.
Because of name recognition and parental nostalgia, Nancy Drew is likely to continue to be popular, but there is nothing particularly special about this series to recommend it over any of the other previous elementary school incarnations of Nancy. If you are in need of a replacement for a set of Nancy Drew Notebooks or Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew books, then this new Nancy Drew Clue Book series will suit your needs. Otherwise, there are many better-written mysteries at this level, including Cam Jansen, A to Z Mysteries, and Nancy Clancy.
April 13, 2018
I was excited to see a Nancy Drew spin-off series designed for younger readers. I loved reading Nancy Drew as a child and am so excited to share it with my kids. My six-year old daughter loved reading this and puzzling through who tossed a toy snake in the swimming pool at the birthday party. She was able to follow the logic of the detective story, yet relate to a modern update (kids with technology).
For those of you who wonder if this feels like a Nancy Drew story, one phrase should bring it all back - "George retorted". For me, that phrase is characteristic of the Nancy Drew stories and still found in this story.
This was a 10-chapter story, designed for younger readers. It is the same group from the original Nancy Drew series: Nancy, George, & Bess. They are all eight years old and live in the same neighborhood. It was definitely written for modern times as George is always interested in technology (at one point she borrows her mother's tablet). I love that they maintain the setting of River Heights. It feels weird to have kids snooping around (trespassing on other's property, asking questions to shop owners). It feels less admirable than when Nancy does it as an adult (perhaps due to how I would want my daughter to behave).
Still - I am excited to introduce my children to a close childhood friend of mine - Nancy Drew.
For those of you who wonder if this feels like a Nancy Drew story, one phrase should bring it all back - "George retorted". For me, that phrase is characteristic of the Nancy Drew stories and still found in this story.
This was a 10-chapter story, designed for younger readers. It is the same group from the original Nancy Drew series: Nancy, George, & Bess. They are all eight years old and live in the same neighborhood. It was definitely written for modern times as George is always interested in technology (at one point she borrows her mother's tablet). I love that they maintain the setting of River Heights. It feels weird to have kids snooping around (trespassing on other's property, asking questions to shop owners). It feels less admirable than when Nancy does it as an adult (perhaps due to how I would want my daughter to behave).
Still - I am excited to introduce my children to a close childhood friend of mine - Nancy Drew.
March 17, 2016
This book had a cute format and was fun for readers to have a work sheet to see if they could solve the mystery themselves. The main "snooty" girl is a bit over the top, but not so far out of the realm of possibility (sadly) these days. A plus was that kids' physical descriptions aren't important, which is a move away from the old Nancy Drew mysteries. Other than the names of the characters, it's not too Nancy Drew-ish, but younger readers aren't likely to know that.
August 9, 2016
Really good! I guessed it before Nancy, Bess, and George!
I knew it was Deirdre. She threw the snake in the pool cause she didn't want another queen in her party!
Go me! Figured it out before Nancy! :)
I knew it was Deirdre. She threw the snake in the pool cause she didn't want another queen in her party!
Go me! Figured it out before Nancy! :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2017
We did it. We solved it!
October 15, 2022
Completed it in 2 hours
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