The Bobbsey Twins' Mystery at Meadowbrook

Original Bobbsey Twins #7

by Laura Lee Hope

Bert, Nan, Freddie and Flossie become embroiled in a mystery when all the animals disappear from the miniature zoo near their uncle's farm

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Classics, Juvenile

177 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1915

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

[Rosemarie]

The story was fine but Freddy and his fire engine were mentioned way too many times.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

can't believe how racist this was after being a fan as a child!

[Beatrice Drury · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am aware that these stories don't come across too well through 21st century eyes. Thinking in terms of when they were written they are quite enlightened. This is an upper middle class family with a prosperous business, a large house with servants and a houseboat. The father is able to take off at least two months for vacation between the houseboat and Meadow Brook. The enlightenment in my opinion comes from the inclusion of the colored housekeeper in all their adventures. Yes colored was a respectful term in the early 1900's. The parents are kindhearted and do not believe in corporal punishment. Not bad for when this was written.

[Gail Willis · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is no real mystery in this book. It appears to be about two sets of over privileged twins whose family appears to always be on holiday or vacation. I found myself hate reading this book. I absolutely loathed the twin Freddie and his obsession with his toy fire truck. Something tells me the book was not meant for a jaded 40something year old.

[Sean Harding · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hope Chests #7
Bobby Twins #7
You know a book is old and dated when
- there is more than an element of casual racism
- a kid is constantly called fat
- another kid that is abused by a guardian is continually encouraged to return to him.
A relic of the past, with some interest, but more for curiosity than pleasure.

[Lori Hvizda ward · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the 1915 edition as a 50 something adult. I cannot imagine a 21st century child reading this today. It was, I’m sure, quite delightful in its day, but the sexism and racism (yes, I know the times were different) were pretty hard to take. I’m chalking it up to a history lesson.

[Laura Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess the twins' cousins show up more in these earlier books than I thought. Another fun adventure on cousin Harry's farm. I especially like Freddie's "zebra". Fun learning a little about homing pigeons, too. Oh, and I loved the dancing bears.

[Kristen (belles_bookshelves) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"We must never forget to do a kindness when we can."

This is a much more childish version of the Bobbsey twin books, more like a Mary Poppins book, to be honest.

My biggest takeaway was that, apparently people thought if you jump roped too much you would die? So that's a thing, I guess.

[Darrol Pierson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The 1963 edition is VERY different from the 1915 edition. They should be treated separately.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Wintermote · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of these reviews are of the original edition, not the revised 1960s (or reprinted 1990s). The later edition is much less racist and sexist although not perfect.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Severely marred by the caricatures of black people, but I loved the whole series as a child. This one's about a summer trip by train to a family farm. The circus comes to town while they are there.

[Yuvan malhotra · Rating 4 out of 5]

mysterious and thrilling

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read this for a book challenge, a book with a scarlet cover. However, I read probably all the Bobbsey Twin books a very long time ago, so it was an old friend.

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good Bobbsey Twins book.

In this book they find a boy being mistreated by his guardian. Mr. Bobbsey and the boys see this mistreatment. Mr. Bobbsey steps in to try and stop it. The boy runs away.

The boy comes into the story again when the Bobbsey's go to Meadow Brook and visit family there and go to a circus. There are many adventures and I won't bore you by telling them all to you.

Everything works out well in the end.

I have noticed a lot of comments on Amazon about these books and the racism/stereotyping. Yes, in today's society the way the African American's are portrayed would be seen as stereotyping. The African American cook, and her husband who helps around the house, talk in a less educated way than the Bobbsey's do. But they are loved and seem well paid and respected by the Bobbsey's. I would never write African American characters this way today. But the times were different. Maybe it is because I am white that can overlook this in the books. Maybe it is because I enjoyed the books so much when I was young. Maybe it is because I can separate those times from these times. I have never been racist. There are good and bad people in each race. We are all one in Christ. I believe there is only one race... the human race.

So... I go on reading and enjoying the books. Enjoying the 'simpler' times. Enjoying the morality and even occasional Godly qualities of the characters. Enjoying the way people get involved in others lives. Enjoying the mishaps the twins get in. Enjoying a look back in time. Enjoying these books from my childhood. But I wanted you to know what others are saying and what I think about it.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read every Bobbsey Twins adventures I could get my hands on from the age of 9 through 11. Summers were wonderful and I could borrow from the library and read these books. I could borrow 8 books every 2 weeks. Soon, I needed more than that and had to fight the librarian for more books. Now, I can do 8 books in a day.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

As is typical of the Bobbsey Twins books, we have a little early 20th C. morality tale along with adventures involving a circus, making a movie and helping a runaway boy go home where he belongs.

I enjoy these books from a nostalgic perspective, although I read only one as a child. It is always worth remembering that the times in which they were written were much different than today.

[Teri Pre · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read the Bobbsey Twins since I was a young kid. They're refreshing to read and really show just how much our world had changed. Freddie gets lost about every 5 pages and while the folks worry, it's not the kind of worrying WE do if a child is missing!

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only Bobbsey Twins book I ever read but I read it over and over and over... When I read it, it was titled: The Bobbsey Twins at Meadowbrook Farm. No mystery that I recall.

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was funny. They were trying to catch a robber.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable story with the Bobbsey twins. They are so nice to read when you need something light and easy to read.

[Mellanie C]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13118519

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alway mystery and mayhem, this time in Meadowbrook!

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Bobbsey twins visit their uncle's farm, Meadowbrook. They go to a circus and help a runaway boy, Frank catch a con man who tried to pass off old Confederate money on young inexperienced boys.

[Fran Hickey]

This book copywrite in 1915. Let me just say what was acceptable then would never fly now. I’m appalled it was “ok” then.