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Dana Girls Mystery #22
The Mystery of the Bamboo Bird
When a precious gilded bamboo Garuda bird, containing a sacred golden statue studded with jewels, is stolen, the lovely Malee Wongsuwan begs her school friends, Louise and Jean Dana, to help recover the treasured bird, a gift from her father.
Despite Malee's warning of possible danger, the Danas agree to take the case, never dreaming that in a few days they will be pursuing their search in the Oriental splendor of Malee's native land, exotic Thailand.
Via romantic Honolulu and fascinating Tokyo, the three girls fly to Bangkok, spectacular shimmering capital of Thailand, where a mosaic of clues and harrowing experiences await the young detectives. Along the picturesque canals, or klongs, once the chief thoroughfares of the "Venice of the East," where the lighthearted, gentle people still ply their trade from boat to boat, Louise and Jean put their sleuthing ability to its greatest test. Clues discovered during a breathtaking boat chase through the floating market and a visit to the golden Temple of the Dawn lead to the capture of an elusive international jewel thief.
Despite Malee's warning of possible danger, the Danas agree to take the case, never dreaming that in a few days they will be pursuing their search in the Oriental splendor of Malee's native land, exotic Thailand.
Via romantic Honolulu and fascinating Tokyo, the three girls fly to Bangkok, spectacular shimmering capital of Thailand, where a mosaic of clues and harrowing experiences await the young detectives. Along the picturesque canals, or klongs, once the chief thoroughfares of the "Venice of the East," where the lighthearted, gentle people still ply their trade from boat to boat, Louise and Jean put their sleuthing ability to its greatest test. Clues discovered during a breathtaking boat chase through the floating market and a visit to the golden Temple of the Dawn lead to the capture of an elusive international jewel thief.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1960
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About the author
Carolyn Keene
948 books3,854 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
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September 25, 2010My book, "The Mystery of the Bamboo Bird," was filled with thrill and excitement! "The Mystery of the Bamboo Bird," written by Carolyn Keene, is about three girls named Louis, Jean, and Malee. Louis and Jean are sisters, so everyone call them the Danas since that is their last name. Malee is their friend who is missing. This all started when Starhurst, their school, caught on fire during the night. Everybody was searching for her and when they got to her dorm room, she and her Bamboo Bird were missing. Malee took her Bamboo Bird with her everywehere. It is made of gold and rubies. Malee is from Bankok, so this bird is part of her culture. Malee had finally came back and said that someone has stolen her Bamboo Bird! They travel to New York, San Fransisco, Japan, and Bankok all to find this bird. Jean, Louis, and Malee, relate to me and my life very well. These two girls are trying to help each other out . I know if my friend had lost something, i would help her/he find it. I like the character for this specific quality trait: caring. In my opinion, I think this book is a great read. This book is mind-blowing and suspensful. Finally, the grade I give this book is an A+, 10/10! I think that if you were to pick this book up, you wouldn't be able to put it down.
August 9, 2014
I have read Nancy Drews, Judy Bolton, etc. I did not enjoy this book.
It got somewhat better once they arrived in Thailand. However there are a number of features of this book that I dont like:
(1) The fact that every policeman drops everything and runs over and believes them. Is this because they are wealthy white women in the 50s? I could understand with Nancy as her father is a lawyer in that community.
(2) The token adversaries at the school. Ho Hum.
(3) Aunt Harriet. Is she in her 70s? why does she need to nap all the time? And shouldn't she be a bit more concerned with the girls out exploring. I could understand if it was a low crime situation but they have already become targets before leaving for Thailand...
(4) The stilted interactions with Malee.
(5) The wealth and all of the gifts.
Missing from this is the independence of Nancy, the more realistic and emotional side of Judy Bolton.
I will try another one.
It got somewhat better once they arrived in Thailand. However there are a number of features of this book that I dont like:
(1) The fact that every policeman drops everything and runs over and believes them. Is this because they are wealthy white women in the 50s? I could understand with Nancy as her father is a lawyer in that community.
(2) The token adversaries at the school. Ho Hum.
(3) Aunt Harriet. Is she in her 70s? why does she need to nap all the time? And shouldn't she be a bit more concerned with the girls out exploring. I could understand if it was a low crime situation but they have already become targets before leaving for Thailand...
(4) The stilted interactions with Malee.
(5) The wealth and all of the gifts.
Missing from this is the independence of Nancy, the more realistic and emotional side of Judy Bolton.
I will try another one.
March 21, 2013
I loved this series of books that I read back in junior high. They are from the same syndicate that wrote the Nancy Drew books and the Hardy Boys, but I much preferred the Dana Girls.
May 31, 2013
Awesome book!! Makes really want to visit Thailand more!!
January 27, 2015
It was good.It is like Nancy Drew. If you like mystery books,you should read this.
August 30, 2016
Very good story.
October 28, 2021
Boring
More of a travel diary than a mystery!!
More of a travel diary than a mystery!!
May 21, 2018
A classmate of the Dana sisters has been targeted by dangerous people: an arson attempt at their boarding school coincides with the theft of Malee's Bamboo Bird. While the school closes to repair the fire damage, Malee invites Jean and Louisa to her home country of Thailand so they can get to the bottom of this mystery.
The story detours to some touristic encyclopedic facts of Thailand, much like you would expect in a grade school report. Malee's family is absurdly rich, which is justifiable enough: poor families usually don't send their children to boarding schools halfway around the earth. The family goes on about all the jewels and rich things they own. Malee claims that there is no poverty, but her opinion is a little bit skewed, as they do encounter a poor boy who has witnessed some of the criminal action.
(Weirdly, Malee's portrayal may not be far from the truth. I have a sister who went to college with quite a few international students, some of who had grown up with servants and three houses in three different countries and other things that regular Americans signify as vast wealth.)
The girls are then put in danger in a lot of fantastic ways, such as a runaway elephant. Basically the level of adventure you would expect from a mystery adventure book of the time. It keeps to the image of a more old time Thailand, maybe as a way to avoid contemporary politics that children's book editors would frown on appearing in their books.
The story detours to some touristic encyclopedic facts of Thailand, much like you would expect in a grade school report. Malee's family is absurdly rich, which is justifiable enough: poor families usually don't send their children to boarding schools halfway around the earth. The family goes on about all the jewels and rich things they own. Malee claims that there is no poverty, but her opinion is a little bit skewed, as they do encounter a poor boy who has witnessed some of the criminal action.
(Weirdly, Malee's portrayal may not be far from the truth. I have a sister who went to college with quite a few international students, some of who had grown up with servants and three houses in three different countries and other things that regular Americans signify as vast wealth.)
The girls are then put in danger in a lot of fantastic ways, such as a runaway elephant. Basically the level of adventure you would expect from a mystery adventure book of the time. It keeps to the image of a more old time Thailand, maybe as a way to avoid contemporary politics that children's book editors would frown on appearing in their books.
December 29, 2021
Oli kyllä suoraan sanottuna vähän tylsä. Dana-tytöt ja Hardy-pojat ovat jääneet lapsuudesta mieleen, mutta viimeksi mainitut vetävät kyllä pidemmän korren ainakin mitä tähän kirjaan tulee. Kovasti tässä oli asiaa Thaimaasta, mistä en jaksanut sinänsä kiinnostua. Erilaisiahan nämä vanhat nuorten jännärit nykyaikaisiin verrattuna ovat, on hurjempaa ja aseita ja kaikkea. Siinä mielessä tapahtumarikas, mutta. Toinen tähti nostalgiasyistä.
September 25, 2023
"Many wars in history have been started for foolish reasons."
This is very much like the Nancy Drew book The Secret of the Golden Pavilion.
This is very much like the Nancy Drew book The Secret of the Golden Pavilion.
October 1, 2018
Really enjoying the reading of these books from my younger years.
August 3, 2019
It’s a good book to read aloud to kids but I don’t recommend it to adults.
February 12, 2021
An ok mystery. For sure a lot of geography and history lesson.
March 28, 2023
Read RT, picture cover. Enjoyed the travelogue.
August 16, 2022
In The Mystery of the Bamboo Bird, the detective sisters travel to Thailand in pursuit of a thief and investigating their friend's suspicious brother-in-law. The plot is okay, but it could have used a more substantial main premise. There is also not quite as much suspense as there could have been, and I found that Louise and Jean's distinctive personalities seemed to just overlap in this volume.
On a positive note, there were more twists than I expected, and the climax is exciting. But there are also several implausible occurrences toward the end of the story (riding on top of an elephant?!). All in all, I give this installment 3 out of 5 stars – decent, but not one of the better Dana Girls mysteries.
I highly recommend The Secret in the Old Well.
On a positive note, there were more twists than I expected, and the climax is exciting. But there are also several implausible occurrences toward the end of the story (riding on top of an elephant?!). All in all, I give this installment 3 out of 5 stars – decent, but not one of the better Dana Girls mysteries.
I highly recommend The Secret in the Old Well.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews