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Nancy Drew: On Campus #1
New Lives, New Loves
Beginning her first semester at a coed dorm at Wilder University, Nancy Drew finds adventure in a series of dorm thefts, a handsome pre-med student, and her changing relationship with Ned. Original.
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1995
9 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
992 books3,864 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 21, 2019
A new Nancy Drew series. It's different yet still interesting. The characters and back story changed a bit from the original Nancy Drew series. Ned is definitely more possessive in this series and I don't like this version of him but overall, it's an intriguing series.
May 12, 2009
This isn't a Nancy Drew book. At least, not one worth reading. Hardly any mystery, too much stuff about hot guys and girls, some dabbling with drugs, too many sexual implications, and the Nancy/Ned relationship has been butchered like a cow. If you want a mystery, stay away from this series. If you want to read chick-flick stuff about college life, check these out. Bottom line, pretty bad. I think the author had something against Ned...
November 8, 2009
I found a tattered old copy lying around in my library.
This is Nancy Drew brought into the 90's and made even cheesier than the Baby-sitter's Club. It's like a more wholesome episode of Beverly Hills on steroids.
This is Nancy Drew brought into the 90's and made even cheesier than the Baby-sitter's Club. It's like a more wholesome episode of Beverly Hills on steroids.
March 25, 2021
The last time I read this book was about twenty-five years ago, when it first came out. Reading it now, it's nice to see that it mostly still holds up as a fun, light read.
First and foremost - the characters are still the ones we know and love. They feel more like the Nancy Drew Files versions than the cast of the original series, but that's not a bad thing for me.
Nancy is still unable to resist a good mystery. She's given a few moments here and there to doubt herself and to try to find her footing, but let's face it: This is Nancy Drew. Of course she's going to come out largely on top by the end.
Bess and George are still supportive friends. And, as the book reminds us, cousins who are total opposites in looks and interests. And I just have to wonder, now, after years of reading that comparison in every ND book ever -is it really so shocking to find first cousins who bear little family resemblance or have different interests?
I had forgotten about Bess' near date-rape. It irked me - not because Bess drew in on herself for a little bit or distrusted guys' intentions toward her, until she had more time to process and talk things over with people. People bounce back in different ways and different rates, so I won't fault the writers there.
No, what bothered me was that Bess has always been the one who is "boy crazy" and "flirty" and Nancy and George worry she'll spend more time partying than studying. So it almost feels like she's being punished for being the girl she is, the girl she's always been written as, by being placed in a situation that makes her vulnerable to sexual assault. I'm sure it was more a matter of she was the one the writers felt they could believably place in such a scenario and have the readers be invested - as opposed to a new character, for instance. Still. Rubs me the wrong way.
George gets to reap the rewards of her unusual name - the federal government believes her to be a draft dodger, her student funds are tied up and the implication is that it might be connected to her name. I had thought that this might be unique in canon, that George was her full name and not a nickname, but a quick Wiki check proved me incorrect. Maybe I should reread the originals as well. I also was thrown off a bit by the idea of not having your scholarship/loan funds for books, etc. on hand before you set foot on campus but that could just be a sign of the book's age. Maybe that was a thing in the early to mid 90s.
Of the known cast members, Ned's personality feels the most impacted by the changes in this new series - and not for the better. The flashes of jealousy and possessiveness he had on occasion in the Files series feel dialed up to 11 here. Ned is convinced that Nancy going away to Wilder University is going to end in ruin for their relationship - and, in part due to his own actions, this will indeed occur in a later book.
Of the new and soon-to-be-recurring cast, we don't get to spend too much time with them. I do remember that Brian will be outed in a later book, but it is nice to see that in this first volume, he doesn't come across as campy or flamboyant. Peter, the dreamy pre-med and boyfriend of Nancy's suitemate Dawn (ex boyfriend by book's end) has a secret that makes him afraid of getting too intimate. I can't remember what the reason is - possibly an illegitimate child? I'm sure I'll learn when I reread the other books.
The others don't stand out as much for me, because they still feel like stock characters. Waiting on that to change. Well, except for Julie - and it's in the portrayal of Julie that things feel super clunky and off. Moreso during the moments we get her inner monologue, which allow the reader to infer she's an addict (before she admits as much). As soon as an astute reader notes Julie's up-and-down behavior and reads the first monologue, I feel like the mystery of the thief's identity is gone.
Also, 1995 laptops were still chonky. I would never have considered one "small" and easy to put under a shirt. Just saying.
Also - are there any schools that have students register for the majority of their classes in the week before the semester? That just feels extremely off to me. I went to college in 2003 and remember needing to get my registration requests in early - at least a month or more in advance. The only classes I can remember still being open at the start of the semester were more casual, 1-credit options, like band. I went to a smaller school, so our music department definitely was out recruiting during Move-In Week activities.
For any faults it may have, this book was still a warm dose of nostalgia and held up decently well.
First and foremost - the characters are still the ones we know and love. They feel more like the Nancy Drew Files versions than the cast of the original series, but that's not a bad thing for me.
Nancy is still unable to resist a good mystery. She's given a few moments here and there to doubt herself and to try to find her footing, but let's face it: This is Nancy Drew. Of course she's going to come out largely on top by the end.
Bess and George are still supportive friends. And, as the book reminds us, cousins who are total opposites in looks and interests. And I just have to wonder, now, after years of reading that comparison in every ND book ever -is it really so shocking to find first cousins who bear little family resemblance or have different interests?
I had forgotten about Bess' near date-rape. It irked me - not because Bess drew in on herself for a little bit or distrusted guys' intentions toward her, until she had more time to process and talk things over with people. People bounce back in different ways and different rates, so I won't fault the writers there.
No, what bothered me was that Bess has always been the one who is "boy crazy" and "flirty" and Nancy and George worry she'll spend more time partying than studying. So it almost feels like she's being punished for being the girl she is, the girl she's always been written as, by being placed in a situation that makes her vulnerable to sexual assault. I'm sure it was more a matter of she was the one the writers felt they could believably place in such a scenario and have the readers be invested - as opposed to a new character, for instance. Still. Rubs me the wrong way.
George gets to reap the rewards of her unusual name - the federal government believes her to be a draft dodger, her student funds are tied up and the implication is that it might be connected to her name. I had thought that this might be unique in canon, that George was her full name and not a nickname, but a quick Wiki check proved me incorrect. Maybe I should reread the originals as well. I also was thrown off a bit by the idea of not having your scholarship/loan funds for books, etc. on hand before you set foot on campus but that could just be a sign of the book's age. Maybe that was a thing in the early to mid 90s.
Of the known cast members, Ned's personality feels the most impacted by the changes in this new series - and not for the better. The flashes of jealousy and possessiveness he had on occasion in the Files series feel dialed up to 11 here. Ned is convinced that Nancy going away to Wilder University is going to end in ruin for their relationship - and, in part due to his own actions, this will indeed occur in a later book.
Of the new and soon-to-be-recurring cast, we don't get to spend too much time with them. I do remember that Brian will be outed in a later book, but it is nice to see that in this first volume, he doesn't come across as campy or flamboyant. Peter, the dreamy pre-med and boyfriend of Nancy's suitemate Dawn (ex boyfriend by book's end) has a secret that makes him afraid of getting too intimate. I can't remember what the reason is - possibly an illegitimate child? I'm sure I'll learn when I reread the other books.
The others don't stand out as much for me, because they still feel like stock characters. Waiting on that to change. Well, except for Julie - and it's in the portrayal of Julie that things feel super clunky and off. Moreso during the moments we get her inner monologue, which allow the reader to infer she's an addict (before she admits as much). As soon as an astute reader notes Julie's up-and-down behavior and reads the first monologue, I feel like the mystery of the thief's identity is gone.
Also, 1995 laptops were still chonky. I would never have considered one "small" and easy to put under a shirt. Just saying.
Also - are there any schools that have students register for the majority of their classes in the week before the semester? That just feels extremely off to me. I went to college in 2003 and remember needing to get my registration requests in early - at least a month or more in advance. The only classes I can remember still being open at the start of the semester were more casual, 1-credit options, like band. I went to a smaller school, so our music department definitely was out recruiting during Move-In Week activities.
For any faults it may have, this book was still a warm dose of nostalgia and held up decently well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2021
2.5 rounded up.
This story was basically just okay. It was kind of too easy to guess who the culprit was and I almost wish it had been a bit harder especially since this series of Nancy Drew books seems geared towards the young adult/teenage crowd compared to other Nancy Drew series'. I also found all of the characters way to shallow and lacking much substance The only saving grace for this getting 3 stars was George's storyline especially at the end.
This story was basically just okay. It was kind of too easy to guess who the culprit was and I almost wish it had been a bit harder especially since this series of Nancy Drew books seems geared towards the young adult/teenage crowd compared to other Nancy Drew series'. I also found all of the characters way to shallow and lacking much substance The only saving grace for this getting 3 stars was George's storyline especially at the end.
March 20, 2017
Definitely not the famed teenage sleuth as I've come to expect her.
March 11, 2018
Wilder University seems to be full of irrationally hostile folks and boy crazy twits.
September 8, 2016
I am torn between two and three stars for this.
This is a different Nancy than the one I grew up reading about. It appears college really does change some people. The way she is treating Ned just irks me so much.
Three stars might be a little too generous for this book. In middle school, I stumbled across the original Nancy Drew series and fell in love. I now own so many Nancy Drew books it's ridiculous. And even at the age of 20, I still continue to read them for fun. I knew going into this series that it would be a lot different from the Nancy Drew books I was accustomed to.
In this first book of the Nancy Drew on Campus series, we are introduced once again to one of my favorite heroines, Nancy Drew, and her two best friends Bess and George. All three girls are now attending Wilder University. Nancy Drew is finally in college, sounds pretty neat right? Wrong.
College Nancy is different. She is adjusting to college life and trying to make a new life for herself, meaning, she wants to get away from her mystery solving days. Unfortunately for her, mystery and trouble tends to follow her wherever she goes.
My problem with this book was Nancy's treatment towards Ned, who goes to Emerson University. They are still together but she can't even find the time of day to call him when she says she will. And then there's the flirting and interest in other guys she meets on campus.
Overall, this book was okay. I do not expect the series to get much better but I will continue to read all the books. I love Nancy Drew and got the whole series pretty cheap online, plus, they are fun, quick reads so what's the harm?
This is a different Nancy than the one I grew up reading about. It appears college really does change some people. The way she is treating Ned just irks me so much.
Three stars might be a little too generous for this book. In middle school, I stumbled across the original Nancy Drew series and fell in love. I now own so many Nancy Drew books it's ridiculous. And even at the age of 20, I still continue to read them for fun. I knew going into this series that it would be a lot different from the Nancy Drew books I was accustomed to.
In this first book of the Nancy Drew on Campus series, we are introduced once again to one of my favorite heroines, Nancy Drew, and her two best friends Bess and George. All three girls are now attending Wilder University. Nancy Drew is finally in college, sounds pretty neat right? Wrong.
College Nancy is different. She is adjusting to college life and trying to make a new life for herself, meaning, she wants to get away from her mystery solving days. Unfortunately for her, mystery and trouble tends to follow her wherever she goes.
My problem with this book was Nancy's treatment towards Ned, who goes to Emerson University. They are still together but she can't even find the time of day to call him when she says she will. And then there's the flirting and interest in other guys she meets on campus.
Overall, this book was okay. I do not expect the series to get much better but I will continue to read all the books. I love Nancy Drew and got the whole series pretty cheap online, plus, they are fun, quick reads so what's the harm?
April 10, 2019
I read Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys throughout my school and college days.
Nancy Drew is an amateur detective who solves crimes with occasional help from her best friends, Bess and George and, her boyfriend Ned. She also has occasional help from her father Carson Drew who runs a private law practice. From finding stolen goods to missing persons and solving mysterious happenings, Nancy is a force of nature.
Until I discovered that Carolyn Keene is a pen name for a whole bunch of ghostwriters, I used to feel confused about the slight differences in each character from books to book over the many series of Nancy Drew mysteries. I like the character of Nancy best in the original books written by Mildred Wirt Benson where Nancy is truly a character to root for – an independent and street smart girl with a penchant for trouble.
Nancy Drew is an amateur detective who solves crimes with occasional help from her best friends, Bess and George and, her boyfriend Ned. She also has occasional help from her father Carson Drew who runs a private law practice. From finding stolen goods to missing persons and solving mysterious happenings, Nancy is a force of nature.
Until I discovered that Carolyn Keene is a pen name for a whole bunch of ghostwriters, I used to feel confused about the slight differences in each character from books to book over the many series of Nancy Drew mysteries. I like the character of Nancy best in the original books written by Mildred Wirt Benson where Nancy is truly a character to root for – an independent and street smart girl with a penchant for trouble.
January 17, 2017
Fun and easy book to read. The mystery doesn't start until halfway through the book, almost like it's an afterthought. Instead it it follows Nancy, Bess, and George on their first days of college. The serialized storytelling is interesting and there is a hint of a greater conspiracy that should be fun to read about in the books that follow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2022
New Lives, New Loves By Carolyn Keene
Series: Nancy Drew in Campus #1
Format: Softcover
Stars: 1
Recommend: No
Would Reread: No
I don't know what I just read but its not a Nancy Drew book.
I give honest reviews and all my opinions are my own.
For more of my reviews go to Heavenly High Seas Books
https://heavenlyhighseasbooks.blogspo...
Series: Nancy Drew in Campus #1
Format: Softcover
Stars: 1
Recommend: No
Would Reread: No
I don't know what I just read but its not a Nancy Drew book.
I give honest reviews and all my opinions are my own.
For more of my reviews go to Heavenly High Seas Books
https://heavenlyhighseasbooks.blogspo...
September 24, 2013
It was not so good. It had Nancy Drew almost like a bumbling idiot. It was like she lost all her self confidence. Crazy! True it was a life changing experience for her, but still at least give the girl/woman some credit for her life experiences.
June 24, 2020
A Covid re-read. I enjoyed it the second time around. It does an excellent job of setting up the rest of the series.
February 25, 2011
What I remember about this series is a casino night and she had broken up with Ned. A little more 21st century.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2014
Read August 2009
Read March 2006
Read March 2006
June 12, 2015
This book is really good! You should read it
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews