Secret Rules

Nancy Drew: On Campus #5

by Carolyn Keene

Listening to the dilemmas of her college friends, Nancy Drew encounters her own problems when she begins working on a story about a frat prank that is out of control, and her feelings for Jake are complicated by his uncertain nature. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Romance

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Carolyn 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The more of these I re-read, the more I realize that on the whole, they still hold up as simple, Nancy Drew fun. More focus is beginning to be paid to Nancy's desire to practice investigative journalism, and so seeing her follow her hunches/use her skills is finally beginning to feel like a part of the story and not just thrown in as an obligation.

Also, George and Will's relationship - I have to admit, the books are a bit more frank about young adults being interested in sex than I remembered. But it's also nice to see that the author referred to George and Will talking out that next step and making sure they were on the same page mentally, physically, emotionally - that's a great example to be had.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, I think I’m done with this series. I find everyone except the main three (Nancy, George and Bess) super boring, with the exception of maybe Casey.

I found myself skimming most of this book because I was so bored, and for a book this short that’s not good.

I’m glad I at least read a few of these, but I’m shelving these books for now.

[Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one a little better than the others. Still cheesy and nothing compared to the original series but enjoyable nonetheless.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read September 2009
Read April 2006