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The Bluebird Books #1
Mary Louise
The girl they were discussing came leisurely down a path her books under one arm the other hand holding a class paper which she examined in a cursory way as she walked.
First published January 1, 1916
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 30, 2020
3 1/2 rounded up for a well-written, charming story.
January 9, 2018
"Edith Van Dyne” is a pseudonym for L. Frank Baum, of Oz fame, and this book was part of a series that was in turn part of a craze in the 1910’s for girl detective stories. It’s…eh. The writing is breathless and melodramatic and the titular main character is kind of dull. There are ten books in this series but I think I got enough of a taste.
February 5, 2010
spoilers: apparently it's ok to run from the law all your life hiding your daughter who actually broke the law until she dies, and then after she dies you will be a free citizen again, especially if there is a spunky daughter of an fbi agent to help you.
May 17, 2018
A curious story, not quite the Wizard of Oz but a fanciful mystery nonetheless. I was not aware that Frank L. Baum had written this series under the pseudonym of Edith Van Dyne. I listened to the Librivox version read by Sibella Denton. She does an admirable job reading the text.
August 14, 2018
Quoted from the book:
"To be sure. Isn't that a glad prospect? To pass to a new life, to new adventures, planned for us by the wisdom of God, is the most glorious promise we mortals possess. In good time that joy will be ours, but now we must make the most of our present blessings. I take it, Mary Louise, that there is a purpose in Everything, a Divine purpose, you know, and that those who most patiently accept their trials will have the better future recompense. What's a twisted ankle or a shrivelled leg to do with happiness? Or even a persecuted grandfather? We're made of better stuff you and I than to cry over such babyish bumps. My! what a lot of things we both need to be thankful for"
This is a quote I wish to never forget!
"To be sure. Isn't that a glad prospect? To pass to a new life, to new adventures, planned for us by the wisdom of God, is the most glorious promise we mortals possess. In good time that joy will be ours, but now we must make the most of our present blessings. I take it, Mary Louise, that there is a purpose in Everything, a Divine purpose, you know, and that those who most patiently accept their trials will have the better future recompense. What's a twisted ankle or a shrivelled leg to do with happiness? Or even a persecuted grandfather? We're made of better stuff you and I than to cry over such babyish bumps. My! what a lot of things we both need to be thankful for"
This is a quote I wish to never forget!
May 6, 2021
Whisked Away to Intrigue Instead of Oz
Baum wrote this series, among other books, under one of his pseudonyms, Edith Van Dune. And while the main character is Mary Louise, someone else does the solving of the mystery. Or more like all the pieces just fell into place just perfectly. But the characters are definitely a blast to be around and I am looking forward to reading more in this series.
Baum wrote this series, among other books, under one of his pseudonyms, Edith Van Dune. And while the main character is Mary Louise, someone else does the solving of the mystery. Or more like all the pieces just fell into place just perfectly. But the characters are definitely a blast to be around and I am looking forward to reading more in this series.
July 9, 2020
Mary Louise was so expertly written that I had a hard time putting it down. I would have never discovered this book had I not decided to read some of the classics available at the local library. So glad I did.
March 23, 2023
Entertaining, though rather implausible. The plot is also quite uneven; it felt like the first half and the second half were two different books. I enjoyed it as an audiobook to help with sleep but probably would have been a bit bored reading it to myself.
August 24, 2022
I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would!
May 7, 2024
Great book, I listened to the audiobook version on YouTube. I will leave the link below so that everyone can enjoy it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s76Ym...
September 26, 2010
L. Frank Baum wrote book series for girls under the nom de plume Edith Van Dyne. Mary Louise is the first of a series featuring Mary Louise, a plain ordinary rich girl whose grandfather is wanted by the State Department. The novel starts with Mary Louise in a private boarding school while living with her grandfather and mother in a small town. All is well and she has been getting very close to the old man until he is recognized by a stranger staying at the hotel. It is then that Mary Louise's family steals away in the night leaving her alone at the school to face the sudden knowledge that her grandfather is a wanted criminal.
She doesn't know where he is or why the government is seeking him, but she knows deep in her heart that he is too good to have done anything wrong. Watched by secret agents who seek to find the old man through her, Mary Louise must find her way through a cloud of suspicion. The book is the story of how she goes about seeking to find her grandfather and to prove his innocence. A very good adventure story but it is plagued by Baum's stereotyping of black servants and a disabled friend that he refers to as "the chair-girl" because of her wheel chair. An interesting glimpse into the children's books of the early 20th century.
She doesn't know where he is or why the government is seeking him, but she knows deep in her heart that he is too good to have done anything wrong. Watched by secret agents who seek to find the old man through her, Mary Louise must find her way through a cloud of suspicion. The book is the story of how she goes about seeking to find her grandfather and to prove his innocence. A very good adventure story but it is plagued by Baum's stereotyping of black servants and a disabled friend that he refers to as "the chair-girl" because of her wheel chair. An interesting glimpse into the children's books of the early 20th century.
September 4, 2010
Wikipedia synopsis ... In the first books of the series, she is a fifteen-year-old girl with unusual maturity (though the other girls in her boarding school find her somewhat priggish). She is suddenly confronted with the fact that her beloved grandfather is suspected of no less a crime than treason against the United States. With the help of old and new friends of Mary Louise … the truth is uncovered. The novel features a federal agent named John O’Gorman; he is assisted by his daughter Josie, a young woman he has himself trained to function as an investigator. (The Josie O’Gorman character, despite preceding Nancy Drew by more than a decade, is much less traditionally feminine.) (Summary from Wikipedia)
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Interesting to remember that in 1916 it was ok to refer to a young wheelchair user as chair girl.
Narrated very well by Sibella Denton.
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Interesting to remember that in 1916 it was ok to refer to a young wheelchair user as chair girl.
Narrated very well by Sibella Denton.
November 11, 2016
This is a weird book - a combination of a traditional early-20th century girls story and (sporadically) a surprisingly modern-feeling spy novel. It was very disjointed, though, with awkward shifts in style and plot. There was little flow to the story, and Mary Louise didn't have much personality. Overall, I don't think I'll read any more of these books - if this wasn't a quick read, I don't think I would have finished it.
February 18, 2014
I highly recommend! Sibelle Denton is an excellent narrator,this was my first story that I have listen to from her narrating and I will find more of her stories because she is outstanding at reading aloud!
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June 26, 2013
January 21, 2014
Love this children's mystery series, it reminds me of Trixie Belden or Nancy Drew.
October 19, 2014
Alright book. Definitely of its time. I wouldn't really recommend.
October 23, 2022
i don't know about you but i think the title of this book and the main character's name are pretty great
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews