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Original Bobbsey Twins #56
The Bobbsey Twins and the Big River Mystery
A Two-weeks' visit with Aunt Alice on her private island in the Hudson River is an exciting prospect for the Bobbsey twins. The more exciting because Bert, Nan, Freddie, and Flossie know that Aunt Alice plans to give each of them a special present - just because she loves them.
But the twins naturally seem to attract adventure. Imagine their surprise when they learn that the U.S. Customs Service has its eye on the island. Puzzling, too, is the disappearance of a big wooden crate containing their great-great-aunt's valuable heirlooms.
The twins don't spend all their time investigating clues. There's too much to do - with a whole island, a bost, a historic river, and a new "treasure" at every turn.
A night's camp-out unravels one puzzling mystery, but it takes a trip all the way down the Hudson to New York City to solve the other. And the third mystery - why Aunt Alice doesn't give them their presents - they're too polite to ask, of course - has a happy ending too!
But the twins naturally seem to attract adventure. Imagine their surprise when they learn that the U.S. Customs Service has its eye on the island. Puzzling, too, is the disappearance of a big wooden crate containing their great-great-aunt's valuable heirlooms.
The twins don't spend all their time investigating clues. There's too much to do - with a whole island, a bost, a historic river, and a new "treasure" at every turn.
A night's camp-out unravels one puzzling mystery, but it takes a trip all the way down the Hudson to New York City to solve the other. And the third mystery - why Aunt Alice doesn't give them their presents - they're too polite to ask, of course - has a happy ending too!
176 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1962
2 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Laura Lee Hope
567 books77 followersLaura 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 9, 2020
This is one of those Bobbsey Twins books where, as a kid, I wished I could hop right into the pages and go along for the adventure. The twins had a lot of interesting adventures in this one, on the island, in the boat, swimming in the water and at the different towns along the Hudson River. The mystery regarding the smuggler was also pretty good.
Two points knocked off a star. First, why does there always have to be a bully even when Danny Rugg isn't around? It happened a couple of times when the twins were visiting cousin Harry and also in Hawaii. Now here. There might be other instances I'm forgetting, too. And second, the solution to the mystery involving Aunt Alice's antiques was far too much of a coincidence. I would have preferred the twins to have either tracked down a thief or found the water in the box while diving.
Two points knocked off a star. First, why does there always have to be a bully even when Danny Rugg isn't around? It happened a couple of times when the twins were visiting cousin Harry and also in Hawaii. Now here. There might be other instances I'm forgetting, too. And second, the solution to the mystery involving Aunt Alice's antiques was far too much of a coincidence. I would have preferred the twins to have either tracked down a thief or found the water in the box while diving.
November 15, 2025
An especially good "case" (Swiss watch parts being smuggled in ingeniously rigged cans!) and richly integrated educational content about the Hudson Valley, Catskills, Erie Canal, Revolution, etc. Drawback was the amount of space given to a stand-in for Danny Rugg -- why not leave out the child character who simply highlights the twins' bottomless virtue and forbearance? Or have a bully who shows potential to reform? I think today there might be stories about the Bobbseys coping with different personalities among their playmates, instead of just "heavies."
May 7, 2025
This was a pretty typical Bobbsey Twins book. I found the information about growing in the caves interesting, but I found the ending very unrealistic.
October 25, 2020
I've been reading this with my girls. It brings back memories from my childhood when I used to read these books!
July 26, 2025
Book 1, Page 380, No. 865
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews