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Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew #28
Time Thief
A mystery for the history books! River Heights Elementary School has been waiting a generation for this day to come. All the kids in Mrs. Ramirez's class, including Nancy Drew and her friends Bess and George, have gathered to watch Principal Newman dig up the time capsule that was buried over 30 years ago. But, when it's unearthed, a very important vintage doll is missing from the capsule. How is that possible? It's been buried this whole time. Did a classmate steal it before the dig? Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew are on the case!
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2011
18 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,065 books3,890 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 24, 2019
Time capsule time! After 30 years it is finally time to dig it up and get out what is in the old time capsule.
The second Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew book that I bought at quite a steal on Saturday. I am so delighted I had the chance to read two more of these terrific fun books. Sometimes changing Nancy's age doesn't work (see another book I read with a new sort of Nancy), but it works in this series.
The Clue Crew has a new mystery to solve, namely what happened to the doll that was in the time capsule? Who stole? Or was it never stolen? I loved this mystery though I quickly had a clue who it could be. This is new for me, mostly with this series I cannot figure out the whodunnit as the book keeps throwing new hints and suspects at you all the time. :P But this one had one person, and truly one person, acting highly suspicious. Or I should say different from normal. So I had my big suspect, but the why's were still a mystery to me, but we later find out the why and I was nodding along. If that was me I would have done the same. Now I am sure my readers are thinking I am a criminal, but I would say read this book and see what you would have done if you were that age.
I had great fun seeing the girls try to infiltrate and figure out the clues and if their suspects were the right ones or not. We saw parts of the town, we went to a fun doll party, we saw them eat terrible lunches (I am so glad we don't have that in schools here), and there is of course tons and tons more.
While I am a big fan of Bess and Nancy, I am still not sure how I feel about George. I know I liked her more in other versions of the Nancy Drew-verse.
All in all a wonderful new addition to the Clue Crew, I would recommend it. As for me? I need to get more of these Clue Crew books to my collection.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
The second Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew book that I bought at quite a steal on Saturday. I am so delighted I had the chance to read two more of these terrific fun books. Sometimes changing Nancy's age doesn't work (see another book I read with a new sort of Nancy), but it works in this series.
The Clue Crew has a new mystery to solve, namely what happened to the doll that was in the time capsule? Who stole? Or was it never stolen? I loved this mystery though I quickly had a clue who it could be. This is new for me, mostly with this series I cannot figure out the whodunnit as the book keeps throwing new hints and suspects at you all the time. :P But this one had one person, and truly one person, acting highly suspicious. Or I should say different from normal. So I had my big suspect, but the why's were still a mystery to me, but we later find out the why and I was nodding along. If that was me I would have done the same. Now I am sure my readers are thinking I am a criminal, but I would say read this book and see what you would have done if you were that age.
I had great fun seeing the girls try to infiltrate and figure out the clues and if their suspects were the right ones or not. We saw parts of the town, we went to a fun doll party, we saw them eat terrible lunches (I am so glad we don't have that in schools here), and there is of course tons and tons more.
While I am a big fan of Bess and Nancy, I am still not sure how I feel about George. I know I liked her more in other versions of the Nancy Drew-verse.
All in all a wonderful new addition to the Clue Crew, I would recommend it. As for me? I need to get more of these Clue Crew books to my collection.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
April 13, 2023
This is the first Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew book I have read to my class as a Teacher Read Aloud. The students were all really into the mystery and loved making predictions throughout the book. It was a great way to introduce the genre of mystery to my 3rd grade students. I loved reading Nancy Drew and Nancy Drew Files books when I was younger, so I was definitely happy to see such enthusiasm from my students while reading this book to them.
March 16, 2025
3.5 stars. This book is about a time capsule at the school. It is dug up and one of the items listed (a 30 year old doll) is missing. I didn't understand why so many people were after this doll, but it was entertaining. I wanted more about 30 years ago. I wanted the girls to interview Mr. Drew and his classmates from the time. I just wanted more. My girls were really surprised by the ending and it was super cute.
January 1, 2021
Cute as always!
January 16, 2022
Surprisingly really good storytelling! I really like the twist ending although it was a bit obvious :)
January 26, 2022
Very rarely does my little one give less than 5 stars for Nancy Drew books, but apparently this story was not one of her favorites.
January 11, 2025
This book was what got me into reading as an 8 yr old
May 4, 2015
A beginners chapter book based on the popular Nancy Drew series, Keene (if that is your real name) does a wonderful job of creating a modern mystery with a lovable cast of characters. The Clue Crew, consisting of Nancy Drew, Bess Marvin, and George Fayne, is looking into the case of a missing vintage doll. How could it be possible that something was stolen out of a 30 year old time capsule that has been untouched since it was first buried? The case takes the Crew through the history of River Heights Elementary School. Could it have been one of the school’s original students who took the doll before it was buried?
The illustrations by Macky Pamintuan are few and far between. Most are small page-fillers made with digital ink and are very simplistic. While I’ve always been one for elaborate drawings, the small number of pictures and their relative simplicity actually tend to add to the book, not distracting the reader from the main draw of the narrative. Instead, Pamintuan’s illustrations seem to be in place to give a little something extra to the text, while slowly weaning young readers off of picture books as they transition into longer, chapter-based material.
The illustrations by Macky Pamintuan are few and far between. Most are small page-fillers made with digital ink and are very simplistic. While I’ve always been one for elaborate drawings, the small number of pictures and their relative simplicity actually tend to add to the book, not distracting the reader from the main draw of the narrative. Instead, Pamintuan’s illustrations seem to be in place to give a little something extra to the text, while slowly weaning young readers off of picture books as they transition into longer, chapter-based material.
July 29, 2015
A fairly typical entry in the Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew series. We've been slowly working our way through the series and we like the characters.
Our girls have become less enthralled with the books as we've continued through the series. I think they are growing out of them and perhaps it's time to introduce them to an older Nancy in the original series.
The mysteries are not scary and they aren't too difficult to solve; they often have a twist or two in the plot to keep us guessing, so I am actually somewhat impressed with the writing (especially for a short chapter book for young readers.) The illustrations are entertaining and complement the story nicely.
This story involves a 30-year-old time capsule that is unearthed, but ends up missing a valuable doll. The mystery isn't too complicated and we enjoyed reading the story together.
Our girls have become less enthralled with the books as we've continued through the series. I think they are growing out of them and perhaps it's time to introduce them to an older Nancy in the original series.
The mysteries are not scary and they aren't too difficult to solve; they often have a twist or two in the plot to keep us guessing, so I am actually somewhat impressed with the writing (especially for a short chapter book for young readers.) The illustrations are entertaining and complement the story nicely.
This story involves a 30-year-old time capsule that is unearthed, but ends up missing a valuable doll. The mystery isn't too complicated and we enjoyed reading the story together.
October 25, 2011
This is a contemporary realistic book and is intended for the readers of the primary age group. This book is about Nancy Drew and her friends Bess and George. They discover that a vintage doll has gone missing from the school time capsule. The time capsule was buried by the students of River Heights Elementary more than thirty years ago. Nancy and her friends find the doll and decide to display the time capsule items in a glass case at the school. Nancy and her friends get to participate in making a new time capsule. This is a small chapter book and was fairly easy to read and understand. I would use this book before having the children create their own time capsule.
April 18, 2014
This gets a 5 stars from Lucy, 6 yrs old - the first chapter book she read completely independently. I'm afraid I've heard a little too much about why this book is "amazing."
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews