Designed for Disaster

Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew #29

by Carolyn Keene, Macky Pamintuan (Illustrator)

Nancy Drew and her classmates have the chance to submit their own fashion designs to a big-time competition--and the chance to model their designs in a fashion show. On a team with her best friends George and Bess, Nancy comes up with some truly original clothing ideas and her team is chosen! But someone keeps sabotaging the contest along the way -- stealing designs, hiding sample pieces, and tripping up the models. Can the Clue Crew find the culprit before the River Heights fashion show is canceled?

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Detective

96 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2011

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of our least favorite books of the series. There is a fashion show going on in the school and the kids get to submit designs and also 5 are chosen to model. The designs go missing then the clothes go missing, and when it all resolves its just a resentful person who misunderstood and acted immaturely. The stakes weren't very high and it just wasn't that interesting.

[Eliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy's class has a chance to win a fashion show contest, and be models in the River Heights Fashion Show. Nancy's team is chosen, but someone keeps hiding the designs and tripping up the models! Can the Clue Crew catch the culprit before the River Heights Fashion Show is canceled?

[Cindy Hardegree · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a twist of fate, what starts out as a disaster at first meeting turns into a dream come true for Natashia and Trent. Spicy hot with a definite twist! Loved it!
I received this book as an arc and am voluntarily submitting my review.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another cute one!

[Kelly Choy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Culprit was quite obvious