Nancy Drew and Her Sister Sleuths: Essays on the Fiction of Girl Detectives
This collection of articles is an interesting and thought-provoking treatment of the cultural influences on the stories of girl detectives. The essays, most of them by university professors, include a brief history of the Stratemeyer Syndicate and the creation of Nancy Drew, first published in 1930, and an introduction to the two major authors of the Nancy Drew mysteries, Harriet Stratemeyer Adams and Mildred Wirt Benson. Both wrote under the name of Carolyn Keene and were involved in the corporate collaborative effort of the publisher, writers, and editors who produced books that were meant to entertain but were often questioned by librarians and teachers in terms of their literary value. Other selections examine the issues of race and xenophobia in the series and Nancy's lack of technological knowledge and ability in spite of her strength and intellect and the changing cultural influences on that dearth of knowledge. Other essays look at series about Linda Carlton, Cherry Ames, Trixie Belden, and teen sleuths such as Hermione Granger. A great choice for all who are interested in the evolution of the girl detective in American youth literature.—Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.