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Undercover Bookworms
Detective brothers Frank and Joe catch a book crook to save their library in the sixteenth book in the interactive Hardy Boys Clue Book series.
One of Frank and Joe Hardy’s favorite places to hang out is the Bayport Junior Public Library. Having a library just for kids is the best, and they love the real-life bookworm mascots, a whole farm of them! But the town council is facing budget cuts and will vote soon on whether to shut down the BJPL and combine locations with the adult library. Just when the boys’ librarian is starting to sway the council in her favor, a valuable book goes missing from the Rare Reads Room!
The Hardy brothers are determined to find the missing book and save the library. Joe pulls out a rare book of his own—the clue book! There are plenty of suspects, from the councilwoman who’s in favor of folding the junior library to their classmate Jeffrey Le Guin who was temporarily suspended from the library for making too much noise. But the more they investigate, the more they realize that you can’t judge a crook by their cover.
One of Frank and Joe Hardy’s favorite places to hang out is the Bayport Junior Public Library. Having a library just for kids is the best, and they love the real-life bookworm mascots, a whole farm of them! But the town council is facing budget cuts and will vote soon on whether to shut down the BJPL and combine locations with the adult library. Just when the boys’ librarian is starting to sway the council in her favor, a valuable book goes missing from the Rare Reads Room!
The Hardy brothers are determined to find the missing book and save the library. Joe pulls out a rare book of his own—the clue book! There are plenty of suspects, from the councilwoman who’s in favor of folding the junior library to their classmate Jeffrey Le Guin who was temporarily suspended from the library for making too much noise. But the more they investigate, the more they realize that you can’t judge a crook by their cover.
112 pages, Paperback
Published June 27, 2023
About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
856 books1,010 followersFranklin W. Dixon is the pen name used by a variety of different authors who were part of a team that wrote The Hardy Boys novels for the Stratemeyer Syndicate (now owned by Simon & Schuster). Dixon was also the writer attributed for the Ted Scott Flying Stories series, published by Grosset & Dunlap.
Canadian author Leslie McFarlane is believed to have written the first sixteen Hardy Boys books, but worked to a detailed plot and character outline for each story. The outlines are believed to have originated with Edward Stratemeyer, with later books outlined by his daughters Edna C. Squier and Harriet Stratemeyer Adams. Edward and Harriet also edited all books in the series through the mid-1960s. Other writers of the original books include MacFarlane's wife Amy, John Button, Andrew E. Svenson, and Adams herself; most of the outlines were done by Adams and Svenson. A number of other writers and editors were recruited to revise the outlines and update the texts in line with a more modern sensibility, starting in the late 1950s.
The principal author for the Ted Scott books was John W. Duffield.
Canadian author Leslie McFarlane is believed to have written the first sixteen Hardy Boys books, but worked to a detailed plot and character outline for each story. The outlines are believed to have originated with Edward Stratemeyer, with later books outlined by his daughters Edna C. Squier and Harriet Stratemeyer Adams. Edward and Harriet also edited all books in the series through the mid-1960s. Other writers of the original books include MacFarlane's wife Amy, John Button, Andrew E. Svenson, and Adams herself; most of the outlines were done by Adams and Svenson. A number of other writers and editors were recruited to revise the outlines and update the texts in line with a more modern sensibility, starting in the late 1950s.
The principal author for the Ted Scott books was John W. Duffield.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 14, 2026
What should a reader know about the author? The books were written by lots of ghostwriters.
What should a reader know about when or why this book was written? The first Hardy boys book was published in 1927. This book was published in 2023.
B. Summary
Setting - where does the book take place?
The book takes place in Bayport, in modern day.
Central conflict (For Nonfiction what problem is the book trying to solve or what core topic is it trying to elevate?)
A rare book was stolen, and if the librarians do not find it, the town council will shut down the junior library.
How was the conflict resolved? The Hardy boys figured out who stole the book and saved the library!!
C. Theme & Meaning
What is the book really about?
The Hardy Boys series centers on themes of mystery, adventure, courage, teamwork, and moral integrity.
Why does that theme matter? The book teaches themes the reader needs to learn.
D. Perspective & Craft
What tone or style in the writing stood out to you? The eight year old sounded too old.
What point of view was used, and how did it shape the story? The pov was 3rd person.
E. Personal Impact
Did this book shift your thinking, values, or assumptions? It did not shift my thinking.
If not, why do you think it didn’t? It didn’t shift my thinking because it is just a kid book.
F. Recommendation
Who should read this book? Every kid that likes mystery should read this book.
Who should NOT read this book? People who cannot read should not read this book.
What should a reader know about when or why this book was written? The first Hardy boys book was published in 1927. This book was published in 2023.
B. Summary
Setting - where does the book take place?
The book takes place in Bayport, in modern day.
Central conflict (For Nonfiction what problem is the book trying to solve or what core topic is it trying to elevate?)
A rare book was stolen, and if the librarians do not find it, the town council will shut down the junior library.
How was the conflict resolved? The Hardy boys figured out who stole the book and saved the library!!
C. Theme & Meaning
What is the book really about?
The Hardy Boys series centers on themes of mystery, adventure, courage, teamwork, and moral integrity.
Why does that theme matter? The book teaches themes the reader needs to learn.
D. Perspective & Craft
What tone or style in the writing stood out to you? The eight year old sounded too old.
What point of view was used, and how did it shape the story? The pov was 3rd person.
E. Personal Impact
Did this book shift your thinking, values, or assumptions? It did not shift my thinking.
If not, why do you think it didn’t? It didn’t shift my thinking because it is just a kid book.
F. Recommendation
Who should read this book? Every kid that likes mystery should read this book.
Who should NOT read this book? People who cannot read should not read this book.
March 17, 2024
Frank and Joe are volunteering for the library but the most valuable book goes missing. I liked this book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews