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Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew #1
Sleepover Sleuths
Nancy and her two best friends, George and Bess, are so excited! They have been invited to Deirdre's sleepover party! There will be pizza, cake, and even a pajama fashion show. But the most exciting thing is that the party has a City Girls doll theme. All of the guests are bringing their dolls with them! But then Deirdre's City Girls doll -- Hollywood Heather -- goes missing. Is her sleepover ruined? Or is there a detective in the room who can make sense of this mystery?
81 pages, Library Binding
First published May 9, 2006
302 people are currently reading
1750 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Keene
1,129 books3,909 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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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 - 30 of 211 reviews
March 26, 2023
Nancy Drew is an iconic name in girl detective books. The older books had a teenage Nancy and some of those were written in the first half of the 20th century. These are a 21st century series and Sleepover Sleuths is the first. They are intended for a younger audience and the stories involve an 8 year old Nancy Drew….children under ten should be able to read them by themselves without much help.
Nancy has two close friends who are happy to work with her on this “case of the missing doll.” They are not just “extras” who cheer Nancy on, but both Bess and George bring their own talents to the chase. Together they will become The Clue Crew!
There is no violence but there are a range of emotions for Nancy to contend with. (Discussing friendships can be a follow-up between parent and child.) There are also some cautionary exchanges about labeling someone a “suspect.”
My biggest disappointment is that this may be dated for its current audience by the technology. The Clue Crew uses a PC for gathering their information. Now, it would seem much more likely that this would be done on a mobile phone.
Definitely a good start for the series.
Nancy has two close friends who are happy to work with her on this “case of the missing doll.” They are not just “extras” who cheer Nancy on, but both Bess and George bring their own talents to the chase. Together they will become The Clue Crew!
There is no violence but there are a range of emotions for Nancy to contend with. (Discussing friendships can be a follow-up between parent and child.) There are also some cautionary exchanges about labeling someone a “suspect.”
My biggest disappointment is that this may be dated for its current audience by the technology. The Clue Crew uses a PC for gathering their information. Now, it would seem much more likely that this would be done on a mobile phone.
Definitely a good start for the series.
November 6, 2011
I tried reading a "regular" Nancy Drew with Sophie, but she just wasn't in to it. Discovered that there's now a Nancy Drew series for younger readers, Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, and so we tried this one (the first). It was a big hit. We read two or three chapters a night and she was totally engrossed and wants to read more of them.
We've read several at this point. Some general observations:
The books are real mysteries (albeit not terribly complicated ones), introducing kids to the tropes of the genre--a mystery is introduced, false suspects are introduced, clues are provided that allow a sharp reader to deduce the answer before the denouement, etc. The mysteries do not involve any danger, and in general do not involve people deliberately engaging in criminal activities--most mysteries are resolved as accidents or misunderstandings.
Like the original mysteries, these are also typical serial fiction--we have a regular cast of characters, a regular cast of secondary and often tertiary characters, a recurring setting. Characters do not age (all of the stories presume Nancy and friends are in third grade), and there's no character development. The mystery, its resolution, and the role the girls play in the resolution are the focus of the stories.
My four year-old finds them totally engaging, and they've proven an enormous hit at bed-time, making a nice transition away from picture books and towards longer stories.
We've read several at this point. Some general observations:
The books are real mysteries (albeit not terribly complicated ones), introducing kids to the tropes of the genre--a mystery is introduced, false suspects are introduced, clues are provided that allow a sharp reader to deduce the answer before the denouement, etc. The mysteries do not involve any danger, and in general do not involve people deliberately engaging in criminal activities--most mysteries are resolved as accidents or misunderstandings.
Like the original mysteries, these are also typical serial fiction--we have a regular cast of characters, a regular cast of secondary and often tertiary characters, a recurring setting. Characters do not age (all of the stories presume Nancy and friends are in third grade), and there's no character development. The mystery, its resolution, and the role the girls play in the resolution are the focus of the stories.
My four year-old finds them totally engaging, and they've proven an enormous hit at bed-time, making a nice transition away from picture books and towards longer stories.
March 23, 2011
Well it was really good.I like mysteries. Well i like to slove them like Nancy Drew. In sleepover sleuths They are city girls there is onley one hollywood heather and derdie got hollywood heather and a bunch of other girls wanted holly wood heather. But she got her then the doll goes missing and nancy has to figure it out and she does it fell from the window sill and it slipped and fell in kendras bag.
January 31, 2022
My mom loved Nancy Drew books during the twenties and thirties. Maybe I should have gone for this too since this was a childhood favorite of my Mom. It seemed like a good idea. She never read them to us, but she told us a little about them.
Eight-year-old Nancy Drew has her first case to crack! Can you help?
Nancy and her two best friends, George and Bess, are so excited! They have been invited to Deirdre's sleepover party! There will be pizza, cake, and even a pajama fashion show. But the most exciting thing is that the party has a City Girls doll theme. All of the guests are bringing their dolls with them!
But then Deirdre's City Girls doll -- Hollywood Heather -- goes missing. Is her sleepover ruined? Or is there a detective in the room who can make sense of this mystery?
It is perfect for young readers just long enough (about 80 pages) and soft and compact and easy to hold and travel with. They are numbered so it's easy to get more without getting duplicates. I definitely recommend it to anyone with a little girl in their life who loves to read or who just needs a reason to learn to love to read!
Good luck and Happy Reading!
Eight-year-old Nancy Drew has her first case to crack! Can you help?
Nancy and her two best friends, George and Bess, are so excited! They have been invited to Deirdre's sleepover party! There will be pizza, cake, and even a pajama fashion show. But the most exciting thing is that the party has a City Girls doll theme. All of the guests are bringing their dolls with them!
But then Deirdre's City Girls doll -- Hollywood Heather -- goes missing. Is her sleepover ruined? Or is there a detective in the room who can make sense of this mystery?
It is perfect for young readers just long enough (about 80 pages) and soft and compact and easy to hold and travel with. They are numbered so it's easy to get more without getting duplicates. I definitely recommend it to anyone with a little girl in their life who loves to read or who just needs a reason to learn to love to read!
Good luck and Happy Reading!
Read
January 7, 2022quite positive that this series is what got me into reading in the first place. thus I felt that it was essential to add this to my Goodreads read shelf approximately 11 years later
January 4, 2011
My nine year old sister gave me the two first titles in the "Clue Crew" series for Christmas this year, which I have to say, really made my day. Even though I'm going to be a little stodgy and say that I'm not sure that there needs to be yet another incarnation of the Nancy Drew books, I thought this was a pretty cute title, and not without merit. The invention of the "City Girls" dolls was rather on point with current trends in pre-teen collectibles and was a creative basis for a story. Also, there's a nice integration of the main cast of characters--Bess and George, of course, but also Hannah the housekeeper, and even Ned makes a one line appearance on the playground.
The relationships are generally affirmative--although Nancy, I think, tries much too hard to avoid conflict of any sort and always seems to be interrupting people so they don't say something barbed or trying to smooth over possible offenses. (After one very minor misunderstanding between two other girls, Nancy watches them walk away saying, "I'm glad they are still friends," which is perhaps in keeping with an eight-year-old's sense that any argument with a peer is the End. Of. The. World., but nevertheless makes her seem a little tightly wound.)
I was also glad to see that the original series' constant throw-away lines about "plump" (read: 'Fat!') Bess were not present here, although Bess does seem to have a ravenous appetite and jokes are made about that several times. (She's eight! Fast metabolism! Let the girl eat!)
But overall, not a bad sub-series. I always liked the more updated Nancy Drew books with the exciting covers when I was younger--although I still read the classics quite a bit, too--so if this keeps the series pertinent for another generation of mystery fans, then, well, have at it, "Carolyn".
The relationships are generally affirmative--although Nancy, I think, tries much too hard to avoid conflict of any sort and always seems to be interrupting people so they don't say something barbed or trying to smooth over possible offenses. (After one very minor misunderstanding between two other girls, Nancy watches them walk away saying, "I'm glad they are still friends," which is perhaps in keeping with an eight-year-old's sense that any argument with a peer is the End. Of. The. World., but nevertheless makes her seem a little tightly wound.)
I was also glad to see that the original series' constant throw-away lines about "plump" (read: 'Fat!') Bess were not present here, although Bess does seem to have a ravenous appetite and jokes are made about that several times. (She's eight! Fast metabolism! Let the girl eat!)
But overall, not a bad sub-series. I always liked the more updated Nancy Drew books with the exciting covers when I was younger--although I still read the classics quite a bit, too--so if this keeps the series pertinent for another generation of mystery fans, then, well, have at it, "Carolyn".
October 19, 2013
Read by: Melanie
Genre: Mystery
Author: Carolyn Keene Illustrator: Macky Pamintuan
Interest Level: 3-5
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.2
DRA: N/A
Lexile: 580L
Nancy Drew and her friends are invited to a sleepover at Deirdre's house and were instructed to bring their City Girls dolls with them. Deirdre unveils the new, cool doll that she received for her birthday, Hollywood Heather, but when morning comes she is missing. Did someone steal her new doll and can Nancy figured out what happened? Nancy Drew has always captured the attention of young female readers, but is great for boys and girls. This book also teaches that honesty is an important aspect of being someone's friend.
Genre: Mystery
Author: Carolyn Keene Illustrator: Macky Pamintuan
Interest Level: 3-5
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.2
DRA: N/A
Lexile: 580L
Nancy Drew and her friends are invited to a sleepover at Deirdre's house and were instructed to bring their City Girls dolls with them. Deirdre unveils the new, cool doll that she received for her birthday, Hollywood Heather, but when morning comes she is missing. Did someone steal her new doll and can Nancy figured out what happened? Nancy Drew has always captured the attention of young female readers, but is great for boys and girls. This book also teaches that honesty is an important aspect of being someone's friend.
February 22, 2025
Read via audiobook.
Do you ever read a book that you solely pick up because you think it’s a cute or easy read but end up loving it more than you thought you would? Well, that’s the case here.
I’ll be honest I only picked this up because it has my two favorite things: Nancy Drew (well a child version of Nancy Drew) and dolls (as an adult collector of dolls I read any book that extensively features dolls).
Although this is a child’s version of Nancy Drew, it is still surprisingly good. The story centers around finding a missing doll, and for a story with such a basic premise, it was surprisingly sophisticated for a children’s novel. I really enjoyed watching the story unfold and seeing how little Nancy and friends came to the conclusions that they did. I’ll be honest, I was surprisingly excited that the missing doll turned up in the end, that’s how engaged I was. I usually don’t get this excited over children’s mystery stories. This this Agatha Christie level brilliance? No, but it’s still a solid read.
I rented this on audible and I think I’ll definitely pick up the next one. This listen was a little over an hour and was a good “bedtime story”.
I would recommend this for children and adults. I think this would be perfect for younger children who may not be quite ready to dive into the more advanced Nancy Drew books.
Do you ever read a book that you solely pick up because you think it’s a cute or easy read but end up loving it more than you thought you would? Well, that’s the case here.
I’ll be honest I only picked this up because it has my two favorite things: Nancy Drew (well a child version of Nancy Drew) and dolls (as an adult collector of dolls I read any book that extensively features dolls).
Although this is a child’s version of Nancy Drew, it is still surprisingly good. The story centers around finding a missing doll, and for a story with such a basic premise, it was surprisingly sophisticated for a children’s novel. I really enjoyed watching the story unfold and seeing how little Nancy and friends came to the conclusions that they did. I’ll be honest, I was surprisingly excited that the missing doll turned up in the end, that’s how engaged I was. I usually don’t get this excited over children’s mystery stories. This this Agatha Christie level brilliance? No, but it’s still a solid read.
I rented this on audible and I think I’ll definitely pick up the next one. This listen was a little over an hour and was a good “bedtime story”.
I would recommend this for children and adults. I think this would be perfect for younger children who may not be quite ready to dive into the more advanced Nancy Drew books.
January 19, 2016
Nancy Drew and The Clue Crew Review
PERSONAL RESPONSE
In children's minds, friends are much more important than the material things like the doll. Every child’s heart is pure and innocent. And if we do something wrong to friends, we should tell them the truth. There can’t be so many lies in friendships, so people should believe each other when they tell the truth. She/ he will forgive the liars, and they will still be friends. Personally after I read this book, I realized trust and honesty are the most important things in friendships.
THE PLOT
Nancy and her two best friends, George and Bess, have been invited to Deirdre’s sleepover party! There are pizza, cake, and even a pajama fashion show .But the most exciting thing is that the party has a City Girls doll theme. All of them brought their dolls with them. Deirdre’s CIty Girls doll is Hollywood Heather, and all the girls want it, because it is pretty and expensive. But the doll goes missing after they woke up in the morning. Deirdre promised she would take care of her doll, so she couldn't tell her parents. She asked Nancy to help her, so Nancy started to find some clue. She asked many friends, and in the end she found Madison took her doll, although it was just an accident. Madison didn’t want to lose Deirdre as a friend, so she didn’t tell her. But at last, Madison told the truth to Deirdre and Deirdre forgave her.
RECOMMEND
In my opinion this book is recommended for children who are in the elementary school, because the main character in this book is eight-years-old and the words and theme are very easy to understand in this book. So I think this book is good for the elementary school children to read it.
PERSONAL RESPONSE
In children's minds, friends are much more important than the material things like the doll. Every child’s heart is pure and innocent. And if we do something wrong to friends, we should tell them the truth. There can’t be so many lies in friendships, so people should believe each other when they tell the truth. She/ he will forgive the liars, and they will still be friends. Personally after I read this book, I realized trust and honesty are the most important things in friendships.
THE PLOT
Nancy and her two best friends, George and Bess, have been invited to Deirdre’s sleepover party! There are pizza, cake, and even a pajama fashion show .But the most exciting thing is that the party has a City Girls doll theme. All of them brought their dolls with them. Deirdre’s CIty Girls doll is Hollywood Heather, and all the girls want it, because it is pretty and expensive. But the doll goes missing after they woke up in the morning. Deirdre promised she would take care of her doll, so she couldn't tell her parents. She asked Nancy to help her, so Nancy started to find some clue. She asked many friends, and in the end she found Madison took her doll, although it was just an accident. Madison didn’t want to lose Deirdre as a friend, so she didn’t tell her. But at last, Madison told the truth to Deirdre and Deirdre forgave her.
RECOMMEND
In my opinion this book is recommended for children who are in the elementary school, because the main character in this book is eight-years-old and the words and theme are very easy to understand in this book. So I think this book is good for the elementary school children to read it.
May 31, 2025
The first book in the Nancy Drew and the Crew Clue series, that follows Nancy Drew and her two best friends Bess and George (the same cast of characters from the original Nancy Drew series written in the 1950's-1960's) when they began solving mysteries at age 8 and in the third grade.
In this book, Nancy, Bess and George are invited to a birthday sleepover at Deidre's house, where Deidre receives a much-sought-after gift of a rare doll. The doll disappears and Deidre asks Nancy and her friends to find it.
The girls are methodical in their detective work, capturing data about clues, motives and suspects, as they work to solve the mystery before Deidre's deadline.
All in all, a cute book and an enjoyable read. My seven year-old daughter enjoyed the story as well, and she had fun trying to figure out "who dun it" before the mystery was revealed at the end (her guesses were mostly correct, but she did not figure out the who).
I will enjoy reading the other books in the series, and am glad that there are Nancy Drew stories suitable for my younger child. Can't wait until she's old enough for the teen-aged Nancy Drew!
In this book, Nancy, Bess and George are invited to a birthday sleepover at Deidre's house, where Deidre receives a much-sought-after gift of a rare doll. The doll disappears and Deidre asks Nancy and her friends to find it.
The girls are methodical in their detective work, capturing data about clues, motives and suspects, as they work to solve the mystery before Deidre's deadline.
All in all, a cute book and an enjoyable read. My seven year-old daughter enjoyed the story as well, and she had fun trying to figure out "who dun it" before the mystery was revealed at the end (her guesses were mostly correct, but she did not figure out the who).
I will enjoy reading the other books in the series, and am glad that there are Nancy Drew stories suitable for my younger child. Can't wait until she's old enough for the teen-aged Nancy Drew!
February 15, 2025
This series got my second grade class out of our read aloud rut! I remembered my second grade teacher reading it aloud, in 2008, and it still held up for the age group! I was a bit concerned that because the mystery they solve centers around a missing doll, that it wouldn't capture the attention of my whole class and their diverse interests, but all my kids loved the mystery!
January 5, 2024
seru juga balik explore bacaan bocil
series nancy ini bagus deh dia semacem ngenalin genre misteri dengan entry level 0-1 misterinya tuh bukan horor atau bikin takut dan dikaitin sama pesan moral ala ala persahabatan jadi mungkin ini cocok dibaca sama tingkat sekolah dasar awal. dulu pengalaman umur segitu mau baca koleksi enid blyton punya ibu belom masuk terlalu berat jadinya gak pernah selesai juga, kalo dipikir-pikir mungkin serial ini pas buat dikenalin dulu sebelum serial lima sekawan
series nancy ini bagus deh dia semacem ngenalin genre misteri dengan entry level 0-1 misterinya tuh bukan horor atau bikin takut dan dikaitin sama pesan moral ala ala persahabatan jadi mungkin ini cocok dibaca sama tingkat sekolah dasar awal. dulu pengalaman umur segitu mau baca koleksi enid blyton punya ibu belom masuk terlalu berat jadinya gak pernah selesai juga, kalo dipikir-pikir mungkin serial ini pas buat dikenalin dulu sebelum serial lima sekawan
May 19, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A fun little book!
There's a youtuber who has played some Nancy Drew games that I've been meaning to watch and she got me interested in the whole Nancy Drew series. I saw these books at a Dollar Tree and thought it'll be fun to read them. Glad I got them!
A fun little book!
There's a youtuber who has played some Nancy Drew games that I've been meaning to watch and she got me interested in the whole Nancy Drew series. I saw these books at a Dollar Tree and thought it'll be fun to read them. Glad I got them!
May 9, 2019
Loved it!
December 27, 2019
Fun and Cute
October 29, 2023
Another fun little mystery for the Clue Crew. My daughter didn't want me to stop reading, even after I would read 3 chapters a night.
December 22, 2025
Now officially counting books that I read to my daughter if they are chapter books. 🤣
June 18, 2024
I know this is a different universe within the Nancy Drew multiverse, but I did enjoy seeing Nancy interact with Deirdre.
February 27, 2017
Nancy, Bess & George's first adventure - aged 8.
May 2, 2024
first book in our mystery unit. This was a good example of mystery: clues, suspects, etc.
May 3, 2010
I absolutely loved, loved, loved Nancy Drew books when I was a young girl and I am so excited to start sharing them with our girls. These are perfect for their age; in them, Nancy and her friends are in the third grade. And the mysteries are very simple and not too scary. This one was about a missing doll at a slumber party and our girls had a blast trying to figure out "whodunit" from the clues. I can't wait to read more!
January 14, 2012
This is the first of the "junior" Nancy Drew books, for 7- to 9-year-old chapter book readers. In this first book, Nancy and the rest of her 3rd grade friends solve their first mystery (a missing doll) and decide to organize the Clue Crew.
Not as smoothly written as some of the later books in the series, but notable for establishing the groundwork for the rest.
Not as smoothly written as some of the later books in the series, but notable for establishing the groundwork for the rest.
April 22, 2013
This is now my daughter's favorite series. As soon as we finished book 1, she asked me to take her to the book store to get book 2. She really enjoyed going through the clues and speculating who would be th culprit based on the clues.
It was a fun read for us share. And it's always great when your child willingly chooses books over TV.
It was a fun read for us share. And it's always great when your child willingly chooses books over TV.
May 1, 2023
A book for young readers. Very good story about friendships more than mystery. Deidre loses her doll, thinking someone stole it out of jealousy. In the end I think Deidre shows she is a very good friend to have.
January 25, 2008
Bella and I procrastinated on this one and I had to read it with her in a day.....if you like mysteries, this one is for you. :) That Nancy is so sharp!
September 10, 2018
It's Fun To Be Bourgeois, Or: Wow, It Really Took Us Way Longer to Get Over 9/11 Than Previously Imagined.
June 24, 2022
Over a decade later I somehow VIVIDLY remember the line “can we take [spoiler] to the doll hospital now?” because my younger self was soooooo confused at what that even was. Was really funny having that register in my brain so distinctly.
I did not remember the culprit, but interpreting the evidence was fairly straightforward.
I’m honestly impressed at how tech-forward this book is, showing 8-yr-olds had computer literacy skills for typing/organization, and blogging. Like yeesh, I love it.
I think this book still holds up (albeit white-washed upper-middle-class suburbia fiction) because 8 yrs old is still at an age where not many regularly use cellphones to communicate with each other, but still have enough technology and critical thinking skills to get through these mysteries realistically.
And honestly, there were moments when I did laugh out loud. I was getting flashbacks to my own sleepover stories from growing up!
*I’m reading these just for the cute, innocent fluff to get me through tough times. No philosophical implications; just sheltered little kid escapist fantasy land.
I did not remember the culprit, but interpreting the evidence was fairly straightforward.
I’m honestly impressed at how tech-forward this book is, showing 8-yr-olds had computer literacy skills for typing/organization, and blogging. Like yeesh, I love it.
I think this book still holds up (albeit white-washed upper-middle-class suburbia fiction) because 8 yrs old is still at an age where not many regularly use cellphones to communicate with each other, but still have enough technology and critical thinking skills to get through these mysteries realistically.
And honestly, there were moments when I did laugh out loud. I was getting flashbacks to my own sleepover stories from growing up!
*I’m reading these just for the cute, innocent fluff to get me through tough times. No philosophical implications; just sheltered little kid escapist fantasy land.
September 7, 2024
I do a weekly Zoom story hour for a group of third graders (my daughter's classmates) whose first language is Japanese, and decided to try a monthly "advanced story hour" for the handful of kids who have native or near-native fluency in English. As it happens, they're all girls. After looking at what was available in the Open Library, I settled on this title. I could quibble with the writing and the quality of the illustrations, but the proof is in the pudding: the girls love it. They took turns reading chapters out loud, asking me to explain words and phrases they didn't know (like "cadet" or "pie" used to refer to a pizza). We will read the second half in a few weeks, and they can't wait.
The lack of racial diversity is frankly concerning. It's strange to think that less than 20 years ago, it was still perfectly normal to have an entire book populated exclusively with able-bodied, cisgender, heterosexual white people. (It's also strange to think people still used landlines, social media was not yet a thing, and smartphones were still five years or so away.)
I wish they would do an updated series for this same age group.
The lack of racial diversity is frankly concerning. It's strange to think that less than 20 years ago, it was still perfectly normal to have an entire book populated exclusively with able-bodied, cisgender, heterosexual white people. (It's also strange to think people still used landlines, social media was not yet a thing, and smartphones were still five years or so away.)
I wish they would do an updated series for this same age group.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews