False Friends

Nancy Drew: On Campus #7

by Carolyn Keene

Hoping to secure her qualification for the track and field team, George trains for an upcoming race, while Dawn joins the peace-promoting REACH group and Nancy wonders if REACH has an entirely different agenda

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 1996

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 In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.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

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hoo boy. This one feels like a "Very Special Episode." Not that the prior books haven't had those moments in the past - dating sexual violence was touched on, underage drinking, hazing, etc. But this one goes all-in on talking about cults. But don't worry! It's all fine by the end!

Including the part where Dawn appears to be seeing Bill in a new light. Which just felt a bit tonally off - the girl JUST left a cult. She's been manipulated for days - physically, emotionally, mentally. The group preyed on her insecurities about relationships. But she's going to potentially just start up a romance with someone right after? Ugh. I don't mind the idea of Dawn and Bill but I wish the series would have given us more time before throwing that possibility out there. I really can't remember how that works out as the series goes. Guess I'll find out.

[Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys throughout my school and college days.
Nancy Drew is an amateur detective who solves crimes with occasional help from her best friends, Bess and George and, her boyfriend Ned. She also has occasional help from her father Carson Drew who runs a private law practice. From finding stolen goods to missing persons and solving mysterious happenings, Nancy is a force of nature.
Until I discovered that Carolyn Keene is a pen name for a whole bunch of ghostwriters, I used to feel confused about the slight differences in each character from books to book over the many series of Nancy Drew mysteries. I like the character of Nancy best in the original books written by Mildred Wirt Benson where Nancy is truly a character to root for – an independent and street smart girl with a penchant for trouble.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one surprised me by actually being pretty good. I haven't been impressed by this Nancy Drew series so far, but I would have to say this is the best one I've read yet. Still nothing compared to the original series of course. But still entertaining to read nonetheless.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read September 2009
Read April 2006

[Krylle Paras]

happy