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Mandie #24
Mandie and the Invisible Troublemaker
Adventure and trouble break out when Mandie returns to The Misses Heathwood's School for Girls in Asheville. The Misses Heathwood are trying to sell their school, but Mandie fears the idea of a new headmistress. If she can only convince Grandmother Taft to buy the school-but where is Grandmother?
School begins and, starting with a sticky mess in the front hallway, Mandie is blamed for a host of things that go wrong. But who's behind all the trouble? April Snow again? And Snowball doesn't help matters. He gets Mandie into even more trouble every time he runs away.
Will Grandmother rescue the school? Can Mandie catch the troublemaker?
School begins and, starting with a sticky mess in the front hallway, Mandie is blamed for a host of things that go wrong. But who's behind all the trouble? April Snow again? And Snowball doesn't help matters. He gets Mandie into even more trouble every time he runs away.
Will Grandmother rescue the school? Can Mandie catch the troublemaker?
174 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1994
About the author
Lois Gladys Leppard
120 books290 followersLois Gladys Leppard was the author of the Mandie series of children's novels. Leppard wrote her first Mandie story when she was only eleven and a half years old, but did not become a professional author until she was an adult. Leppard has also worked as a professional singer, actress, and playwright. At one time, she and her two sisters, Sybil and Louise, formed a singing group called the Larke Sisters.
There are forty Mandie books in the main series, an eight-book junior series and several other titles. Leppard said that she could write a Mandie book in two weeks, barring any interruptions.
The eponymous heroine lives in North Carolina in the early 1900s, encountering adventure and solving mysteries with help from her friends, family, and pet cat, Snowball. These young reader novels are meant to teach morals as well as be fun and captivating stories to read. Leppard stated that her books contain "nothing occult or vulgar", and Mandie is depicted as a faithful Christian. The Mandie books often deal with issues of discrimination and prejudice relating to race (particularly with regard to the local Cherokee), class, and disability.
Lois Gladys Leppard based some of the incidents in her Mandie books on her mother's experiences growing up in North Carolina. The dedication in the first book is: "For My Mother, Bessie A. Wilson Leppard, and In Memory of Her Sister, Lillie Margaret Ann Wilson Frady, Orphans of North Carolina Who Outgrew the Sufferings of Childhood".
There are forty Mandie books in the main series, an eight-book junior series and several other titles. Leppard said that she could write a Mandie book in two weeks, barring any interruptions.
The eponymous heroine lives in North Carolina in the early 1900s, encountering adventure and solving mysteries with help from her friends, family, and pet cat, Snowball. These young reader novels are meant to teach morals as well as be fun and captivating stories to read. Leppard stated that her books contain "nothing occult or vulgar", and Mandie is depicted as a faithful Christian. The Mandie books often deal with issues of discrimination and prejudice relating to race (particularly with regard to the local Cherokee), class, and disability.
Lois Gladys Leppard based some of the incidents in her Mandie books on her mother's experiences growing up in North Carolina. The dedication in the first book is: "For My Mother, Bessie A. Wilson Leppard, and In Memory of Her Sister, Lillie Margaret Ann Wilson Frady, Orphans of North Carolina Who Outgrew the Sufferings of Childhood".
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 31, 2017
About this book:
“Adventure and trouble break out when Mandie returns to The Misses Heathwood's School for Girls in Asheville. The Misses Heathwood are trying to sell their school, but Mandie fears the idea of a new headmistress. If she can only convince Grandmother Taft to buy the school-but where is Grandmother?
School begins and, starting with a sticky mess in the front hallway, Mandie is blamed for a host of things that go wrong. But who's behind all the trouble? April Snow again? And Snowball doesn't help matters. He gets Mandie into even more trouble every time he runs away.
Will Grandmother rescue the school? Can Mandie catch the troublemaker?”
Series: Book #24 in “Mandie” series. (To read the reviews of the previous books in this series, click the number to be taken to that review: #1! #2! #3! #4! #5! #6! #7! #8! #9! #10! #11! #12! #13! #14! #15! #16! #17! #18! #19! #20! #21! #22! #23! ) {There also is the “Young Mandie Mystery” series, (Book #1 review Here and Book #2 review Here!) but they do not connect together well}
Spiritual Content- Psalm 27:14 at the beginning; Prayers, Thanking God & Blessings over food; A Scripture is prayed & quoted; Church going; Talks about God & trusting Him; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of prayers & blessings over food; A few mentions of churches; A couple mentions of Bibles; A couple mentions of a chapel.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘shucks’; All about a troublemaker causing trouble for Mandie & punishments; Mentions of a president being shot (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a fever & almost losing someone; A mention of the last book’s kidnapping.
Sexual Content- Mentions of hand holding & touches (Tommy says he’d like hand holding, Mandie says she’d act like she would, but they never actually do hold hands); Mentions of Mandie’s promise to Joe that she’ll marry him when they’re older (if he gets back her father’s house); A few mentions of crushes; A couple mentions of having boyfriends & keeping the company of a boy; A couple mentions of blushes; A couple mentions of good-looking boys; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of a blown kiss (Joe to Mandie); A mention of Polly being ready to pounce on Joe.
-Amanda “Mandie” Shaw, age 13
P.O.V. of Mandie
Set in 1901
129 pages (also available in a collection with two other Mandie books.)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
New Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
This Mandie book has nearly the whole gang in it, so even while I felt bad for Mandie because of the troublemaker, I do really like this one! ;)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“Adventure and trouble break out when Mandie returns to The Misses Heathwood's School for Girls in Asheville. The Misses Heathwood are trying to sell their school, but Mandie fears the idea of a new headmistress. If she can only convince Grandmother Taft to buy the school-but where is Grandmother?
School begins and, starting with a sticky mess in the front hallway, Mandie is blamed for a host of things that go wrong. But who's behind all the trouble? April Snow again? And Snowball doesn't help matters. He gets Mandie into even more trouble every time he runs away.
Will Grandmother rescue the school? Can Mandie catch the troublemaker?”
Series: Book #24 in “Mandie” series. (To read the reviews of the previous books in this series, click the number to be taken to that review: #1! #2! #3! #4! #5! #6! #7! #8! #9! #10! #11! #12! #13! #14! #15! #16! #17! #18! #19! #20! #21! #22! #23! ) {There also is the “Young Mandie Mystery” series, (Book #1 review Here and Book #2 review Here!) but they do not connect together well}
Spiritual Content- Psalm 27:14 at the beginning; Prayers, Thanking God & Blessings over food; A Scripture is prayed & quoted; Church going; Talks about God & trusting Him; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of prayers & blessings over food; A few mentions of churches; A couple mentions of Bibles; A couple mentions of a chapel.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘shucks’; All about a troublemaker causing trouble for Mandie & punishments; Mentions of a president being shot (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a fever & almost losing someone; A mention of the last book’s kidnapping.
Sexual Content- Mentions of hand holding & touches (Tommy says he’d like hand holding, Mandie says she’d act like she would, but they never actually do hold hands); Mentions of Mandie’s promise to Joe that she’ll marry him when they’re older (if he gets back her father’s house); A few mentions of crushes; A couple mentions of having boyfriends & keeping the company of a boy; A couple mentions of blushes; A couple mentions of good-looking boys; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of a blown kiss (Joe to Mandie); A mention of Polly being ready to pounce on Joe.
-Amanda “Mandie” Shaw, age 13
P.O.V. of Mandie
Set in 1901
129 pages (also available in a collection with two other Mandie books.)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
New Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
This Mandie book has nearly the whole gang in it, so even while I felt bad for Mandie because of the troublemaker, I do really like this one! ;)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
November 17, 2022
The story line and mystery itself of this story was good, but I had some issues:
1. The ending seemed rushed. Everything was wrapped up in a paragraph or two.
2. Polly wasn't as big as a character as I would have liked. If she is going to go to the school, she should be included in the mystery more. Also, Mandie is mean to Polly for no good reason.
3. On page 132, paragraph 4, Aunt Pheobe mentions that the Lord doesn't always get His way and that we need to pray for Him. I did not agree with this.
4. Mandie breaks multiple rules and feels little remorse. This sets a bad example for young readers.
5. Celia trusts everything (or most everything) Mandie says and goes along with all her plans. Celia needs to learn to stand up when Mandie suggests doing things that are against the rules.
1. The ending seemed rushed. Everything was wrapped up in a paragraph or two.
2. Polly wasn't as big as a character as I would have liked. If she is going to go to the school, she should be included in the mystery more. Also, Mandie is mean to Polly for no good reason.
3. On page 132, paragraph 4, Aunt Pheobe mentions that the Lord doesn't always get His way and that we need to pray for Him. I did not agree with this.
4. Mandie breaks multiple rules and feels little remorse. This sets a bad example for young readers.
5. Celia trusts everything (or most everything) Mandie says and goes along with all her plans. Celia needs to learn to stand up when Mandie suggests doing things that are against the rules.
September 30, 2020
4 stars & 4/10 hearts. I actually enjoyed this story a lot. I’ve always enjoyed boarding house stories, and although this one doesn’t show much boarding house stuff, it’s still interesting to me. The mystery was pretty good in this one, though I wish Mandie didn’t disobey so blatantly. I really like Tommy, too ;) There’s two instances of calling God “the Big God” which I’m not comfortable with; but I love how Mandie prays for the president, and I almost teared up with her!
January 30, 2010
It had a good story line, but it was a little prdictable for me.
September 28, 2018
I love Mandie and I just finished this book! It is lovable Mandie again, being in trouble for things she didn't do! On top of that, Mandie's school might be sold to new owners, will Mandie stop the sale, and find out who is making her look bad? From the help of Mandie's friend, Mandie goes through sad, and friendship!
June 2, 2018
Returning to her second year at boarding school nothing seems to go right for Mandie - molasses spills on her clothes she gets into trouble right and left on top of which the schoolmistress is trying to sell the school.
October 25, 2019
Loved these books as a girl and recently came across a stack of them, so I had to take a trip down memory lane.
Sad that I wasn't as enraptured as I used to be, but still love these books for the 13-14 age range.
Sad that I wasn't as enraptured as I used to be, but still love these books for the 13-14 age range.
January 13, 2024
I wish the ending explained why Hilda was picking on Mandie specifically and also how she was able to get in and out of the office without being detected. The ending felt very rushed and the random history lesson was odd.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2025
my new favorite
January 23, 2026
I really enjoyed the plot of this book and how the story ended. It was so well written and the ending was great!
March 18, 2013
(Spoiler alert if you are planning on reading this book than don't read this.)
Mandie has just gotten home from her Uncle Neds house and is about to leave for school. Aunt Lou is making Mandie new dress for her because Mandie is growing so fast. Her friend Polly is going to the same school as her because she wants to see Mandie. Joe was there with Mandie and said that he was going to vist her at the school that she will be attinding. When Madie arives at the school she has found out that her grandmother is not there and she is woundering were she is. Somethings have been happing to Mandie and she cant figure out who it is. She is carrying a list to write down who she sees and she thinks that it is April Snow because the last year she was at the school April caused alot of troble.
Mandie dose not want Polly to go to her school but she does Mandie is not very nice to Polly. Mandie was hoping that Polly did not have the same eatting time as she did but that did not happen. Mandie hears that her grandmother has been gone because she is looking for Hilda. Her grandmother is coming back that night and Mandie really wants to see her so Mandie sneaks out and goes to her grandmothers her grandmother is not there yet. Mandies granmother walks in and Mandie asks if she will buy the school. Mandie gramdmother buys and Mandie find Hilda hinding in the attic. Mandies grandmother was over joyed when Mandie found Hilda. Mandie is allowed to go with Joe back to were they used to live.
Mandie has just gotten home from her Uncle Neds house and is about to leave for school. Aunt Lou is making Mandie new dress for her because Mandie is growing so fast. Her friend Polly is going to the same school as her because she wants to see Mandie. Joe was there with Mandie and said that he was going to vist her at the school that she will be attinding. When Madie arives at the school she has found out that her grandmother is not there and she is woundering were she is. Somethings have been happing to Mandie and she cant figure out who it is. She is carrying a list to write down who she sees and she thinks that it is April Snow because the last year she was at the school April caused alot of troble.
Mandie dose not want Polly to go to her school but she does Mandie is not very nice to Polly. Mandie was hoping that Polly did not have the same eatting time as she did but that did not happen. Mandie hears that her grandmother has been gone because she is looking for Hilda. Her grandmother is coming back that night and Mandie really wants to see her so Mandie sneaks out and goes to her grandmothers her grandmother is not there yet. Mandies granmother walks in and Mandie asks if she will buy the school. Mandie gramdmother buys and Mandie find Hilda hinding in the attic. Mandies grandmother was over joyed when Mandie found Hilda. Mandie is allowed to go with Joe back to were they used to live.
January 19, 2013
I liked this Mandie book better than the previous three (numbers 21, 22, 23).
Mandie is finally starting to get back in her element!
The new school year is just beginning and Mandie is already getting blamed for things she didn't do. Troubles begin when she finds a leaking jar of molasses in her bag. Everything worsens though, as someone is definitely trying to make Mandie look bad and get into trouble with the head mistress.
To top it off however, Mandie has other problems on her mind, like the potential buyers of her school! She knows she won't like them and many of the other girls at school feel the same way.
There's another thing eating at Mandie's brain..
Where has her grandmother disappeared to without telling anyone?
I did like reading this story, and I hope the books that are next in line will be just as good.
Mandie is finally starting to get back in her element!
The new school year is just beginning and Mandie is already getting blamed for things she didn't do. Troubles begin when she finds a leaking jar of molasses in her bag. Everything worsens though, as someone is definitely trying to make Mandie look bad and get into trouble with the head mistress.
To top it off however, Mandie has other problems on her mind, like the potential buyers of her school! She knows she won't like them and many of the other girls at school feel the same way.
There's another thing eating at Mandie's brain..
Where has her grandmother disappeared to without telling anyone?
I did like reading this story, and I hope the books that are next in line will be just as good.
June 25, 2014
Prediction: page 160 I predicted that hilda was the trouble maker because she was missing and no body searched for her at the school. My favorite part was when mandie found hilda and found out she was the trouble majer. the worst part was when mandie got into trouble with the owner of the school for doing nothing. my favorite character was mandie because she was the main character and she was trying to solve a mystery. The worst character was the owner of tne school becuse she was blaming mandie. auryn 10 years old, 2014.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2016
Mandie decides that if she's going to be blamed for something it should be for something she's actually done. Mandie's been the victim of several pranks, and no one, not even her best friend Celia, seems to believe her when she says she didn't do it. So, fearing the changes that might come if her school is sold, she breaks curfew and runs to her grandmother's house to ask her grandmother to put up money to buy the school so that things will stay as they are.
June 11, 2020
The Mandie books are fun Christian mysteries for children, but I still love reading them. Even though she doesn't age very quickly and seems to get far too many breaks from school during the year, she's a lot of fun.
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September 21, 2007Leppard, Lois G. PB
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January 22, 2009JMAR5-Lep
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December 31, 2013AR Quiz No. 10374 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 5.3 - AR Pts: 7.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 5.3 - AR Pts: 7.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP
January 28, 2024
Bit filler but still enjoyable
November 29, 2020
*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews