Nancy Drew

from the series by Carolyn Keene

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“Chuckling to herself, Nancy said aloud, "Romance and detective work won't mix tonight!” 

“When threatened with a hairbrush by a vicious woman, remain calm and speak in cold level tones.”  

“Ned said "Nancy Drew is the best girl detective in the whole world!""Don't you believe him," Nancy said quickly. "I have solved some mysteries, I'll admit, and I enjoy it, but I'm sure there are many other girls who could do the same.”  

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One of my earliest memories is of sitting on my mom's lap, reading The Secret of the Old Clock together. She would read one page, and I would read the opposite one. I think I was 5. I gave the teacher a bit of a surprise when she asked what I read at home and I said, "Nancy Drew."

Little did my mom know that she was opening up my world to a totally heroic lady. She had her own car (a convertible!) and drove herself wherever she needed to go. She had a band of girlfriends that came with her to solve mysteries when she needed backup, but mostly she went solo. I loved reading about her adventures. I appreciate even more now how she was an independent woman at a time when many women's options were getting married, being a nurse, a teacher, or a secretary. Not that there's anything wrong with that - but Nancy Drew must have been a breath of fresh air.

I'm glad to say that we have a stack of Nancy Drew books (and Hardy Boys) on our shelves. Some were mine, some belonged to friends and family that wanted to see them be enjoyed again. I wouldn't mind spending the afternoon with Nancy in her roadster every now and again myself.