Sisterhood of Sleuths

Gr 3-7–A clever, updated exploration of classic Nancy Drew mysteries. Protagonist Maizy, a bubbly sixth grader, steps up to join the title sisterhood with panache. Like Nancy Drew, she’s curious and creative, and almost uncannily confident for a 12-year old. Like Nancy Drew, she has two gal pals assisting her adventures (although gaining those pals in the wake of a friendship breakup is a new and intriguing twist). Like Nancy Drew, her mystery is light and low stakes, but full of bike chases and red herrings and snooping galore. It opens with a box full of old Nancy Drew books dropped off at Maizy’s mother’s thrift store. The plot thickens when Maizy finds a picture of her grandmother in the box. Soon, Maizy is trying to discover where the photo came from, all while falling in love with Nancy’s gumption. A school project gone awry even inspires her to make a documentary about the lasting power of Nancy Drew. Soon the two projects weave together and answers unfold. It’s an astounding use of an outside source. Bertman manages to explain, explore, and justify Nancy simultaneously.