Sisterhood of Sleuths

July 1, 2022
Sixth grader Maizy investigates the mysterious appearance of a box of vintage Nancy Drew books. Maizy has been writing silly screenplays with her friend Izzy since third grade, but the presumably White girls' relationship changes after Izzy criticizes Maizy's script for their school project and unilaterally invites into their group other classmates who co-opt Maizy's ideas. Hurt and angry, Maizy forms a new group with implied Latina Cam and biracial (Asian Indian and White) Nell. Someone has anonymously left a box of old Nancy Drew mysteries and a photo of three women dated 1993 outside Maizy's mother's thrift shop; one of the women in the photo is Jacuzzi, Maizy's grandmother, but the books aren't from her, and she doesn't remember the photo. Determined to discover the connection between the books, the photo, and Jacuzzi, the girls decide to produce a documentary, researching, interviewing, and following leads as they uncover information about the origin, authorship, evolution in popular perception and racist content, and continued popularity of the Nancy Drew books as well as the role they played in Jacuzzi's life. A strong theme of evolving friendships pervades this fun and funny mystery narrated in Maizy's lively voice, while the Nancy Drew motif infuses the plot with fascinating, thoroughly researched historical details about the series' creation and survival. Final art not seen. An engaging pick for mystery fans and wannabe sleuths. (map, author's note, resources) (Mystery. 9-12)

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August 1, 2022
Grades 4-7 Opening a heavy box that was left on the steps of her mother's thrift store, Maizy finds vintage Nancy Drew books as well as an old photo of three young women. She recognizes one of them: her grandmother, now an active senior who seems unlikely to have secrets. Yet when asked, she denies any knowledge of the photo. It's an irresistible puzzle for 11-year-old Maizy, who has begun reading the books from the box. Soon, she's on the trail, researching her grandmother's past and that of the elusive writers of the Nancy Drew series. Equally mysterious to Maizy are her best friend's newfound interests (makeup, volleyball, and boys), which have become a source of hurt feelings on both sides. Best known as the author of Book Scavenger (2015) and its sequels, Bertman creates a sympathetic character in Maizy. Confident in her views yet observant and empathetic, she makes a good narrator. Stamper's full-page, double-page, and small line drawings are an attractive addition to the book. A lively, well-paced story with several elements of mystery.

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August 29, 2022
Aspiring filmmaker Maizy has long enjoyed making movies with stuffed animals and toys, but as she heads into sixth grade, her best friend Izzy pivots from this shared interest to wearing makeup and chatting with boys. The two stop speaking after Maizy—ensconced in a lobster costume for the friends’ language arts project, movie Shellfish Holmes—crashes in front of Izzy as well as some boys who subsequently take credit for her work. Maizy joins up with two other classmates, Cam and Nell, and the new group opts to investigate the mysterious appearance of a box of potentially collectible Nancy Drew books outside Maizy’s mother’s vintage store. Though the box contains a 1993 picture of Maizy’s grandmother, Jacuzzi, with two other women, Jacuzzi vehemently denies leaving the books. Humorous events follow as the students trail the box’s origin, and its association with Jacuzzi and the series, for a documentary. Initially slow pacing evolves into a pleasantly cozy mystery from Chambliss Bertman (the Book Scavenger series), which looks into Nancy Drew’s social history while balancing a parallel arc of friendships lost and found. Final art not seen by PW. Most characters read as white; Nell is of Indian descent. Ages 9–14. Author’s agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Lori Kilkelly, LK Literary.

December 23, 2022

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. VERDICT A comforting companion for spunky wanna-be detectives (or aspiring filmmakers).-Cat McCarrey

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