The Titian-Haired Girl Sleuth
I loved Nancy Drew when I was a girl, and now my daughter has discovered her too! Nancy seems to be having a resurgence these days. Besides the old tried-and-true series of books about the titian-haired sleuth*, there is now a new series for younger girls called The Nancy Drew Notebooks (Nancy and her pals began solving mysteries at age eight!), and even a new movie out in 2007, that updated the whole story in a really cute way!
Check out my links, and introduce your kids to Nancy Drew!
*And yes, every girl ends up running to the dictionary to look up the word titian (Titian, adjective, (of hair) a bright golden auburn: a mass of titian curls), and yes, sometimes the word sleuth (Sleuth, noun, a detective).
Who is Nancy Drew?
The very first Nancy Drew book, The Secret of the Old Clock, was written in 1929 and published in 1930. Nancy was well-to-do, impeccably dressed, intelligent and independent. She was a real girl of the times.She had a knack for finding mysteries... and solving them!
Seventy-eight years and several updated incarnations later, Nancy is still going strong! She's smart, independent and strong. She's pretty and kind, a loving daughter and a loyal friend. And she always solves the mystery and gets the bad guy!
Nancy Trivia
Nancy went from blonde to her famous titian (reddish-gold) colored hair due to a printer's error on the cover of the 1957 book Mystery of the Haunted Boat.Nancy was depicted as 16 years old when the series debuted in 1930, and was gradually aged to 18 in the 1940s. In the revised books of the 1960s, Nancy is always 18.
Nancy lives in the fictional town of River Heights.
In translation, Nancy has gone global. The Swedish call her "Kitty Drew" and the French "Alice Roy."
And Who Exactly Is Carolyn Keene?
- Carolyn Keene Identity Crisis
- The story of 50 years of mis-information about the author.
- WorldCat Identities: Carolyn Keene
- All the stats on the author, "Miss Keene".
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Carolyn Keene
- Carolyn Keene is the pseudonym of the authors of the Nancy Drew mystery series....
Nancy Drew on Wikipedia
Nancy Drew (1930-present) is an amateur sleuth, the fictional heroine of a popular mystery series, aimed at the children-young adult audience, and written under the collective pseudonym "Carolyn Keene". The series was created and outlined in detail in 1930 by Edward Stratemeyer, founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, with the first manuscripts written by Mildred A. Wirt Benson and edited by Stratemeyer's daughter Harriet Stratemeyer Adams. The Stratemeyer Syndicate had a strict non-disclosure contract; writers such as Mildred Benson produced books based upon outlines provided by the Syndicate. As a ghostwriter, Benson was the second most prolific writer (after Stratemeyer-Adams herself), producing twenty-three of the first thirty volumes.
Nancy Drew: Get a Clue!
Info on the 2007 movie: Nancy Drew, Get a Clue!
- Warner Brothers Nancy Drew Movie
- The Official site has more added to it all the time. Currently you can download desktop backgrounds, buddy icons and a poster! There's video, pictures, and more from the movie.
- Nancy Drew on IMDb
- All about the movie and the stars! (Did you know Amy Bruckner and Kay Panabaker (Pim Diffy and her "best friend" Debbie from Phil of the Future) play George and Bess?
- Emma Roberts Interview - Emma Roberts on Nancy Drew
- Emma Roberts talks about getting the role of Nancy Drew in the Nancy Drew movie from Warner Bros.
- Nancy's MySpace.... Space
- Nancy Drew (from the movie) even has her own page on MySpace! You can add her to your friend list, and download movie-related stuff from her "space," too! (PARENTAL WARNING: If you've never visited MySpace, it's not exactly kid-friendly if you stray beyond the Nancy Drew page....)
- Sequel Already in the Works!
- Producer Jerry Weintraub and director Andrew Fleming have already solved one Nancy Drew mystery --whether there'll be a sequel to this summer's feature adaptation -- and the answer is yes, with Emma Roberts again set to star as the famous teenage sleuth.
Get the 2007 Nancy Drew Movie on DVD!
Nancy Drew
Release Date: 03/11/2008
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Nancy Drew Trailer
This is an untagged version of the Nancy Drew trailer staring Emma Roberts!
Runtime: 2:22
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Reviews of the film
- Review: 'Nancy Drew' true but slight - CNN.com
- In the new Nancy Drew feature film -- her first since 1939 -- the youthful detective celebrates her birthday, but she's careful not to reveal her age.
- FlickFilosopher.com: Nancy Drew (review)
- There is something magnificently old-fashioned about Nancy Drew, the new adaptation of the beloved children's books, and about Nancy Drew herself here.
- Hollywood.com Movie Review
- Placing the old-style teen super sleuth in a contemporary setting is a risky move, but buoyed by an appealing lead performance, this Nancy Drew update mostly keeps to the spirit of the beloved books.
Nancy Drew Items Based on the 2007 Movie
Available Now!
Nancy Drew Movie Novelization (Nancy Drew)
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The Movie Star Mystery (Nancy Drew Movie)
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Still Sleuthing! (Nancy Drew Movie)
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Hollywood Head Scratchers (Nancy Drew Movie)
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Nancy Drew (Music From The Motion Picture)
Release Date: 06/12/2007
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Nancy Drew Movies from the 1930s
Nancy Drew: Detective
Nancy Drew: Reporter
Nancy Drew: Troubleshooter
Nancy Drew: The Hidden Staircase
In these movies Nancy is supposed to be a little hyper/ditsy, Ned is called "Ted" and he's a big chicken, and George and Bess are nowhere to be seen. Still, they're supposed to be good fun, and a real slice of the 1930s.
The Original Nancy Drew Movie Mystery Collection (Detective / Reporter / Troubleshooter / Hidden Staircase)
Set of the four movies on DVD.
Release Date: 06/12/2007
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 10/10/2008)
List Price: $24.98
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Nancy Drew...Reporter
Nancy Drew: Reporter on DVD.
Release Date: 10/22/2002
Amazon Price: $7.98 (as of 10/10/2008)
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Nancy Drew Reporter
Nancy Drew: Reporter on VHS
Release Date: 02/26/2002
Amazon Price: (as of 10/10/2008)
List Price: $9.98
Nancy Drew Links!
- Nancy Drew: Girl Sleuth, Girl Wonder
- A really interesting project analyzing the literary aspects of the ND series. Nancy through the decades; analysis of the plot, settings, and what the various objects in the stories reveal about how women are viewed; what is the significance of the characterizations of George and Bess, and lots more that you might never have thought about!
- Wikipedia Entry - Nancy Drew
- The Nancy Drew entry on Wikipedia is awesome! Explains her history, and all the changes the character has been through since she was first penned in 1929.
- Nancy Drew Mystery Games from Her Interactive, Inc.
- Nancy Drew CD-ROM mystery games offer hours of computer fun to girls of all ages as they play the role of teen detective Nancy Drew. Here are all the fabulous Nancy Drew computer games! There are demos, reviews, downloads, forums, hints and clues, and tech support!
- Nancy Drew at Mystery Net
- Nancy Drew website by Mystery Net. All about Nancy Drew and Carolyn Keene. Buy Nancy Drew books, Nancy Drew games, and discuss Nancy Drew in forums.
- The Nancy Drew Sleuth Unofficial Website
- Nancy Drew fans will enjoy The Nancy Drew Sleuth Unofficial Website, which is devoted to the Sleuth, her books, and her timeless quality that endures throughout the ages. It is a full scale in depth portrait of the Sleuth. Everything you need to know or want to know is here.
- Around the World with Nancy Drew
- This unofficial site seeks to inform Nancy Drew fans and collectors about the international aspects of our favorite girl sleuth's adventures. Not only does Nancy circle the globe in search of clues, but her stories have also been translated into a variety of languages. Great site. knowledgeable webmistress.
Nancy Drew Books
The Secret of the Old Clock/The Hidden Staircase/The Bungalow Mystery/The Mystery at Lilac Inn/The Secret of Shadow Ranch/The Secret of Red Gate Farm (Nancy Drew, Book 1-6)
Amazon Price: (as of 10/10/2008)
List Price: $22.98
Nancy Drew Complete Series Set, Books 1-64
Amazon Price: (as of 10/10/2008)
List Price: $446.99
The Secret of the Old Clock/The Hidden Staircase/The Bungalow Mystery/The Mystery at Lilac Inn/The Secret of Shadow Ranch/The Secret of Red Gate Farm (Nancy Drew, Book 1-6) (75th Anniversary Gift Set)
Amazon Price: $47.25 (as of 10/10/2008)
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The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew, Book 1)
The very first book!
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Nancy Drew Pics on Flickr: Books and Other Fun Things
Inside cover of the old Nancy Drew Mystery Book.
The Secret of the Old Clock is the first book of the Nancy Drew Mystery series.
Was pleasantly surprised to see these vintage Nancy Drew Mystery Books while bro...
My Nancy Drew collection has been a work in progress for the past few years. It...
Early edition Nancy Drew, silhouetted endpapers.
1930 edition
1930 edition
I'm in the midst of re-reading #6 in the Nancy Drew mysteries, The Secr...
A little handbag made from 2 Nancy Drew books. My own design. I love the robot...
I was immediately drawn to this little notepad - the cover looks just like a Nan...
A picture tells a thousand words....
The Nancy Drew Notebooks
The Slumber Party Secret (Nancy Drew Notebooks #1)
Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 10/10/2008)
The Lost Locket (Nancy Drew Notebooks #2)
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 10/10/2008)
The Secret Santa (Nancy Drew Notebooks #3)
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 10/10/2008)
Bad Day for Ballet (Nancy Drew Notebooks #4)
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 10/10/2008)
The Soccer Shoe Clue (Nancy Drew Notebooks #5)
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 10/10/2008)
Nancy Drew Computer Games
My ten-year-old boy is just as interested in these mystery games as my eight-year-old girl. Enjoyable, entertaining, exciting AND educational-- what more could you ask for?
Nancy Drew Mega Mystery 4 Pack
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Nancy Drew: The Secret of Shadow Ranch
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 10/10/2008)
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Nancy Drew: Secret Of the Old Clock
Amazon Price: $13.75 (as of 10/10/2008)
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Nancy Drew: Message in a Haunted Mansion
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 10/10/2008)
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Nancy Drew: Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon Game + Strategy Guide
Amazon Price: $28.99 (as of 10/10/2008)
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Books ABOUT the Nancy Drew Books!
Nancy Drew's Guide to Life
Amazon Price: $4.95 (as of 10/10/2008)
Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew and the Women Who Created Her
Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 10/10/2008)
Rediscovering Nancy Drew
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The Lost Files of Nancy Drew
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 10/10/2008)
The Nancy Drew Sleuth Book (Nancy Drew)
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 10/10/2008)
Classic Nancy on eBay
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The Very First Book: The Secret of the Old Clock
The transformations of the series as viewed through the first in the series.
The Nancy Drew Books have gone through many transformations since their first printing in 1930! Here are the specifics on the first book, The Secret of the Old Clock from Wikipedia:Artwork:
In 1930, this volume was published with a white-spined dust jacket, and four glossy black and white illustrations.
In 1937, three of the illustrations were eliminated, leaving only a frontispiece.
In 1943, this art was updated to fit current 1940's style.
In 1950, the dust jacket was re-done as a wraparound jacket, with the picture continuing onto the spine of the book, with 1950's era appearance.
When the new text was published in 1959, five illustrations were added.
In 1962, dust jackets were eliminated by the publisher, and the books were issued with the art directly on the cover with yellow spines and backs.
In 1965, the art was updated on the cover, but the other illustrations remained the same. For more on Nancy Drew publishing formats, visit nancydrewsleuth.com.
More Fun Nancy Items!
Nancy Drew Mad Libs
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The Nancy Drew Cookbook: Clues to Good Cooking
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How Nancy Drew Saved My Life
Release Date: 12/05/2006
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Who Views Nancy Drew?
Let's map it out....
Worldwide hits to this site since February 17th, 2007. Cool!
