I have decided to go on a break from Nancy in order to pursue other interests (Twilight Saga). This is #28 in the series. I am officially half way through.
This was actually one of the first ND books I read (thanks, Rachel), but I'm going to talk about it now, since I am trying to go in sequential order!
Nancy goes on an archeological dig in Key West, Florida and finds her way to Mexico. If there is one thing from this book that I am blown away by, it's Nancy's ability to study in addition to only seeing scraps of a letter and being able to decipher the rest!. In order to prove herself 'worthy' of staying on the dig, she must take a quiz on The Aztecs of Mexico and Early Indian Tribes in Florida, let's just say the professor was impressed. In this mystery, Nancy is not only looking for a missing professor, but must find keys that help to unlock some secret special thing.
In other news, I am peeling from my sunburn--my right shin, upper thighs, right ankle, and a little on the feet. i peeled some of my skin and ate it...it tasted weird, not bad, but i probably won't do it again. however, if someone paid me, i don't know, like 10 dollars, i'd probably eat someone's peeled skin.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
the secret of the wooden lady
#27
this mystery takes place on the seaside of cape cod.
i was surprised at how many times Nancy set herself up to be interrupted by the pirates, Flip Fay aka The Crow and Grizzle Beard aka Red Quint.
Nancy and Bess and George are on a mission to find the missing figurehead that should be on the ship,Bonny Scot.
Overall, I wasn't impressed with this story, as it was not suspenseful, and therefore, have nothing to really write about. While I enjoyed the book, it did not live up to what i feel is Nancy quality.bootsy.
this mystery takes place on the seaside of cape cod.
i was surprised at how many times Nancy set herself up to be interrupted by the pirates, Flip Fay aka The Crow and Grizzle Beard aka Red Quint.
Nancy and Bess and George are on a mission to find the missing figurehead that should be on the ship,Bonny Scot.
Overall, I wasn't impressed with this story, as it was not suspenseful, and therefore, have nothing to really write about. While I enjoyed the book, it did not live up to what i feel is Nancy quality.bootsy.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
the clue of the leaning chimney
this was a very interesting book. Nancy was solving 3 mysteries at the same time!
within the first three pages of the book, i was having flashbacks to the movie, "I Know What You Did Last Summer." If you have not seen this movie or the sequel, I highly recommend it
Anyway, Nancy and Bess are driving along on some dark, windy, mysterious road when they come across a man in the street. Let me just tell you, the man is wearing a hat and a trench coat! My reaction: keep going and lock your doors. Nancy's reaction: The man may need help, let me get out of my car and approach him. BAH. Sometimes I just don't understand Nancy. I realize she is courageous, but when does courage become stupidity?
This mystery involves 1)searching for Mr. Soong's missing friends, The Engs. (these are the "oriental" people. you can def. tell these books are outdated) 2) locating a China clay pit and 3)capturing the men who have stolen priceless Chinese vases. What does this all have to do with a leaning chimney? you'll have to read to find out.
I love that with each book I read, I learn more about Nancy and her character, both literally and figuratively.
Togo, the fox terrior, makes his appearance in this book as well.
We learn Bess Marvin has a cousin, Dick Milton, who teaches pottery lessons
More about Aunt Eloise, the attractive middle-aged school teacher from New York:
possessed a "charming grace" that markedf her as "a woman of unusual intelligence"
Eloise knew Nancy was a lot like her and secretly this "gave her a thrill"
Considered coming to live with the Drew's when Nancy's mom died, but the private school that she taught at needed her and she also felt Hannah Gruen proved herself to be "satisfactory" so Eloise stayed in NY. (p. 73)
Keene, C. (1967) The clue of the leaning chimney. New York: Grosset & Dunlap
Next up for Nancy: The Secret of the Wooden Lady (seriously?!)
Sunday, June 20, 2010
2 NDs in one!
That's right, 2 ND's to report on. I went home this weekend, so needless to say there was plenty of time to read. Went to the lake yesterday, the end result: 2 ND books read and really sunburned legs, well actually, just ankles, feet, and upper thighs (like, it HURTS to walk). last night, i was so sunburned that i was freezing so i wrapped a big comforter around me and Gizmo (my cat) kept trying to play with me by putting her little paws on my feet. i threatened to throw her across the room (i didn't though).
The Clue in the Old Album (#24)
so, apparently River Heights is the hot spot for Gypsies. Nancy helps a woman find 1) a stolen doll of her deceased daughter for her granddaughter and 2) the woman's violin playing gypsie son-in-law. I'm not exactly sure what's PC, but the gypsies were sure getting a bad rap in this book.
This is the first time we meet Aunt Eloise, a middle-aged school teacher who lives in New York. She is mentioned in another book, but this is the first time Nancy officially interacts with her aunt. Also, Crow's Nest is mentioned for the first time, a popular hang out for teens (I think it's a diner). Overall, not a huge fan of this book. I feel it lacked a true mystery to solve, however, it Nancy was involved in some dangerous situations.
The Ghost of Blackwood Hall (#25)
I really liked this book. For instance, where else will you read the sentence, "The aroma of broiling hamburgers made them ravenous." (p. 47)
Also, i love the use of "plainclothesmen" and that fact that it's one word!!! Nancy and Carson Drew are always asking the police to have them keep watch on people's houses and such, it's basically an undercovercop.
This book was weird, it involved magic and people being hypnotized. Nancy's firm belief against ghosts was also stated in this book. Togo (Nancy's dog that was mentioned once in a previous book) is back! He actually helped in finding clues. This terrior would use his dog sniffing abilities to locate people.
The premise behind this story: young girls are acting very stangely and their parents are concerned! while the girls have jobs, the parents are not seeing any of the money come home! so Nancy helps to discover what is happening to their money and why are they acting so stand-offish and scared all the time. When questioned, the girls become defensive.
Let's just say Nancy attends several seances and looks in many hollowed walnut trees in order to come to a conclusion on this one.
The Clue in the Old Album (#24)
so, apparently River Heights is the hot spot for Gypsies. Nancy helps a woman find 1) a stolen doll of her deceased daughter for her granddaughter and 2) the woman's violin playing gypsie son-in-law. I'm not exactly sure what's PC, but the gypsies were sure getting a bad rap in this book.
This is the first time we meet Aunt Eloise, a middle-aged school teacher who lives in New York. She is mentioned in another book, but this is the first time Nancy officially interacts with her aunt. Also, Crow's Nest is mentioned for the first time, a popular hang out for teens (I think it's a diner). Overall, not a huge fan of this book. I feel it lacked a true mystery to solve, however, it Nancy was involved in some dangerous situations.
The Ghost of Blackwood Hall (#25)
I really liked this book. For instance, where else will you read the sentence, "The aroma of broiling hamburgers made them ravenous." (p. 47)
Also, i love the use of "plainclothesmen" and that fact that it's one word!!! Nancy and Carson Drew are always asking the police to have them keep watch on people's houses and such, it's basically an undercovercop.
This book was weird, it involved magic and people being hypnotized. Nancy's firm belief against ghosts was also stated in this book. Togo (Nancy's dog that was mentioned once in a previous book) is back! He actually helped in finding clues. This terrior would use his dog sniffing abilities to locate people.
The premise behind this story: young girls are acting very stangely and their parents are concerned! while the girls have jobs, the parents are not seeing any of the money come home! so Nancy helps to discover what is happening to their money and why are they acting so stand-offish and scared all the time. When questioned, the girls become defensive.
Let's just say Nancy attends several seances and looks in many hollowed walnut trees in order to come to a conclusion on this one.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
the mystery of the tolling bell
Here are some quotes that stood out to me:
"Right now I'm more interested in food." (Bess Marvin, friend to Nancy)
"You shouldn't be!" George [Fayne] said bluntly, glancing at her cousin's slightly plump figure.
Nancy laughed.
"Nancy, you owe your life to George," he [Ned] said soberly.
I picked these quotes because these two girls have been with Nancy for almost every mystery. I say almost because they were not introduced until #5 The Secret of Shadow Ranch. Nancy did The Secret of the Old Clock, The Hidden Staircase, The Bungalow Mystery, and The Mystery at Lilac Inn (my Fav) pretty much solo, however, her friend, Helen Corning was present, but wasn't very experienced/good with helping solve the mysteries.
Bess and George have had significant roles in Nancy's mysteries. Bess is more reserved, typically cautious and warns the others not to go on with the mystery. She is described as "blond and plump" and usually mentions being hungry. George is "an athletic-looking girl with short dark hair" and knows judo--criminals do NOT want to mess with her.
In this book, there was like a second when I thought Nancy may die, but I know this couldn't have happened because there are 32 more books after this one!
This mystery takes place in Candleton on the west coast. In my mind, I imagined it to be a town like that of the movie I Know What You Did Last Summer (which, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer is one of my favorite movies. SHH! that's a secret) or Capeside (the fictional town in Dawson's Creek)
Nancy is trying to find a bell that Paul Revere made shortly after the Revolutionary War. (I learned from this book that no two bells have the same ring!) Nancy befriends a woman named Mrs. Chantrey (one of Carson Drew's clients) and tries to figure out the connection (if any) between a french cosmetics cart, Mon Coeur, pushed by Madame and a ghostly figure that haunts Bald Head Cave, where rushing waters come just after the tolling of a bell.
I will say, in this book, I found myself being very concerned for the health of most of the main characters. Let's just say, there are sprained ankles and fumes inhaled that make people very drowsy and dizzy.
Keene, C. (1973). The mystery of the tolling bell. New York: Grosset & Dunlap.
"Right now I'm more interested in food." (Bess Marvin, friend to Nancy)
"You shouldn't be!" George [Fayne] said bluntly, glancing at her cousin's slightly plump figure.
Nancy laughed.
"Nancy, you owe your life to George," he [Ned] said soberly.
I picked these quotes because these two girls have been with Nancy for almost every mystery. I say almost because they were not introduced until #5 The Secret of Shadow Ranch. Nancy did The Secret of the Old Clock, The Hidden Staircase, The Bungalow Mystery, and The Mystery at Lilac Inn (my Fav) pretty much solo, however, her friend, Helen Corning was present, but wasn't very experienced/good with helping solve the mysteries.
Bess and George have had significant roles in Nancy's mysteries. Bess is more reserved, typically cautious and warns the others not to go on with the mystery. She is described as "blond and plump" and usually mentions being hungry. George is "an athletic-looking girl with short dark hair" and knows judo--criminals do NOT want to mess with her.
In this book, there was like a second when I thought Nancy may die, but I know this couldn't have happened because there are 32 more books after this one!
This mystery takes place in Candleton on the west coast. In my mind, I imagined it to be a town like that of the movie I Know What You Did Last Summer (which, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer is one of my favorite movies. SHH! that's a secret) or Capeside (the fictional town in Dawson's Creek)
Nancy is trying to find a bell that Paul Revere made shortly after the Revolutionary War. (I learned from this book that no two bells have the same ring!) Nancy befriends a woman named Mrs. Chantrey (one of Carson Drew's clients) and tries to figure out the connection (if any) between a french cosmetics cart, Mon Coeur, pushed by Madame and a ghostly figure that haunts Bald Head Cave, where rushing waters come just after the tolling of a bell.
I will say, in this book, I found myself being very concerned for the health of most of the main characters. Let's just say, there are sprained ankles and fumes inhaled that make people very drowsy and dizzy.
Keene, C. (1973). The mystery of the tolling bell. New York: Grosset & Dunlap.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
the clue in the crumbling wall
i must say, i thought this was a more "radical" book than the others and ahead of it's times. This book involved Lieutenant Masters (a FEMALE police officer) and centered around a 'crippled' woman and providing resources to handicapped children.
as i was reading this book, I am more confused than ever as to where the fictional River Heights is located. A part of me thinks it might be Ohio. In this book (and others) Nancy and friends visit New York by car. In this book, Nancy and Dad visit the Hamptons. This book focuses on an old castle, Heath Castle, just outside of River Heights. This castle is on the shore of a beach off the Muskoka River (which, I just googled and it's a river in Ontario, Canada). Anyhow, I must realize the River Heights is fictional and maybe isn't in any state at all.
Here's the run down of this book:
Julia Johnson is a professional dancer* who has been missing for almost 10 years. Nancy is approached by Lieutenant Masters to help find Julia because the Heath estate is to be willed to her and time is running out! Nancy has 3 weeks (this is the first time Nancy has acknowledge a time frame in order to solve a mystery) to find the professional dancer.
*what type of dancer she is was never mentioned.
Let's just say I wasn't surprised by this ending too much, except, let's just say Nancy may or may not have suggested that the fresh spring mineral water found at the Heath Castle should be bottled and sold for a profit...
as i was reading this book, I am more confused than ever as to where the fictional River Heights is located. A part of me thinks it might be Ohio. In this book (and others) Nancy and friends visit New York by car. In this book, Nancy and Dad visit the Hamptons. This book focuses on an old castle, Heath Castle, just outside of River Heights. This castle is on the shore of a beach off the Muskoka River (which, I just googled and it's a river in Ontario, Canada). Anyhow, I must realize the River Heights is fictional and maybe isn't in any state at all.
Here's the run down of this book:
Julia Johnson is a professional dancer* who has been missing for almost 10 years. Nancy is approached by Lieutenant Masters to help find Julia because the Heath estate is to be willed to her and time is running out! Nancy has 3 weeks (this is the first time Nancy has acknowledge a time frame in order to solve a mystery) to find the professional dancer.
*what type of dancer she is was never mentioned.
Let's just say I wasn't surprised by this ending too much, except, let's just say Nancy may or may not have suggested that the fresh spring mineral water found at the Heath Castle should be bottled and sold for a profit...
Monday, June 7, 2010
the secret in the old attic
"Nancy had expected a hand to be clapped over her mouth, but nothing happened."
Keene, C. (1970). The secret in the old attic. New York: Grosset & Dunlap. p. 70
The mere fact Nancy EXPECTS to be captured is ridiculous! Can you imagine? Living your life, where being captured, gagged, and bound by ropes left to "starve to death" is a normal occurrence? And the only reaction from the parental units is, "Take extra caution." Hello?!
Something I've been thinking about lately: Which ever mystery Nancy is involved with, usually involves some sort of old home or artifact that has a false bottom or a secret door or sealed off room that was once used as servants quarters, and I just think, we don't really have stuff like that. Like, there is no way, I could get wrapped up in a situation like Nancy.
This story (#21) made me like Ned Nickerson A LOT more. Let's just say he came to the rescue. Here is how Mr. Drew describes Ned, "A man...with good strong muscles!" (p. 169)
I felt this mystery cleverly linked 2 VERY unrelated stories by the use of black widow spiders. I thought the ending tied together well. Nancy was asked to help a man find the unpublished composed sheet music of his deceased son and Mr. Drew also asked Nancy to help him solve a mystery of a special chemical combination to make ultra-silk. Effie (a maid), "kind-hearted and loyal to the Drew family" (p.24) is introduced.
Keene, C. (1970). The secret in the old attic. New York: Grosset & Dunlap. p. 70
The mere fact Nancy EXPECTS to be captured is ridiculous! Can you imagine? Living your life, where being captured, gagged, and bound by ropes left to "starve to death" is a normal occurrence? And the only reaction from the parental units is, "Take extra caution." Hello?!
Something I've been thinking about lately: Which ever mystery Nancy is involved with, usually involves some sort of old home or artifact that has a false bottom or a secret door or sealed off room that was once used as servants quarters, and I just think, we don't really have stuff like that. Like, there is no way, I could get wrapped up in a situation like Nancy.
This story (#21) made me like Ned Nickerson A LOT more. Let's just say he came to the rescue. Here is how Mr. Drew describes Ned, "A man...with good strong muscles!" (p. 169)
I felt this mystery cleverly linked 2 VERY unrelated stories by the use of black widow spiders. I thought the ending tied together well. Nancy was asked to help a man find the unpublished composed sheet music of his deceased son and Mr. Drew also asked Nancy to help him solve a mystery of a special chemical combination to make ultra-silk. Effie (a maid), "kind-hearted and loyal to the Drew family" (p.24) is introduced.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
school's out for summer
No, this is not a Nancy story. I am about a 1/3 of the way done with her next mystery. I've been super exhausted this week and averaging about 2 pages a night. to give you a little sneak peak:
This latest mystery involves a skeleton, a secret formula to make a silk-esque fabric, and lost sheet music that Nancy must find. Right now I am at a loss as to all of these pieces are going to fit together, but I trust Nancy will figure it out.
We had our last day of school on Friday. So, I am officially finished with my first year of teaching! As I was cleaning out my desk, I stumbled upon some quotes I had written down over the school year, all of which my students had said during class (probably while I was lecturing and they were interrupting...).I'm not sure if all high schoolers are crazy or if i just bring out the craziness in the students. Here are some of my favorites:
"Sometimes I eat bacon straight out of the package because I am too lazy to cook it"
"I'm so happy. I feel like I just won a golden globe" (this is just after getting a 42% on a test and now passing the class for the first time all year with a 60%).
Student: "Ms. Ebberts, he's never had apple pie or cherry pie"
Me: "He's not missing much."
Student: "WHAT?! Get out of America!"
Me: "Why do you need a band-aid?"
Student: " UH, cuz I have a laceration on my skin."
"Ms. Ebberts, you look like you died in high school" (she definitely YELLED this while I was teaching.)
"Ms. Ebberts, you remind me of a farm right now. I looked at you and thought of cows."
Me: "I'm a liar."
Student: "You should find Christ!"
This latest mystery involves a skeleton, a secret formula to make a silk-esque fabric, and lost sheet music that Nancy must find. Right now I am at a loss as to all of these pieces are going to fit together, but I trust Nancy will figure it out.
We had our last day of school on Friday. So, I am officially finished with my first year of teaching! As I was cleaning out my desk, I stumbled upon some quotes I had written down over the school year, all of which my students had said during class (probably while I was lecturing and they were interrupting...).I'm not sure if all high schoolers are crazy or if i just bring out the craziness in the students. Here are some of my favorites:
"Sometimes I eat bacon straight out of the package because I am too lazy to cook it"
"I'm so happy. I feel like I just won a golden globe" (this is just after getting a 42% on a test and now passing the class for the first time all year with a 60%).
Student: "Ms. Ebberts, he's never had apple pie or cherry pie"
Me: "He's not missing much."
Student: "WHAT?! Get out of America!"
Me: "Why do you need a band-aid?"
Student: " UH, cuz I have a laceration on my skin."
"Ms. Ebberts, you look like you died in high school" (she definitely YELLED this while I was teaching.)
"Ms. Ebberts, you remind me of a farm right now. I looked at you and thought of cows."
Me: "I'm a liar."
Student: "You should find Christ!"
Friday, June 4, 2010
the clue in the jewel box
#20 is set in Nancy's hometown of River Heights. I've decided that I like the stories that are "local." For instance, this story seems a lot more realistic than say Nancy and friends sailing to an island (#19). I don't have a whole lot to say about this book, it involved a Queen from a foreign country (does not ever say which one) who lives in secret (reminds me of Anastashia, where the royal family had to flee from their castle place). So this queen, Madame Alexandria is looking for her long lost grandson, Michael. So, Nancy is on the case to locate this long lost grandson, in the process, Mr. Faber is introduced. He owns an antique store in River Heights and will be seen in Nancy's other mysteries. This book did not hold my attention well. It is definitely not my favorite and given the opportunity, I would probably not read this one again. I do not think this was one of Nancy's best. There is a situation with pickpocketers which I feel could have been solved a lot sooner, if Nancy would have used more common sense, but I forgive her. She is a really trusting person and is not one to assume without evidence, so I can see why it took her so long to figure this out.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
the quest of the missing map
I read the majority of #19 at Panera. I would say this has kept me on the 'edge' of my seat the most so far. I found myself hitting my hand to my head numerous times wondering what Nancy was thinking! It seems as though she put herself in more risky situations without a whole lot of thought (or at least I think so). Also, Hannah Gruen (Nancy's housekeeper) is middle aged. This is the first 'personal' detail given of her in the series.
While I liked that this book kept me guessing and kind of tense during the read, I did not like the overall plot of the book.
Nancy (and friends) are trying to help a man find information about his long lost twin brother from sea. You see, this man, Mr. Smith, has HALF a treasure map, he brother has the other half. Their dad, captain of the ship, Sea Hawk, tore the map in half for their families to share the inheritance because he was going to die at sea. It is up to Nancy to find the missing part of the map AND help a recent widow, Ms. Chatham, discover a 'ghost' who has been living in their abandoned music studio.
See what I mean? Not a huge fan of this plot.
I do not want to give the story away, but let's just say, Nancy and Bess and George and Ned (and Burt and Dave--- Bess and George's "best dates") sail to an uncharted island in a boat called Primrose.
While I liked that this book kept me guessing and kind of tense during the read, I did not like the overall plot of the book.
Nancy (and friends) are trying to help a man find information about his long lost twin brother from sea. You see, this man, Mr. Smith, has HALF a treasure map, he brother has the other half. Their dad, captain of the ship, Sea Hawk, tore the map in half for their families to share the inheritance because he was going to die at sea. It is up to Nancy to find the missing part of the map AND help a recent widow, Ms. Chatham, discover a 'ghost' who has been living in their abandoned music studio.
See what I mean? Not a huge fan of this plot.
I do not want to give the story away, but let's just say, Nancy and Bess and George and Ned (and Burt and Dave--- Bess and George's "best dates") sail to an uncharted island in a boat called Primrose.
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