The Hidden Staircase: Nancy Drew Mystery Stories No. 2
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this classic Nancy Drew mystery -- the best-selling of the whole series -- includes scenes of Nancy's father being drugged and kidnapped, a truck purposely running Nancy and her father off the road, and threats made to many characters. Today's readers may find Nancy dated in terms of dress, language, and lack of high-tech gizmos, but her pluckiness, problem-solving tenacity, and fearlessness make her a timeless heroine. The version of this book you'll usually find for sale was updated in the '50s from an edition first published in 1930.
Families can talk about the difference in lifestyles of today's teens compared with characters found in these books. Parents can talk to their kids about how Nancy, family, and friends communicate with each other without cell phones, computers, text messages, etc. How has technology improved detective work? What is it about her or these stories that has carried generations of readers? For those who watch the 2007 movie, how does it compare to reading about the classic character she's based on? Which Nancy do you like better?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Pam Gelman
Nancy Drew, a name synonymous with female-teen sleuthiness, provides a model for young readers of determination, courage, and problem solving. She makes friends easily, garners the admiration of the chief of police, gets confessions out of criminals without breaking a sweat, and most of all, she's her father's daughter.
These mysteries, in circulation since the 1930s, are each page-turners, where Nancy naturally comes out on top. They're predictable and sometimes repetitive, but when Nancy gets herself into a dangerous situation, the reader will follow along with nail-biting interest. The syndicate behind author Carolyn Keene has figured out a formula that works and has stood the test of time.
The scary scenes -- like when a truck chases Nancy down, or when Nancy confronts a criminal -- are less frightening than anything found in a Harry Potter book. So tween mystery buffs should definitely consider working some classic Nancy Drew into their libraries.
From The Book
"I'm going to search for an underground passage leading to the mansion. It's just possible that we hear no hollow sounds when we tap the walls, because of double doors or walls where the entrance is."
Aunt Rosemary looked at Nancy intently. "You are a real detective, Nancy. I see now whey Helen wanted us to ask you to find our ghost."
Nancy's eyes twinkled. "I may have some instinct for sleuthing," she said, "but unless I can solve this mystery, it won't do any of us much good."
Turning to Helen, she suggested that they put on the cold clothes they had brought with them. Attired in sport shirts and jeans, the girls left the house.
Plot Summary:
When Nancy's friend Helen tells her about a ghost haunting her great-aunt's mansion, she's determined to check it out. But she's sidetracked when a suspicious character tells her that her father is in danger. Sure enough, her father is kidnapped and as she rushes to find him she also finds a connection between her father and the ghost.
Related Books:
More Early Nancy Drews:
The Secret of the Old Clock: Nancy Drew Mystery Stories No. 1
The Bungalow Mystery: Nancy Drew Mystery Stories No. 3
Modern Nancy Drew Series:
Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew Series
Nancy Drew Notebooks Series
Nancy Drew (All New) Girl Detective Series
Nancy Drew Girl Detective Graphic Novel Series
Nancy Drew Video Games:
Nancy Drew: Danger by Design
Nancy Drew: The Haunted Carousel
Nancy Drew: Secret of the Old Clock
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Sexual ContentGoes on car date with Ned Nickerson. Comments from men on Nancy's attractiveness. |
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ViolenceFather is drugged and kidnapped. A truck veers toward Nancy and father and they jump to "escape death." A man pretends to be ghost to frighten two women. Some threats made to teens, father, and a taxi driver. |
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Social BehaviorUsing common sense, following intuition, asking for help all helped Nancy to solve this mystery. |
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