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thestateofash's review
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
georgiegirl's review
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
jkaccoman's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bethreadsandnaps's review
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this middle grade read about friendship and Nancy Drew. Maizy is in sixth grade, and she enjoys creating stories and making documents. Her friend Isabelle is changing her interests, most notably she’s interested in boys more than Maizy. A little lost after their friendship ends, Maizy meets up with some other creatives and embarks on creating a documentary about a family mystery. Her mother owns a secondhand store, and a box of Nancy Drew books with an inscription from what seems like her grandmother to an old friend and a picture of someone who looks like her grandmother when she was younger with two other women. Maizy’s grandmother says it isn’t her.
Fun mystery, and I really enjoyed the scene with the professor about Nancy Drew. I love books where you learn new things and new perspectives.
clioreadsalot's review against another edition
funny
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
jehansen127's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
melmo2610's review
5.0
Really liked this fun read. As a lifelong Nancy Drew fan, it was right up my alley! Would love to see more with these characters.
kendranicole28's review
5.0
Maizy is a fairly typical middle-schooler who loves creating movies with her best friend Izzy and helping her mom out at her thrift store. Change is on the horizon for Maizy, though, with her big brother heading off to college and Izzy (now wanting to be called “Isabella”) no longer interested in the things the two of them used to do. When a box of vintage Nancy Drew books is dropped off at her mom’s store, Maizy is ready and eager for the diversion. Not only are these books pretty great, but the box came with a mystery: inside was a picture of Maizy’s grandmother, Jacuzzi—but Jacuzzi denies knowledge of the pictured women and claims no responsibility for the box of books.
Maizy is joined by two unexpected sidekicks as they look into the mystery of where the books came from, and how they tie into Maizy’s family history. And when the trio begin researching the author of the Nancy Drew series for a school project, they discover there is much more to these books and this series than meets the eye.
As a longtime Nancy Drew fan, the premise of this charming middle grade novel immediately appealed to me, and I could not have been more delighted by the story itself. The primary mystery is a breezy but fun one, with all the “whodunit” elements of a Nancy Drew novel (but a tad more believable). I liked seeing the multigenerational stories come together, and I was intrigued by the Carolyn Keene history lessons that are threaded into the story. I learned a lot and came away with an even deeper appreciation for the series (despite a few disappointing revelations about the books’ origins).
Maizy is a wonderful protagonist: smart, intelligent, and unafraid of forging her own way in the world, while still remaining loyal to her friends and true to her convictions. She navigates typical pre-adolescent issues such as feeling pressure to grow up when she isn’t ready and growing into and out of friendships, and these themes fit nicely within the story, coming to some important lessons without feeling preachy or pedantic. I was impressed with the author’s t treatment of the various side characters, who are believable and add to the story rather than simply standing in as fillers.
Middle grade readers of all ages will enjoy this book, which will be nostalgic for existing Nancy Drew fans and will likely serve as a fun introduction to Nancy Drew mysteries for those yet to be initiated into the young sleuth’s fan club.
My Rating: 5 Stars // Book Format: Print
Maizy is joined by two unexpected sidekicks as they look into the mystery of where the books came from, and how they tie into Maizy’s family history. And when the trio begin researching the author of the Nancy Drew series for a school project, they discover there is much more to these books and this series than meets the eye.
As a longtime Nancy Drew fan, the premise of this charming middle grade novel immediately appealed to me, and I could not have been more delighted by the story itself. The primary mystery is a breezy but fun one, with all the “whodunit” elements of a Nancy Drew novel (but a tad more believable). I liked seeing the multigenerational stories come together, and I was intrigued by the Carolyn Keene history lessons that are threaded into the story. I learned a lot and came away with an even deeper appreciation for the series (despite a few disappointing revelations about the books’ origins).
Maizy is a wonderful protagonist: smart, intelligent, and unafraid of forging her own way in the world, while still remaining loyal to her friends and true to her convictions. She navigates typical pre-adolescent issues such as feeling pressure to grow up when she isn’t ready and growing into and out of friendships, and these themes fit nicely within the story, coming to some important lessons without feeling preachy or pedantic. I was impressed with the author’s t treatment of the various side characters, who are believable and add to the story rather than simply standing in as fillers.
Middle grade readers of all ages will enjoy this book, which will be nostalgic for existing Nancy Drew fans and will likely serve as a fun introduction to Nancy Drew mysteries for those yet to be initiated into the young sleuth’s fan club.
My Rating: 5 Stars // Book Format: Print
ashleyeila's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book! I think it is perfect for upper elementary or middle school. I love how it makes the reader want to learn/read more Nancy Drew while also having an engaging plot for the reader. Very accessible read that deals with issues of friendship, growing up, and change.
kewakeman's review
5.0
This book was so much fun, and as an avid Nancy Drew reader when I was a kid, I wish I had had this book to go along with it back then. I’m going to go back and read this author’s earlier series.