The bold and brilliant Nancy Drew turns 90 in 2020! While I grew up reading the original Nancy Drew Mystery Stories (first published in 1930 and volumes onward for decades), the series has undergone a number of major transformations. These spin-offs include the modern Nancy Drew Diaries, a graphic novel series, as well as simpler story versions like the The Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew Collection featuring Nancy at only eight years old. Here's a clue — even in grade school and in illustration format, little Nancy is still a marvel at solving mysteries.
In every new series, Nancy Drew has remained a positive role model: a strong, independent and fearless teen detective who keeps cool-headed under pressure. Given the popularity of the mystery genre for independent readers in elementary and middle school grades, we’ve uncovered read-alikes that embody the Nancy Drew-ness that we parents know and love — and grew up on!
Each of the mystery series in this list showcases a resourceful female heroine with a knack for truth-seeking, leading your reader to unravel riddles and suspense alongside her.
Can't get enough? Delve into Mystery & Suspense books for all ages at the Scholastic Store Online.
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