School Library Journal

12/01/2015
Gr 5–8—Rubini explores the life of Mildred “Millie” Benson, better known as Carolyn Keene, author of the “Nancy Drew” books. Readers will learn how Benson earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa and wrote for the Stratemeyer Syndicate as a ghost writer under the pen name Carolyn Keene. She was tasked with writing a mystery series about an amateur sleuth and wrote 23 of the first 30 “Nancy Drew” titles. Benson also wrote more than 100 novels for young people under the name Keene and other pseudonyms. Rubini frames the story as a mystery, asking why, despite Nancy Drew’s fame, most people have never heard of Benson and tracking down clues and evidence to uncover more information about the life of this little-known author. Chapters are referred to as clues and given appropriate names (“Ghostwriter Appears: The Case of the Missing Ghostwriter”). Included are some of the “Nancy Drew” book covers, Benson’s awards and recognitions, and a chronological list of works she wrote. VERDICT A solid option for those interested in the “Nancy Drew” mysteries.—Minerva Alaniz, Texas Tech University Library