The document provides a biography of Carolyn Keene, the author of the Nancy Drew mystery novels. It notes that Keene drew from her own adventures growing up on a farm in Iowa when creating Nancy Drew. Keene wrote the first 23 Nancy Drew novels and was successful prior to her death in 2002. The document also provides a summary of the plot of the Nancy Drew book "Nancy's Mysterious Letters" and includes character and plot descriptions as well as suggested actors for a movie adaptation.
2. CAROLYN KEENE: BIOGRAPHY
Carolyn Keene was born on July 10, 1905. While growing up she would
venture out into the woods and fields behind her farm in Iowa. Nancy
Drew, one of her characters, was based off of many of the qualities that
Carolyn Keene developed throughout her life. She was very successful
by writing the first twenty three of thirty Nancy Drew novels. She has
incorporated many of her wild adventures created not only in her mind,
but in the woods and fields located behind her family’s farm. Along with
the Nancy Drew series, she wrote columns, news articles, and other
novels. Unfortunately, on May 28, 2002 she passed away, but her
accomplishments are and will still be acknowledged by all generations.
http://www.orrt.org/keene/
3. SUMMARY
Nancy Drew: The Clue in the Old Album is about a
girl named Nancy Drew who witnesses a purse
snatching and runs after the thief. She rescues the
purse, but not its contents, then is asked by the
owner, a doll collector, to do some detective work.
“ The source of light will heal all ills, but a curse will
follow him who takes it from the gypsies.” This is a
key clue that Nancy is given to find an old album, a
lost doll, and a missing gypsy violinist, Rose’s father.
Throughout the novel Nancy’s life is threatened
many times including: being poisoned, run off a road,
and being warned and threatened to leave the case.
Will Nancy find Rose’s father, doll, and the old
album? Read on to find.
4. CHARACTERS
Main Characters:
1. Nancy Drew: teenage sleuth, titian-blond, blue-eyed
2. Mrs. Struthers: grandmother of Rose, doll collector
3. Rose: granddaughter of Mrs. Struthers, strikingly pretty girl, 12 years of age
4. Nitaka: gypsy, carrot- red hair
5. Mr. Pepito: father of Rose, gypsy
Supporting Characters:
1. Mr. Drew: father of Nancy, lawyer
2. Mrs. Gruen: the Drew’s housekeeper, hard working, kind hearted
3. George Fayne: cousin of Bess, short dark-hair, companion of Nancy
4. Bess Marvin: cousin of George, blond, slightly overweight, companion of
Nancy
5. Ned Nickerson: boyfriend of Nancy, goes to Emerson College, dark hair,
brown eyes
6. Tony Wassell: half-breed gypsy, purse crook
7. Zorus: king of gypsies
8. Anton: gypsy, scar on forehead
5. PLOT
Introduction
1. Meet Nancy Drew and friends.
2. Setting: River Heights
Rising Action
1. Mrs. Struthers purse is stolen.
2. Rose is almost kidnapped.
3. Mrs. Struthers house was robbed of money,
valuables, and some of her dolls.
6. PLOT CONTINUED
Climax
1. Rose is kidnapped by the gypsies.
Falling Action
1. Nancy finds Rose and Rose’s father.
2. Nancy, Rose, and Mr. Pepito are locked up
in the gypsies’ trailers.
3. Nancy’s father finds them and saves them.
Conclusion
1. Nitaka, Anton, and Zorus were put in jail.
7. NEW VOCABULARY
1. tirade- n. extended scolding, denunciation
“I thought your conscience would bother you one of these days,” the tirade began.
2. subdued- v. to calm down, to bring under control
When she finished Miss Struthers asked in a subdued voice, “Who did you say you are?”
3. philosophically- rationally or sensibly calm, patient, or composed
“The violinist probably wasn’t Romano anyway,” George said philosophically. (pg. 88)
4. vindictive- adj. revengeful, retaliatory, mean
“Some gypsies are so vindictive.” (pg. 94)
5. gesticulating- v. to make or use gestures, especially in an animated or excited manner
with or instead of speech
On the floor below, the musician was gesticulating wildly with his bow at the studio
director. (pg. 115)
6. quandary- n. a state of perplexity or uncertainty, especially as to what to do; dilemma
After promising Mrs. Struthers she would do anything possible to find her granddaughter,
Nancy was in quandary. (pg. 153)
8. STARRING ACTORS:
Nancy Drew played by: Dakota Fanning
George Fayne played by: Michelle Thachenberg
9. STARRING ACTORS:
Bess Marvin played by: Elle Fanning
Hannah Gruen played by: Susan Sarandon
15. RATING
I gave Nancy Drew: The Clue in the Old Album a rating
of
3.5 out of 5 stars.
I thought the concept of the book was very well thought
out, but wasn’t exciting. Some parts of the novel were
expected, which made the novel seem slow and
boring.
16. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
Other novels written by Carolyn Keene
-The Mystery of the Ivory Charm
-The Whispering Statue
-The Haunted Bridge
-Clue of the Tapping Heels
-Mystery of the Brass-Bound Trunk
-The Mystery of the Moss Covered Mansion
-The Quest of the Missing Map
-The Clue in the Crumbling Wall
-The Ghost of Blackwood Hall
- The Clue of the Leaning Chimney
