NPR: Your Turn: Nancy Drew

Your Turn: Nancy Drew

From the Nancy Drew mystery series, created by Edward Stratemeyer
Nominated by Kelli Donley

My mom gave me her childhood collection of Nancy Drew novels when I was in elementary school. I inhaled them -- all 40 mystery stories about the girl who could solve crime, and do so with great fashion and manners.

Nancy had a boyfriend and a father who she relied on only in direst of cases. Instead, she taught young girls that they could be successful, smart, individualistic -- and drive a fun convertible.

She is the epitome of feminine feminism. I think of her often when I'm feeling independent, wearing a suit or driving around with my sunroof open and the breeze in my hair.

And when I solve my own work or personal fiascoes, I know Nancy's spirit is right there with me, cheering me on. Twenty years later, I still love reading a great Nancy Drew mystery.

Tags: Children's Literature | Working Women

11:37 PM ET | 01-29-2008 | permalink

Send a Comment

Comments are reviewed and edited by NPR prior to display. All comments will be read, but not all will be posted.

NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
May we contact you with information about NPR programming and services? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

Elizabeth Blair

blogger

Trey Graham

blogger

Who Moves You?

Join the In Character conversation: Tell us about the fictional characters who've told you something about yourself or your world. Your essay may appear here on the blog — or even on the air.

Search 'The 'In Character' Blog'

What is 'In Character'?

The classic bad girl. The mad scientist. The wise-cracking sidekick. In Character is an NPR series exploring famous American fictional characters, from Atticus Finch to Ugly Betty. What do they say about society? About individual experience? About the comedy and complexity of who we are? Join us, online and on the air, as we ask what makes them tick — and what that means for us.

For more details on this project, read our FAQ and Discussion Guidelines. Or just go ahead and submit your own In Character essay.

Private Comments

You can contact the In Character team privately if you have comments or questions you do not want posted.

Browse Topics

Services

Programs

Text-only

Your Turn: Nancy Drew

Send a Comment

E-mail this Page

Elizabeth Blair

blogger

Trey Graham

blogger

Who Moves You?

Search 'The 'In Character' Blog'

Recent Comments

Recent Entries

Categories

Archives

What is 'In Character'?

Private Comments

Related News Feeds

Browse Topics

Services

Programs