THE SPIDER SAPPHIRE MYSTERY PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Carolyn Keene | 192 pages | 29 Nov 2012 | Penguin Putnam Inc | 9780448095455 | English | New York, United States Nancy Drew Mystery #45 Spider Sapphire Mystery – Days Bookstore But I guess it is the 's. It's time, guys. Time for the most ludicrous villain name in Nancy Drew history. Notice I say most ludicrous though, not best. Because somehow even this name manages racism, like so many things about this book. Yes, our story starts out with Nancy and her friends including a group from Emerson with Ned, Burt, and Dave heading out for a safari in Africa. Before she goes, however, she learns of a mysterious stolen spider sapphire and Ned is kidnapped! Oh no! Not NED! In much faster course than I remember, however, Ned is found after Bess decodes a cryptic call and figures out he's being held in a pear orchard. He reveals that his captor is none other than Is there anything more problematic than naming someone, even a villain, after the language they speak as if it's a neon sign over their head that says: "Hey! I'm different from this white teen detective and her crew of white friends! Anyhoo, Swahili Joe is clearly the villain of the book due to his redonkulous name. Working with him are two "Indian Blacks" named Jahan and Dhan. Indian Blacks? Well, if you think that's bad, it gets worse. The book goes on to whitesplain the difference between different kinds of Black people in a way that has me ducking out the bathroom to barf. Was it the shellfish, or the unendurable racism in this book? Well, I didn't eat shellfish, so The usually cringe-worthy racial terms in Nancy Drew books really threw me through a loop in this one. It was all I could do to get through the first 75 or so pages, when the terminology was the worst. Dude, Stratemeyer syndicate. These are NOT the preferred nomenclatures. They're all from Africa. Just call them African or Kenyan, or Ethiopian, whatever their country of origin is if known. Not too hard. I don't think we should hide that, or whitewash our own racism. But, that being said, it needs to be pointed out. Because if I'm going to be recommending these books to kids, that IS relevant. Carolyn Keene Dec Ages Thrilling, dangerous adventures confront Nancy Drew while on a safari in East Africa with a group of American college students. Excitement runs high as the teen-age detective delves into the theft of a fabulous sapphire formed by nature millions of years ago. Readers will join Nancy as she uncovers a nefarious scheme and solves the strange disappearance of an injured jungle guide. More by Carolyn Keene See more. Nancy Drew The Whispering Statue. Book Once again, Nancy faces two puzzling mysteries at once! The first concerns a valuable collection of rare books that Mrs. Skip this one. All Nancy Drew books have an element of fat-shaming, as pretty Nancy and athletic George constantly chide the "pudgy, full-figured" Bess for loving food as she does. But this book is the worst in the series that I've reread so far with regard to discrimination. Not only does it feature the body image taunts, which will subconsciously influence young readers of all genders, but it's extremely racist. In this book, Nancy and crew head to Africa to go on safari and solve a very inte Skip this one. In this book, Nancy and crew head to Africa to go on safari and solve a very interesting mystery, and while they are in Nairobi, they encounter "coloreds, blacks, and Indians" both from the Subcontinent and indigenous tribespeople. Of course, this terminology is "of the time," but the insulting and condescending essentializing of native and urban Africans e. A better than average entry in the series. This time, Nancy and her friends travel from River Heights to Africa, with much of the action happening in the city of Mombasa. What started as an accusation of theft eventually collects a missing persons case, as well as a number of assaults on Nancy and several of her cohorts. What happens to the title gem is interesting, but by the ending did feel a bit anti-climactic. This, despite a scene at the end where Ned, especially, is in danger of serious ha A better than average entry in the series. This, despite a scene at the end where Ned, especially, is in danger of serious harm. Before we get there, the journey is pretty interesting. George and Bess get a few interesting pages, and the rest of the group gets to shine as well. Good for kids, teens, and parents of either that want to experience a little nostalgia. Find it. Buy it. Read it! Sep 09, Robin rated it it was ok. I loved Nancy Drew novels as a kid and will occasionally go back and re-read for fun. Many times I find that I must remind myself that these stories were written in a different time, but this mystery was particularly The racial and cultural stereotypes are rampant and the fat shaming of poor Bess is a bummer. I also found the story itself to be unbelievable—an 18 year old on a college safari in Africa with unlimited funds to replace an entire wardrobe? A man dressed as a baboon? A I loved Nancy Drew novels as a kid and will occasionally go back and re-read for fun. A mean girl made nice by The writing was particularly bad in this novel, the most descriptive word used over and over again was attractive. This one just does not stand the test of time. This was the first "long" book I ever read. So it's kinda special. I loved this book as a kid so I thought I could reread it. Of course it wasn't that amazing like 6 years later. Things happened very fast which is good bcs I'm not a big fan of unnecessary things. The story was a bit messy. I got the names confused at times. But the most annoying thing was when someone said "Africa is an amazing country! I don't know if the mistake was made while translating or writing it. I found it very annoy This was the first "long" book I ever read. I found it very annoying. May 07, Nicole Jacobs rated it liked it. As other reviewers have stated, there is definitely some outdated cultural descriptions in this one. Nancy Drew is generally fun to read even as an adult , but keeping in mind the book was published in , it still seemed odd to have some of those depictions in there. I won't mention them at the risk of spoiling the book for those who would like to read it, just be aware that they are in there. There is a pretty comical part involving a spoiled girl, a wig, and a baboon though. Aug 05, IrishFan rated it liked it. I thought this one was a good one. It didn't seem too easy for her, where all the pieces fell together easily. When all of their clothes were ruined? No big deal, lets just run out and buy brand new wardrobes! Apr 15, Emma Gallacher rated it it was amazing Shelves: nancy-drew. Feb 08, Catherine Boomer rated it it was amazing. I am happily back enjoying the Nancy Drew mystery series again. I appreciate the clean, nonviolent, non sexual or evil emphasis but good simple adventure and mystery-solving. Feb 11, Christine Arvinth rated it it was amazing Shelves: nancydrew. Nancy helps solve the mystery of the missing spider sapphire jewel with the help of her friends Bess,George,Ned, Burt ,and Dave in Africa. Jul 14, Jocelin rated it really liked it. I just re-read this book because I found an article about the original Carolyn Keene Mildred Wirt Benson , that said this book was her favorite. It was fun, and interesting to read as an adult. Jan 11, Emma rated it really liked it Shelves: crime , childrens , uni. This was my favorite Nancy Drew book when I was younger. Rereading it now isn't quite the same, you notice the flaws when your older. But it is still a enjoyable read. Feb 09, Elizabeth rated it it was amazing. I liked this because it was interesting to see her go out on a safari. I liked the new character Gwen once she changed her attitude! Awesome book!!! I have to admit even though that the series is way under my reading level I can always turn to nancy drew for an adventurous quick read!!! I love Nancy drew, I found this book in a second hand book store and I fell in love with the mystery. Jan 26, Carole rated it liked it Shelves: books-read. Nancy Drew is at it again, this time in far off Africa, sleuthing with her friends to find a stolen rare spider sapphire. Mar 21, Joilyn Magayon rated it liked it. It's kind of a bit dragging for me. But thanks to the many out of town adventures that saved it. After all, it was good. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Readers also enjoyed. Young Adult. About Carolyn Keene. Carolyn Keene. Carolyn Keene is a writer pen name that was used by many different people- both men and women- over the years. The company that was the creator of the Nancy Drew series, the Stratemeyer Syndicate, hired a variety of writers.