Candy Is Dandy is the 38th book in the Nancy Drew Notebooks series. This Minstrel Book was published in October, 2000 by Pocket Books. The cover tagline says “A class trip to a candy factory–and Nancy’s sweetest mystery yet!”
Back of the Book Summary:
Sugar, cocoa, caramel, chocolate–a missing candy formula makes a sticky mess!
What could be sweeter than a visit to Zuckerman’s Zonked Candy Factory? Nancy and her class will se how their favorite candy is made, and even get free samples. Mr. Zuckerman himself gives the grand tour past the sparkling machines that spit out Sticky Gummy Goo, Karamel Krunchettes, Frostee Jewels, and more.
Then Mr. Zuckerman tells the kids he has dreamed up the perfect candy. He even shows them the paper with the secret recipe. But when the visit is over, the recipe has disappeared and no one can find it! Is the greatest candy lost for good?
Inside Teaser:
It’s a Zingy, Zany Mystery!
Mr. Zuckerman returned to the candy library at Zuckerman’s Zonked Candy Factory.
“Here you go, children,” he said to Nancy and her class. He passed out bulging bags of candy. “A few treats for everybody. Now, let me put my coat back on, and I’ll walk you to the door.”
Carefully Mr. Zuckerman slipped on his white coat. Then he led the class back through the factory.
They were just passing the Teensy-Tiny Nut ‘n’ Fluff table when Mr. Zuckerman slipped a hand into his coat pocket.
“What!” he shouted. He began shoving his hands into every one of his coat pockets. He checked his suit pockets, too. Then his face went white.
“My secret recipe!” he cried. “My fortune. It’s gone!”
Review:
Nancy, Bess, George and their class take a field trip to Mr. Zuckerman’s candy factory, where they are treated to a wonderful tour and many samples of all kinds of candies. After visiting the factory and its library with Mr. Zuckerman himself, they end with an alarming mystery: Mr. Zuckerman’s secret candy recipe for a new treat has gone missing! Was it Josie who really likes sweets? Was it Stevie who is working on a secret science experiment? Nancy promises Mr. Zuckerman that she will work on this case.
Nancy snoops, spies on students, and crosses off names on her suspect list, but her course of detective changes when her dad, Carson, suggest outright asking people direct questions about the case. In some instances she gets cheerful answers, but when two suspects are asked if they had anything to do with the theft, some feelings get hurt, and Nancy is quick to apologize.
The very last method Nancy uses to solve the case is to re-trace their steps at the factory where they learn the truth.
The story is very cute, with MANY mentions of sugary treats, candy, ice cream, and more. One student has a very sugar-filled lunch which Bess is a little jealous of, and is, to me, a questionable lunch choice. However, othe children’s behavior is better in this story than a few others, since there is far less teasing and no bullying. I would recommend this Nancy Drew mystery!
Nancy Drew Canon Observations:
Nancy’s dad, Carson Drew, a lawyer, is briefly mentioned. He has two nicknames for Nancy; Pumpkin, and Pudding Pie.
The story mentions Hannah Gruen, the Drew housekeeper.
Bess and George are cousins. It mentions that George is tall and loves sports and she has brown eyes. Bess has long, blonde hair and she doesn’t like anything that makes her dirty or sweaty.
Nancy and George attend soccer practice this story with Coach Santos.
Nancy is described as having reddish-blonde hair.
Bess’s mom’s first name is mentioned: Anna.
Extra Notes:
Illustrated by Jan Naimo Jones. Cover art by Joanie Schwarz.
Length: 74 pages in the main story (more with the title page, series lists, and ads).
