Flower Power is the 41st book in the Nancy Drew Notebooks series. It was first published in April 2001 for Minstrel Books, then in January 2002 for Aladdin Paperbacks. The cover tagline says “They’re pretty and pink and planted in the middle of a mystery!”
Back of the Book Summary:
It’s a blooming mystery!
Nancy and her friends agree that the Pink Princess daisies they’ve grown from seed are the prettiest flowers ever. They’re sure to win a prize at the spring flower show. But shortly before the event, the daisies disappear!
Snobby fourth-grader Viola Van Hall told the girls that her flowers were going to take first prize. Classmate Orson Wong wanted the daisies for a horrible science experiment. Belle Bridges sprinkles flower petals all over her salads–she might have eaten the daisies. Have the girls lost the chance to win the contest, or is the answer to the mystery right under their noses?
Inside Teaser:
Disappearing Daisies
“Didn’t you tell me there were two categories for the children’s prizes in the flower show, Nancy?” Hannah asked.
“Yes, but all we care about is the Most Beautiful Flower category, because that’s the one we’re going to win with our Pink Princess daisies!” Nancy said excitedly.
The phone began to ring. Hannah answered it and handed the phone to Nancy. “It’s for you.”
Nancy took the phone from Hannah. “Hello?”
“Um, hello… Nancy?”
Nancy recognized Julia Santos’s voice right away. Julia sounded upset about something.
“Oh, Nancy. It’s terrible! It’s the worst thing in the whole wide world!” Julia cried out. “It’s the Pink Princess daisies! They’re gone!”
Review:
Nancy, Bess, George and their friend Julia Santos team up to grow flowers to submit into the flower show in April. They take turns keeping the potted flowers and watering it. But when the flowers disappear in Julia’s care days before the show, Nancy starts investigating. She and her friends question everyone they have talked to previously about the flowers, or who all came in contact with them. When the girls are invited to the Van Hall’s fancy house for tea, Nancy does some series snooping, which feels like some classic moves to the older, future version of Nancy.
This book is one of my favorites in the Notebooks series. The girls’ manners are well portrayed, there is far less bullying than other titles, the investigation yields interesting clues and allows Nancy to use different ways to investigate, and the culprit and ending is enjoyable, so I found! I would highly recommend this edition for any reader.
Nancy Drew Canon Observations:
Nancy, Bess, and George are eight years old.
Nancy keeps a blue notebook for her sleuthing, and uses her favorite purple pen.
The story mentions Hannah Gruen, the Drew housekeeper who makes blueberry pancakes and has been the Drew’s housekeeper for five years.
George and Bess are cousins. George’s real name is Georgia, and she wasn’t too excited about entering a flower show, since she was more into sports.
Nancy is described as having reddish-blond hair and blue eyes.
George’s mom, Mrs. Fayne, is the Vice President of the River Heights Garden Club.
The girls attend Carl Sandberg Elementary school, but Viola attends Belvedere Academy, a private school.
Extra Notes:
A Minstrel Book, published by Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. Also printed by Aladdin Paperbacks, which sport the red band on the cover and part of the spine.
Cover photography by Michel LeGrou at Media Photo Group. Cover photo-illustration by Joanie Schwarz. Inside pages are illustrated by Jan Naimo Jones.
Length: 74 pages in the main story (more with the title page, series lists, and ads).
