The Snow Queen’s Surprise is the 46th book in the Nancy Drew Notebooks series. It was published in February 2002 for Aladdin Paperbacks. The cover tagline says “Everything’s turning to ice. Is it magic–or a trick?”
Back of the Book Summary:
“Sugar is sweet, snow is nice. Turn this pesky dog into ice!”
Nancy’s friend Rebecca Ramirez wants to be an actress when she grows up. Now that she has the part of the Snow Queen in a play, she claims that with a wave of her magic wand, she really can turn things into ice.
Bess and George believe her, but Nancy doesn’t. Then a dog that put his muddy paws on Rebecca’s white coat vanishes, and in his place is a snow statue that looks exactly like him. Then three bratty boys from school disappear, and in their place are three snowmen–wearing the boys’ hats! Could Rebecca really be the snow queen after all?
Inside Teaser:
Pupsicles!
Nancy, Bess, and George walked until they came to a big snowy field.
“Maybe it’s a snowman,” Nancy said. “Let’s check it out.”
“Hey!” George said. “That’s not a snowman. It’s a snow dog!”
“He looks so real!” Nancy gasped.
“Wait a minute,” Bess said slowly. “Doesn’t this dog look just like Mr. Grubby Paws?” Nancy walked around the dog to get a closer look. “It does,” she agreed. “Same long ears. Same sweetheart tag–”
“Then it’s true! It’s true!” Bess cried. “Rebecca turned that poor dog into ice. She is a snow queen!”
Review:
Nancy, Bess, George encounter their friend Rebecca on a snowy day during winter break. Rebecca is embodying the role she was cast in the drama school – the snow queen. She pretends to turn a dog into ice, and when the girls come across an ice sculpted dog, they decide to solve the mystery. Did Rebecca actually turn the dog into ice? Does she really turn the pesky boys into snowmen, and cause more snow to fall?
The girls have several encounters with sculptures and have an exciting experience chasing a bird into a private party – which yields a big clue. In the end they learn how the sculptures were made, and Rebecca receives applause for excellent acting, but must apologize for scaring her friends.
Some minor teasing and snowball fights occur, including a little sabotage to some hot chocolate.
Nancy Drew Canon Observations:
Nancy, Bess, and George are eight years old.
They are on winter break for one week.
George has dark, curly hair. Bess is blonde. They are cousins.
It is written that Bess has a closet full of pretty clothes, while George has a closet full of jeans and soccer balls.
Twinkling Stars drama school is located in River Heights on Main street. There is also a pizza parlor on Main street.
The Double Dip is an ice cream parlor in River Heights, which is also known for its hot chocolate.
Nancy has a blue notebook that she keeps for all her mystery notes. She keeps it with her everywhere she goes. In this story, it is accompanied by a pencil with a kitten eraser.
Hannah Gruen is in the book. She has been the Drew’s housekeeper for five years since Nancy’s mom died. In this books she makes vegetable barley soup, and tomato soup.
After dinner, Nancy plays a video game with her dad, Carson.
Nancy has a dog named Chip.
Extra Notes:
Printed by Aladdin Paperbacks, a division of Simon & Schuster, which sport the red band on the cover and part of the spine.
Cover photography by Michael Frost. Cover photo-illustration by Joanie Schwarz. Inside pages are illustrated by Jan Naimo Jones.
Length: 71 pages in the main story (more with the title page, series lists, and ads).
