If you've read the first book in this series - The Secret Manison - you will remember that Jim left Trixie a diamond ring. Because of Trixie's "tomboy" nature, her parents are keeping the ring for her until she grows up. In The Mystery Off Glen Road, Trixie is trying to convince her parents she is grown up and feminine enough so they will give her the ring. The real reason Trixie wants the diamond ring is so she can use it as collateral for her oldest brother, Brian - he is trying to buy his dream jalopy (car), but doesn't have the money for a downpayment. Trixie feels she and her brothers can earn the money, if they can convince the owner not to sell the car to someone else.
In another story line, the Wheeler's surly gamekeeper quits without notice. Trixie and Honey agree to take on the gamekeeper's duties - again to help Brian earn money for his car. But another mystery hits the Bob Whites, and they soon fear a poacher is loose in the Wheeler's game preserve.
This book really shows Trixie's determination in following through with a project. She cares more about helping her brother than doing things for herself. This is a lesson that siblings today could learn from.
4 comments:
She's giving up a shiny diamond ring to help him buy a new jalopy? I hope he worships his sister.
Hehehehe - you have to remember, this book was written in 1956! Trixie was a tomboy, so the ring didn't mean alot to her, other than the fact Jim gave it to her.
she's a far better sister than I - ha,ha! Really enjoying going down memory lane w/ you Bobbi. I'm thinking I might have to order the Trixie Belden series and save them for my niece for when she's old enough.
The artwork is by Michael Koelsch, a veteran illustrator of young adult book covers. The cover illustrations were painted from photoshoots with models, based on the look the art director of the publishing house wanted to take.
I picked up my copies of the first two books today. I thought I would have to special order them, but when I went into McNally Robinson on Monday to do so, the lady in the children's section told me they knew about the re-issue and that they had already been ordered..
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jacksen
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