When my niece became old enough to enjoy the books in the early 80's, I introduced her to Trixie Belden. She became an immediate fan, reading all of my books, every one in the school library and buying some of her own. Through her, I learned the series had grown from 15 to 34 books (it later grew to 39). Busy with a job and two pre-schoolers of my own, I never managed to read any of her new books, but she and I talked about them frequently, sharing a love for Trixie and the Bobwhites of the Glen.

Despite my determination, I couldn't pry my own daughter away from R.L. Stine and Babysitters Club books to try Trixie Belden mysteries. Of course, by the early 90's they were out of print. My copies were old and nasty, and my niece's faded and yellow, and I'm sure were quite unappealing to a young reader.

Finding an Old Friend