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32 maconmagazine.com | August/September 2026 Paige is a lifelong bookworm. Read on to see why one should join her at the library to uncover the mystery of why Nancy Drew is so beloved. — who have read these books or just want to know more about them. As a Baby Boomer myself, I realize most women my age has a personal story to tell about discovering Nancy Drew and her many adventures in their youth. Studies show that reading books is generational. If your mother or grandmother read to you when you were young, you are more likely to read yourself and to pass on the love of reading to your own children and so forth. Today, Nancy Drew is being published in a new, readable series of editions for most all ages. She's definitely here to stay. Q What do you think is her enduring appeal? Solving Capers with Nancy Drew: A N I N T E R V I E W W I T H P A I G E H E N S O N Q What's up with your Nancy Drew event at Washington Memorial Library in August? A These are three one-hour presentations to explore the world of Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, and other iconic juvenile mystery series launched in the mid-20th century. It's a nostalgic look back at the evolvement of early adolescent reading experiences. I like to think of these books are a part of American pop culture. Q Who do you think might be interested in this (somewhat arcane) subject? A Hopefully, everyone of every generation — Baby Boomers, Millennials, Gen-Xers, and on down A Nancy Drew is the embodiment of the strong, American female spirit who is compassionate, but tenacious, in her determination to solve the mystery at hand. The Hardy Boys (they are brothers) represent goodness, generosity, and strength. They are the ultimate "good guys" who win the day in their every adventure. Q What more do our readers need to know? A The original Nancy Drew series was launched in the early 1930s, so she is now around 96 years old! The story behind her creation is intriguing in itself. Through the decades, books have been rewritten/revised in terms of writing style, character descriptions,