Nancy Drew: The Palace of Wisdom

BOOKLIST (STARRED) -- As soon as supersleuth and fashionista Nancy Drew cracks a case about a missing school mascot, another mystery arrives in her mail. Someone has pieced together newspaper headlines in a threatening letter that references Nancy's late mother. Nancy returns to her childhood hometown, reuniting with Bess, George, and the Hardy boys, and their clue-hunting leads them to a dead body, an unsolved case, and a dangerous rave. Quippy banter and steadfast friendships propel this amusing, action-packed adventure in which teens rely on their instincts, and adults cannot be trusted. The writers excel at capturing what made Nancy Drew such a plucky protagonist in the first place while updating her story for today's teens. Bess is a chubby, adorable gossip, who flirts with Joe Hardy. George, who must constantly be pried from the lips of her girlfriend, sports an edgy haircut and a sarcastic personality. Nancy's new love interest, Pete, rounds out her team and flaunts a trendy, Erik Killmonger-inspired look. The illustrations adopt the bright, expressive aesthetic that has so often been effective in other graphic novels. The panels accentuate the jokes by pausing on deadpan facials and stretching out the slapstick sequences. Lastly, the clothes-oversized sweaters, knee-high boots, cold-shoulder crop tops, and more-will appeal to fashion-forward teens. Highly recommended for spirited readers, whether they're familiar with Carolyn Keene's originals or not.
- Biz Hyzy