About book Trixie Belden And The Mystery At Maypenny's (1980)
I read this back when I was a kid, and couldn't resist picking it up - along with a couple of other Trixie Belden books - a few days ago when I spotted them at a thrift shop.I was a huge fan of the Trixie Belden series as a kid. I can't recall my feelings about this book, but knowing myself, it probably gave me cause to think. This book has Trixie, her best friend Honey, and their families/friends involved up to their necks in an ecological (or "green," as it would be called today) way. Although dated now, this story did a superb job in presenting two points of view: the side that wants progress to come to a small town and create jobs for the desperate and unemployed, as well as the side that wants to protect the natural habitat of animals and native plants. Both sides have their strong points, and it seems that nobody wins or loses. A pretty strong struggle for a kid, especially a couple of decades ago when this was written. However, the ultimate conclusion of this story is easy for a pre-teen to accept, whatever side of the argument they may have been drawn to. Adults would find it too simplistic - but then, this IS a story targeted to kids and I find it perfect for that age group.
When International Pine wants to expand their furniture factory in Sleepyside, the town and the Bob-Whites become divided. But it’s Mr. Maypenny who may be effected the most. What is happening on his property?Sadly, this is a weak entry in the series. The mystery is shoehorned in with Trixie getting most of her answers in a few data dumps late in the book. The factory plot takes center stage most of the time and gives a good view of the pro-jobs side of things but leaves the environmental side of things weak. On the other hand, the characters are strong and we get to see more of Dan than normal.Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
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As a pre-teen, I absolutely devoured the Trixie Belden series. A few years ago, I managed to collect the first dozen books--mostly from E-Bay. I was charmed in the re-reading of them. It prompted me to remember hiding behind the garage on a summer's day (I was supposed to be out 'playing'!) I would lay in the grass, lean up against the garage wall, munch on cherries or apples from neighbor's trees, and read one after the other. Trixie Belden, Beaney Malone, Sue Barton.... Loved 'em all!So when one of my sons told me about open library.org, to test it out I borrowed this Trixie Belden E-Book. I am nearly 50 years older now, but that did not diminish the pleasure I experienced in the reading of it.Loved the book and loved the concept and format of openlibrary.org!
—Catherine
