The Girl Sleuth

Girl Detectives and Adventurous Girls in the 20th Century Young Adult Novel

Featuring over thirty vintage novels, many rarely seen, this exhibit is a glimpse into the world of the girl protagonist in young adult literature. Throughout the 20th century, books marketed towards girls have been a staple of young adult literature. Series such as The Outdoor Girls and Judy Bolton Mysteries were popular in the early decades of the 20th century; the publication of the first of the Nancy Drew Mysteries in 1930 was a catalyst for exponential growth of the genre. Running the gamut from serious to the sublimely silly, these novels illustrate the enduring appeal of these literary heroines, inviting us to reflect on the depiction of girls and girlhood in popular culture.