Are You Nancy Drew?

         "Psst...Look.  There she is."

         "Who?"

         "Nancy Drew, Duh!"

         "Nancy Drew is in a book.  She's not real."

         "Look.  I'm telling you: Nancy Drew works right here at our library.  Just look at her and see for yourself."

         "Where?"

         "Peek around the corner.  She has a cart full of books to put away....Do you see her?"

         "Yes, I see her."

         "Well?"

         "Ok.  She looks like Nancy Drew."

         "Have you ever seen anyone who looked more like Nancy Drew?"

         "Well, no, I guess not."

         "See, right here in the book, it says ‘...titian hair...' that means reddish, you know."

         "I know.  Geez, do you think I'm stupid or something?"

         "Did you see that cool convertible out in the parking lot when my mom dropped us off?"

         "Yeah?"

         "Well, it looks just like the one she drives in the books, and every time I'm here and ‘Nancy' is working, that car is parked outside."

         "Interesting.  Now let's go before she sees us and wonders what we're doing over here."

         "I have to get a couple of books.  I'll meet you at the table."

         "Okay."



         "Are you looking for something in particular?"

         "Oh, um...I need a book about science projects."

         "Then you want to be over in the 507 section.  Try 507.8 to be exact.  That's the Juvenile Science Section.  Here, let me show you."

         "Okay.  Thank you."

         "Have you chosen a particular project yet or are you just starting to find one?"

         "I...um...I haven't picked one yet.  Do you know of any good ones?"

         "I did a project once where I planted lima beans in cups.  I wanted to see how light, water, temperature, and music affected my seedlings."

         "What did you do?"

         "I planted eight seeds and labeled the cups: light, dark, wet, dry, warm, cold, music, and no music.  I waited for the seedlings to sprout and recorded my results on a big chart with measurements and photographs."

         "Cool.  What happened, Nancy...I mean...uh...what happened?"

         "Oh, I can't reveal that kind of secret.  It's a mystery, and you have to solve it for yourself by doing your own experiments."

         "My...uh...own experiment?"

         "Yes.  That is what you're looking for, isn't it?  A science experiment?"

         "Uh...yes.  That's right...a science experiment."



         "What took you so long?"

         "I asked ‘Nancy' to help me find a book."

         "And..."

         "She's just like you'd think Nancy Drew would be.  She was polite and helpful.  And she's so smart she even knew what number the science books would be in...without even looking!"

         "Wow."

         "She told me about a science project she did when she was little, but she said the results were a mystery I'd have to solve for myself!  I think I will do the same project for class."

         "Cool.  You could tell everyone that Nancy Drew helped you to pick it out!"



         "Oh, wait Mom.  Before we go I have to do one thing."

         "Okay, but hurry."

         "Uh...lady?  Can I ask you one more question?"

         "Of course."

         "Are you Nancy Drew?"

         "Shhhh.  I'm working on a case and don't want to blow my cover.  Will you keep my secret?"

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