By Marcia Martin
Copyright 1957
Unlike Nancy Drew, Donna Parker is a normal teenager from
the fifties, with occasional immature outbursts, disagreements with her
parents, worries about money and clothes, and plenty of lapses in good judgment.
In this volume, Donna has been frustrated with the perceived
strict rules of her parents. Why can’t
they see she’s practically grown up and doesn’t need them watching her every
move? When her father is sent overseas
on business and her mother is allowed to go with, Donna and her little brother
will be left home with a new, friendly, young teacher for an extended
time. Finally, Donna will be able to
have some fun! While they do have their
share of fun and parties, Donna comes to realize that that those rules of her
parents had a purpose. By the end of the
book when her parents return, she has learned her lesson. Her parents only want the best for her and so
discipline is sometimes necessary.
While it was refreshing to read a fictional story about a
character that really could have been the “girl next door”, one aspect of this
book was frustrating. Donna owns a pet
dove, and in her mother’s absence, she sometimes lets the dove out to fly
around the kitchen. Sure, the dove makes
a mess and rips up papers left lying around, but Donna wants her pet to be
happy so she continues to let it happen.
An open cookie jar was used as a container for the weekly money. Several times, Donna was shocked to find
bills missing. Could it have been the
cleaning lady who took it? Could it have
been Marjorie, the kind, young teacher?
Could it have been her little brother?
Use your brain, Donna!
It wasn’t until page 276 that Donna found a pile of ripped up money on
top of a cabinet and realized that her beloved dove had been the thief.
If only Donna's neighbor was Nancy Drew. One short visit from Nancy and the mystery
would have been solved, saving Donna from all her worrying!
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