The Mystery of the Ivory Charm

I only think I read this once as a kid, and I know why now. Simply put, the white colonialism that seeps into the pages is very much out of place with what we know about India now. This is one you can skip.

So close between So-So and Pan. I chose So-So for those who want to read the entire series. But, whoah! Racist, tedious, and poorly written. While there was danger, hidden tunnels, kidnappings, and arson, none of it felt urgent. Nancy even goes to a weekend party at her boyfriend’s fraternity even though the young boy she’s “protecting” has been kidnapped. WTF, Nancy? Hard not to eye-roll throughout this one. #oy

I never expected a Nancy Drew book to delve into politics. World politics at that. The preconcieved notions on others religious and cultural beliefs weave through this book. It made me think about assumptions, right or wrong. A lesson within a mystery.

I think this is one of the best Nancy Drew books. Nancy and friends attend a wild animal show where they meet Rishi and Rai. Rai treats the young Rishi horribly and Rishi runs away by hiding in the trunk of Nancy's car. When Nancy starts digging, she finds that Rishi is more than an abused boy - he's the son of a maharaji. He was kidnapped when he was very young and believed to be dead. Luckily, he meets Nancy and there is a happy ending.

I remember devouring these books in junior high, but this one was new and quite delightful. Looking forward to reading my next book in the series.

I absolutely loved Nancy Drew growing up. This was a series I latched on to for dear life and never let go. Anytime my mom and I would go to antique stores, we'd peruse the Nancy Drews and add them to the collection (oftentimes my mom had to make deals with me on how many I could buy). So, while I don't remember the exact details of each and every one, the entire series was amazing and really fed my love for reading (especially novels full of suspense and mystery). Thank you, Carolyn Keene, for giving us an intelligent female character to fall in love with in Nancy Drew!

#13 What secret life-giving power does the exquisite ivory elephant charm contain? Can the trinket really protect its wearer from all harm? Nancy Drew finds out when the owner of the Bengleton Wild-Animal Show asks her to investigate one of the performers who may be involved in some mysterious illegal scheme.The girl detective’s assignment becomes complicated when the elephant trainer’s young assistant, Rishi, seeks refuge at the Drew home from his cruel foster father, Rai.While following clues to help the boy find his real father, Nancy learns about an eerie abandoned house. She is harassed by its strange owner, Anita Allison, and the fiendish Rai. How Nancy uses the ivory charm, reunites a maharaja with his son, and brings the show more evildoers to justice will mystify readers from beginning to end. show less

What secret life-giving power does the exquisite ivory elephant charm contain? Can the trinket really protect its wearer form all harm?
Nancy Drew finds out when the owner of Bengleton Wild-Animal Show asks her to investigate one of the performers who may be involved in some mysterious illegal scheme.
The girl detective’s assignment becomes complicated when the elephant trainer’s young assistant, Rishi, seeks refuge at the Drew home form his cruel foster father, Rai.
While following clues to help the boy find his real rather, Nancy learns about an eerie abandoned house. She is harasses by its strange owner, Anita Allison, and fiendish Rai.
How Nancy uses the ivory charm, reunites a maharaja with his son, and brings the evildoers to show more justice will mystify readers form beginning to end. show less