Edward Stratemeyer

Let me first compliment Brenda Lange and Kyle Zimmer on their attempts to disseminate information regarding this prolific, yet virtually unknown, creator and writer of the some of the world's best known juvenile book series. I encourage its inclusion in any reader's collection on the history of juvenile literature and give this aspect of the book, four stars. However, it is a shame that these authors did not consult Edward Stratemeyer's family or more fully use the considerable knowledge of Syndicate researcher, James Keeline, for their book's research. For this reason, I had to exclude one star from my review. Stratemeyer Syndicate ghost writer Leslie McFarlane's biography and many previously published Syndicate history offerings were a poor resource as they contain many inaccuracies in their data and their personal depictions of Edward Stratemeyer. McFarlane never met Edward personally or even spoke to him on the phone. I am somewhat dismayed at this published repetition of this aspect of such inadequately researched Syndicate material.Clearly, the full and completely accurate story of Edward Stratemeyer will still have to wait for the comprehensive book my sister and I are writing about the personal history of our great-grandfather, and James Keeline's study of this incredible man and his writing syndicate.

Chelsea House's "Who Wrote That?" biography series features the lives of authors familiar to young adults. They won't recognize the name Edward Stratemeyer right off the bat, though. He began as a writer in his own right and gradually became the driving force behind the publication of a myriad of mystery series aimed at teenagers in the early 1900s. Among his most popular character-creations were the Rover Boys, Tom Swift, the Bobbsey Twins, the Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew. While he outlined the plots, a variety of individuals in his "Stratemeyer Snydicate" actually penned the texts. Not much is known about Stratemeyer's personal life, so a large portion of this volume is spent in focus on the series books themselves. Lange includes quotes from some of the "real" authors who had initially agreed to Stratemeyer's silent ghostwriter rule. She also summarizes research about the series' popularity over the years and how they were the right publications for the right audience at the right time. For example, the fictional depiction of independent young females like Nancy Drew gave credence to the real-life feminism of the day.Diehard fans of all ages may find it disconcerting to learn that no Carolyn Keene or Franklin W. Dixon exist. While that knowledge might take away some of the magic and appeal of the titles, it also serves as proof of the success of such a publishing endeavor. Equally disturbing may be the fact that our heroes are all pretty old: Frank and Joe Hardy and Nancy Drew first showed up in print in the 1930s, and the Bobbsey Twins appeared in 1904! And yet they endure and remain among the classics of children's literature.