Why worry about censorship, so long as we have librarians?
–Ernest F. Ayres
(1929)

Reception by the Pros

A 1929 article called “Not to be circulated” listed 63 authors considered unacceptable in “standardized libraries.” Many of the unacceptable were pseudonymous authors of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, representing in turn hundreds of popular books that were banned from public and school libraries. Librarians attacked series literature, including the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, in the same way they went after dime novels in an earlier era. Their arguments ranged from the practical to the paternal, including

• The heroes are not like real children.
• Stories could lead to disrespectful behavior
• Girls who read boys series books might begin to make excessive demands
• Series books give a false view of life
• Series books are habit forming time wasters
• Series books are suggestive and over-stimulating
• Series books are mediocre, silly and, at best, harmless
• Series books are a poor use of limited library funds

It was not until movies, radio and television became more available leisure–time activities for young readers that librarians relented and started to include series books in public library collections.

A query to the Chicago Public Library revealed that CPL did not stock series books before sometime in the 1960s.

Popular Reception

Being barred from library collections never hurt Nancy Drew's popularity or her success. In one six-week period in 1933 Macy's sold six thousand books. By the early 1980s, fifty years after the series began,Nancy Drew Mystery Stories had sold over 80 million books. Later generation spinoffs like Nancy Drew Notebooks, Nancy Drew Files and Nancy Drew Adventure Computer Games continue to be popular and profitable.

The allure of series fiction for young readers is connected with the pure pleasure derived from the reading. From the reader's perspective, series books offer certain reading advantages

• Series books are often the first independent reading experience
• Series books promise a reassuring familiarity
• They are easy to get into. The characters and settings carry over from book to book repeatedly
• Series solve the “what to read next” dilemma. Readers feel confident all titles will deliver a satisfying and pleasurable reading experience
• Series characters become beloved heroes and heroines. Readers want to know about and get caught up in their lives and adventures
• Series stories are exciting. They offer suspense, plot twists, surprises. But in the end, the goal is achieved or success is gained
• Series books balance danger with the safety of a happy ending
• Series book reading has a social component. Readers discuss the books and frequently trade titles

Books Banned in 1929

Patsy Carroll Books

Horatio Alger Books

Khaki Girls Series

Baseball Joe Series

Honey Bunch Books

Outdoor Girls Series

Boy Scout Series

Ruth Fielding Stories