The Crook Who Took the Book by Carolyn Keene

1
Big Book News
    F ridays are the coolest,” Nancy Drew said. Her third-grade class was walking in single file through the hall of their school, Carl Sandburg Elementary.
    In front of Nancy marched her best friend George Fayne. George’s real name was Georgia, but she hated to be called that. Behind Nancy was her other best friend, Bess Marvin. Bess and George were cousins.
    â€œI know,” George whispered over her shoulder. “Friday is the day before Saturday. And Saturday means soccer.”
    â€œThat’s true,” said Nancy, who was also on the soccer team. “But I love Friday because it’s library day.”
    Just as she said this, their teacher, Mrs. Reynolds, brought the class to a halt in front of the library. Nancy peeked through the door and saw that Mrs. Apple’s third graders were already inside.
    â€œNow, class,” Mrs. Reynolds announced. “Remember to keep your voices low while you choose your books. And at the end of our library time, Mrs. Goldstein has an announcement for us.”
    â€œHmm,” Nancy whispered to Bess as the class poured into the library. “I wonder what the news is.”
    â€œWell, I wonder if a new Susie book has come in,” Bess said. She headed straight for the shelf where her favorite books were kept.
    George plopped down on the floor to peer at the animal books.
    Nancy wandered over to the mysteries. She pulled out a book called Tick-Tock Went the Missing Clock.
    â€œThis looks good,” she murmured. Soon she’d forgotten all about Mrs. Goldstein’snews. She’d lost herself in the story. It was about a detective who had to find a clock before it struck twelve—or else!
    â€œHey,” George said, popping up at Nancy’s shoulder. “Don’t you get enough mysteries in real life? I can’t believe you want to read them, too.”
    Nancy looked up and shrugged. “I guess I never get sick of solving mysteries,” she said. Then she pointed to the book under George’s arm. “What did you get?”
    â€œI found this neat book about giraffes,” George said. “Did you know giraffes are related to camels?”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œAnd their tongues are black!” George said. “I’m not sure why. I guess I’ll have to read the book to find out.”
    â€œBlech,” said a squeaky voice.
    Nancy and George turned to see Andy Nixon near the science-fiction shelf. Andy was in Mrs. Apple’s class.
    â€œBooks are boring,” Andy scoffed. “Unless they’re comic books.”
    George rolled her eyes and muttered, “Boys.”
    â€œI have twenty-seven comic books at home,” Andy said. “They’re really old. I keep each one in its own plastic envelope so it won’t get bent or dirty. My dad collects comic books, too.”
    â€œIsn’t it hard to read a book that’s in a plastic envelope?” Nancy said.
    â€œThat’s the point,” Andy said. “My comic books are totally special. My dad says they’re collector’s items. Someday I could sell them. Not that I’d want to. They’re mine!”
    â€œWhat good is a book if you don’t read it?” Katie Zaleski piped up. She’d been listening in from a nearby section. “I’m going to be a writer when I grow up. My books will be so great, everyone will want to read them.”
    â€œLike Morton Sandback,” Nancy said, nodding at Katie. “Every time one of his mysteries comes out, I just have to read it.”
    Just then Mrs. Goldstein, the librarian, walked up to them. Mrs. Goldstein had curly brown hair and hazel eyes. She was wearing a bright blue cardigan sweater.
    â€œIt’s funny that you should mentionMorton Sandback, girls,” she said. “I was just about to make an announcement about him.”



Nancy gave a little hop of joy. She couldn’t wait to hear the news.
    Mrs. Goldstein raised