Be all you can be

I admit I like to read vintage kids books. With a growing collection of Trixie Belden books, somewhat similar is the Donna Parker series, also published over the late 50s, early 60s by Whitman. Currently I’m enjoying Donna Parker – Mystery at Arawak, where our heroine has a summer job as a junior counsellor at Camp Arawak. Donna differs from Trixie, experiencing more ‘life lessons’ instead of crime solving and clue hounding. The author also uses over-the-top foreshadowing ie. “If Donna had only known how important the events at this evening’s dance were to her future…”

But I’ve come across one of the most ‘time-stamped’ passages that I just have to share. It’s a scream.
First, an earlier snicker-filled scene: Donna has made a new friend at camp. Amy is ‘sweet’ but the boys don’t like her and Donna doesn’t understand why. Donna asks Tommy why he can’t find a date for Amy so they can all go to the dance together.

3 Responses to “Be all you can be”

1. Mom says:

   Oct 30, 2009 at 6:04 pm

   You forgot teacher and good Catholic girls could add Nun.

2. JA says:

   Oct 30, 2009 at 6:12 pm

   I didn’t write the book,I just report on my findings.

   And how come authoress didn’t include “authoress”? I guess they don’t wear recognizable hats (that argument doesn’t work for nuns tho’)

3. Red Ensign says:

   Nov 1, 2009 at 5:51 pm

   Well gosh JA, good to know you’re reading material with value for young girls. I’m confused though, you talk about these entries like they’re DATED or no longer relevant?!?!