The Hardy Boys

[Hola2Cora]

I am a parent of young boys, who are not teenagers yet, but look up to them. I did not read these books as a child, so my introduction to them is as an adult. I enjoy these books, because there is so much action packed into these short novels. My boys enjoy the fact that boys are the heros. I love the fact that the Hardy Boys are great role models in their language, willingness to always help people in trouble and readiness to give bad guys the benefit of the doubt sometimes, even though it leads to their own detriment. However, it does teach children to beware of strangers, because it could be a trap for something evil. The author did a great job of portraying males as strong, confident, educated, and great problem solvers. These books are difinitely a must read for all young boys.

[PashaRu]

I read Hardy Boys books as a teenager (many moons ago!) and have very fond memories of them. They are full of action and fun, and Frank & Joe are, as you say, good role models. There isn't the blood, gore, violence, profanity, and sick, twisted antagonists so prevalent in what passes as "entertainment" these days. But with each book you still felt like you were digging into a great mystery.

I read the books that were published throughout the 60s & 70s. The original books were revised & updated starting in 1959. But I haven't read any of the new series, which were introduced in 1979 and 1987.

May I recommend another series called The Three Investigators. This series features three boys who go sleuthing and solve mysteries (Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw, Bob Andrews). Each boy has his own particular talents and they all work together to solve the crime. As I remember, these stories can be a little "spookier" than the Hardy Boys, but they are perfectly appropriate for teenagers and lots of fun! I'm not sure if they're still in print, but you can get them used on Amazon for cheap.

[anomalocaris]

I loved them in third grade. Mostly because the school library was tiny and there weren't a lot of options. But, they're preteen fare. Also I don't imagine kids raised on violence and video games would be interested. They're very gentle books, where nothing bad ever happens to anyone, and moral lessons abound.

[thsavage2]

I read these as an elementary schooler, and they were good for that age group. However, even as a 10 year old kid, I remember thinking they get a bit formulaic and predictable after reading 3 or 4, and I don't think I read many more than that for that reason. I'd recommend reading a few, though, because they aren't bad books. I never read Nancy Drew but my younger sister loves those.

[Norma_Rudolph]

I used to read Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew growing up. I think every youngster should read at least one. I agree that they are not much fun to read as an adult however. They are good starter books for the age who are just getting into real chapter books and such.

[bluebutterfly2]

At one point I had read nearly the entire old series of The Hardy Boys, and nearly the entire The Hardy Boys Casefiles series. I loved both, but I would start with the old series. It lays the groundwork for the Casefiles. My favorite character was Frank Hardy. I'm thinking that I would love to re-read both. I also read Nancy Drew, but didn't finish the series. They just weren't as interesting as the Hardys.

-- 12 Sep 2014, 17:38 --

Hello everyone.
I liked the show when it was on television. At that time I didn't have access to any of the books. The show was very nice.

You should still totally read the books. Books (as you probably know) often have a lot more detail than a movie or show. These books are great even for adults. If you think the older version is too childish, you could start with The Hardy Boys Casefiles. It's way more intense and recommended for teens and older.

-- 12 Sep 2014, 17:41 --

I don't know if I ever actually read any of The Hardy Boys series, but I wanted to and still do. Maybe I will someday. They seem awfully interesting and fun, like a good read.

You totally should read them, and if you think that the older version is too childish you should read The Hardy Boy
Casefiles.

-- 13 Sep 2014, 10:47 --

I have read the series in my childhood and loved it. Now I don't have the patience for it.

That's too bad. However I understand that the older version could be considered somewhat slow or not exciting enough for some adults. I suggest you try The Hardy Boy Casefiles. The originals are for grade school children, but The Casefiles are for teens and up. They are a lot more suspenseful and complex than the originals.

-- 13 Sep 2014, 10:49 --

I am a parent of young boys, who are not teenagers yet, but look up to them. I did not read these books as a child, so my introduction to them is as an adult. I enjoy these books, because there is so much action packed into these short novels. My boys enjoy the fact that boys are the heros. I love the fact that the Hardy Boys are great role models in their language, willingness to always help people in trouble and readiness to give bad guys the benefit of the doubt sometimes, even though it leads to their own detriment. However, it does teach children to beware of strangers, because it could be a trap for something evil. The author did a great job of portraying males as strong, confident, educated, and great problem solvers. These books are difinitely a must read for all young boys.

I too like the fact that the boys are portrayed as decent human beings who look out for others. I'm glad you and your boys enjoy them.

[MysteryReader95]

I love the Hardy boys and Nancy drew series. The classic series are great, but I have found that I prefer the modern series of both. In the modern series, the Hardy boys are secret agents for American Teens Against Crime.

[Seabiscuit1308]

I recommend The Hardy Boys coupled with Encyclopedia Brown to inquisitive young minds!

[pretzelsnow]

I remember when I was younger, I would read Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, I loved these classic mystery books, and would recommend them for any child.

Me too!

[marokee]

I loved these books as a kid. There were filled with suspense and thrill, my mom had to pry them out of my hands so I would go to sleep. It wasn't long before I was a fast enough reader to finish a book in a day. I was thrilled. What is most interesting about these books is the wide variety of subject matter the series encounters. Everything ranging from local thieves to South American treasure to the English supernatural. For the target audience, I give the books 5/5.

[ananya92]

I really enjoyed these books as a teenager and would recommend them for teens. I agree that they are a good counterpart to the Nancy Drew series.

[blitzssm]

Must've read at least 150 or so by the time I was 14 beginning around 6-7, didn't really have time for it later.

Started reading again around 22. Somehow just can't escape the allure!