Book Battle
When I was a kid, there were some hard and fast choices to be made.
Coke or Pepsi?
The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?
Superman or Batman?
Star Wars or Star Trek?
Angels or Dodgers?
However, the one I've remained most stubborn about my entire life is The Three Investigators versus The Hardy Boys. I came down squarely on the side of Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw, and Bob Andrews. To this day I still have my cherished collection of first edition Three Investigators novels.
I've read most of them to my son, wanting to enjoy them all over again with him, and he's become as enthralled as I was with the three clever friends who solve ghostly mysteries.
The problem is he's playing both sides and finds equal enjoyment in reading about those bumbling Hardy brothers. He has his own growing collection of Hardy Boys books, which I give disdainful glances whenever I'm in his room.
But a few weeks ago my son called me out. He asked, "Daddy, have you ever tried reading a Hardy Boys book?" I had to admit that for one reason or another I just never got around to them.
That night, when I went into my room to get ready for bed, I found this on my pillow:
The note reads "I hope you read this book and enjoy it." He had picked out one of his favorites for me.
I read it. It wasn't bad. Actually kind of exciting in places. I have to give props to the Hardy Boys for being extremely brave (or really stupid) and running headlong into some dangerous situations. The book was well written, a real page-turner for young boys. I guess it'll be okay if my son reads both series.
But still, I'd rather spend the day exploring secret passages in the Jones Salvage Yard, riding around in a Rolls Royce, and meeting Alfred Hitchcock!
Coke or Pepsi?
The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?
Superman or Batman?
Star Wars or Star Trek?
Angels or Dodgers?
However, the one I've remained most stubborn about my entire life is The Three Investigators versus The Hardy Boys. I came down squarely on the side of Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw, and Bob Andrews. To this day I still have my cherished collection of first edition Three Investigators novels.
I've read most of them to my son, wanting to enjoy them all over again with him, and he's become as enthralled as I was with the three clever friends who solve ghostly mysteries.
The problem is he's playing both sides and finds equal enjoyment in reading about those bumbling Hardy brothers. He has his own growing collection of Hardy Boys books, which I give disdainful glances whenever I'm in his room.
But a few weeks ago my son called me out. He asked, "Daddy, have you ever tried reading a Hardy Boys book?" I had to admit that for one reason or another I just never got around to them.
That night, when I went into my room to get ready for bed, I found this on my pillow:
The note reads "I hope you read this book and enjoy it." He had picked out one of his favorites for me.
I read it. It wasn't bad. Actually kind of exciting in places. I have to give props to the Hardy Boys for being extremely brave (or really stupid) and running headlong into some dangerous situations. The book was well written, a real page-turner for young boys. I guess it'll be okay if my son reads both series.
But still, I'd rather spend the day exploring secret passages in the Jones Salvage Yard, riding around in a Rolls Royce, and meeting Alfred Hitchcock!
Permalink posted by Phil at 12:43 AM
14 Comments:
OMG, are you kidding me? This is why we are friends.
Sitting right on the shelf above the computer are 29 of the original Three Investigators books that both Larry & I read as kids. We both loved them and I've read almost every one them at least three times.
The Stuttering Parrot is my favorite...222B. Classic!
I never heard of The Three Investigators, but I did read a lot of Hardy Boys. I thought they were fun, though limited.
I'm with you. The Three Investigators win out over Hardy Boys any day of the week. And I can't think of the Hardy Boys anymore without thinking of the South Park parody of them.
PS I'm insanely jealous that you've got a collections of the hardbacks. I used to check them out from the library. I've eyed them on eBay more than once.
OK, I'm a girl. Read the Nancy Drew books, never got into the Hardy Boys...because I didn't have any brothers and the books weren't around my house.
The three Investigators sounds interesting. My girls love mysteries. They aren't into ND, she's too girly. Maybe they'd like the 3I's. I'll give it a try.
Did you see you are featured on the blog page of SpokaneMama?
I was always a Swallows and amazons man myself.
(I have a slight suspicion you have no idea what I'm talking about however, but trust me - the best kids books in the universe)
The Secret Panel (that was my favorite too)... Oooh, even though I'm a girl, I read the Hardy Boy's books over Nancy Drew. Probably because they were readily available from my brothers. Today I found my husband's collection while cleaning out our storage room ... I'll guess we will keep them a bit longer.
Im with Dan on this one lol Swallows and Amazons have to be just the bestest kids books in the world.....
X
Man, I haven't thought of the Three Investigators in a long time. I love those books.
I may have to start picking them up for the boys.
Soooooooo much prefer the Three Investigators to the Hardy Boys. Although with a note like that, I'd be persuaded to question my allegiances, too.
Three Investigators Fans! A movie has finally been made of one of the books. It comes out in November. The bad news, it's GERMAN!
Watch the trailer here
According to this , it was actually filmed in English but a German company owns the movie and TV rights. Sounds like the books are popular in Germany.
Hardy Boys, Of course.
I love to find out about new books. I had never heard of the Three Investigators.
Thanks.
I think The Hardy Boys had better marketing.
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