Nancy Drew False Notes

Nancy Drew False Notes
By Carolyn Keene
Illustrations by Zach Horn
Teacher’s Guide
Nancy Drew False Notes
This guide provides vocabulary lists as well as comprehension and discussion
questions pertaining to the material in each chapter. The questions in “Nancy’s Notes”
are written directly to the students so that you can use them just as they are written, as
discussion points, journal prompts or as writing assignments for your students as they
read the story. You may want to explain that book clubs often focus on parts of stories for
discussion and that your class will function as a book club, talking about the story as you
read each chapter. And, since this story appears in a newspaper, there are many learning
activities throughout the guide that direct students to other parts of the newspaper to
extend your lessons.
Summary of the Story
Nancy is wrestling with the dilemma of what to buy her father
for his birthday when she is confronted with a mystery. It seems
that a young piano prodigy is missing but no one, including the
young girl’s parents, is reporting the crime to the police. Nancy is
hot on the trail of proving that the mystery is real while trying to
find the whereabouts of the missing pianist. The prodigy’s mother is
considering running for mayor of the town and Nancy suspects that
her opponent is behind the missing girl’s disappearance. Nancy and
her friends Bess and George go to extremes to find the missing girl
before she misses her opportunity to audition for a music
scholarship. In the end, the mystery is solved and the young girl is
returned, not in time for the audition, but with Nancy’s help, she
still earns a scholarship. And, when Nancy arranges for the prodigy
to play at her dad’s birthday party, she has found the perfect gift,
too!
Chapter One
Vocabulary
Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a
definition based on the context. If they cannot define the word, they
should check with a dictionary. They should identify the root word
and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.
wary
reputation
psychic
fates
convenient
sleuthing
distraught
grim
sedan
Comprehension Questions
Q. Why is Nancy having a party on Thursday?
A. It’s her father’s birthday.
Q. What does Nancy see out the window that worries her?
A. She sees a couple having an argument and they look very upset.
Nancy’s Notes
Here are some thinking and writing activities students can do after
reading this chapter.
1. Imagine that you are Nancy and you are a detective who likes to
solve mysteries. Get started right away on this one. Start a journal
and in it you will keep important details that you find in the story.
What do you think is important to remember from this chapter?
Write down a few notes about what happened in this chapter that
might give you clues about the mystery. Then, after you read each
chapter, add more notes to your journal.
2. Lucia is a psychic. She admits that she really can’t predict the
future too accurately. Do you believe that some people can predict
the future? Check the horoscopes in your newspaper and see what
yours is. Write a paragraph telling whether you believe what you
read. Then, check back tomorrow to see if your horoscope came
true.
Learning Standards: predicting, evaluating information
Chapter Two
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
hunch
qualifications
employer
haven
destitute
sheepishly
clattered
dismayed
Comprehension Questions
Q. Who was the woman that Nancy saw in the argument?
A. She was Heather Simmons, who is thinking of running for mayor.
Q. Why don’t people like the other possible mayoral candidate?
A. He only recently moved to town.
Q. How did Nancy’s dad react when she mentioned Heather and Clay
Simmons?
A. He got very upset.
Nancy’s Notes
Here are some thinking and writing activities students can do after
reading this chapter.
1. What do you know about Nancy so far? Write a description of
Nancy and everything you know about her personality.
2. Nancy, her dad and her housekeeper have dinner table
discussions in which they talk about their day. When do you tell
your family about your day? Do you think it’s important to have
this kind of talk each day? Why?
Learning Standards: writing descriptions, understanding the role of
families
Chapter Three
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
demeanor
attorney
client
conservatory
sputtering
incident
chaotic
patented
guffawed
Comprehension Questions
Q. What is Leslie Simmons competing for?
A. She’s trying to win a scholarship to the music conservatory.
Q. Is George’s room tidy?
A. No, it’s a mess.
Q. Do Bess and George think there is a real mystery here?
A. They’re not sure but they respect Nancy’s hunches.
Nancy’s Notes
Here are some thinking and writing activities students can do after
reading this chapter.
1. Bess and George are cousins and good friends. Bess seems to be
envious about George’s ability to eat without gaining weight. Do you
think you can envy someone and still care about that person? If you
are jealous of something your friend has, does that mean that you
are not good friends? Write a paragraph telling what you think
about jealousy and friendship. Can jealousy ever be good for a
relationship?
2. Nancy’s dad is a lawyer. Is that an occupation that interests you?
Is being a lawyer and important job? What are some other jobs that
matter? Check the Help Wanted ads in the newspaper to make a list
of the five most important jobs. Rank them from 1-5 in order of
importance with 1 being the most important. For each job, give a
reason why it’s important. Then tell which of the jobs, if any, you
might be interested in having someday.
Learning Standards: evaluating careers, prioritizing
Chapter Four
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
scrolling
archive
intent
recital
clapboard
fundraiser
sprinted
Comprehension Questions
Q. How did the girls learn about Granger’s plans to run for mayor?
A. They found the information on the official town Web site.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
When is the deadline for mayoral race paperwork to be in?
The deadline is Friday.
How long has it been since Leslie last had a bulletin board entry?
It’s been two days.
What does Nancy want to do to find out more?
She wants to go to the Simmons’ house.
Nancy’s Notes
Here are some thinking and writing activities students can do after
reading this chapter.
1. Nancy saw something inside the Simmons’ house that was a clue.
What do you suppose it was? Read the chapter again carefully, think
about what Nancy already knows about Leslie, and make a guess
about what you think she saw that is a clue to whether Leslie is
missing.
2. Nancy, Bess and George are great friends. They trust each other
enough to be able to tease each other without hurting one another’s
feelings. What else is needed to make a terrific friendship? What
makes you like someone? Can you find someone in today’s
newspaper that you think could be a good friend? Write a
description of that person and what you think makes him or her
good friend material.
Learning Standards: locating information, analyzing relationships
Chapter Five
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
distract
unopposed
auditions
prodigies
ransom
property
despicable
Comprehension Questions
Q. What reason does Nancy think Granger would have to kidnap
Leslie?
A. She thinks he might want to distract Heather from the mayoral
race.
Q. What did Nancy see at the house that made her suspicious?
A. The piano keys were dusty.
Q. Why doesn’t Nancy want to call the police?
A. She doesn’t want to put Leslie in more danger.
Nancy’s Notes
Here are some thinking and writing activities students can do after
reading this chapter.
1. The girls suspect that Heather and Clay Simmons are in trouble
but are choosing not to go to the police because they think that is
best for their child. Do you think this is a good choice? If you were
in this kind of trouble, with someone you know in danger, would
you call the police? To whom do you go when you have a serious
problem? Write a letter to that person, telling him or her how much
it means to you to have a safe person to talk to when you need one.
2. At this point, perhaps the police should be involved in Leslie’s
case. Can you find a story in the newspaper in which the police were
involved? Write a summary of the story and of the part played by
the police. The mission of many police forces is “to protect and to
serve.” In the story you found, how are they protecting and serving?
Learning Standards: writing for different purposes, summarizing
Chapter Six
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
urgently
apron-clad
propped
yapping
racket
gauged
feeble
Comprehension Questions
Q. How does Nancy get into Granger’s home?
A. The front door was open for a cleaning service and she walked in.
Q. What happens to Nancy in Granger’s house?
A. He comes home and she is trapped in the basement.
Nancy’s Notes
Here are some thinking and writing activities students can do after
reading this chapter.
1. Nancy chooses to go into Granger’s house without permission. Of
course you know that such a move would be against the law and
wrong to do. Do you think that Nancy made a good choice? Is it ever
okay to do something that is illegal if it is for a good reason? For
example, imagine that you are a very poor person and that your
child is quite ill. You need medicine for him but don’t have money
to pay for it. Do you steal the medicine if that is the only way to get
it? Stealing is illegal. Is it okay if it’s for a good reason? Debate this
in your class and write an essay telling what you think.
2. Find an article in the newspaper about someone who made a good
choice and about another person who made a poor choice. Compare
the two choices.
Learning Standards: justifying personal perspective, comparing
Chapter Seven
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
frantic
knack
trouser
dilemma
Comprehension Questions
Q. How does Nancy get out of the basement?
A. Bess picks the lock on the outside door and lets her out.
Q. Did Nancy find any valuable information at Granger’s house?
A. No, she did not.
Nancy’s Notes
1. Nancy thinks that if Granger catches her, she still might be able to
talk her way out of the situation. Imagine that he did catch her in
the basement. Write the conversation as it might have taken place
between Granger and Nancy. What could she possibly say to explain
why she was in his house? You can also write a paragraph about an
embarrassing time in your life.
2. Like many people, Mr. Granger talks to his dog. Check out the
comic strips in the newspaper to find people and animals
communicating. Write a description of the communication – the
method and the message.
Learning Standards: writing dialogue and descriptions
Chapter Eight
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
amateur
sleuthing
perturbed
ushered
inkling
Comprehension Questions
Q. What did Nancy ask Ned to do?
A. To arrange an interview for himself and her at Rackham
Industries so she can find out more about Granger.
Q. Does Mr. Halloran give Nancy any information about Granger’s
plans?
A. No, he says it’s all rumor.
Nancy’s Notes
1. Throughout the story, Nancy depends on her friends to help her
and in this chapter, she asks Ned for a favor. Friendship is a give
and take relationship in that good friends are able to ask for and
accept help when it’s needed. Can you think of a time when you
asked a friend to help you with something? Write that person a
letter of thanks telling him or her how much you appreciate the
ability to count on your friend and promising to be similarly helpful
to them.
2. Ned is able to get into a lot of businesses because he is working as
a reporter for a newspaper. Reporters have to ask good questions to
get the information they need to write detailed stories. Choose an
interesting article from the newspaper and write at least five
questions you think the reporter would have asked in interviewing
people for the story.
Learning Standards: reflecting on relationships, generating
questions
Chapter Nine
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
lame
humiliated
angling
subtle
sympathetic
Comprehension Questions
Q. Were Nancy and Deirdre good friends?
A. No, they don’t like each other.
Q. At this point, does Nancy have any solid evidence of a mystery?
A. No, she still only has a hunch and that’s why she still doesn’t
want to go to the police.
Nancy’s Notes
1. It is clear that Nancy and Deirdre don’t like each other. It appears
that they have had some kind of conflict in the past. What do you
do when you conflict with someone? What do you think is the best
way to resolve a conflict? What do you think Nancy and Deirdre
could do to get along better? Imagine that you are their school
counselor and that the two of them are coming in to work with you.
Write what you would say to help them improve their ability to get
along.
2. Nancy says that she and Deirdre got along “as well as oil and
water.” What does that mean? If you mix oil and water, they do not
blend together, but, rather, each stays separate from the other. Do
you think that means that Nancy and Deirdre were good friends or
not? Such an expression is called a metaphor. That is when you
describe something by comparing it to something else. In this case,
Nancy is describing her relationship to Deirdre by comparing it to
the mixture of oil and water. It gives the reader a clear picture of
what the relationship is like and is far more interesting to read than
just saying that the girls didn’t like each other. Metaphors help the
readers to use their imaginations to understand the text more
deeply. Choose some photos from the newspaper and write some
metaphors to describe some of what you see pictured.
Learning Standards: solving problems, understanding metaphors
Chapter Ten
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
audition
retreat
reluctantly
Comprehension Questions
Q. Where do people think Leslie is?
A. They think she’s at a retreat.
Q. What doesn’t Nancy see that she thinks should be in the
auditorium?
A. She doesn’t see a cello even though there was supposed to be a
cello player at the recital.
Nancy’s Notes
1. This chapter holds several big clues to solving the mystery. Can
you find them? Read carefully to see what Nancy notices once she is
in the auditorium. See if you can add a clue to your log or journal.
(Note to teachers – the clues are that there is no cello there and,
therefore, no cellist rehearsing. At the same time, Nancy discovers
that cellist Diane Sharon is also vying for the scholarship. Nancy
also learns that Clay Simmons has been rude to Leslie’s piano
teacher.)
2. Mrs. Diver feels that Clay Simmons was rude to her. How does it
make you feel when people are rude to you? See if you can find an
example of rude behavior in the comic strips. Rewrite the strip you
found and change the rude talk to polite conversation.
Learning Standards: using evidence and reasoning, analyzing
characters
Chapter Eleven
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
speculated
meager
far-fetched
Comprehension Questions
Q. Why is Clay Simmons’ rudeness so suspicious?
A. Because he is normally very nice so Nancy thinks that there must
be a good reason why he’s been rude and that makes her think that
his daughter really is missing.
Q. What does Nancy want to do now in order to learn more?
A. She wants to follow Granger after he leaves his office.
Nancy’s Notes
1. Design the menu board for the sandwich shop. Since it’s near a
college campus, try to think of names for all the sandwiches that
would be cute for a college menu. For example, the turkey and
cheese sandwich could be called, “Poultry & Prose.” The plain
hamburger could be called, “Burger-Me 101.” See if you can come
up with names for at least five sandwiches.
2. The sandwich shop near the university is called, “Food For
Thought.” Since the story says that it’s near the university, using the
words food and thought make it a clever name for a restaurant. Do
you think that’s a good name for that kind of business? See if you
can find great business names listed in the newspaper. Check the
ads and choose the business name you think is most clever. Then
find one that is not so smart, look over the kind of business it is and
come up with a better name.
Learning Standards: writing for different purposes, understanding
business decisions
Chapter Twe l v e
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
emerged
clutched
intersection
haphazardly
scurried
quarry
debris
Comprehension Questions
Q. Where did Granger go?
A. He went to the hospital construction site.
Q. What happens at the site?
A. Granger spots the girls.
Nancy’s Notes
1. Here is a description from this chapter. “Piles of concrete, lumber,
and stone were everywhere, and pale-gray plaster dust coated
everything, giving the area the look of a moon colony beneath the
dim gleam of the setting sun.” Do you see how this description gives
a really vivid description of the scene? By describing the
construction site in such detail and comparing it to the look of a
moon colony at sunset, the writer paints a picture with words. This
is a great way to make your writing come alive. Try it yourself.
Think of a scene that you can write a description of in great detail.
Add it to your writing journal. See if you can paint a picture with
words. Think of this activity as “showing” rather than “telling.” That
means that you will show the reader what the scene looks like by
using lots of detail.
2. Be a detail detective. Check the newspaper for a story that has
lots of vivid description and detail. Copy a part of it into your
writing journal and underline the words and phrases that you think
add the most interest to the writing.
Learning Standards: writing with supportive details, recognizing
words
Chapter Thirteen
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
clambered
blurted
rapped
earnestly
peril
Comprehension Questions
Q. What does Granger do when Nancy tells him that Leslie may have
been kidnapped?
A. He goes to the Simmons’ home to talk to her parents.
Q. What did Leslie’s note say?
A. It said, “I’ll be back.”
Nancy’s Notes
1. When Mr. Granger spots Nancy, she immediately tells him the
truth. Do you think that was a good choice? Should she have told
the truth or should she have made up a believable story about why
she was there? Talk about this with your class.
2. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons worry that they should have gone to the
police for help and now it may be too late. Are there any stories in
the newspaper involving the police? Can you find a story in which
the police were able to help someone? Write a summary of the story
you found.
Learning Standards: discussing shared issues in the human
experience, summarizing
Chapter Fourteen
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
startled
distract
barging
Comprehension Questions
Q. Whom does Nancy want to question next?
A. She wants to talk to Diane Sharon’s parents.
Q. What does Nancy learn about Diane at her house?
A. She finds out that Diane is at the family’s cabin.
Nancy’s Notes
1. Playing a piano or any instrument takes a great deal of practice.
What things do you do that get better with practice? Write about the
things you do that you get better at when you practice.
2. The Sharon family has a cabin somewhere as a recreational home.
Are there ads in the Classified section of the newspaper about
recreational homes or areas in your region? Skim those ads and see
what possibilities there are for vacation homes nearby.
Learning Standards: understanding the importance of practice to
improve performance, locating information
Chapter Fifteen
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
shoo-in
debt
conviction
chiding
Comprehension Questions
Q. How far away is Lake Firefly?
A. It’s a four-hour drive.
Q. Why doesn’t George think that the Sharons kidnapped Leslie?
A. She doesn’t think they need the scholarship money because they
appear to be wealthy because they have a nice house.
Nancy’s Notes
1. Nancy and her friends don’t want their parents to worry about
where they are all night so they agree to tell their parents that
they’re sleeping at one another’s homes instead of telling them the
truth which is that they are going to Lake Firefly. Do you think that
was a good way to solve the problem? What would you have done in
that situation?
2. Nancy thinks that the Sharons committed this crime because they
were desperate. Skim the newspaper for a story about a crime. For
what reason do you think the criminal committed the crime?
Learning Standards: understanding issues related to one’s own
experience, skimming
Chapter Sixteen
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
defeat
rustic
intersection
Comprehension Questions
Q. Why does Bess blame herself for running out of gas even though
she was not driving?
A. She thinks that she should have double-checked Nancy because
she knows how Nancy is with things like that because this isn’t the
first time this has happened.
Q. How did the girls get gas?
A. George called an all-night truck stop and convinced a worker to
bring them some gas.
Q. Why can’t the girls find the Sharons’ house?
A. They don’t have the address and the addresses aren’t listed
online.
Nancy’s Notes
1. This chapter begins with the word “Aargh.” The word is actually a
sound. Check the comic strips to find other examples of words that
are sounds. Write a list of those and then write a sentence for each
one. Add to the list any others that you can think of.
Learning Standards: exploring different speaking behaviors that
enhance communication, writing for different purposes
Chapter Seventeen
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
droned
composure
Comprehension Questions
Q. What did Nancy hear that gave her a clue about which was the
Sharons’ house?
A. She heard someone playing a piano.
Q. Why is Leslie surprised to see Nancy?
A. She was expecting Mr. Sharon to pick her up earlier.
Q. Why can’t the girls get Leslie back in time?
A. They have to get there in three hours and it’s a four hour drive.
Q. Did Leslie write the note?
A. No. She didn’t know about it.
Nancy’s Notes
1. One of the reasons that Leslie is upset is because her best friend
betrayed her. Do you think she and Diane can be friends again, even
after the trust was broken? Write an essay about the importance of
trust in a friendship.
2. Trust, honesty, loyalty and respect are all pillars of character and
they are all illustrated in various characters in this story. See if you
can find someone in the newspaper who exhibits each of these
character traits.
Learning Standards: analyzing contemporary social issues,
portraying positive characteristics
Chapter Eighteen
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
bounded
officially
optimistic
Comprehension Questions
Q. Who won the competition?
A. A flautist from West Heights won.
Q. Why did Nancy invite the Simmons to the party?
A. She wants to take their minds off of what happened.
Nancy’s Notes
1. In this chapter, there is a real insight into Leslie’s character. She is
an optimist who sees the positive side of things. What evidence of
that is there?
2. Leslie is not the only optimist in this story. Nancy says she woke
up “optimistic” about the evening’s festivities. What does that mean?
Can you find an optimist in the newspaper? How can you tell the
person you found is an optimist?
3. What do you predict will be the birthday present Nancy gets for
her dad?
Learning Standards: evaluating evidence, predicting
Chapter Nineteen
Vocabulary
Find each of these words in the chapter and write a definition based
on the context. If you cannot define the word, check with a
dictionary. Identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where
possible.
gratefully
wholeheartedly
landslide
Comprehension Questions
Q. What do the girls decide to do with the reward money?
A. They want to give it to Leslie to pay her way at the conservatory.
Q. Why does Granger want Heather to run for mayor even though he
wants the job himself?
A. He wants the people of the town to have a real choice.
Nancy’s Notes
1. What would you do with the reward money? Imagine that you are
Leslie and write a thank you note to Nancy, Bess and George for all
of their help and generosity.
2. Which of the candidates do you think should win the mayoral
election? Why?
3. Are there any news stories about the mayor of your city or town
in the newspaper? What can you learn about the mayor’s job from
any of those stories? Are there any election stories in the news?
Choose one and summarize it.
Learning Standards: creating a spending strategy, summarizing