Outdoor and Adventure Series
Beyond Nancy Drew: A Guide to Girls' Literature
- The Campfire Girls: This two-part series was first
introduced by World Syndicate, and marketed as both the
Campfire Girls and the Banner Campfire Girls. The
first series was created in 1914 by Jane Stewart. It follows the
adventures of best friends Bessie and Zara. The two girls run away
from bad situations at home, and encounter the Campfire Girls who
offer them shelter and protection. In various escapades, they
interact with gypsies, foil kidnappers, outperform boys at sports,
and rescue Zara's father from a counterfeiting charge. The second
series was written by Julianne DeVries from 1933-1935.
- A Campfire Girl's First Council Fire. Jane L. Stewart. Akron: Saalfield, 1914. (E #20313)
- Campfire Girls Mountaineering; or, Overcoming all Obstacles. Irene Elliott Benson. Chicago: M.A. Donohue, 1918. (E 12mo #6115)
- The Campfire Girls' Duty Call [Helen Hart]. Racine Wis.: Whitman Pub. Co., 1918. (E 12mo #6327)
- The Campfire Girls at Holly House. Julianne DeVries. Cleveland : World Syndicate Pub. Co., 1933. (E #19724)
- The Campfire Girls Flying Around the Globe. Julianne DeVries. Cleveland : The World Syndicate Pub. Co., 1933. (E #19715)
- Stokes, Katherine. The Motor Maids by Rose, Shamrock and Thistle. Chicago: M. A. Donohue & Co.,1912. (E 12mo #6149)
- Stokes, Katherine. The Motor Maids at Sunrise Camp. Chicago: M. A. Donohue & Co., 1914. (E 12mo #6148) Another popular theme for girls' books revolved around the freedom automobiles provided for wealthy young women: the opportunity to travel whenever and wherever they desired. The issue of women's suffrage often emerges in these books- Motor Maids are quick to deny that they are suffragists and seem to be more interested in fashion than politics.
- Hope, Laura Lee. The Outdoor Girls in Florida: or, Wintering in the Sunny South. Outdoor girls series. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1913. (E 12mo #6238) This series, written by the author of the ever popular Bobbsey Twins books, was published from 1913 through 1933. These tales "take in the various adventures of several bright, up-to-date girls who love outdoor life. They are clean, wholesome and absorbing throughout."
- Penrose, Margaret. The Motor Girls in the Mountains; or, The Gypsy Girl's Secret. New York: Goldsmith, 1917. (E #20121) This series was published from 1910-1917. Cora Kimball and her friends are everyday girls who have unusual adventures. They design clothes, shop for the latest hats, and give marvelously clever parties.
- Roy, Lillian Elizabeth. The Woodcraft Girls in the City. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1918. (E 12mo #6256) The Woodcraft Girls series, illustrated with photographs, was published 1916-1928. In this book, the girls leave camp for their city homes, but they still manage to enjoy the outdoor life.
- Wirt, Mildred. The Brownie Scouts in the Cherry Festival. New York: Cupples and Leon, 1950. (E #20449)
- Wirt, Mildred. The Brownie Scouts and Their Tree House. New York: Cupples and Leon, 1951. (E #20318) This series, written by popular and prolific Mildred Wirt, was published from 1949 through 1953. The stories follow the adventures of girls in a Brownie Scout troop, illustrating the scouts' virtues and shortcomings as they learn to be honest, capable, and compassionate citizens.
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