The Seven Sleuths' Club

"The Seven Sleuths' Club" by Carol Norton is a late 1920s children's mystery about a group of girls attending a seminary in Sunnyside who want to form their own detective club. Inspired by the boys' club, the main character, Merry Lee, and her friends, want to solve a real mystery while experiencing adventures and humorous situations. At the beginning of the story, the girls meet in the school library, waiting for Merry's big news, setting a playful tone as the school is filled with girls discussing their classes and playing during breaks. Merry reveals the boys' club, which leads to the girls deciding to form the "Seven Sleuths' Club" to prove their cleverness. As they plan, they encounter humorous interactions with characters, including the wealthy Geraldine Morrison, who doesn't want to join their club. The first few chapters display the girls' friendship, exploration, and innocent quest for adventure.