Hardy Boys Starter Set - Books 1-5

I loved these books when I was a kid and now I am able to get them for my kids to read.

When I was in the fourth grade ( more years ago than I care to remember), my mother went to see my teacher for the annual parent/teacher conference. During this meeting, my mother asked my teacher about my reading ability. My teacher told her that my reading was at "grade level." In other words, I was in the fourth grade and my reading ability was at a normal stage of development for the fourth grade. HOWEVER, when my mother heard this, she became quite alarmed because my teacher was telling her that her son's reading level was AVERAGE. My mother did NOT raise AVERAGE children. lolSo, she responded to my teacher's statement by saying; "Well, what can we do about this?!"I'm sure that my teacher, thinking she had delivered good news, was momentarily puzzled by my mother's response. However, after she figured out that, for my mother, "average" was not an option, she told my mother that the only way for my reading to improve is for me to read more. And, in order for me to read more, she would have to get me something to read that I enjoyed reading.So, that Christmas, my mother went shopping in the children's section of a bookstore. There, she found the Hardy Boys Mystery series and bought the first 2 books for me. The first book, she read to me at bedtime. Two or three chapters each night. The second book, I had to read for myself. I have never forgotten that book. The title was The Missing Chums. About three-quarters of the way into the book, the plot was so exciting, I found my heart pounding. That's when I fell in love with The Hardy Boys Mystery series. During the next year-and-a-half, I read the entire series of, at that time, 38 books.When my reading level was tested in the sixth grade, my reading level came in at a12th grade level. In other words, I was reading at a level that was to be expected for a senior in high school.I would like to say that my mother was delighted by this. However, she was merely satisfied because my reading level had merely increased to what it was supposed to be - well above average. LolI'm very grateful to my mother for giving me those books. Over the years, my reading ability has served me well. I have now purchased a five book box set for an 11 year old young man of my acquaintance. I hope he enjoys them, and benefits from them, as much as I did.

Was so happy to find Hardy Boys book set. Great grandpa had told great grandsons about reading these as a boy, so was fun to give them as gifts to 4 boys ages 8 to 12. They were pleased. Nice set, made great gifts.

Love this collection. It's easy for my son to read.

This is for a little guy who likes mystery stories. It was a big hit!

Books came as described. The box (box set of books) had been slightly damaged in shipping which was disappointing as was a gift for my son but the books themselves were okay. We are satisfied with the purchase.

I'm super happy with this so far! I know I'm jumping the gun before it's opened, but I LOVED the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books. My 10 yo grandson loves mysteries and I'm keeping my fingers crossed he loves these. I've paid attention to other reviews with a few problems and I am watching closely. So far, the box set is sealed with plastic and this is definitely a new set!I'll be back to update this review after Christmas.

My father, brother and I all read the Hardy Boys mystery novels as kids, so I took the opportunity to introduce my nephew to them as a birthday gift. I gave him this set as a starter to see if he would enjoy them & they were a hit!