Sleepover Sleuths by Carolyn Keene Page A

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Georgia
?” Madison asked George.
    George scrunched her nose when she heard her real name. “No, thanks,” she said. “I’ll stick with George.”
    Deirdre reached into her backpack. She pulled out three white envelopes. “Tomorrow night, eight o’clock,” she said. “Bring your sleeping bag, toothbrush, and City Girls doll!”
    Deirdre handed the envelopes to Nancy, Bess, and George. Then she and Madison ran across the yard to Kendra Jackson.

    â€œWhat are these, Nancy?” Bess asked.
    â€œI can’t guess everything,” Nancy said, smiling. “So there’s only one way to find out.”
    Nancy tore open her envelope and pulled out a card. Her eyes widened as she read the pink writing. It was an invitation to a birthday sleepover on Saturday night!
    Bess and George pulled out their own invitations and shrieked.
    â€œAre we lucky or what?” Bess cried. “We have never been invited to any of Deirdre’s parties before!”
    â€œDeirdre may be spoiled,” George said. “But I’ll bet her sleepover will rock our socks!”
    Nancy was excited too. Five minutes ago she had zero plans for the weekend. Now she had a cool sleepover to go to with her two best friends!
    â€œThis is great,” Nancy said. “But I wonder why we have to bring our City Girls.”

    â€œToothbrush?” Hannah asked.
    â€œCheck!” Nancy answered.
    â€œFlannel pj’s with cupcake design?” Hannah asked.
    Nancy peeked inside her big purple backpack and smiled. “Check!” she said.
    It was seven fifteen on Saturday night. Hannah Gruen was standing in Nancy’s lavender and white bedroom, making sure she had everything she needed for the sleepover.
    Hannah had been the Drews’ housekeeper ever since Nancy’s mother died, when she was three years old. Hannah took such good care of her that she was almost like a mother to Nancy.
    â€œSleeping bag?” Hannah quizzed.
    â€œSleep?” Nancy cried. “We’re not going to sleep, Hannah!”
    Hannah raised an eyebrow. “Sleeping bag?” she asked again.
    â€œCheck,” Nancy said as she tossed her rolled-up sleeping bag on her bed.
    â€œNow, are you sure you have everything?” Hannah asked.
    â€œSure, I’m sure,” Nancy said. She glanced at the clock on her bedside table. “But I’d better go now. Daddy is probably waiting in the car.”
    Nancy shrugged her backpack over her hoodie. She tucked her sleeping bag under her arm and bounded down the stairs. “I am so totally psyched, Hannah!” she called. “This is going to be the best City Girls party in the—”
    Nancy froze on the stairs.
    â€œOops,” she said. “I almost forgot my City Girls doll!”
    Hannah stood at the top of the stairs. She pulled Chicago Cheryl from behind her back. “I was wondering how long it would take you to notice!” she said with a laugh.
    Nancy tucked Chicago Cheryl under her free arm. She darted out the door and into her dad’s car. After they buckled their seatbelts, Mr. Drew drove to the Marvin house to pick up Bess and George. Soon all three girls were sitting in the backseat with their sleepover gear and dolls.
    George was wearing all denim, just like Oklahoma City Olivia. Bess wore a little redsilk flower in her hair like Honolulu Haley.
    â€œWhy does everyone have to bring a City Girls doll to the party?” Mr. Drew asked as he drove.
    Mr. Drew was a busy lawyer. But he was never too busy to spend time with Nancy.
    â€œCity Girls rule, Daddy!” Nancy said. “Each one is different.”
    â€œAnchorage Abby is from Alaska, so she comes with furry boots,” Bess said. “And Malibu Marcy has real sand between her toes!”
    â€œThat’s gross,” George said.
    â€œBut the most awesome City Girls doll,” Nancy said, “is Hollywood