Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books

The Clue in the Diary (1932) by Carolyn Keene is an early installment in the Nancy Drew mystery series. This chapter covers the exposure of one of Troy’s own concealed crimes.

Darlene Cagle is a Black girl who was raped at a high school party in the 1990s. Her mother offered her no sympathy or emotional support, and Darlene blamed herself for allowing it to happen. Much to her surprise, Darlene found that Beverly gave her the final cheerleading slot on the varsity squad. Further, Beverly felt that Darlene was not to blame for the rape and said, “‘Don’t let this fucking town win,’ […] Darlene marveled at how dainty she made the word fucking sound. ‘Do not let it stop you from being the person you’re meant to be’” (76).

Beverly made sure that the three boys responsible were cut from the football team. Darlene then went on to college and a career as a psychiatrist. She also married and has two children. She made it out of Troy even though Beverly did not. On a visit back to the little town, Darlene hears about Lula’s campaign to ban books. Darlene’s daughters discover the Nancy Drew book and bring it home, but it conceals a book entitled