FORMAT J - Masque Jeunesse Paperback (1983-1984)

Equivalent to Bourke Type 15

These 7 titles were the earliest of the "modern" paperbacks and were issued while the Hachette picture covers were still available. Although marketed under the "Masque Jeunesse" logo, these books are still Hachette releases.

None of the paperbacks (Formats J-N) have color internals, only the black and white line drawings scattered throughout the text.

Titles available: Diary, Keys, Showboat, Bannister, Hoax, Saucer, Lace, Greek, Swami

Black spine paperback - 7 1/8" H x 4 3/8" W; Masque Jeunesse rainbow logo, Caroline Quine and title in capitals, bottom to top (tilt your head to the left to read it - opposite from traditional American orientation)

FORMAT K - Hachette Bibliothèque Verte Paperback - Diagonal Stripes (1988-1991)

Equivalent to Bourke Type 17

The Format K paperbacks came out right after the decline of the Format F hardbacks and can be viewed as the natural continuation of this Bibliothèque Verte series. They often have the same artwork found on the Format F books. Plainly Hachette made the decision to go with the less expensive editions to boost sales.

Titles available: Lilac, Ranch, Oak, Heels, Album, Blackwood, Keys, Ringmaster, Window, Stagecoach, Bagpipes, Pine Hill, Cipher, Parchment, Lace, Greek, Swami, Lion, Anchor

Green spine with thin diagonal stripes paperback - 7" x 4 3/8"; title and C. Keene in white aligned bottom to top (tilt your head to the left to read it - opposite from traditional American orientation), black Hachette H logo

FORMAT M - Hachette Bibliothèque Verte Paperback - Les Enquêtes de Nancy (1988-1989)

Equivalent to Bourke Type 16

In 1986, Simon & Schuster launched the Nancy Drew Files series in America, featuring a revamped version of our heroine who often seems more interested in boys than in solving mysteries. Nancy of the "classic" series had begun this transition in "The Bluebeard Room" and "The Phantom of Venice," After the release of "Venice," the production of new Nancy Drew titles was halted altogether for a year - obviously Simon & Schuster used this time to delineate the two . The French have taken this delineation a step further, and consider the 2 Nancys (classic vs. files) as two entirely different individuals (much as I often do - sometimes it is nearly impossible to reconcile them in your mind otherwise). Thus, the "Nancy Drive" was introduced in France; thus far 8 titles have been identified: the last 3 "classic" titles before the hiatus, plus 5 Files (click here to view the list of titles available in this sub-series).

Not only does Alice Roy become Nancy Drive in the Enquêtes, but the other recurring characters also obtain new identities:

Jennifer Blake = George Fayne	James Drive = Carson Drew	Martha Hibbs = Hannah Gruen
Susan Yates = Bess Marvin	Mike Peterson = Ned Nickerson	Helen Drive = Eloise Drew

It is interesting that Carson is still names James, as he is in the Alice Roy stories, and that the action of the Enquêtes still take place in River City. Unfortunately Burt, Dave and Helen don't appear in the books selected for this sub-series, so we don't know what their names would have been.

Green spine with thin diagonal stripes paperback - 7" x 4 3/8"; title and C. Keene in white aligned bottom to top (tilt your head to the left to read it - opposite from traditional American orientation), black Hachette H logo

FORMAT L - Hachette Bibliothèque Verte Paperback - Small Letters (1992-1998)

Equivalent to Bourke Types 18, 19

The only real difference between this Format and Format K is the style of the title on the front cover. As shown to the right, the word "Alice" appears in a larger size than the rest of the title, and the green background box is more of a speckled pattern than the graduated colors of Format K.

The only difference between Bourke's Types 18 and 19 is the script "Série" after Bibliothèque Verte above the title box. Illustration to the right is Type 18.

Titles Available: Staircase, Oak, Statue, Heels, Trunk, Box, Wall, Mask, Ringmaster, Window, Showboat, Stagecoach, Bagpipes, Bay, Parchment, Hoax, Saucer

Green spine paperback - 7" x 4 3/8"; title and C. Keene in white aligned bottom to top (tilt your head to the left to read it - opposite from traditional American orientation), black Hachette H logo

FORMAT N - Hachette Bibliothèque Verte Paperback - Serif Letters (1998-1999)

Equivalent to Bourke Type 20

Once again, the primary difference with this new format is the title box. This time a new type style has been chosen, including serifs. Another distinguishing attribute is that the back of the book sports a brightly colored background rather than the traditional white. New titles which have never been released in the French market appear sport the "Nouveauté" oval on the cover.

Titles available: Staircase, Diary, Letter, Mansion RT, Ringmaster, Bannister, Stars, Tiger, Wedding, Wild Cat

Green spine with thin diagonal stripes paperback - 7" x 4 3/8"; title and C. Keene in white aligned bottom to top (tilt your head to the left to read it - opposite from traditional American orientation), black Hachette H logo

FORMAT O - Hachette Bibliothèque Verte Paperback - High Gloss (2000-present)

This new format which was introduced in 2000 represents the greatest departure in presentation since the transition from Masque Jeunesse to Bibliothèque Verte. The books have reinforced paperback boards covered in a nice, brightly colored plastic. Portions of the illustrations have been added in overlay with very glossy ink for a spectacular effect. A new "logo" has been created for Alice which resembles a postage stamp with a "Bibliothèque Verte" cancellation. The recent cover illustration of Philippe Daure has been edited and adpated for the new covers.

Titles available: Lilac, Ranch, Oak, Heels, Trunk, Wall, Album, Blackwood, Mark, Ringmaster, Showboat, Stagecoach, Puppet, Bagpipes, Pine Hill, Cipher, Mirror Bay, Jinx, Eye, City, Hoax, Ring, Kachina, Twin, Lion, Race Time, Anchor, Rising Stars, Cindy Austin, Craven Cove, Suspect, Lantern Lady, SuperSleuths

Green spine high quality paperback - 7" x 4 7/8"; title and C. Keene in white aligned bottom to top (tilt your head to the left to read it - opposite from traditional American orientation), thoughtful Nancy in red jacket at top

Alice à la reserve des oiseaux (The Double Jinx Mystery). Artwork by Philippe Daure, copyright © 1999 by Hachette Livre, Paris.

FORMAT P - Hachette Bibliothèque - Les Classiques de la Verte (2006-present) 

These books are similar to Format O in terms of the binding and raised/glossy ink, but the concept of the covers has been overhauled.  There is new artwork by Marguerite Sauvage, whose designed is more stylized and fanciful.  The title and author's name are in script lettering, and the overall effect is feminine, yet still powerful.  The full and half-page internal illustrations have been eliminated, replaced by small icons at the beginning and end of the chapters.  There are also drawings of Nancy, Marion, Bess, James and Ned at the beginning of the text along with a brief description of each character.

Titles available: Candles, Red Gate Farm, Staircase, Lilac, Ranch, Wall, Album, Mask, Pine Hill, Diary

Green spine high quality paperback - 7" x 4 7/8"; volume number, title and script Caroline Keene in white aligned bottom to top (tilt your head to the left to read it - opposite from traditional American orientation), Nancy in red top and green scarf at top

Alice et le chandelier (The Sign of the Twisted Candles). Artwork by Marguerite Sauvage, copyright © 2006 by Hachette Livre, Paris.