Meth labs: Too real for the kids

In college I read about 30 of the original Hardy Boys' books because my college roommate was really into them -- I suspect because he related to the Boys' best friend, Chet, who was invariably introduced, poor bastard, as "their portly friend Chet." Also tried-and-true's to the series were lighthearted exchanges among family members, chapter cliffhangers, and bringing supersleuth Nancy Drew into the mix.

However, lately some pitches have gone too far. Simon & Schuster has been issuing new books with a focus on updating the series and making it more relevant to today's young reader. Just not too relevant. Eugene Simmons, editor, remains "unpersuaded that the subject matter of The Case of the Secret Meth Lab is appropriate for our readers."