"Jessi and the Bad Bay-Sitter" by Ann M. Martin

*Oops... I wrote this last year and completely forgot to post it. Continuing my love of the BSC:

In some ways I think that Jessi and the Bad Bay-Sitter is one of the few books that portraits the BSC and their classmates realistically.  When Dawn moves back the California the first time, the BSC desperately needs help (and they don't even know that Mal is about to develop mono and also be out for awhile).  Jessi suggests that one of her classmates joins the BSC to help out.  Wendy seems interested in the club, but doesn't even come close to meeting their high expectations- she comes to meetings late, she takes jobs without consulting the other members and is clearly not dedicated to the club.  It's no surprise that she doesn't make the cut and only appears in this book.
Even though the situation stinks, I really like how the characters are portrayed in this book.  Wendy is only eleven so it's easy to imagine her not being able to make a full commitment to a new club.  It's also understandable why she wouldn't do well sharing her clients with 6 other baby-sitters.  On the other hand it's easy to see Kristy's point of view.  She has the process of baby-sitting so streamlined that when someone breaks the rules she often over reacts. 
I first read these books when I was about seven.  In my head I thought that 13 was going to be this wonderful age where I would suddenly be all kinds of mature and given tons of responsibility, just the The Baby-Sitters Club members.  Of course I would realize that this wasn't the case.  Though the characters in this book are still portrayed more mature than the typical eleven and thirteen year olds, I think their actions are closer to how girls those ages would act and react.  This was one of the books that I re-read a lot as a kid and was probably my favorite book starring Jessi, after Jessi Ramsey Pet-Sitter.  Of course you know that I am going to recommend this book, so I guess I will stop babbling about how great the series is.

Happy Reading!

-Melly

"Here Come the Bridesmaids" by Ann M. Martin

One more review for the year:

I goofed during my re-reading session. I had it in my head that Dawn came back from California in the regular series and then flew back for her Dad's wedding.  So when I started Kristy and Mr. Mom I was quite surprised to see Dawn.  Oops!  Anyway, this book was great as a kid but kind of weird as an adult.  Things that came off as strange to me:

Dawn assuming that Mary Anne was a bridesmaid too.  Sure, they have a great relationship as stepsisters and Jack did let Mary Anne (and everyone) stay with him that one time, but she is still the daughter of his ex's new husband.  If that were me, I don't think I would be quite comfortable with her being a bridesmaid.  A guest of course, but not in the wedding party.

Stacey being a bridesmaid in Mrs. Barrett/DeWitt's wedding.  I (sort of) get her reasoning, but surely she knows someone else?  I think that it would be weird to look at my wedding pictures and see someone I'm not especially close to in the wedding party.  But I have no marriage plans (and if I did, I doubt they would include a massive wedding party), so either way my brain can't comprehend the situation.

Claudia's "job."  The parents in these book seriously rock.  Not only is Mr. Schafer letting Dawn's friends come out for his wedding (they aren't people that he really knows after all), but he's paying Claudia to help prepare for the wedding.  I kind of side with the people that want to get permission from the Jack and Carol prior to listening to Claudia.  I too would find it strange if someone who was thirteen was trying to change the wedding plans.  Just sayin.

While I was re-reading, the Barrett/DeWitt wedding felt kind of forced.  It completely made sense for the BSC to be involved since the younger kids weren't part of the ceremony.  But it felt like the storyline was thrown in to involve all of the BSC in this story and not just those traveling to California.  I do think I would have enjoyed this particular book more had it been just a regular book in the series.  Because it was a Super Special, there had to be more content and it felt very drug out.  All of the Super Specials were among my favorites as a kid, but this one (sadly) just didn't hold up.

Happy Reading!

-Melly

"New York, New York" by Ann M. Martin

Glad to know I'm not the only one crazy enough to attempt this challenge.  Head over to Sarah Millar's blog and see what she and other bloggers have to say about the good ole BSC.  



I would say I have a slight obsession with New York and it is all Ann M. Martin’s fault.
Now, I am not nearly as bad as Mary Anne, but there is a part of my heart that is fully in love with The Big Apple. I read this book excessively as a kid.

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When I was in the fifth grade, I did a report on New York state because of this book (which kinda stunk since I then realized that I had to study the state as a whole, not just NYC).
During the summer between sixth and seventh grade I got the opportunity to go on a school trip to Boston and New York. During the bus ride from Boston to New York, I re-read New York, New York to get myself all revved up for the cool places I was about to visit.
My visit to NYC wasn’t really anything like the BSC’s. I was approximately their age and there is no way I would have felt comfortable running all over the city by myself (not that there was any chance of that happening of course). But that didn’t really matter to me. I still had a blast.
So in New York, New York, the girls are off to Stacey’s hometown during a school vacation (seriously, I wish I had gone to SMS, they never had to go to school).
How cool are Stacey’s dad and Laine’s parents? They gladly put up six girls that they barely know for the entirety of their vacation. Claudia and Mallory spend most of their time in art classes (the basis for the trip), Kristy finds a stray dog and Jessi helps her keep it a secret (and finds her first “boyfriend” — she’s 11, I can’t say that word seriously), Stacey and Mary Anne play baby-sitter/travel guide to two children and Dawn will barely leave the McGill apartment.
The book follows a similar plot to the rest of the Super Specials. Each chapter is narrated by a different girl and has multiple storylines since the girls are usually off doing separate activities. It ties up with them spending a night on the town together before they head back to Connecticut. A simple and fun read (and still one of my favorites!).
Also really cool about this book- the illustrations are done by Ann’s father. I really liked that element, especially because of Claud and Mal’s art class. It made it seem like they were creating the art instead of getting “photos” that often leave me wondering who was holding the camera?

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Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Claudia and the New Girl" by Ann M. Martin (BSC #12)

This was never one of my favorites when I first read the series (so from about ages 7-11 when I was obsessively reading and re-reading the books I only read it 3 or 4 times- and trust me, that's very few times compared to some of the other titles).  I think it was because I didn't care for Ashley and probably didn't find her very realistic (though I'm not sure I ever thought about my reasons for not caring for the book, so I may be totally wrong) and so this book was often left sitting on my shelf.  Reading this as an adult, however, was a bit of an eye opener.  I have met Ashley.  Not in a crazy-talented, almost art prodigy way, but in the you-can't-have-friends-other-than-me sort of way.  It's almost embarrassing to admit that middle school Claudia handled the situation much better than post-high school Melanie did, but I think Martin addressed making and keeping new friends, even when it is difficult, beautifully. 

Something that I really appreciate about this series (especially as an adult) is that the books make a point to show how the girls learn to balance their time.  Claudia is possibly the greatest example of this.  Since she isn't a good student, she has to learn to allow ample time to stay on top of her homework.  She fits baby-sitting and art around her school and not the other way around.  In Claudia and the New Girl she learns how to fit a new friend into her life as well.  She realizes that even though art is important to her, it isn't the only thing in her life that matters.  On her own she figures out how to get her life back on track when she realizes what a mess her studies and scheduling has become.  Knowing that she is only a middle school student, this is quite inspiring.  Sure, it's easy to question why the girls hardly ever involve their parents when they have problems, but in this case I think seeing Claudia learn from her mistakes and then going to her parents can be a great tool for young girls (and boys) to put into place in their own lives. 

I can't talk about this book without mentioning the snack raiding that happens when Claud misses yet another BSC meeting- and the not so nice notes the other club members leave hidden around her room.  You have to give Claudia credit for being mature enough to make up with her friends (and to continue to let them meet in her room, even when she wasn't there) after that fiasco.  Say it with me everyone:

"Traitor, traitor.

Claudia - we hate 'er!

Traitor, Traitor.

So long, see you later!

Good-bye, Claudia."

Happy Reading!

-Melly


Glad to know I'm not the only one crazy enough to attempt this challenge.  Head over to Sarah Millar's blog and see what she and other bloggers have to say about the good ole BSC.