"Dawn and the Impossible Three" by Gale Galligan, and of course, Ann M. Martin

I have a confession. I want to do my Baby-Sitters Club reading challenge again. I don't have the time of course. My reading time has shrunk considerably since becoming a mom and I barely have the time to read new books, let alone the 200+ Ann M. Martin books I read when I did the challenge a few years ago. What can I say, I miss the BSC.

I have been trying to get my hands on the new Graphic Novel version of Dawn and the Impossible Three for awhile now. It's popular at my library (which makes me so happy) and whenever I'd think to check for it, it was always checked out. However, the library recently acquired the e-book version (*insert me babbling about how amazing the Libby app is here*). While I wasn't amazed by it, I did have a good time reading it.

Dawn is new to the BSC and new to Stoneybrook. She becomes the very regular sitter for Buddy, Suzy, and Marnie Barrett (some of my favorite of the BSC charges). They are awesome kids, but as their parents are going through a messy divorce, things in the Barrett household are crazy. The house and kids are often a mess, they have some behavioral issues stemming from the divorce, and it's usually a little more than thirteen year old Dawn can handle.  But if anyone can solve the problem, it's the Baby-Sitters Club!

First, to address the biggest change, the art isn't by Raina Telgemeier. As a Telgemeier fan, this made me sad, but Gale Galligan's style is very close. I suspect that children reading this book wouldn't be bothered that the style isn't identical and as an adult, I appreciate that someone new is continuing the series for new readers to discover. As for the adaptation of the original novel, I'm a little put off by the plot. When the graphic novels first came out, the books adapted were Kristy's Great Idea, The Truth About Stacey, Mary Anne Saves the Day and Claudia and Mean Janine (books 1, 3, 4 and 7). Because it wasn't the first 4 books, I remember there being some adjustments to make up for the plot points that were from other books. Okay, works for me. However, Dawn and the Impossible Three is book 5 in the series. Meaning we have jumped back in time chronologically of the old series, but not for the new. If I was completely new to this universe, it would have been fine. But as an avid (okay, obsessed) fan, my head hurt. On top of that, this adaptation addresses plot points that weren't brought up until Hello, Mallory! (book 14) in the original series so now my head is really spinning. I read this knowing that the adaptation of Kristy's Big Day is in the works, so I'm already wondering how that plot will differ. This was really my only complaint about the book. It works just fine within the graphic novel universe, so new readers shouldn't have any problems. However, the parents who grew up on the original series may be confused- especially if they have only read the old books and not kept up with the new. But I am on board with these adaptation because I love that they are introducing my favorite baby-sitters to a whole new generation of readers.

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Smile" by Raina Telgemeier

Tying into my BSC Reading Challenge, I read Smile by Raina Telgemeier (she did the graphic novel versions of The Baby-Sitters Club).  I am quite surprised that I am finding it easier to read the graphic novels.  Though I don't enjoy them nearly as much as traditional novels, they are actually becoming fun reads.  Smile captured and kept my attention wonderfully.  Raina (the story it autobiographical, so yes, the character and the author have the same name) is not looking forward to getting braces but her situation gets even worse when she falls and manages to knock out one of her teeth and (ew) push the other one into her gums.  A good chunk of the book focuses on her various orthodontic woes but also deals with her middle school and high school years- old friends, new friends, first crushes, and just finding out how she fits into the equation.  This book was really sweet and it certainly inspired me to want to read Telgemeir's Drama. 

As I was reading, I certainly saw a lot of myself in Raina.  Though my teeth troubles weren't quite as traumatic as hers, I could totally relate.  I got my braces the fall of 2002.  I got said braces off in 2006.  In between I had surgery to expose two stubborn baby teeth that would not move on their own, had my wisdom teeth removed and had a lovely jaw surgery that corrected my under bite.  Needless to say, I am really glad all of that is finished (though it is kind of fun to show off the before and after x-rays).  Because of all of this, I was very intrigued by Raina's story.  However, I couldn't help but wonder if those that have gone through braces would be as interested in this book.  Besides the main focus being on teeth, I couldn't help but wonder if the setting would draw readers out.  I personally loved that the book is set in 1989 (my birth year) and is filled with references to Nintendo and The Little Mermaid, but again, these are things that have a personal reference to me.  I can't help but feel like some readers would be turned off by both the content and setting of this book (though I really hope that is not the case).  

I have done quite a bit of reading this year and have already been thinking about what might make it into my Top Ten of the year.  So far this one has a really good chance of being on that list.  I would highly recommend this book to kids that are going to be getting braces soon.  It does give a pretty realistic look into the process plus it's unlikely that their experience will be quite as bad as Raina's so that could possibly ease some fears.  Thanks, Nick, for recommending this book!



Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Scott Pilgrim" by Bryan Lee O'Malley

Here’s something you need to know about me.  I have been known to yell at a movie, “that didn’t happen in the book!”  Ok, so that only happened once, but staying faithful to the book tends to be very important to me.  There is the occasion movie that I feel does the book justice and my love for the movie is tied for my love with the book.  But I never like the movie more than I like the book.  That is, until Scott Pilgrim.  I am absolutely obsessed with this movie, but not so much with the book series.

Now don’t get me wrong.  I respect the books completely.  I am not a graphic novel reader.  I read one occasionally, but they are just not for me. Bryan Lee O'Malley's series has been one of the few that I have really enjoyed and greedily lapped up.  The storyline is unique and plays out nicely.  I adore the characters and enjoy the little jokes scattered throughout.  When it comes to recommending books, I try to stick with the genres that I am comfortable with, mainly YA.  But this is a series (and movie) that I recommend that everyone gives a try!

Happy Reading!

-Melly