"Karen's Witch" by Ann M. Martin, Illustrated by Katy Farina

Karen Brewer lives next door to Mrs. Porter, who wears long robes and has wild gray hair. Mrs. Porter has a black cat named Midnight and always seems to be working in her garden. Karen isn't supposed to spy on her neighbor, but she's determined to prove that Mrs. Porter is a witch named Morbidda Destiny!

Mrs. Porter is getting ready to have a special meeting at her house, and Karen is sure the meeting is for witches. Are they going to cast a spell on Karen? Or will she be brave enough to send them away -- once and for all?

Once upon a time, seven-year-old me went to a garage sale and came upon a box of books: the first 19 books in The Baby-Sitters Little Sisters series and the first Super Special. It took some convincing to get my mom to buy the complete set (and if I recall correctly, the seller wasn’t too keen to break-up the set so if we were going to get them, we had to get them all). In some ways I suspect that she came to realize that this was an amazing purchasing as these were the books that would start my reading obsession. (and what parent doesn’t want their kid to enjoy reading). On the other hand, this purchase was also the beginning of a huge financial investment into the world of Ann M. Martin so she may still have some regrets. Either way, Karen Brewer is the reason I love the written word. I don’t remember how long it took me the finish these 20 books, but I know that before I was done with the second grade, I had finished every BSCLS book available in my personal collection and at the public library. I soon moved onto The Baby-Sitters Club series and have spent almost 25 years with these beloved characters. On occasion, I go through books from my childhood and clear out space by either donating them or exchanging them at the local used book store. But Ann M. Martin’s books are the books that I will never part with.

Nostagia seems to be a huge selling point right now. I tend to get turned off by this (did we really need the 2016 Ghostbusters?). But there is that special place in my heart for any content set in Stoneybrook, Connecticut so I lap up anything released with Martin’s name on it. The graphic novel release of Karen’s Witch is no exception. I think the Little Sister series works better for a re-release than The Baby-Sitters Club. Karen is only six or seven (depending on the book) so technology isn’t as much of a driving force for her books. In the 90s, it was the cool thing to be the kid with your own phone line in your bedroom, so of course Claudia’s personal line was amazing. Now, the concept of four to seven girls gathering three times a week to sit around waiting for a landline to ring is a bit odd. So while I have enjoyed the new graphic novels featuring the BSC, the books haven’t aged quite as well as I would have liked. However, Karen’s universe works really well even now.

Karen Brewer lives most of the time at her mommy’s house and every other weekend at her daddy’s house. A witch lives next door to her daddy’s, or so she believes. Everyone in her family tells her to leave Mrs. Porter alone, but Karen is determined to find out the truth and reveal Morbidda Destiny to the world. She tries to stay up all night to catch Morbidda Destiny flying on a broom, but falls asleep. When she and her best friend, Hannie catch wind of a witches meeting, she becomes even more determined to let all of Stoneybrook know that there is a witch in town.

The graphic novel (illustrated by Katy Farina) hits the same beats as the original book. There isn’t quite as much backstory and character development as I recall, but that seems to be the norm in graphic novels. The style of this book works well with the material and is easy to follow. I would say my only complaint is that some of the characters looked a little different than how they were portrayed in previous BSC books. While this makes sense as they have different artists, I could see this being a tad confusing for readers who aren’t as exposed to the material (kids reading it for the first time, as opposed to those of that grew up with the first run of the material). However, I do see this book appealing to young readers and those little details not being important. My hope is that readers do enjoy this book and reach out for other books by Ann M. Martin. The advantage is that she has written so many books, there isn’t the annoyance that is waiting for a new book to come out and the enjoyment of the material can last. I would recommend this books for girls around six to nine, and especially those that are in the early stages of reading that aren’t quite ready for things such as Dork Diaries or Smile. This book would also be good for families to read together as there is also the lesson behind the story (don’t spy on the neighbors) and can be a good opportunity for family discussion. Either way, this book is worth a read.

Happy Reading!

-Melly

 

"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

"Sunny Diary 3" by Ann M. Martin

Remember what is probably the saddest Baby-Sitters Club book, Claudia and the Sad Good-bye? Well, Sunny Diary 3 is worse. As readers, we have known for quite some time that Sunny's mom hasn't been doing well. Sunny's entire story in the California Diaries revolves on the decisions she makes because her mom has cancer. So you would think that I could get through this book without tearing up since there is so much preparation for the end, but even now, I can't. This is probably the most painful book written by Martin. Sunny's emotions are so raw and so real. Even when she is writing in her journal and gets sidetracked, I believe that. This book truly feels like someone's diary and the things they would write about when going through such an experience.

I know this is the only CD book I have reviewed at this point, but I must warn you: do not read this one without read the others first. At the very least, read Dawn and Sunny's other books before reading this one as there is so much back story that lead up to this book. Sunny has changed so much since her first appearance in the BSC books and readers who aren't used to her new persona will certainly be taken aback (though this is something that I love so much about this series. For the first time, we actually get to see people in the BSC universe grow and change and not reset a few books later).

 I remember reaching my early teens and realizing that I was relating more to the problems faced in the CD  universe than those in the BSC. Re-reading them as an adult, it is a little shocking to see the major differences between the two series. The BSC is aimed for a much younger reader and the problems almost always go away at the end of the book (and they are usually a lot less scary). The CD involve underage drinking, stalking, and major death (which the BSC did touch on, both with Mimi and Amelia, but both were less impactful to me because a) Mimi was unfortunately old and had fallen into bad health, so while I was saddened, I wasn't surprised and b) we didn't know Amelia so again, it was sad, but her death wasn't as painful as it could have been). It's like California is a totally different universe compared to Stoneybrook, but I think this is good. The CD are great for BSC fans to transition into some more mature topics and get them comfortable as they start looking for other books outside of the BSC series. And they are a must read for BSC fans that haven't read them yet!

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"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

"The Baby-Sitters Club" 2013 Reading Challenge COMPLETED!

Well, that's it. I have officially re-read all of The Baby-Sitters club books. Sadly I didn't complete my addition to the challenge since I wasn't able to get the last three California Diaries books that I need (they are in the mail and aren't expected to be delivered until January), but as this wasn't part of my original goal, this really is a win. It's kind of weird. I've spent a decent amount of time on other people's blogs and see a lot of negativity as people read the books as adults. I totally saw the books in a different life than when I was a kid, but I still have so much love for these books that it completely outweighs and problems or mistakes in the book.

I put off reading Graduation Day and The Summer Before until the end of the year (otherwise I would have been done moths ago) because I really wanted this to be a year long challenge. It has also got me thinking about many of the other books I loved as a kid. As much as I enjoyed this challenge, I don't think there is another series I want to revisit in quite the same way. The BSC is the only lengthy series that I read pretty much in full as a kid and the only one I had a crazy strong connection to. Sure, I loved Nancy Drew, The Boxcar Children, and The Sleepover Friends, but I just don't think I would enjoy trying to finish all of the books and therefore know that I wouldn't finish (though I really should read the original Nancy Drew books, I do own them after all). But there are some series I definitely will be visiting again. 

Specifically, I have have been dying to dig out my Laura Ingalls Wilder books and go back to the prairie. I actually think that if there was one challenge of a specific series I would want to try for next, it would be the Little House books. And by this, I mean all of the spin-off series as well. For now I am going to wait a mere few hours and begin to frantcially read from my 2014 Newbery Reading Challenge (seriously debating starting right at midnight...we're having a New Year's Party but I will be the nerd in the corner reading).

To those of you that supported me this year- THANK YOU! The same goes to my blog readers, those that posted my challenge on their blogs/websites/social media, and to those that signed up to read with me. And a big thanks to my boyfriend for tolerating my ridiculous piles of books all over the apartment (and the fact that I often leave books on your chair, computer and bed) and a special thanks to my friend Nick whose Christmas gift is leading to me finally owning all of the California Diaries series. Each and every one of you rock!

Happy Reading and a Happy New Year!!
-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.

Want to read more in the BSC Bloggin’ project? Click here for all the posts.

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?

Join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #BSCBlogging.

Happy Reading!
-Melly

BSC Bloggin’: Mary Anne and the Secret in the Attic

The depressing thing about this book is how often it’s plot line gets brought up in books after it.

Want to read more in the BSC Bloggin’ project? Click here for all the posts.

Mary Anne finds out that after her mother’s death, her father didn’t quite know how to handle his grief and raising a baby so he sent her to live with her grandparents.

When he once again found some stability in his life he was ready to return to his parental responsibilities. However, Mary Anne’s grandparents were grieving the lost of their daughter and didn’t really want to give up custody of their granddaughter.

Needless to say, Mary Anne ended up back with her father and never knew that there was a period in her life where she had lived with someone else. Now that she has begun to make discoveries about her past it opens up even more questions and worries.

Really this is one of the better BSC books. Because Mary Anne’s mother died so young, we don’t know much about her life or her role as Mary Anne’s mom.

It’s obvious that Richard doesn’t speak of that time in their lives very often so of course Mary Anne’s discovery was a shock.

This book really goes in depth about Mary Anne’s character as she struggles with the fact that at one time her father gave her up.

My one complaint isn’t even about this book but how it’s plot is so often summarized in later books. Since I didn’t get to read this book prior to finding out the basic plot, the first read through was kind of a let-down. However, it is still a good read and overall a strong book in the series.

Melanie has been reading obsessively since she was a young child. She doesn’t know what it’s like to not be in the middle of at least one book.  You can keep up with her reading at Beauty and the Armageddon.

Join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #BSCBlogging. 

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Mallory and the Mystery Diary" by Ann M. Martin

This may or may not have been the first Baby-Sitters Club book I read.  I had pretty much made my way through the entirety of the library's Little Sister collection and was home sick.  At lunch, my mom brought me three books (there was major benefit to having a mom who worked at the library- Claudia didn't know what she was missing!); Kristy and Mr. Mom, Mary Anne + 2 Many Babies, and Mallory and the Mystery Diary.  I can't remember which order I read them in.  I only remember that I struggled with parts of this book.  I was learning cursive in school but I wasn't quite ready for Sophie's somewhat sloppy and poorly spelled cursive.  However, by the time I had finished these three books, I was completely hooked on this series.  

This novel opens right after Stacey and Mrs. McGill's move back to Stoneybrook (side note, I just helped my mom move...how on earth did they unpack so fast??) and when they discover an old trunk amongst the items left in their attic, Mallory bribes the triplets to move it into her bedroom.  She and Vanessa find a lot of old clothes and, more importantly, an old diary.  This diary brings in Old Hickory and Jared Mullray (come on BSC fans, keep up) and a mystery about the fate of a painting of Sophie's mother.  This book is set pre-mystery series and frankly I like most of these better.  Mysteries like this one seem much more realistic than some of those in the later spin-off.  Granted, I sometimes have a hard time suspending disbelief with these books- afterall, these are the girls that celebrate summer vacation about 57 times during one school year...but that doesn't make me like these books any less.

Something that especially appeals to me about this book is how the mystery is solved by BSC clients (more or less anyways).  Charlotte points out that everything isn't always what it seems and Buddy reads through the diary looking for clues even though reading isn't his best subject.  Since I was roughly the same age as these kids, it's cool that they were able to help the older kids and be important to the plot.  I don't think I realized that then, but looking back I'm sure it had at least some sort of impact.  Also nice about this book, Mal has a strong plot that doesn't involve her as sick, with an unemployed parent, or being totally overworked.  There aren't enough of these in the series.

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.   

The Baby-Sitters Club: The Things You Notice Reading as an Adult

• Holiday Inconsistencies
• Stacey and the Haunted Masquerade has a ton of the BSC charges dressing up as Ghostbusters (so cool!)
• Claudia and the first Thanksgiving starts with the Pikes all dressing up as Marx Brothers
• Baby-Sitters Beware takes place prior to Christmas and all sorts of creepy stuff happens (so far, this is the scariest of the books in my opinion.  If this was happening to my kid, I would never let them be off solving random mysteries around town) but...
• Mallory's Christmas Wish begins the day after Thanksgiving and doesn't even mention that Mal's best friends are in danger.
• Cover Inconsistencies
• I was really happy to discover that Shannon is featured on the back of the books when she takes over when Dawn is in California (and on the one updated cover I have, her picture if featured as well).  However...
• I've noticed that Mary Anne has her long hair picture featured on some of the later books, after her makeover.  Small detail, but kind of annoying.
• Bad Editing
• In Baby-Sitters Beware there is a Claudia chapter where she refers to Claudia's nail polish.  That one I actually noticed as a kid.  I had crossed out Claudia and written in my.  
• I keep noticing characters being referenced as in two places at once or they appear to be having a conversation with themselves.  I can forgive inconsistencies between books, to some extent at least, but when it happens in the same paragraph it's annoying.  
• The Kids
• I think that I am a decent judge of kids and their abilities.  Sure, no kids are exactly the same and I know that there isn't a magic number when kids learn to talk, read, etc.  But the kids in Stoneybrook are WAY advanced.  Look at the Perkins girls  They know all sorts of songs, have all kinds of talents and can make chocolate chip cookies without a recipe.  I have been around several kids that are two-and-a-half and none of them are half as advanced as Gabbie.  Two examples of this are my boyfriends' daughter and niece.  I have been around both of them at this age (and both of them are crazy smart) and have never seen them show the advancement of Gabbie.
• And it's not just the Perkins either.  Pretty much every toddler/post toddler seems way too advanced.  The only exception to this is babies and Emily Michelle (who even gets compared to Gabbie).  The in-between age kids seem about right (6-9ish).  There are the kids that appear like your average and normal kids.  Then there are the kids that a little more advanced (like Charlotte and Karen) but they make sense to me.  But then...
• The BSC themselves.  I had it in my head that I was going to become all kinds of mature and basically be allowed to do whatever when I turned 13.  Mallory and Jessi still had restrictions on them (like not sitting at night) so 11 wasn't a magic number.  But 13 really was.  I couldn't wait to turn 13.  What a disappointment.  I realize now that 13-year-old girls probably appeal much more to young readers than high schoolers would, but the BSC acts far older than they are.  

Re-reading these books as an adult is certainly an eye-opener.  I still want to pass these onto young girls, but would certainly want to talk to the readers about certain things (seriously!  Some psycho is stalking you and your friends, and you don't tell your parents?  That is not okay!).  I doubt that I am going to re-do this challenge in my lifetime.  It is quite apparent that I have outgrown these books, but they will always hold a very special place in my heart.  And I know that no matter what, I am keeping every single one of the books, forever.

Happy Reading!

-Melly

"Mallory and the Trouble with Twins" by Ann M. Martin

This was always one of my favorite BSC books.  Mallory and the Trouble with Twins is our first encounter with Marilyn and Carolyn Arnold.  When Mallory first sits for the twins, she is greeted by two identically dressed girls- the only difference is that they are labeled by bracelets marked with their names.  Of course the minute Mal exclaims that they are cute and makes a reference to their twin-ness- off go the bracelets and the girls more or less terrorize Mallory.  This continues throughout the rest of the book until Mal realizes that the girls are acting out because they want to be seen as two unique people, not as one set of twins.  So Mallory helps them talk to their mother and they begin to gain their own identities.  Helping the girls helps Mallory approach her own parents and ask if she can start to look more grown-up and get her ears pierced- and they say yes!

This is one of the cheesier books in the series at times.  It's hard to believe the Arnold parental units would be so oblivious to the children's misery.  Not only do they not notice that the girls are unhappy being treated as one person, a few books late they don't seemed concerned when the girls begin fighting constantly because neither one has her own space.  Though, too be fair, we never see Mr. Arnold, so maybe he has a clue.  Maybe it's just Mrs. Arnold that's a bit spacey.  Mrs. Arnold's first appearance in the novel shows us that she is very cutesy.  Her first outfit seems to be made up entirely of bows, so I totally understand why she dresses Marilyn and Carolyn like dolls.  That part makes sense.  I'm just glad the BSC keeps coming to the rescue so that the girls aren't miserable anymore.

The last bit of this novel reminded me of that brief period in the third grade where I desperately wanted pierced ears.  I think this book must of been the influence on that decision but let's just say it didn't work out.  Now the idea of pieces of metal sticking through my ears freaks me out so bad, I even had some difficulty reading that chapter.  I didn't react quite as bad as Claire, but it was close.  Thankfully the majority of the club gets their ears pierced so I only have to get through this one time (unless I am forgetting a significant detail in Mary Anne's Make-Over- but I don't think I am).

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.  

"Baby-Sitters' Summer Vacation" by Ann M. Martin

I have never been to summer camp.  I read quite a few books that centered on this summer tradition and for awhile I really wanted to go to Summer Camp.  But now I realize that I probably wouldn't have enjoyed the experience.  Sure, the arts and crafts cabin would have been a blast, but that might have been about it.  I don't overly enjoy sharing a room with other people (or sharing a bathroom for that matter), being outside for long periods of time isn't that much fun and I don't do well with things of the athletic nature.  Thank goodness I spent my childhood reading about such events instead of traumatizing myself by actually participating.  In Baby-Sitters' Summer Vacation, the six members of the Stoneybrook branch of the BSC are all kinds of excited about attending Camp Mohawk.  Their New York member?  Not so much.  But of course Stacey ends up hopping a bus and reuniting with the rest of the club.  And of course she just might have been better off staying in the Big Apple (I think my non-existent camp experience would have gone something like Stacey's).  The trip is not picnic for the rest of the club either- Mary Anne tries to prove to her co-CIT's that she's not a baby, Kristy gets made over by her co-CIT's, Dawn gets lost in woods and has to rely on one of her campers to save the day, Mal and Jessi get made fun of by their bunk mates...and Claudia falls in love (she does this pretty often).  Pretty much your typical Super Special.

I always loved the Super Specials, I read them constantly!  This wasn't super high on my list of favorites (that would be when the girls went to the more exotic places- New York, Hawaii, Europe...) but I still enjoyed this book.  I think it did have quite a bit of influence on me wanting to attend Summer Camp, but I never did voice this desire hence the lack of said experience.  I'm not sure at which moment I realized I did not want to spend my summer avoiding icky lake water occurred, but I am pretty glad that I am still camp free. I'll stick to reading about it!

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.   

"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.