Dawn's Big Move (RS#67)

Original Publication Date: 1993

Ghostwriter? Yes, Peter Lerangis

Synopsis:

Remember all the foreshadowing about Dawn pining away for California, her brother, and her dad (I think in that order)? She's going back for six month. Her homesickness has gotten much worse, and her family works it out for her that she can have an extended visit. Dawn's worried about how things will be without her (for example, the BSC is very busy right now) but overall she's thrilled to have a chance to be home for a while. She has time to enjoy a field day event, and of course a kid-filled goodbye party, then it's off to California.


Established or continued in this book:

The Girls (and Logan):

Claudia candy: Christmas-themed Holiday M&Ms (yes, in September, from last winter) in her closet, Milky Way bar in her purse, sesame crackers, Ring Dings, Chunkies, pretzels, Milk Duds, rice cakes, macrobiotic cookies, Raisinettes, and chips

Apparently, being around Logan has taught Mary Anne a little of sports information, as she understands football better than Dawn. Though I find it hard to believe that a thirteen-year-old would be confused why the words "touchdown" and "goal" are significant to each other. Then again, I'm not a good example of what's common football knowledge; my dad's been involved with the UW Husky football team longer than he's known my mom.

Shannon knows how to tap dance.


Their Families:

Dawn chides Jeff to be nicer to Carol. Just wait a few books for when her dad proposes...Dawn is totally nice about it.

Jessi's family goes to church when they visit their family back in New Jersey. I wonder if that was only because of the visit or if they do go sometimes.

It's telling that Kristy says Emily Michelle might "freak out and need to be on NANNIE'S team [for a sports competition]." Not her mom's or Watson's team; Nannie's. Whose child is this again?

When Margo drops a raw egg on the floor and looks to Mallory for help, the latter responds, "That's okay, you know how to clean it up." I'm going to remember that sentence for when my daughter gets older (and for any other kids I eventually have).

Apparently, Richard Spier can imitate Goofy. He also rings the doorbell to his own house to get in. Twice. Hasn't Sharon given him a key yet?

Byron and Nicky are getting along okay.


The Club:

There's some good continuity with Jamie Newton, in that he's still nervous on his bike.

I think these girls are taking togetherness a little too far. Because Dawn and Stacey have dietary restrictions, the other five end up eating only stuff those two can also eat while at the field day. But eating candy during meetings is okay?


SMS:

The school guidance counselor is Mrs. Amer.


PSA Time:

Don't radically change your exercise routine the day of a competition. You're more likely to hurt yourself than anything else, and an hour of randomness certainly isn't going to magically help if only done once.


Misc:

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am terrible at tug-of-war.


The numbers:

Starting 8th grade: 4

Halloweens in 8th grade: 2 (plus one in seventh)

Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 2

Summers after 8th grade: 5

BSC Fights: 8

SMS Staff and Faculty: 36

Students (other than the BSC): 111; 78 8th graders, 2 7th graders, 18 6th graders, 12 unspecified

Clients: 29

Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 85

Crushes:
Stacey-9
Claudia-8
Dawn-5
Jessi-3
Mallory-2
Mary Anne-2
Kristy-1