Kristy and the Dirty Diapers (RS#89)

Original Publication Date: 1995

Ghostwriter? Yes, Peter Lerangis

Synopsis:

With Dawn permanently in California, the BSC is busier than ever. Kristy is spread thin between her responsibilities there, the upcoming school year, and her Krushers softball team. She's also trying to help out Mrs. Porter's granddaughter (Kristy's next-door neighbor, AKA Mordbidda Destiny), whose parents are divorcing. When a businessman approached Kristy with an offer to sponsor her team, she jumps at the chance. Unfortunately, his business is a diaper service, and he expects the team to change its name to the Diapers. The kids are less than thrilled. Furthermore, he tries to take over the team, interrupting practices and games with unhelpful and discouraging advice. It isn't long before Kristy and the Krushers decide they don't need his sponsorship.

Meanwhile, a new family moves in two doors down from Kristy: a (widowed) mother and her twin daughters, the Stevensons. Kristy gets along better with the quieter twin, Anna, at first. She and the other twin, Abby, bond over the Krushers, Abby even becoming the assistant coach. The rest of the BSC likes Anna and Abby too, and invites the twins to join. Surprisingly, Anna declines, citing her music lessons. But Abby readily accepts, and becomes the newest full-time member.


Established or continued in this book:

The Girls (and Logan):

Claudia candy: mini-Snickers and Candy Corn in her closet, Milk Duds

I keep forgetting that Logan plays volleyball too. In Washington (where I live), volleyball is only offered for girls.

Shannon is "energetic."

Abby's an inch and a half taller than I am (well, Anna too). Five-foot-seven.

One of the many things Abby's allergic to is tomatoes. My mom is allergic to them only when raw, but Abby can't eat the cooked ones either.


Their Families:

Emily Michelle's Engligh is improving.


The Club (and clients):

Abby is the new alternate officer. Stacey initially voices concern about the possibility of her having an asthma attack on the job, which Kristy dismisses by asking what if Stacey has a diabetic reaction. This will be important next book.

Kristy makes sure to explain the BSC rules to Abby and Anna when she invites them to join. Must have learned her lesson after the fiasco with Jessi's friend.


SMS:

School's back in session, for the eighth time. Abby and Anna attend SMS rather than Kelsey Middle School, which is the one in their district, because only SMS has a large enough orchestra for Anna.


PSA Time: nothing stood out.


Misc:

There are cicadas out. Yuck.

Abby and Anna were named by a reader in a contest, but I don't know if we ever find out who won.

For some reason I'm making a million typos. Apologies if I didn't catch any before publishing this.


The numbers:

Starting 8th grade: 8

Halloweens in 8th grade: 4 (plus one in seventh)

Thanksgivings in 8th grade: 1

Christmases in 8th grade: 1 (Hanukkah is also mentioned, but no one in the BSC celebrates it--yet)

Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 2

Summers after 8th grade: 8

BSC Fights: 10

SMS Staff and Faculty: 48

Students (other than the BSC): 175; 111 8th graders, 6 7th graders, 42 6th graders, 15 unspecified. Baby-sitters' Winter Vacation tells us that SMS has about 380 students.

Clients: 33 families

Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 114

Crushes:
Stacey-11
Claudia-9
Dawn-5
Jessi-3
Mallory-2
Mary Anne-2
Kristy-1