Original Publication Date: 1992
Ghostwriter? Yes, Ellen Miles
Synopsis:
Mallory gets a short-term job sitting for the Craine family's three young girls while their aunt recovers from a broken leg. From her first visit, she hears a cat meowing, but the Craines don't have a cat. Later, she and the girls find a white cat in their attic, and after that, some old letters that lead them to believe the cat is the ghost of one who lived with the previous owner of the house (there's a hilarious part with Dawn doing "official" tests to see if the cat is a ghost, and Mallory being skeptical of some of the tests). Then the rightful owner of the cat shows up...and looks exactly like the late owner of the house. Ghost or not, cat and man are reunited. The Craines end up getting another cat from a shelter.
Speaking of short-term (and the worst segue ever), Mallory's great-uncle comes to visit the Pikes for a month. It becomes clear pretty quickly that he's not the man her dad remembers: he has short-term memory loss (see?), gets confused easily, is irritable...turns out he's in the early stages of Alzheimer's. My great-aunt has Alzheimer's, and some of what Uncle Joe does in the book ring true. His visit is cut short, and he goes back to the nursing home where he can get better care. The family does learn how to interact with him better, and while Uncle Joe still has his struggles, when the family understands what's happening, they can get on with him pretty well.
Established or continued in this book:
The Girls (and Logan):
Claudia candy: none
Mallory's favorite vegetable is artichoke.
Very brief insight into Mallory, which helps explain why she, at the advanced age of eleven, takes care of her ten-year-old brothers: she wants to grow up so badly she does every grown-up thing she can think of.
Deep, dark secret: even though they're not little kids, Jessi and Mallory still play that they're horses (despite the above). *shifty eyes* I don't know what they're talking about.
Dawn's getting more self-righteous.
Their Families:
There is a slight reference to Mallory's family needing to watch its spending. Possibly a reference to when her dad lost his job?
Jordan Pike doesn't like waffles.
It might just be in this book, but Adam seems the most logical of the three Pike triplets.
Mallory's dad walks her to the Craines' door for her first job. Hooray for parental responsibility!
The Club:
New clients: the Craine family (three daughters: Margaret, Sophie, and Katie)
SMS: nothing new
PSA time: nothing new
Misc:
The Pike boys play mudball, which Mallory thinks is gross, because it's so filthy. My brothers played SLUGball. Like baseball, but guess what the balls were made from? Made the gardeners on our street very happy.
This was written before the word "tween" was invented: Mallory doesn't know what call the stage of life she's in.
This is Mallory's one and only mystery. She and Jessi each got just one, because Scholastic didn't want to encourage eleven-year-olds to go solve mysteries (but had no problem with thirteen-year-olds doing the same thing).
The numbers:
Starting 8th grade: 3
Halloweens in 8th grade: 2 (plus one in seventh)
Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 2
Summers after 8th grade: 2
BSC Fights: 6
SMS Staff: 24
Students (other than the BSC): 72; 50 8th graders, 2 7th grader, 10 sixth-graders, nine unspecified
Clients: 30
Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 53 (bubble gum, Butterfingers, butterscotch candy, candy hearts, Cheese Doodles, Cheetos, a chocolate bar, chocolate-covered cherries, Chunky bar, cookies, Cracker Jacks, crackers (unspecified and whole wheat), cupcakes, dark-chocolate caramels, Ding-Dongs, Doritos, Fig Newtons, Fritos, fruit pie, gumdrops, Gummi Bears, Heath bars, Hershey's kisses, Ho Hos, jawbreakers, Kit-Kats, licorice, licorice whips, Lifesavers, M&Ms (regular and peanut), Mallomars, marshmallows, Mentos, mini candy bars, Necco wafers, Oreos (Double Stuf), Planter's Peanut bar, popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, pretzel sticks, red hots, Ring Dings, root beer barrels, salt water taffy, Snickers, taco chips, Tootsie Roll Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Triscuits, Twinkies, Yodels)
Crushes: Claudia-8 (Guy, Terry, Austin Bentley, Timothy Carmody, Arthur Feingold, Woody Jefferson, Trevor Sandbourne, Will Yamakawa), Dawn-5 (Travis, Lewis Bruno, Parker Harris, Price Irving, Richie Magnesi), Mary Anne-2 (Alex, Logan Bruno), Stacey-7 (Toby, Kelsey Bauman, Pete Black, Ross Brown, Pierre D'Amboise, Scott Foley, Sam Thomas), Kristy-1 (Bart Taylor), Mallory-1 (Ben Hobart), Jessi-2 (Curtiis Shaller, Quint Walter)
4/2/11
Stacey's Ex-Best Friend (RS#51)
Original Publication Date: 1992
Ghostwriter? No
Synopsis:
Laine has a weeklong break from school, and Stacey convinces her to spend it in Stoneybrook. SMS still in session, so Laine comes to classes for a day. There, Pete Black sees her and falls in lust. Lucky for him, there's a school dance for Valentine's Day on Friday...the thirteenth.
No, seriously. Mallory, Kristy, and Mary Anne get in fights with Ben, Bart, and Logan, respectively. More importantly, Laine and Stacey get in a fight after it simmering all week. Laine has matured much faster than Stacey in many ways, but not in such a way that she can avoid being a snotty brat to Stacey and her friends. She's acts rude and superior the whole time, which finally culminates in her and Stacey leaving the dance early so Laine can catch an earlier train back to New York. After thinking about things, Stacey realizes she and Laine have grown apart. She writes Laine a letter explaining her feelings, and includes with it her half of the best friends necklace Laine gave her when she moved back to Stoneybrook.
The BSC charges have a nicer Valentine's: the BSC puts on a masquerade for them and all goes well.
Established or continued in this book:
The Girls (and Logan):
Claudia candy: Snickers under her pillow, Fritos in her desk drawer, fruit pie in her backpack
Stacey likes home shopping networks, and patronizes them. And Claudia decides to join her.
Their Families: nothing new
The Club:
The Hobarts' Australian accents are fading.
SMS:
Students: Ron Belkis (7th), Dave Griffin (8th), Curtis Shaller (7th)
PSA time: nothing new
Misc:
There's another mention of global warming coupled with the appearance of snow, just like in SS#7.
I agree with Stacey. "Babe" is a weird pet name for a significant other. I'm also not a fan of "baby" unless I'm referring to an infant.
A thought occurs...the Pike triplets were possibly born via C-section. In the 80s and 90s, VBACs were rare. Most doctors recommend no more than five C-sections for a woman...triplets, Vanessa, Nicky, Margo, Claire. Makes sense Claire is the last one.
Ugh, "it takes two to tango." I had a teacher who would say that when punishing students for talking even if it really was just one student trying to talk the other and the second student ignoring the first.
The numbers:
Starting 8th grade: 3
Halloweens in 8th grade: 2 (plus one in seventh)
Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 2
Summers after 8th grade: 2
BSC Fights: 6
SMS Staff: 23
Students (other than the BSC): 66; 44 8th graders, 2 7th grader, 10 sixth-graders, nine unspecified
Clients: 28
Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 53 (bubble gum, Butterfingers, butterscotch candy, candy hearts, Cheese Doodles, Cheetos, a chocolate bar, chocolate-covered cherries, Chunky bar, cookies, Cracker Jacks, crackers (unspecified and whole wheat), cupcakes, dark-chocolate caramels, Ding-Dongs, Doritos, Fig Newtons, Fritos, fruit pie, gumdrops, Gummi Bears, Heath bars, Hershey's kisses, Ho Hos, jawbreakers, Kit-Kats, licorice, licorice whips, Lifesavers, M&Ms (regular and peanut), Mallomars, marshmallows, Mentos, mini candy bars, Necco wafers, Oreos (Double Stuf), Planter's Peanut bar, popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, pretzel sticks, red hots, Ring Dings, root beer barrels, salt water taffy, Snickers, taco chips, Tootsie Roll Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Triscuits, Twinkies, Yodels)
Crushes: Claudia-8 (Guy, Terry, Austin Bentley, Timothy Carmody, Arthur Feingold, Woody Jefferson, Trevor Sandbourne, Will Yamakawa), Dawn-5 (Travis, Lewis Bruno, Parker Harris, Price Irving, Richie Magnesi), Mary Anne-2 (Alex, Logan Bruno), Stacey-7 (Toby, Kelsey Bauman, Pete Black, Ross Brown, Pierre D'Amboise, Scott Foley, Sam Thomas), Kristy-1 (Bart Taylor), Mallory-1 (Ben Hobart), Jessi-2 (Curtiis Shaller, Quint Walter)
Ghostwriter? No
Synopsis:
Laine has a weeklong break from school, and Stacey convinces her to spend it in Stoneybrook. SMS still in session, so Laine comes to classes for a day. There, Pete Black sees her and falls in lust. Lucky for him, there's a school dance for Valentine's Day on Friday...the thirteenth.
No, seriously. Mallory, Kristy, and Mary Anne get in fights with Ben, Bart, and Logan, respectively. More importantly, Laine and Stacey get in a fight after it simmering all week. Laine has matured much faster than Stacey in many ways, but not in such a way that she can avoid being a snotty brat to Stacey and her friends. She's acts rude and superior the whole time, which finally culminates in her and Stacey leaving the dance early so Laine can catch an earlier train back to New York. After thinking about things, Stacey realizes she and Laine have grown apart. She writes Laine a letter explaining her feelings, and includes with it her half of the best friends necklace Laine gave her when she moved back to Stoneybrook.
The BSC charges have a nicer Valentine's: the BSC puts on a masquerade for them and all goes well.
Established or continued in this book:
The Girls (and Logan):
Claudia candy: Snickers under her pillow, Fritos in her desk drawer, fruit pie in her backpack
Stacey likes home shopping networks, and patronizes them. And Claudia decides to join her.
Their Families: nothing new
The Club:
The Hobarts' Australian accents are fading.
SMS:
Students: Ron Belkis (7th), Dave Griffin (8th), Curtis Shaller (7th)
PSA time: nothing new
Misc:
There's another mention of global warming coupled with the appearance of snow, just like in SS#7.
I agree with Stacey. "Babe" is a weird pet name for a significant other. I'm also not a fan of "baby" unless I'm referring to an infant.
A thought occurs...the Pike triplets were possibly born via C-section. In the 80s and 90s, VBACs were rare. Most doctors recommend no more than five C-sections for a woman...triplets, Vanessa, Nicky, Margo, Claire. Makes sense Claire is the last one.
Ugh, "it takes two to tango." I had a teacher who would say that when punishing students for talking even if it really was just one student trying to talk the other and the second student ignoring the first.
The numbers:
Starting 8th grade: 3
Halloweens in 8th grade: 2 (plus one in seventh)
Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 2
Summers after 8th grade: 2
BSC Fights: 6
SMS Staff: 23
Students (other than the BSC): 66; 44 8th graders, 2 7th grader, 10 sixth-graders, nine unspecified
Clients: 28
Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 53 (bubble gum, Butterfingers, butterscotch candy, candy hearts, Cheese Doodles, Cheetos, a chocolate bar, chocolate-covered cherries, Chunky bar, cookies, Cracker Jacks, crackers (unspecified and whole wheat), cupcakes, dark-chocolate caramels, Ding-Dongs, Doritos, Fig Newtons, Fritos, fruit pie, gumdrops, Gummi Bears, Heath bars, Hershey's kisses, Ho Hos, jawbreakers, Kit-Kats, licorice, licorice whips, Lifesavers, M&Ms (regular and peanut), Mallomars, marshmallows, Mentos, mini candy bars, Necco wafers, Oreos (Double Stuf), Planter's Peanut bar, popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, pretzel sticks, red hots, Ring Dings, root beer barrels, salt water taffy, Snickers, taco chips, Tootsie Roll Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Triscuits, Twinkies, Yodels)
Crushes: Claudia-8 (Guy, Terry, Austin Bentley, Timothy Carmody, Arthur Feingold, Woody Jefferson, Trevor Sandbourne, Will Yamakawa), Dawn-5 (Travis, Lewis Bruno, Parker Harris, Price Irving, Richie Magnesi), Mary Anne-2 (Alex, Logan Bruno), Stacey-7 (Toby, Kelsey Bauman, Pete Black, Ross Brown, Pierre D'Amboise, Scott Foley, Sam Thomas), Kristy-1 (Bart Taylor), Mallory-1 (Ben Hobart), Jessi-2 (Curtiis Shaller, Quint Walter)
3/19/11
Dawn's Big Date (RS#50)
Original Publication Date: 1992
Ghostwriter? Yes, Suzanne Weyn
Synopsis:
Remember a few books back when Dawn had a crush on a high schooler, Travis, and let him change all sorts of things? At the end of that book, she became pen pals with Logan's cousin, Lewis. Now he's coming for a visit, and Dawn decides that she needs to update her look and act cool so she can impress him. Most of the BSC thinks she's going overboard, although Mary Anne is eager to help. Naturally, Lewis is confused and disappointed to find that the girl he'd been getting to know is completely different in person. Dawn has a revelation before he leaves and goes back to her true self. She and Lewis get along much better when they're both being who they are, and the rest of his visit goes well. They continue writing letters when he returns to Kentucky.
At the same time, the BSC sits a few times for a new family, the Hills. Norman (7) has a weight problem, while his parents and older sister are thin. They're always on his case about it, belittling and nagging him rather than helping him. The BSC helps him stand up to his sister's bullying and inspire him to talk to his parents about the situation, too. He ends up getting respect from his sister, showing his parents how to help him better, and resolving to get to healthier weight.
Established or continued in this book:
The Girls (and Logan):
Claudia candy: regular, cheese, and caramel popcorn under her bed
Dawn has stationery with a tiny silver unicorn printed on the corner of each sheet. I wouldn't mention it except that when they went to Disney World, the boy she had a crush on bought her a charm bracelet with a tiny glass unicorn on it.
Dawn points out what we've all thought about the Kishis' ban on Nancy drew books: at least Claudia's reading something. (A theory I've heard is that her parents let Claudia think they're forbidden fruit to make them more interesting.)
This book marks the first time Dawn's ever chewed bubblegum (sugarless, of course).
Their Families:
Dawn's mom and Mary Anne's dad are doing better at working together despite their differences: Sharon is more organized and Richard is less uptight.
The Club:
New clients: the Hills, seven-year-old Norman and nine-year-old Sarah
SMS:
Students: Sue Archer, Bill Torrance (8th)
Staff: Ms. Harris (science)
PSA time:
Dawn says (judgmentally) that she and her mom are very health-conscious in their eating, for example, they eat lots of raw fruits and vegetables. Generally better than cooked, although at least carrots and tomatoes are healthier when they're cooked.
Misc:
Whoever bought this at a used bookstore (maybe me; I can't remember) paid $1.60 for it.
The numbers:
Starting 8th grade: 3
Halloweens in 8th grade: 2 (plus one in seventh)
Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 1
Summers after 8th grade: 2
BSC Fights: 6
SMS Staff: 23
Students (other than the BSC): 62; 43 8th graders, 10 sixth-graders, nine unspecified
Clients: 28
Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 52 (bubble gum, Butterfingers, butterscotch candy, candy hearts, Cheese Doodles, Cheetos, a chocolate bar, chocolate-covered cherries, Chunky bar, cookies, Cracker Jacks, crackers (unspecified and whole wheat), cupcakes, dark-chocolate caramels, Ding-Dongs, Doritos, Fig Newtons, Fritos, gumdrops, Gummi Bears, Heath bars, Hershey's kisses, Ho Hos, jawbreakers, Kit-Kats, licorice, licorice whips, Lifesavers, M&Ms (regular and peanut), Mallomars, marshmallows, Mentos, mini candy bars, Necco wafers, Oreos (Double Stuf), Planter's Peanut bar, popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, pretzel sticks, red hots, Ring Dings, root beer barrels, salt water taffy, Snickers, taco chips, Tootsie Roll Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Triscuits, Twinkies, Yodels)
Crushes: Claudia-8 (Guy, Terry, Austin Bentley, Timothy Carmody, Arthur Feingold, Woody Jefferson, Trevor Sandbourne, Will Yamakawa), Dawn-5 (Travis, Lewis Bruno, Parker Harris, Price Irving, Richie Magnesi), Mary Anne-2 (Alex, Logan Bruno), Stacey-7 (Toby, Kelsey Bauman, Pete Black, Ross Brown, Pierre D'Amboise, Scott Foley, Sam Thomas), Kristy-1 (Bart Taylor), Mallory-1 (Ben Hobart), Jessi-1 (Quint Walter)
Ghostwriter? Yes, Suzanne Weyn
Synopsis:
Remember a few books back when Dawn had a crush on a high schooler, Travis, and let him change all sorts of things? At the end of that book, she became pen pals with Logan's cousin, Lewis. Now he's coming for a visit, and Dawn decides that she needs to update her look and act cool so she can impress him. Most of the BSC thinks she's going overboard, although Mary Anne is eager to help. Naturally, Lewis is confused and disappointed to find that the girl he'd been getting to know is completely different in person. Dawn has a revelation before he leaves and goes back to her true self. She and Lewis get along much better when they're both being who they are, and the rest of his visit goes well. They continue writing letters when he returns to Kentucky.
At the same time, the BSC sits a few times for a new family, the Hills. Norman (7) has a weight problem, while his parents and older sister are thin. They're always on his case about it, belittling and nagging him rather than helping him. The BSC helps him stand up to his sister's bullying and inspire him to talk to his parents about the situation, too. He ends up getting respect from his sister, showing his parents how to help him better, and resolving to get to healthier weight.
Established or continued in this book:
The Girls (and Logan):
Claudia candy: regular, cheese, and caramel popcorn under her bed
Dawn has stationery with a tiny silver unicorn printed on the corner of each sheet. I wouldn't mention it except that when they went to Disney World, the boy she had a crush on bought her a charm bracelet with a tiny glass unicorn on it.
Dawn points out what we've all thought about the Kishis' ban on Nancy drew books: at least Claudia's reading something. (A theory I've heard is that her parents let Claudia think they're forbidden fruit to make them more interesting.)
This book marks the first time Dawn's ever chewed bubblegum (sugarless, of course).
Their Families:
Dawn's mom and Mary Anne's dad are doing better at working together despite their differences: Sharon is more organized and Richard is less uptight.
The Club:
New clients: the Hills, seven-year-old Norman and nine-year-old Sarah
SMS:
Students: Sue Archer, Bill Torrance (8th)
Staff: Ms. Harris (science)
PSA time:
Dawn says (judgmentally) that she and her mom are very health-conscious in their eating, for example, they eat lots of raw fruits and vegetables. Generally better than cooked, although at least carrots and tomatoes are healthier when they're cooked.
Misc:
Whoever bought this at a used bookstore (maybe me; I can't remember) paid $1.60 for it.
The numbers:
Starting 8th grade: 3
Halloweens in 8th grade: 2 (plus one in seventh)
Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 1
Summers after 8th grade: 2
BSC Fights: 6
SMS Staff: 23
Students (other than the BSC): 62; 43 8th graders, 10 sixth-graders, nine unspecified
Clients: 28
Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 52 (bubble gum, Butterfingers, butterscotch candy, candy hearts, Cheese Doodles, Cheetos, a chocolate bar, chocolate-covered cherries, Chunky bar, cookies, Cracker Jacks, crackers (unspecified and whole wheat), cupcakes, dark-chocolate caramels, Ding-Dongs, Doritos, Fig Newtons, Fritos, gumdrops, Gummi Bears, Heath bars, Hershey's kisses, Ho Hos, jawbreakers, Kit-Kats, licorice, licorice whips, Lifesavers, M&Ms (regular and peanut), Mallomars, marshmallows, Mentos, mini candy bars, Necco wafers, Oreos (Double Stuf), Planter's Peanut bar, popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, pretzel sticks, red hots, Ring Dings, root beer barrels, salt water taffy, Snickers, taco chips, Tootsie Roll Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Triscuits, Twinkies, Yodels)
Crushes: Claudia-8 (Guy, Terry, Austin Bentley, Timothy Carmody, Arthur Feingold, Woody Jefferson, Trevor Sandbourne, Will Yamakawa), Dawn-5 (Travis, Lewis Bruno, Parker Harris, Price Irving, Richie Magnesi), Mary Anne-2 (Alex, Logan Bruno), Stacey-7 (Toby, Kelsey Bauman, Pete Black, Ross Brown, Pierre D'Amboise, Scott Foley, Sam Thomas), Kristy-1 (Bart Taylor), Mallory-1 (Ben Hobart), Jessi-1 (Quint Walter)
3/8/11
Snowbound! (SS#7)
Original Publication Date: 1991
Ghostwriter? No
Synopsis:
A blizzard hits Stoneybrook, and the BSC has various adventures:
Kristy had invited Bart over for dinner earlier, and he stays the night, since the weather's so bad. Kristy gets up crazy-earlier to preen, but once she gets over the awkwardness of having him stay over, she enjoys it.
Claudia is sitting for the Perkins and their parents get stuck wherever they are, so she stays the night with them. They lose Chewy for a while, but find out he's been hiding in the garage.
Dawn and her mom get stranded at the airport, where they've gone to pick up Jeff. His flight ends up diverted to DC and he gets in the next morning.
Mallory and Mary Anne are sitting for Mallory's siblings. The Pike parents aren't expected back until two in the morning anyway, and have just about enough food to last until the morning. Of course, they get stranded and Mallory and Mary Anne have to keep things together as the food dwindles. The Pikes are resourceful though, and Logan skis over the next morning with supplies.
Stacey and her mom get stranded in their car on the way back from the mall (Stacey needed to redo her perm before the school's winter dance). The concern is not only the cold, but also Stacey's diabetes. Fortunately, someone with all-wheel drive spies them and they spend the night at the home of a nice young family. Because this book was written before cell phones became wide-spread and the phone lines are out, no one knows where they are and the BSC gets pretty worried.
Jessi is at the ballet studio, rehearsing or her role as the King of Mice in the Nutcracker. Quint is taking the train in to meet her there. When the storm hits, the dancers end up having to stay the night.
The BSC members have their stories in the paper. The snow's impact is short-lived, though: SMS is still able to put on the Winter Wonderland Dance which culminates in the most awkward group photo ever (those of you who have seen the last picture in this book know what I mean).
Established or continued in this book:
The Girls (and Logan):
Mallory allows for seven rings before giving up that anyone will answer a phone. My dad taught me the same thing.
Stacey says she's never fallen in love. I guess LUV doesn't count.
However, Mary Anne and Logan say "I love you" to each other.
Their Families:
Stacey's mom has a rear-wheel drive car (which is the worst kind for snow).
Charlie uses a hair dryer.
The Club:
You'd think the All-Knowing Myriah Perkins would recognize that "funner" isn't a word, but you'd be wrong.
OF COURSE "even little babies like to be read to." Stacey acts like it's an epiphany. I thought the BSC was comprised of people who knew their stuff.
SMS:
Students: Price Irving and Iri Mitsuhashi (8th grade)
PSA time:
If you drive often especially long trips, get AAA. It's worth it, just for the peace of mind.
Misc:
Oops...the picture if the newspaper shows a headline proclaiming 23 inches of snow, while four pages later, Kristy tells us there was 28 inches.
You know Karen's sweater-pants? Apparently sewing patterns exist for repurposing adult sweaters into children's pants.
A little girl rehearsing with Jessi has a baby doll named Caboose. When he was four, my husband named his cat Caboose.
I remember getting seriously confused reading this book as a kid when Jeff's plane is rerouted to Washington, DC. The book refers to it a few times as just "Washington" which is the state I live in. Especially when it's mentioned it's raining in Washington. Why would you divert a plane from Connecticut to Seattle or Spokane?
"This [snow] might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. What with global warming and all." How's that 2010-2011 winter treating you, east coast? (I know, it's really climate change. But I still laughed.)
The numbers:
Starting 8th grade: 3
Halloweens in 8th grade: 2 (plus one in seventh)
Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 1
Summers after 8th grade: 2
BSC Fights: 6
SMS Staff: 21
Students (other than the BSC): 59; 40 8th graders, 10 sixth-graders, nine unspecified
Clients: 27
Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 52 (bubble gum, Butterfingers, butterscotch candy, candy hearts, Cheese Doodles, Cheetos, a chocolate bar, chocolate-covered cherries, Chunky bar, cookies, Cracker Jacks, crackers (unspecified and whole wheat), cupcakes, dark-chocolate caramels, Ding-Dongs, Doritos, Fig Newtons, Fritos, gumdrops, Gummi Bears, Heath bars, Hershey's kisses, Ho Hos, jawbreakers, Kit-Kats, licorice, licorice whips, Lifesavers, M&Ms (regular and peanut), Mallomars, marshmallows, Mentos, mini candy bars, Necco wafers, Oreos (Double Stuf), Planter's Peanut bar, popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, pretzel sticks, red hots, Ring Dings, root beer barrels, salt water taffy, Snickers, taco chips, Tootsie Roll Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Triscuits, Twinkies, Yodels)
Crushes: Claudia-7 (Guy, Terry, Austin Bentley, Timothy Carmody, Woody Jefferson, Trevor Sandbourne, Will Yamakawa), Dawn-5 (Travis, Lewis Bruno, Parker Harris, Price Irving, Richie Magnesi), Mary Anne-2 (Alex, Logan Bruno), Stacey-7 (Toby, Kelsey Bauman, Pete Black, Ross Brown, Pierre D'Amboise, Scott Foley, Sam Thomas), Kristy-1 (Bart Taylor), Mallory-1 (Ben Hobart), Jessi-1 (Quint Walter)
Ghostwriter? No
Synopsis:
A blizzard hits Stoneybrook, and the BSC has various adventures:
Kristy had invited Bart over for dinner earlier, and he stays the night, since the weather's so bad. Kristy gets up crazy-earlier to preen, but once she gets over the awkwardness of having him stay over, she enjoys it.
Claudia is sitting for the Perkins and their parents get stuck wherever they are, so she stays the night with them. They lose Chewy for a while, but find out he's been hiding in the garage.
Dawn and her mom get stranded at the airport, where they've gone to pick up Jeff. His flight ends up diverted to DC and he gets in the next morning.
Mallory and Mary Anne are sitting for Mallory's siblings. The Pike parents aren't expected back until two in the morning anyway, and have just about enough food to last until the morning. Of course, they get stranded and Mallory and Mary Anne have to keep things together as the food dwindles. The Pikes are resourceful though, and Logan skis over the next morning with supplies.
Stacey and her mom get stranded in their car on the way back from the mall (Stacey needed to redo her perm before the school's winter dance). The concern is not only the cold, but also Stacey's diabetes. Fortunately, someone with all-wheel drive spies them and they spend the night at the home of a nice young family. Because this book was written before cell phones became wide-spread and the phone lines are out, no one knows where they are and the BSC gets pretty worried.
Jessi is at the ballet studio, rehearsing or her role as the King of Mice in the Nutcracker. Quint is taking the train in to meet her there. When the storm hits, the dancers end up having to stay the night.
The BSC members have their stories in the paper. The snow's impact is short-lived, though: SMS is still able to put on the Winter Wonderland Dance which culminates in the most awkward group photo ever (those of you who have seen the last picture in this book know what I mean).
Established or continued in this book:
The Girls (and Logan):
Mallory allows for seven rings before giving up that anyone will answer a phone. My dad taught me the same thing.
Stacey says she's never fallen in love. I guess LUV doesn't count.
However, Mary Anne and Logan say "I love you" to each other.
Their Families:
Stacey's mom has a rear-wheel drive car (which is the worst kind for snow).
Charlie uses a hair dryer.
The Club:
You'd think the All-Knowing Myriah Perkins would recognize that "funner" isn't a word, but you'd be wrong.
OF COURSE "even little babies like to be read to." Stacey acts like it's an epiphany. I thought the BSC was comprised of people who knew their stuff.
SMS:
Students: Price Irving and Iri Mitsuhashi (8th grade)
PSA time:
If you drive often especially long trips, get AAA. It's worth it, just for the peace of mind.
Misc:
Oops...the picture if the newspaper shows a headline proclaiming 23 inches of snow, while four pages later, Kristy tells us there was 28 inches.
You know Karen's sweater-pants? Apparently sewing patterns exist for repurposing adult sweaters into children's pants.
A little girl rehearsing with Jessi has a baby doll named Caboose. When he was four, my husband named his cat Caboose.
I remember getting seriously confused reading this book as a kid when Jeff's plane is rerouted to Washington, DC. The book refers to it a few times as just "Washington" which is the state I live in. Especially when it's mentioned it's raining in Washington. Why would you divert a plane from Connecticut to Seattle or Spokane?
"This [snow] might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. What with global warming and all." How's that 2010-2011 winter treating you, east coast? (I know, it's really climate change. But I still laughed.)
The numbers:
Starting 8th grade: 3
Halloweens in 8th grade: 2 (plus one in seventh)
Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 1
Summers after 8th grade: 2
BSC Fights: 6
SMS Staff: 21
Students (other than the BSC): 59; 40 8th graders, 10 sixth-graders, nine unspecified
Clients: 27
Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 52 (bubble gum, Butterfingers, butterscotch candy, candy hearts, Cheese Doodles, Cheetos, a chocolate bar, chocolate-covered cherries, Chunky bar, cookies, Cracker Jacks, crackers (unspecified and whole wheat), cupcakes, dark-chocolate caramels, Ding-Dongs, Doritos, Fig Newtons, Fritos, gumdrops, Gummi Bears, Heath bars, Hershey's kisses, Ho Hos, jawbreakers, Kit-Kats, licorice, licorice whips, Lifesavers, M&Ms (regular and peanut), Mallomars, marshmallows, Mentos, mini candy bars, Necco wafers, Oreos (Double Stuf), Planter's Peanut bar, popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, pretzel sticks, red hots, Ring Dings, root beer barrels, salt water taffy, Snickers, taco chips, Tootsie Roll Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Triscuits, Twinkies, Yodels)
Crushes: Claudia-7 (Guy, Terry, Austin Bentley, Timothy Carmody, Woody Jefferson, Trevor Sandbourne, Will Yamakawa), Dawn-5 (Travis, Lewis Bruno, Parker Harris, Price Irving, Richie Magnesi), Mary Anne-2 (Alex, Logan Bruno), Stacey-7 (Toby, Kelsey Bauman, Pete Black, Ross Brown, Pierre D'Amboise, Scott Foley, Sam Thomas), Kristy-1 (Bart Taylor), Mallory-1 (Ben Hobart), Jessi-1 (Quint Walter)
2/24/11
Beware, Dawn! (M#2)
Original Publication Date: 1991
Ghostwriter? Yes, Ellen Miles
Synopsis:
The girls are in a competition for Sitter of the Month. They're trying to not let the contest get them in a fight, but they do each want to win.
Then creepy things start happening during sitting jobs: phone calls with no one on the other end, threatening notes, a bouquet of dead flower stems, a decapitated doll (seriously). At first, Dawn thinks it's Alan Gray, remembering what she's been told about the incident way back in book #2. But he's quickly ruled out. For a little bit, Dawn even wonders Kristy (to whom nothing has happened) might be trying to scare the other sitters in order to win the contest. Eventually, it slips that Mel Tucker (remember him from teasing Susan and the Hobarts?) is doing "sitter checks" for the contest. The BSC sets up a sting operation and catch him in the act. Turns out he was scaring them to get back at the club for telling Mrs. Hobart about his continued teasing, which got him in trouble. This isn't the first issue he's had, and the Tuckers tell Dawn they're going to set up an appointment with a child psychologist to help figure out why he acts out so much.
As for the contest? A seven-way tie. I'd call foul, but several years ago my older brother and I did win "Best Sitter" along with five other sitters in our area. It can happen!
Established or continued in this book:
The Girls (and Logan):
Claudia candy: Hershey bar under her pillow, pretzels and Tootsie Pops
Dawn thinks Mary Anne and Logan will always be together.
Dawn also thinks it's her place to lecture Claudia about her eating habits.
Dawn hates Candy Land. So does Kristy...I wonder if all the sitters do.
Their Families:
It's implied that Adam is the oldest triplet, then Byron, then Jordan. But it's subtle so I'm not sure.
Becca's favorite TV show is The Cosby Show, dame as Charlotte Johanssen.
The only food all the Pikes like is spaghetti. What happened to Daddy Stew?
The Club:
I think it's interesting that Stacey and Dawn both needed the BSC as a solid group of friends when they first moved to Stoneybrook, but that Dawn was never as into in as Stacey. Can you see Dawn being willing to wear a BSC sandwich board to school? On the other hand, we have the Stacey story arc that's coming up in about 35 books...
Dawn says she's glad she doesn't have to sit for all four Hobarts at once. I guess this is when Ben Hobart goes from capable eleven-year-old to sittee? But he's still going out with Mallory in this book.
The Kormans are still doing the stupid toilet monster thing.
SMS:
Staff: Mrs. McCarthy (6th grade)
PSA time:
Jessi learned from my PSA a few posts back! She gives Squirt plain water, not milk or juice for his nighttime bottle. Hooray for no rotten milk or tooth decay!
Misc:
Calling Stamford is long-distance from Stoneybrook.
The numbers:
Starting 8th grade: 3
Halloweens in 8th grade: 2 (plus one in seventh)
Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 1
Summers after 8th grade: 2
BSC Fights: 6
SMS Staff: 21
Students (other than the BSC): 63; 40 8th graders, nine sixth-graders, nine unspecified
Clients: 27
Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 52 (bubble gum, Butterfingers, butterscotch candy, candy hearts, Cheese Doodles, Cheetos, a chocolate bar, chocolate-covered cherries, Chunky bar, cookies, Cracker Jacks, crackers (unspecified and whole wheat), cupcakes, dark-chocolate caramels, Ding-Dongs, Doritos, Fig Newtons, Fritos, gumdrops, Gummi Bears, Heath bars, Hershey's kisses, Ho Hos, jawbreakers, Kit-Kats, licorice, licorice whips, Lifesavers, M&Ms (regular and peanut), Mallomars, marshmallows, Mentos, mini candy bars, Necco wafers, Oreos (Double Stuf), Planter's Peanut bar, popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, pretzel sticks, red hots, Ring Dings, root beer barrels, salt water taffy, Snickers, taco chips, Tootsie Roll Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Triscuits, Twinkies, Yodels)
Crushes: Claudia-7 (Guy, Terry, Austin Bentley, Timothy Carmody, Woody Jefferson, Trevor Sandbourne, Will Yamakawa), Dawn-4 (Travis, Lewis Bruno, Parker Harris, Richie Magnesi), Mary Anne-2 (Alex, Logan Bruno), Stacey-7 (Toby, Kelsey Bauman, Pete Black, Ross Brown, Pierre D'Amboise, Scott Foley, Sam Thomas), Kristy-1 (Bart Taylor), Mallory-1 (Ben Hobart), Jessi-1 (Quint Walter)
Ghostwriter? Yes, Ellen Miles
Synopsis:
The girls are in a competition for Sitter of the Month. They're trying to not let the contest get them in a fight, but they do each want to win.
Then creepy things start happening during sitting jobs: phone calls with no one on the other end, threatening notes, a bouquet of dead flower stems, a decapitated doll (seriously). At first, Dawn thinks it's Alan Gray, remembering what she's been told about the incident way back in book #2. But he's quickly ruled out. For a little bit, Dawn even wonders Kristy (to whom nothing has happened) might be trying to scare the other sitters in order to win the contest. Eventually, it slips that Mel Tucker (remember him from teasing Susan and the Hobarts?) is doing "sitter checks" for the contest. The BSC sets up a sting operation and catch him in the act. Turns out he was scaring them to get back at the club for telling Mrs. Hobart about his continued teasing, which got him in trouble. This isn't the first issue he's had, and the Tuckers tell Dawn they're going to set up an appointment with a child psychologist to help figure out why he acts out so much.
As for the contest? A seven-way tie. I'd call foul, but several years ago my older brother and I did win "Best Sitter" along with five other sitters in our area. It can happen!
Established or continued in this book:
The Girls (and Logan):
Claudia candy: Hershey bar under her pillow, pretzels and Tootsie Pops
Dawn thinks Mary Anne and Logan will always be together.
Dawn also thinks it's her place to lecture Claudia about her eating habits.
Dawn hates Candy Land. So does Kristy...I wonder if all the sitters do.
Their Families:
It's implied that Adam is the oldest triplet, then Byron, then Jordan. But it's subtle so I'm not sure.
Becca's favorite TV show is The Cosby Show, dame as Charlotte Johanssen.
The only food all the Pikes like is spaghetti. What happened to Daddy Stew?
The Club:
I think it's interesting that Stacey and Dawn both needed the BSC as a solid group of friends when they first moved to Stoneybrook, but that Dawn was never as into in as Stacey. Can you see Dawn being willing to wear a BSC sandwich board to school? On the other hand, we have the Stacey story arc that's coming up in about 35 books...
Dawn says she's glad she doesn't have to sit for all four Hobarts at once. I guess this is when Ben Hobart goes from capable eleven-year-old to sittee? But he's still going out with Mallory in this book.
The Kormans are still doing the stupid toilet monster thing.
SMS:
Staff: Mrs. McCarthy (6th grade)
PSA time:
Jessi learned from my PSA a few posts back! She gives Squirt plain water, not milk or juice for his nighttime bottle. Hooray for no rotten milk or tooth decay!
Misc:
Calling Stamford is long-distance from Stoneybrook.
The numbers:
Starting 8th grade: 3
Halloweens in 8th grade: 2 (plus one in seventh)
Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 1
Summers after 8th grade: 2
BSC Fights: 6
SMS Staff: 21
Students (other than the BSC): 63; 40 8th graders, nine sixth-graders, nine unspecified
Clients: 27
Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 52 (bubble gum, Butterfingers, butterscotch candy, candy hearts, Cheese Doodles, Cheetos, a chocolate bar, chocolate-covered cherries, Chunky bar, cookies, Cracker Jacks, crackers (unspecified and whole wheat), cupcakes, dark-chocolate caramels, Ding-Dongs, Doritos, Fig Newtons, Fritos, gumdrops, Gummi Bears, Heath bars, Hershey's kisses, Ho Hos, jawbreakers, Kit-Kats, licorice, licorice whips, Lifesavers, M&Ms (regular and peanut), Mallomars, marshmallows, Mentos, mini candy bars, Necco wafers, Oreos (Double Stuf), Planter's Peanut bar, popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, pretzel sticks, red hots, Ring Dings, root beer barrels, salt water taffy, Snickers, taco chips, Tootsie Roll Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Triscuits, Twinkies, Yodels)
Crushes: Claudia-7 (Guy, Terry, Austin Bentley, Timothy Carmody, Woody Jefferson, Trevor Sandbourne, Will Yamakawa), Dawn-4 (Travis, Lewis Bruno, Parker Harris, Richie Magnesi), Mary Anne-2 (Alex, Logan Bruno), Stacey-7 (Toby, Kelsey Bauman, Pete Black, Ross Brown, Pierre D'Amboise, Scott Foley, Sam Thomas), Kristy-1 (Bart Taylor), Mallory-1 (Ben Hobart), Jessi-1 (Quint Walter)
2/16/11
Claudia and the Genius of Elm Street (RS#49)
Original Publication Date: 1991
Ghostwriter? Yes, Peter Lerangis
Synopsis:
In this books, Laura Ingalls and Almanzo Wilder apparently need the services of the BSC, as Claudia starts sitting for one Rosie Wilder. I wonder if she was born in December.
Unintended crossovers aside...the Wilders (actually Ginger and George) need a sitter three days a week until Rosie's grandmother (Caroline?) recovers from a broken ankle, the flu, and shingles. I hope she doesn't get post-herpetic neurolgia, a complication my dad got after shingles. Claudia is available all but two of those days, so she gets the job.
As it turns out, the job mostly consists of sitting around while Rosie has various lessons, rehearsals, and practices. She's very talented and her parents push into recitals, TV appearances, competitions, and the like. Rosie rubs the BSC the wrong way at first; she's so smart, and she knows it, that she acts conceited. They even have to bring in Janine to help with Rosie's homework. But Claudia eventually figures out that Rosie doesn't like most of what she's forced to do, which puts her in a bad mood. What does Rosie really like? Art, of course. She's been hiding it from her parents because they'll just turn it into another chore for her. Claudia discovers this while working on sketches of junk food for a. Andy Warhol-inspired art exhibit she's planning to hold in her parents' garage (I know, but it actually turns out really well, despite Alan Gray's sabotage efforts).
Claudia eventually convinces Rosie to talk to her parents about how overbooked she is, and they agree to cut down on her activities to just math club, violin, and art. And there was great rejoicing.
Established or continued in this book:
The Girls (and Logan):
Claudia candy: A Kit-Kat in her night table, Milky Ways, M&Ms, and a Chunky bar (that just sounds gross)
Claudia read (and enjoyed) Oliver Twist and The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.
It's sad how insecure Claudia can be. She worries about her friends mocking her spelling behind her back. Though I wouldn't be surprised if Dawn does.
Stacey has the insight that Rosie might be insecure. Considering she had the trick with using reverse psychology on the Delaneys way back in RS#11, it makes sense for her to think of this idea.
Their Families:
Claudia says that she and Janine are getting along better, and it shows in this book. Hooray! Janine seems nice, if a bit unrelateable at times.
The Club:
New client: Rosie Wilder
Mary Anne color-codes the scheduling book.
SMS: nothing new
PSA time:
Misc:
Is it necessary to check a crossword puzzle for accuracy? If one word is wrong, won't it throw off the other words, too?
Claudia references her lessons with MacKenzie Clark in New York from SS#6.
The numbers:
Starting 8th grade: 3
Halloweens in 8th grade: 2 (plus one in seventh)
Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 1
Summers after 8th grade: 2
BSC Fights: 6
SMS Staff: 20
Students (other than the BSC): 63; 40 8th graders, nine sixth-graders, nine unspecified
Clients: 27
Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 52 (bubble gum, Butterfingers, butterscotch candy, candy hearts, Cheese Doodles, Cheetos, a chocolate bar, chocolate-covered cherries, Chunky bar, cookies, Cracker Jacks, crackers (unspecified and whole wheat), cupcakes, dark-chocolate caramels, Ding-Dongs, Doritos, Fig Newtons, Fritos, gumdrops, Gummi Bears, Heath bars, Hershey's kisses, Ho Hos, jawbreakers, Kit-Kats, licorice, licorice whips, Lifesavers, M&Ms (regular and peanut), Mallomars, marshmallows, Mentos, mini candy bars, Necco wafers, Oreos (Double Stuf), Planter's Peanut bar, popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, pretzel sticks, red hots, Ring Dings, root beer barrels, salt water taffy, Snickers, taco chips, Tootsie Roll Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Triscuits, Twinkies, Yodels)
Crushes: Claudia-7 (Guy, Terry, Austin Bentley, Timothy Carmody, Woody Jefferson, Trevor Sandbourne, Will Yamakawa), Dawn-4 (Travis, Lewis Bruno, Parker Harris, Richie Magnesi), Mary Anne-2 (Alex, Logan Bruno), Stacey-7 (Toby, Kelsey Bauman, Pete Black, Ross Brown, Pierre D'Amboise, Scott Foley, Sam Thomas), Kristy-1 (Bart Taylor), Mallory-1 (Ben Hobart), Jessi-1 (Quint Walter)
Ghostwriter? Yes, Peter Lerangis
Synopsis:
In this books, Laura Ingalls and Almanzo Wilder apparently need the services of the BSC, as Claudia starts sitting for one Rosie Wilder. I wonder if she was born in December.
Unintended crossovers aside...the Wilders (actually Ginger and George) need a sitter three days a week until Rosie's grandmother (Caroline?) recovers from a broken ankle, the flu, and shingles. I hope she doesn't get post-herpetic neurolgia, a complication my dad got after shingles. Claudia is available all but two of those days, so she gets the job.
As it turns out, the job mostly consists of sitting around while Rosie has various lessons, rehearsals, and practices. She's very talented and her parents push into recitals, TV appearances, competitions, and the like. Rosie rubs the BSC the wrong way at first; she's so smart, and she knows it, that she acts conceited. They even have to bring in Janine to help with Rosie's homework. But Claudia eventually figures out that Rosie doesn't like most of what she's forced to do, which puts her in a bad mood. What does Rosie really like? Art, of course. She's been hiding it from her parents because they'll just turn it into another chore for her. Claudia discovers this while working on sketches of junk food for a. Andy Warhol-inspired art exhibit she's planning to hold in her parents' garage (I know, but it actually turns out really well, despite Alan Gray's sabotage efforts).
Claudia eventually convinces Rosie to talk to her parents about how overbooked she is, and they agree to cut down on her activities to just math club, violin, and art. And there was great rejoicing.
Established or continued in this book:
The Girls (and Logan):
Claudia candy: A Kit-Kat in her night table, Milky Ways, M&Ms, and a Chunky bar (that just sounds gross)
Claudia read (and enjoyed) Oliver Twist and The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.
It's sad how insecure Claudia can be. She worries about her friends mocking her spelling behind her back. Though I wouldn't be surprised if Dawn does.
Stacey has the insight that Rosie might be insecure. Considering she had the trick with using reverse psychology on the Delaneys way back in RS#11, it makes sense for her to think of this idea.
Their Families:
Claudia says that she and Janine are getting along better, and it shows in this book. Hooray! Janine seems nice, if a bit unrelateable at times.
The Club:
New client: Rosie Wilder
Mary Anne color-codes the scheduling book.
SMS: nothing new
PSA time:
Misc:
Is it necessary to check a crossword puzzle for accuracy? If one word is wrong, won't it throw off the other words, too?
Claudia references her lessons with MacKenzie Clark in New York from SS#6.
The numbers:
Starting 8th grade: 3
Halloweens in 8th grade: 2 (plus one in seventh)
Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 1
Summers after 8th grade: 2
BSC Fights: 6
SMS Staff: 20
Students (other than the BSC): 63; 40 8th graders, nine sixth-graders, nine unspecified
Clients: 27
Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 52 (bubble gum, Butterfingers, butterscotch candy, candy hearts, Cheese Doodles, Cheetos, a chocolate bar, chocolate-covered cherries, Chunky bar, cookies, Cracker Jacks, crackers (unspecified and whole wheat), cupcakes, dark-chocolate caramels, Ding-Dongs, Doritos, Fig Newtons, Fritos, gumdrops, Gummi Bears, Heath bars, Hershey's kisses, Ho Hos, jawbreakers, Kit-Kats, licorice, licorice whips, Lifesavers, M&Ms (regular and peanut), Mallomars, marshmallows, Mentos, mini candy bars, Necco wafers, Oreos (Double Stuf), Planter's Peanut bar, popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, pretzel sticks, red hots, Ring Dings, root beer barrels, salt water taffy, Snickers, taco chips, Tootsie Roll Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Triscuits, Twinkies, Yodels)
Crushes: Claudia-7 (Guy, Terry, Austin Bentley, Timothy Carmody, Woody Jefferson, Trevor Sandbourne, Will Yamakawa), Dawn-4 (Travis, Lewis Bruno, Parker Harris, Richie Magnesi), Mary Anne-2 (Alex, Logan Bruno), Stacey-7 (Toby, Kelsey Bauman, Pete Black, Ross Brown, Pierre D'Amboise, Scott Foley, Sam Thomas), Kristy-1 (Bart Taylor), Mallory-1 (Ben Hobart), Jessi-1 (Quint Walter)
2/10/11
Jessi's Wish (RS#48)
Original Publication Date: 1991
Ghostwriter? No
Synopsis:
Jessi volunteers to help with her sister's after-school club, which organizes charity activities for its members. She's helping out for a month while one of the teachers is on a trip; otherwise the club would have had to disband. The rest of the BSC also backs off from baby-sitting to volunteer: Stacey with a new diabetes clinic for recently-diagnosed kids, Kristy with the daycare her younger brother used to attend, Dawn with kids who have physical disabilities like muscular dystrophy, Claudia teaches an art class at the community center, Mary Anne's helping watch a family friend's brain-damaged son, and Mallory volunteers at the park's recreation program.
Through the club, Jessi meets Danielle, a nine-year-old with leukemia. She's just gotten out of the hospital and is rejoining the club. At first, the students who knew her when she was healthy are hesitant, worrying about how sick Danielle is. But she's able to do most of the same things, she just gets tired sooner. Jessi also finds out about a Make A Wish-like program and through it, Danielle and her family are able to go to Disney World. Sadly, Danielle has a relapse, and is in the hospital again at the end of the book.
Established or continued in this book:
The Girls (and Logan):
Mallory expects to make a lot of money from her writing, and plans to use to pay for a nose job.
I wish we'd read about Logan and Shannon doing something. They just end up baby-sitting more.
Kristy's good at spelling.
Jessi has a collection of ceramic horses and of stuffed animals.
Their Families:
Claudia's reaction to learning Margo Pike will be in her art class: "Great!" And to learning Karen Brewer also will: "I'll be prepared." Claudia's awesome.
The Club:
New client: the Roberts family, Danielle and Greg.
SMS: nothing new
PSA time:
I agree with Jessi's mom, it's a good idea to not inundate a family with calls when a member has to go to the hospital. Do call, but maybe wait a day or two.
Misc:
Kristy feels a need to explain that daycare is for parents who work.
It was very thoughtful of the Roberts to get a kitten for Danielle's brother, Greg. He must feel lost with all the attention Danielle needs.
The part with fingerpainting reminds me of an exchange I had with a five-year-old when he came back from playing at a friend's house. He had been painting and it got all over him and his clothes, too. I asked what he made, and he looked at his painting, then himself, and said, "A mess."
Margo sculpts a Hamburger Man. When I worked at a bike store, a customer told me he was making a Hamburger Bike: tan wheels for the bun, a brown frame for the meat, a green seat for the lettuce, red and yellow handlebar tape for the ketchup and mustard. He had some other ideas, too.
The numbers:
Starting 8th grade: 3
Halloweens in 8th grade: 2 (plus one in seventh)
Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 1
Summers after 8th grade: 2
BSC Fights: 6
SMS Staff: 20
Students (other than the BSC): 63; 40 8th graders, nine sixth-graders, nine unspecified
Clients: 26
Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 50 (bubble gum, Butterfingers, butterscotch candy, candy hearts, Cheese Doodles, Cheetos, a chocolate bar, chocolate-covered cherries, cookies, Cracker Jacks, crackers (unspecified and whole wheat), cupcakes, dark-chocolate caramels, Ding-Dongs, Doritos, Fig Newtons, Fritos, gumdrops, Gummi Bears, Heath bars, Hershey's kisses, Ho Hos, jawbreakers, licorice, licorice whips, Lifesavers, M&Ms (regular and peanut), Mallomars, marshmallows, Mentos, mini candy bars, Necco wafers, Oreos (Double Stuf), Planter's Peanut bar, popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, pretzel sticks, red hots, Ring Dings, root beer barrels, salt water taffy, Snickers, taco chips, Tootsie Roll Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Triscuits, Twinkies, Yodels)
Crushes: Claudia-7 (Guy, Terry, Austin Bentley, Timothy Carmody, Woody Jefferson, Trevor Sandbourne, Will Yamakawa), Dawn-4 (Travis, Lewis Bruno, Parker Harris, Richie Magnesi), Mary Anne-2 (Alex, Logan Bruno), Stacey-7 (Toby, Kelsey Bauman, Pete Black, Ross Brown, Pierre D'Amboise, Scott Foley, Sam Thomas), Kristy-1 (Bart Taylor), Mallory-1 (Ben Hobart), Jessi-1 (Quint Walter)
Ghostwriter? No
Synopsis:
Jessi volunteers to help with her sister's after-school club, which organizes charity activities for its members. She's helping out for a month while one of the teachers is on a trip; otherwise the club would have had to disband. The rest of the BSC also backs off from baby-sitting to volunteer: Stacey with a new diabetes clinic for recently-diagnosed kids, Kristy with the daycare her younger brother used to attend, Dawn with kids who have physical disabilities like muscular dystrophy, Claudia teaches an art class at the community center, Mary Anne's helping watch a family friend's brain-damaged son, and Mallory volunteers at the park's recreation program.
Through the club, Jessi meets Danielle, a nine-year-old with leukemia. She's just gotten out of the hospital and is rejoining the club. At first, the students who knew her when she was healthy are hesitant, worrying about how sick Danielle is. But she's able to do most of the same things, she just gets tired sooner. Jessi also finds out about a Make A Wish-like program and through it, Danielle and her family are able to go to Disney World. Sadly, Danielle has a relapse, and is in the hospital again at the end of the book.
Established or continued in this book:
The Girls (and Logan):
Mallory expects to make a lot of money from her writing, and plans to use to pay for a nose job.
I wish we'd read about Logan and Shannon doing something. They just end up baby-sitting more.
Kristy's good at spelling.
Jessi has a collection of ceramic horses and of stuffed animals.
Their Families:
Claudia's reaction to learning Margo Pike will be in her art class: "Great!" And to learning Karen Brewer also will: "I'll be prepared." Claudia's awesome.
The Club:
New client: the Roberts family, Danielle and Greg.
SMS: nothing new
PSA time:
I agree with Jessi's mom, it's a good idea to not inundate a family with calls when a member has to go to the hospital. Do call, but maybe wait a day or two.
Misc:
Kristy feels a need to explain that daycare is for parents who work.
It was very thoughtful of the Roberts to get a kitten for Danielle's brother, Greg. He must feel lost with all the attention Danielle needs.
The part with fingerpainting reminds me of an exchange I had with a five-year-old when he came back from playing at a friend's house. He had been painting and it got all over him and his clothes, too. I asked what he made, and he looked at his painting, then himself, and said, "A mess."
Margo sculpts a Hamburger Man. When I worked at a bike store, a customer told me he was making a Hamburger Bike: tan wheels for the bun, a brown frame for the meat, a green seat for the lettuce, red and yellow handlebar tape for the ketchup and mustard. He had some other ideas, too.
The numbers:
Starting 8th grade: 3
Halloweens in 8th grade: 2 (plus one in seventh)
Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 1
Summers after 8th grade: 2
BSC Fights: 6
SMS Staff: 20
Students (other than the BSC): 63; 40 8th graders, nine sixth-graders, nine unspecified
Clients: 26
Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 50 (bubble gum, Butterfingers, butterscotch candy, candy hearts, Cheese Doodles, Cheetos, a chocolate bar, chocolate-covered cherries, cookies, Cracker Jacks, crackers (unspecified and whole wheat), cupcakes, dark-chocolate caramels, Ding-Dongs, Doritos, Fig Newtons, Fritos, gumdrops, Gummi Bears, Heath bars, Hershey's kisses, Ho Hos, jawbreakers, licorice, licorice whips, Lifesavers, M&Ms (regular and peanut), Mallomars, marshmallows, Mentos, mini candy bars, Necco wafers, Oreos (Double Stuf), Planter's Peanut bar, popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, pretzel sticks, red hots, Ring Dings, root beer barrels, salt water taffy, Snickers, taco chips, Tootsie Roll Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Triscuits, Twinkies, Yodels)
Crushes: Claudia-7 (Guy, Terry, Austin Bentley, Timothy Carmody, Woody Jefferson, Trevor Sandbourne, Will Yamakawa), Dawn-4 (Travis, Lewis Bruno, Parker Harris, Richie Magnesi), Mary Anne-2 (Alex, Logan Bruno), Stacey-7 (Toby, Kelsey Bauman, Pete Black, Ross Brown, Pierre D'Amboise, Scott Foley, Sam Thomas), Kristy-1 (Bart Taylor), Mallory-1 (Ben Hobart), Jessi-1 (Quint Walter)
2/2/11
Mallory on Strike (RS#47)
Original Publication Date: 1991
Ghostwriter? Yes, Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner
Synopsis:
Mallory is excited about SMS's upcoming writing competition, and has a great idea for a story. Unfortunately, she has very little time between the BSC and her family. Finally, she goes on strike, taking a two-week hiatus from the BSC and taking a day from being the family's gopher. She makes a lot of progress, not just with her story, but with helping her parents see that they have gotten too used to the idea that she should always help out: Mallory needs to be able to do her homework and have her own life, too. Her parents give her a special day to do whatever she wants, and and elects to take Jessi to the mall. They have a great time, and Mallory realizes that when she can have a break from being on-call for her family, she appreciates them more.
The competition closes, and Mallory soon finds out that she's won Best Overall Fiction for the sixth grade. She's thrilled, and gets to work on planning a special day for her siblings. She organizes a day of fun and a scavenger hunt for her siblings, with Jessi's help. They all have a great time, and Mallory is happy that she can appreciate her family.
Established or continued in this book:
The Girls (and Logan):
Claudia candy: Mallomars in her dresser drawers, M&Ms in her jewelry box, pretzels and Tootsie Pops in her shoes.
Mallory's most difficult subjects are math and science.
Mallory references a particular quilt pattern, which is nice as we learned a few books ago that she knows how to sew.
It's funny and kinda sad that Mallory seems to be the only BSC member to regularly use the slang the club has made up (acute, fresh, etc).
Jessi is studying French to learn more about ballet, as we learn when she informs Claudia that her favorite dish at Chez Maurice is eels. But Stacey's been taking French for a couple years. It would have made more sense for her to realize that.
You know, we hear about Mallory's braces, but is she ever wearing them on any book cover?
Their Families:
The finger that Nicky broke back in Mallory's first book is still slightly crooked from getting jammed playing volleyball.
Chez Maurice is Claudia's parents' favorite restaurant.
The Club:
Kristy's getting more uptight about being on time to meetings, leaving less and less room for slack.
Ugh, the BSC still sits for the Betsy Sobak. Why?
SMS:
New SMS staff: Mr. Doughtery, creative writing, who goes by Mr. D.
6th grade student: Rebecca Mason (possible relation to Cokie Mason? But Rebecca is smart.)
PSA time: nothing new
Misc:
Mr. D. asks the class if they have the "Write Stuff" (it's written that way on the blackboard). He explains that the right stuff can mean lots of different abilities, like flying a space shuttle. Where ever, pray tell, did he come up with that idea in relation to the right stuff?
I actually used Kristy's idea from this book in real life. When I was coaching cross country, one athlete was having trouble balancing everything in her life. She was thinking of quitting, and I was dangerously low on numbers, so I suggested a two-week break first instead.
There's a discrepancy within a few pages: Mallory sees some earrings she says Claire would like, but later says she thought of Margo.
The numbers:
Starting 8th grade: 3
Halloweens in 8th grade: 2 (plus one in seventh)
Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 1
Summers after 8th grade: 2
BSC Fights: 6
SMS Staff: 20
Students (other than the BSC): 64; 40 8th graders, 10 sixth-graders, nine unspecified
Clients: 25
Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 50 (bubble gum, Butterfingers, butterscotch candy, candy hearts, Cheese Doodles, Cheetos, a chocolate bar, chocolate-covered cherries, cookies, Cracker Jacks, crackers (unspecified and whole wheat), cupcakes, dark-chocolate caramels, Ding-Dongs, Doritos, Fig Newtons, Fritos, gumdrops, Gummi Bears, Heath bars, Hershey's kisses, Ho Hos, jawbreakers, licorice, licorice whips, Lifesavers, M&Ms (regular and peanut), Mallomars, marshmallows, Mentos, mini candy bars, Necco wafers, Oreos (Double Stuf), Planter's Peanut bar, popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, pretzel sticks, red hots, Ring Dings, root beer barrels, salt water taffy, Snickers, taco chips, Tootsie Roll Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Triscuits, Twinkies, Yodels)
Crushes: Claudia-7 (Guy, Terry, Austin Bentley, Timothy Carmody, Woody Jefferson, Trevor Sandbourne, Will Yamakawa), Dawn-4 (Travis, Lewis Bruno, Parker Harris, Richie Magnesi), Mary Anne-2 (Alex, Logan Bruno), Stacey-7 (Toby, Kelsey Bauman, Pete Black, Ross Brown, Pierre D'Amboise, Scott Foley, Sam Thomas), Kristy-1 (Bart Taylor), Mallory-1 (Ben Hobart), Jessi-1 (Quint Walter)
Ghostwriter? Yes, Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner
Synopsis:
Mallory is excited about SMS's upcoming writing competition, and has a great idea for a story. Unfortunately, she has very little time between the BSC and her family. Finally, she goes on strike, taking a two-week hiatus from the BSC and taking a day from being the family's gopher. She makes a lot of progress, not just with her story, but with helping her parents see that they have gotten too used to the idea that she should always help out: Mallory needs to be able to do her homework and have her own life, too. Her parents give her a special day to do whatever she wants, and and elects to take Jessi to the mall. They have a great time, and Mallory realizes that when she can have a break from being on-call for her family, she appreciates them more.
The competition closes, and Mallory soon finds out that she's won Best Overall Fiction for the sixth grade. She's thrilled, and gets to work on planning a special day for her siblings. She organizes a day of fun and a scavenger hunt for her siblings, with Jessi's help. They all have a great time, and Mallory is happy that she can appreciate her family.
Established or continued in this book:
The Girls (and Logan):
Claudia candy: Mallomars in her dresser drawers, M&Ms in her jewelry box, pretzels and Tootsie Pops in her shoes.
Mallory's most difficult subjects are math and science.
Mallory references a particular quilt pattern, which is nice as we learned a few books ago that she knows how to sew.
It's funny and kinda sad that Mallory seems to be the only BSC member to regularly use the slang the club has made up (acute, fresh, etc).
Jessi is studying French to learn more about ballet, as we learn when she informs Claudia that her favorite dish at Chez Maurice is eels. But Stacey's been taking French for a couple years. It would have made more sense for her to realize that.
You know, we hear about Mallory's braces, but is she ever wearing them on any book cover?
Their Families:
The finger that Nicky broke back in Mallory's first book is still slightly crooked from getting jammed playing volleyball.
Chez Maurice is Claudia's parents' favorite restaurant.
The Club:
Kristy's getting more uptight about being on time to meetings, leaving less and less room for slack.
Ugh, the BSC still sits for the Betsy Sobak. Why?
SMS:
New SMS staff: Mr. Doughtery, creative writing, who goes by Mr. D.
6th grade student: Rebecca Mason (possible relation to Cokie Mason? But Rebecca is smart.)
PSA time: nothing new
Misc:
Mr. D. asks the class if they have the "Write Stuff" (it's written that way on the blackboard). He explains that the right stuff can mean lots of different abilities, like flying a space shuttle. Where ever, pray tell, did he come up with that idea in relation to the right stuff?
I actually used Kristy's idea from this book in real life. When I was coaching cross country, one athlete was having trouble balancing everything in her life. She was thinking of quitting, and I was dangerously low on numbers, so I suggested a two-week break first instead.
There's a discrepancy within a few pages: Mallory sees some earrings she says Claire would like, but later says she thought of Margo.
The numbers:
Starting 8th grade: 3
Halloweens in 8th grade: 2 (plus one in seventh)
Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 1
Summers after 8th grade: 2
BSC Fights: 6
SMS Staff: 20
Students (other than the BSC): 64; 40 8th graders, 10 sixth-graders, nine unspecified
Clients: 25
Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 50 (bubble gum, Butterfingers, butterscotch candy, candy hearts, Cheese Doodles, Cheetos, a chocolate bar, chocolate-covered cherries, cookies, Cracker Jacks, crackers (unspecified and whole wheat), cupcakes, dark-chocolate caramels, Ding-Dongs, Doritos, Fig Newtons, Fritos, gumdrops, Gummi Bears, Heath bars, Hershey's kisses, Ho Hos, jawbreakers, licorice, licorice whips, Lifesavers, M&Ms (regular and peanut), Mallomars, marshmallows, Mentos, mini candy bars, Necco wafers, Oreos (Double Stuf), Planter's Peanut bar, popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, pretzel sticks, red hots, Ring Dings, root beer barrels, salt water taffy, Snickers, taco chips, Tootsie Roll Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Triscuits, Twinkies, Yodels)
Crushes: Claudia-7 (Guy, Terry, Austin Bentley, Timothy Carmody, Woody Jefferson, Trevor Sandbourne, Will Yamakawa), Dawn-4 (Travis, Lewis Bruno, Parker Harris, Richie Magnesi), Mary Anne-2 (Alex, Logan Bruno), Stacey-7 (Toby, Kelsey Bauman, Pete Black, Ross Brown, Pierre D'Amboise, Scott Foley, Sam Thomas), Kristy-1 (Bart Taylor), Mallory-1 (Ben Hobart), Jessi-1 (Quint Walter)
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