Girl of the Year 2021: Kira's Animal Rescue

 Published: 2021. Author: Erin Teagan. Illustrator: Millie Liu.

Summary

Aunt Mamie's recovery is going well, and Kira and Alexis have settled into a nice routine of taking care of the animals at the sanctuary and helping one of Aunt Lynette's university students look for the paradise parrot. But a pair of firefighters bring grim news: a bushfire is raging not too far away, and the two hundred acre wildlife sanctuary needs to be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice. Soon everyone is busy finding temporary foster homes for injured animals, packing emergency bags, and clearing dry leaf litter--prime fire fuel--away from the buildings. But the student, Evie, is setting up camp in the middle of the sanctuary: she thinks she's found a paradise parrot nest, and she's not going to lose it to fire. Meanwhile, volunteers are gathering all the animals they can, moving them out of danger as the bushfire grows and gets closer. 

One morning, Kira awakes to alarms. The fire is encroaching, and it's time to evacuate. They move into the dorms at the university where Aunt Lynette teaches. There, Kira and Alexis mention to Evie that they set up a trail camera to watch the nest, having forgotten to mention it during the stress of the fire situation. Together, the three watch the footage of some animals that triggered the camera to record, including a bird visiting the nest! Evie thinks it might be a paradise parrot, but Kira and Alexis do some research and find it looks far more like the endangered, but not extinct, golden-shouldered parrot. However, the next day Evie excitedly shows them some pictures she was able to pull from the footage. She's convinced it's the paradise parrot! She's elated to not only have found proof of the animal but also the funding such a discovery is sure to bring the wildlife sanctuary.

Alexis isn't so sure. She privately tells Kira that something doesn't seem right, and that she thinks the footage is doctored--falsified. At first Kira is appalled that Alexis would make such an accusation, but it's mere hours before Evie admits as much. Evie defends her actions though: she's certain the real parrot IS there, she just needs proof. She would have gotten proof if the bushfire hadn't spread, and isn't protecting the species plus the others the sanctuary helps a good enough reason to "touch up" a picture? Having justified her actions to herself, Evie announces her "discovery" to Aunt Lynette. Kira is able to eventually convince Evie to come clean, but the damage to Evie's reputation is done. She might be expelled from university. Kira feels awful for her, but Evie has no one to blame but herself.

Then comes news that it's safe to return to the wildlife sanctuary. What's left of it, anyway. Much has been destroyed. Kira's great-aunts take a moment to recover from the shock, and set straight to work making plans to rebuild. The animals will need them now more than ever. Kira is invited to come back next summer. She and Alexis can hardly wait.


Misc

Dedicated to Kellen and Henley, with gratitude to Alison Bee (doctor of veterinary medicine in Queensland, Australia), Tassin Barnard (of Walkabout Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia), and Amelia Lachal and Libby McEnriy (of Mattel Australia).

There's a section at the end of the book featuring "global changemakers," girls who are speaking out about climate change. A trip to California and news about Greta Thunberg inspired Alexandria to make her voice heard outside the UN building every Friday. Reshma of California found a way to help predict where forest fires might start, helping firefighters put them out before they get too big. Bria paints endangered animals and has sold her artwork to raise more than $70,000 for conservation efforts. Genesis began eating a vegan diet in an effort to reduce animal cruelty, and gives talks to others encouraging them to do the same, or to at least reduce their use of animals and animal products.

The wildlife sanctuary brings in an expert to help guide the animal relocation efforts. From how the book describes him in safari gear, I'm picturing Robert Muldoon from Jurassic Park. 
 

There's a subplot about Kira and Alexis catching a wild wallaby on the sanctuary so it can be taken care of away from the fire, but not being able to get her joey. The morning that the fire forces them to leave, Kira and Alexis spot the joey, weak from dehydration and hunger, and are able to catch it and get it to safety.

If their mothers aren't available, the joeys are transported in sewn cloth pouches. In early 2020, my daughters' Girl Scout troop sewed several such pouches in various sizes and sent them to an Australian group that was collecting them for joeys orphaned by the bushfires.

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV Series: Hello, Camp Moosehead (part one)

Netflix has a new original series: The Baby-sitters Club! The first season covers the first eight books plus a sort of adaptation of of the second super special, Baby-sitters Summer Vacation. AND...it's set in the present day (2019/2020), updated accordingly, and much more diverse. The plot for this episode and the next are loosely based on the Babysitters' Summer Vacation super special, but the main storyline here is that the camp is operating a shoestring budget so some of the activities cost extra. The BSC thinks it's unfair, that those costs should have been included in the initial fee. Kristy tries to get kids more engaged, Claudia and Dawn set up activities for kids who can't afford the extras, and Mary Anne co-directs a play that Stacey's in--also in the play: Logan! And the co-director? Laine Cummings.

 Here are some things that I noticed:

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:   

The camp itself and the group names are based on animals rather than Native tribes.

Mary Anne ends up bunkmates with Laine. They bond over musical theater before realizing they both know Stacey. Stacey and Laine try to remain professional, but they do end up fighting, and eventually reconciling.

The sitters are all campers here, because counselors-in-training must be at least 16. 

Mary Anne and Logan get to know each other better here.

Mallory, who we met in in "Boy Crazy Stacey," isn't in the club yet, but quickly shows how dependable she is. She's also already best friends with Jessi Ramsey, who debuts in this episode.

What I was happy stayed the same:

Claudia has two suitcases while everyone else has just one.

Dawn's activism, present already in the series, gets the spotlight here. And it's done way better than she got in some of the books (looking at you, Dawn Saves the Planet). She's passionate rather than obnoxious.

Other interesting touches: 

I like that Claudia connects her art lessons to real-life artists. It shows that she's getting into art more deeply than just creating; she's embracing more and more of the art world.

When Mallory reassures the cast with the saying, "Bad dress rehearsal great opening night" Jessi counters that it's not true. She's been in productions; she would know!

Girl of the Year 2021: Kira Down Under

 Published: 2021. Author: Erin Teagan. Illustrator: Millie Liu.

Summary

Ten-year-old Michigander Kira Bailey loves animals. She's happy to help out with foster puppies and kittens, and thrilled to be heading to the Australian state of Queensland for two weeks to see her great-aunts and the wildlife sanctuary where one of them works (especially since it's a nice distraction from the falling out with her best friend--former best friend--Laila). She's having a blast seeing all the exotic-to-her animals, although she's pretty nervous about all the dangerous fauna and maybe even flora Australia has. 

Alexis, a girl her age whose parents work at the wildlife sanctuary, helps her relax: they do need to take some precautions but so do people in the US who hike in bear country, and Kira isn't afraid to walk around at home, is she? While Alexis is nice and welcoming, Kira can't help but feel jealous that Alexis is living the life she wants to have and so close with her great-aunts. And it turns out that Alexis is a bit jealous when a joey koala bonds with Kira, when Alexis was slated to help raise the next orphaned one. Fortunately, they're able to mostly put aside their differences when they think they spot a paradise parrot, which is supposed to have gone extinct in 1927 (there have been unconfirmed sightings since). If only they had more time together!

But then Aunt Mamie collapses from what turns out to be a heart condition. Kira can't bring herself to visit her in the hospital; it reminds her too much of visiting her late father after his accident. As the doctors figure out the best treatment plan, Kira's mom decides they need to stay for the whole summer (well, summer break from school but winter in the southern hemisphere) to help out at the sanctuary. The tension is thick. Kira and Alexis start arguing over the joey again, and it's clear both feel they have more "claim" to Aunt Mamie than the other. And then Kira accidentally leaves a gate open, allowing some rehabilitating animals to escape. AND then Kira learns that the stray cat she's befriended is far more dangerous to the local wildlife than a stray cat back home (although those can wreak havoc on bird and small mammal populations)--cats aren't native to Australia and have driven species to the brink of or straight into extinction. Kira feels terrible for not knowing; this is the animal that's been hurting others in the area.

Alexis is furious with Kira, telling her off before going out in the night to look for the last animal that escaped (a young wombat). Kira tries to go after her and gets lost. She and Alexis find each other and make up, and are found by the adults shortly after. The wombat makes it back safely, too. 

 The book ends with high points and low points. Aunt Mamie is out of the hospital, but has to cut back on how much she does due to her new diagnosis. The koala joey is ready to be taken to a koala-specific rescue that has a mother koala who lost her own joey. Saying goodbye is hearbreaking for Kira, but she knows it's in the best interests of the koala. Kira catches the cat for transport to the RSPCA, allaying some of her guilt. She's made up with Alexis but not Laila, and is unsure she ever will. But she also has the rest of summer break in Australia ahead of her.


Misc

Dedicated to Caden, with gratitude to Alison Bee (doctor of veterinary medicine in Queensland, Australia), Tassin Barnard (of Walkabout Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia), and Amelia Lachal and Libby McEnriy (of Mattel Australia). There's a couple pages at the end about Dr. Bee and her daughter raising orphaned koalas.
 

Fifth grade is middle school for Kira's district. Interesting; I'm used to that being the last year of elementary.

Kira's dad died when she was seven.

Kira's great-aunts are married to each and Kira mentions that while they've always been her aunties, they only got married recently after a law changed that allowed the marriage. 

Curious. Kira wants to stay in Australia and suggests doing middle school online. Lots of families do it, she reasons, but her mom dismisses the idea as something their family doesn't do... Huh, and yet a couple pages later, Kira says a boy on the plane puts his mask back on after eating a snack, and mentions the novel coronavirus in passing... But there's no quarantine when they land in Australia... I wonder if a lot of this was written before the extent of the COVID19 pandemic was known and bits like that were inserted later on. Kira's from Michigan, which made a commitment to having at least some in-person learning options by March 1, 2021. The terrible bushfires of early 2020 are mentioned.

Kira mentions Tim Tams, an Australian chocolate cookies (you can find them in some US stores like Pier One). My mom had a couple friends who moved here from Australia, and once at a get-together one offered Tim Tams to the group. The other women just looked around awkwardly until the friend produce the package of cookies. For some reason, they thought she was offering them samples of an Australian brand of tampon.

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV Series: Kristy's Big Day

 Netflix has a new original series: The Baby-sitters Club! The first season covers the first eight books plus a sort of adaptation of of the second super special, Baby-sitters Summer Vacation. AND...it's set in the present day (2019/2020), updated accordingly, and much more diverse. The plots are broadly the same as the original books, although here the wedding isn't rushed and was always going to at the Brewer house, so there's no big day camp. The focus instead is on how the Brewers and Thomases will blend together as a new family. Here are some things that I noticed:

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:   

Rather than the Junk Bucket, Charlie has been saving up for a used car, but Watson supplements the money with enough to buy a BMW SUV (without first discussing it with Elizabeth...). Watson also buys Kristy a new bridesmaid dress, blue instead of yellow, when he sees that she's dissatisfied with the original choice. These spark some bad feelings between Kristy and her mom over money and the marriage in general, but they work things out.

Kristy gets her first period during the wedding reception. The other girls have already experienced menarche and help her through it.

Andrew joins David Michael in being a ring bearer. And I just noticed that Karen doesn't wear glasses, but Andrew does.

Aunt Esme performs the ceremony. (So...how did Karen not know "Morbidda Destiny" was going to be at the wedding? Was there no rehearsal, no meetings with the next-door neighbor, nothing?)

What I was happy stayed the same:

Kristy and Mary Anne have one last flashlight conversation through their facing windows before Kristy moves.

I like the subtle touch of Kristy and Karen having flower circlets for their hair.

Other interesting touches: 

Karen's middle name is Amaryllis. She also comments on David Michael Thomas having three first names.

Claudia appears to be learning about Japanese culture. She knows about sushi customs and wears a kimono-inspired dress to the wedding.

Sharon mentions having gone to a quinceanera for one of Dawn's cousins.

Mary Anne's dad is so nervous that he tells Mary Anne, "I need a drink. Do you want one? ...of course not..."

Richard takes charge when Sharon eats something she's allergic to (I think Sharon is too scatter-brained here--being late to a wedding is one thing, but loudly announcing your arrival as the bride is about to walk down the aisle?). Dawn was about to rush Sharon to the car for her epi-pen, but Richard steps in and lets Dawn be a kid.

Mary Anne, ever responsible, has emergency period supplies with her.

Courtney: Friendship Superhero

 Published 2020; author Kellen Hertz; illustrators Blake Morrow, Joe Hinrichs, Kelley McMorris, and Heather Tubwon; advisor Victoria A. Harden, PhD, founding director emerita of the Office of NIH Health and Stetten Museum of Health and author of AIDS at 30: A History

Summary

The book opens with Courtney participating in Hands Across America, as the school year winds down. Courtney's mom has lost her bid for mayor, but is still glad she tried. Courtney is looking ahead, planning the greatest summer yet, including adding to her arcade game idea. By August, she's done well enjoying the break from school. One day at the arcade, she meets and befriends Isaac, a fellow gamer fresh from Ohio, and a very good one at that.

The school year isn't off to the best start. For the first time since kindergarten, she won't be in the same class as her best friend, and Kip is also in the other class with Sarah. At least Isaac's in Courtney's class. Courtney invites her friends over for a end-of-summer pool party and everyone gets along great. Isaac has to leave early though, after getting a small cut on his leg. The next school day, Isaac quickly distracts from conversation about his leaving early and instead gets Courtney going on her Crystal Starshooter comic strip (from the game she thought up). Another distraction soon appears: a catalogue from a certain Pleasant Company. Courtney really connects with the Molly doll, and buys Meet Molly as soon as she can.

But after Isaac joins Courtney and their other friends for trick-or-treating, he's absent for a few days. Courtney's mother gets permission from Isaac's to share that he has hemophilia and has been feeling too run down lately to attend school. Furthermore, when Courtney visits Isaac at home, he reveals that a year ago, he contracted HIV through a blood transfusion. His mom quickly explains that it can't be caught through casual contact, so it's safe to visit and be friends with Isaac--but Courtney also knows that Isaac will die from complications of HIV after it progresses into AIDS.

On the way home, Courtney's mom tells her the importance of keeping medical information private. Back in Ohio, Isaac's home was vandalized by people who didn't care to understand HIV/AIDS, and he was banned from school (the ruling was overturned but it took seven months; California doesn't allow such bans). But moments later at home, Tina overhears the conversation and panics, worried that the family will contract the disease. She won't listen to her dad or stepmother, insisted on sleeping on the couch to avoid being near Courtney. The next day at school, Courtney finds it awkward to not tell Kip or Sarah about Isaac, sure they would sympathize rather than ostracize, but does respect Isaac's privacy. However, someone found out--the school has been getting calls insisting Isaac not be allowed to "endanger" the other children. AND it becomes front-page news. HIPAA has yet to be enacted, so the article includes Isaac's name and his medical history. Courtney is appalled, both at the invasion of privacy and Sarah's reaction: she thinks Isaac is dangerous and should be kept out of school. When she finds out that Courtney knew and didn't tell her, it starts a fight between the two best friends.

The whole school is abuzz with gossip. Courtney's teacher tries to defuse the situation, going so far as to sit at Isaac's desk to prove there's nothing to be afraid of. Courtney, previously unable to think of the right thing to say in the moment, finds herself able to stand up to the rumors she encounters, and tries to correct the misinformation swirling around the school. It's no easy task. Tina's still treating Courtney like a pariah, and Courtney's locker is graffitied with "I got HIV from Isaac W."

Kip's still on Courtney's side. He suggests the two of them take Isaac to the arcade. Courtney doesn't feel right about not inviting Sarah, but can't bring herself to call her. At the arcade, two older boys recognize Isaac and try to bully him to leave. Courtney stands up for him, and the arcade manager backs her up. Unfortunately, while Courtney absolutely did the right thing, by not calling Sarah, she lost a chance to remember that they were supposed be in a choir performance for the school. Now Sarah feels shuffled aside by Isaac, like she's being replaced.

Courtney feels at a loss. How can she repair her friendships, and also support Isaac? Talking with her dad on their monthly visit gives her an idea: he helps her research HIV and AIDS, and print up informational flyers. Courtney's encouraged when Tina's panic subsides after reading one. Her class is open to the information, too. While many other students as well as the media are still spreading lies and misinformation, at least the people in Courtney and Isaac's class will welcome him back (following a Thanksgiving stint in the hospital). 

If he even wants to go back. News crews are camped out at Isaac's house and catch Courtney visiting. Now some parents wants Courtney kept out of school, too. The principal calls for an all-school assembly to address the misinformation. Courtney is asked to give the presentation she gave her class to the whole school.

Courtney's parents--all three of them--make a great decision to have Courtney spend an extra weekend with her dad, away from the news crews and protesters. Courtney is able to settle her thoughts, prompting making up with Sarah and figuring out how to best present to the assembly. Plus, her dad gives her an early Christmas present: a Molly doll.

When Courtney returns, she, Sarah, and Kip visit Isaac. Kip brings his video camera and they record an interview with Isaac. They play it at the assembly, so the people gathered can see Isaac as a person, not an abstraction or a disease. A health expert also talks to assuage fears. Isaac is confident he can soon return to school, once cleared by his doctor. 

When Isaac comes back to school, he's again greeted by a crowd. But not of protestors: of friends welcoming him.

Inside Courtney's World

The historical section talks about the AIDS crisis as it emerged in the 1980s, first met with fear and misunderstanding. People dismissed it as a "gay disease" and research funding was difficult to find, while discrimination was rampant. But with perseverance, some of that misinformation has been dismantled, and research has led to a higher quality of life for people with HIV and AIDS. There's still a LONG way to go in understanding the disease and halting its spread, especially in places like Africa, but people are gradually learning the correct steps needed to stay safe rather than panicking. 

Misc

Hertz dedicates her book to "my mother, who taught me not to be afraid to stand up for what is right; for Sarah, who stood up with me; for Jennifer, Teri, and Elizabeth, who stand with me now; and for May, whose future, I hope, will be full of standing up."

I like that Kip both thinks of asking Isaac to join him and his friends at lunch on the first day of school, and also checks with Courtney and Sarah first. He's being both welcoming of a new friend and considerate of his old friends.

Apparently there's been criticism of HIV being contracted a "good way" rather than having the character with it be someone who got it through sex or drug use. Neth at American Girl Outsider has an interesting perspective how the way it's presented here works well for the intended audience (and lots of other great perspectives on a variety of American Girl topics).

Seventeen shows up a few times. Courtney makes 17 copies of her flyer to pass out to her classmates, meaning there could be 17 students (not sure if Courtney kept one or gave one to the teacher), Courtney goes 17 days without talking to Sarah.

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV Series: Boy-Crazy Stacey

Netflix has a new original series: The Baby-sitters Club! The first season covers the first eight books plus a sort of adaptation of of the second super special, Baby-sitters Summer Vacation. AND...it's set in the present day (2019/2020), updated accordingly, and much more diverse. The plots are broadly the same as the original books. Here are some things that I noticed:

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:   

The Sea City trip takes place over spring break instead of summer vacation, so there's not so much swimming.

Adam, Byron, and Jordan aren't identical. Byron is noticeably shorter than the other two, so they might not even be triplets at all. 

Alex is gay in this version. Part of me misses Mary Anne's first crush from the books, but on the other hand, she's already developing feelings for Logan at this point in the TV show. Stacey and Toby have a brief flirtation, culminating a good-bye kiss at the end of the vacation.

What I was happy stayed the same:

Dawn and Mary Anne want their parents to get back together, since they broke up a couple episodes ago during the initial room makeover. Dawn uses her knowledge of their high school dating to facilitate.. The yearbook that the two found in the book version of Mary Anne Saves the Day is moved here, which is how Dawn learns more about their prior relationship. This sparks Richard making an overture via the gift of a pet turtle--Sharon used to call him "Turtle."

The incident with Karen and Andrew washing the car with steel wool happens here--this time, it's a classic car, and Kristy knows right away they're using steel wool, but can't stop them because she accidentally got locked in a storage shed. She tries to arrange for the car to be repainted before Watson finds out, but ultimately comes clean to him, which helps them trust each other.

Other interesting touches: 

Dawn calls her mom "Sharon" instead of "Mom." 

Stacey informs the club (and me) that she can go without her insulin pump for up to an hour, so she's able to swim.

Elizabeth and Watson's wedding plans are happening in the background, and the subsequent moving plans.

The Pike kids bury Mary Anne in the sand. She's rescued by Alex and Toby, but not before they ask her if she wants to be buried "for the 'Gram."

Courtney Changes the Game

Published 2020; author Kellen Hertz; illustrators Blake Morrow, Joe Hinrichs, Kelley McMorris, and Heather Tubwon

Summary

To quote MST3K: Hobgoblins, "It's the eighties! Do a lot of coke and vote for Ronald Reagan!" Though, at eight years old, Courtney Moore is enjoying the tail end of 1985 in a way more appropriate to her age: playing PacMan at the arcade in a California mall with her friend Kip Tomatsu and her thirteen-year-old step-sister Tina. With Kip cheering her on, Courtney's able to make it to level nine for the first time ever--when Tina insists it's time go, instigates a fight, and makes Courtney lose. They used to be close; after Courtney's mom married Tina's dad, they were friends (while Courtney's parents are divorced, Tina's mom died when Tina was six). But ever since they started sharing a room when their brother Rafi was born two years ago, Tina's mood swings from hot to cold. She's either angry or nice with no in-between.

Dinner that night reveals a shock: Courtney's mom is going to run for mayor! The current one is resigning, and she sees her opportunity to make a difference. Her campaign manager is the mother of Courtney's best friend, Sarah Barrett. The family will need to pitch in more at home to let her campaign (as she already works as the assistant director of the city's parks and recreation department, the family is used to doing some of the work). But for now, school has resumed after winter break, and Courtney's third-grade teacher, Mr. Garcia, is ready to teach a unit on space travel, as the Challenger is due to launch in a few weeks and teacher Christa McAuliffe will be aboard. Students all across the country will be tuned in to watch this historic event. Mr. Garcia wants the class to work on a project about achieving their biggest dreams, whether their dreams are about exploring space or not.

Courtney decides to make her own arcade game, with a female main player named Crystal Starshooter who must travel distant planets to save Earth from solar radiation. She's so excited about her idea that it's almost enough to distract her from missing her dad--she usually spends weekends with him, but he just moved three hundred miles away thanks to a big promotion at work. That means all of Courtney's things that were at her dad's now have to fit into the room she and Tina share...including her hamster, Parsley. Plus, it's almost Tina's mom's birthday, or what would have been her birthday. Courtney tries to make things easier for Tina as this is always a difficult time, and decides to clean their room neat as a pin...accidentally breaking a ceramic figurine in the process. Mike (her stepdad) helps her fix it, and later on Tina offers Courtney a small olive branch of Gummi Bears following Courtney's defense of her mom's campaign in a TV interview (it makes sense in context), although things are still tense. A mother-daughters bonding day at the mall (Courtney's mom gets an updated hairstyle with advice from Tina, Tina gets a perm, Courtney gets her ears pierced) is what really helps Tina feel like she belongs in the family.

Soon, it's time to watch the Challenger launch. Courtney's class gathers around the TV wheeled into to the room for the event. Of course, it's fairly well-known what happened after takeoff: as kids around the country, including Christa McAuliffe's, watch, the Challenger explodes. All seven astronauts aboard are killed.

Over the next few days, there are presidential addresses and classroom discussions and special reports on television and heart-to-hearts with family. Courtney and Tina in particular have a long talk about Tina's late mother, and how sometimes seeing the closeness Courtney has with her mom reminds Tina that she can't have that with her own mother anymore. But Tina is starting to feel like she can have deeper relationship with her stepmother without it disrespecting the memory of her mother. Tina even inspires Courtney on how to go about designing her arcade game for the big school project. They feel more like a family than ever.

Inside Courtney's World

The historical section details the rapid changes in consumerism and pop culture that the financial gain of the eighties ushered in. With more people having access to disposable income in the later half of the decade, more wanted to get the latest gadgets and toys, and there were more and more forms of entertainment, from cable TV to malls as gathering places. The social landscape was changing too, and divorce became less stigmatized and more women entered the workforce. With more exposure to people beyond their hometowns, people began to understand the vast diversity that can exist within humanity. Obviously we're not there yet, but understanding that the differences exist in the first place is a step to accepting, and then embracing those differences. 

Misc

Hertz dedicates her book to "Arden, whose idealism and open heart make me feel lucky to be her sister."

This book and its sequel are about half the length of previous two-set American Girl books, like the ones for Maryellen and Melody, and the ones that combined the original six-book sets of previously-released girls into two books. American Girl now sells two-book sets marketed as "illustrated and abridged." 

My brother had the same rainbow suspenders as Mr. Garcia in the 80s. (He and I were born in the 80s)

Courtney's dad dubs his cassette tapes so she can have copies, too. My dad has dozens of tapes of songs he recorded off the radio, and used them along with records and already-recorded tapes to make mix tapes for him and for us kids. Now he burns CDs from all those sources and newer ones like iTunes.

While it wasn't known (or at least not widely) in the eighties, we do know now that guinea pigs shouldn't live alone. They're very social animals and do well in pairs or small groups. Keep the group all male or all female unless you want a LOT more.

The Baby-sitters Club Netflix TV Series: Claudia and Mean Janine

Netflix has a new original series: The Baby-sitters Club! The first season covers the first eight books plus a sort of adaptation of of the second super special, Baby-sitters Summer Vacation. AND...it's set in the present day (2019/2020), updated accordingly, and much more diverse. The plots are broadly the same as the original books. Here are some things that I noticed...

What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:    

Claudia and Trevor spend more time together--not really dating at this point, but getting to know each other better.

The BSC redecorates Mary Anne's room together, with Claudia leading the charge. First, Claudia and Stacey talk with Richard about a misunderstanding from earlier, and all make amends. Mary Anne doesn't feel that the room is quite right at first, but when she and her dad put up some mementos of her mom's, she loves it.

Sam hangs out more with the BSC, which helps develop his relationship with Stacey.

Mary Anne meets Logan here, who's not a transfer student. His sister (Kerry, I assume) is showing pottery at the same art show Claudia shows her paintings at.

With the plots being set a couple decades later than in the books, Mimi's age is adjusted accordingly. Thus, she was a child during World War II...living in the US...and spent three years in an internment camp. Mimi's awful memories about her time there resurface after her stroke.

What I was happy stayed the same:

Claudia has her junk food art show!

The show depicts stroke recovery and Claudia's worry and confusion well.

Other interesting touches: 

Claudia's earrings look hand-made.

There's speculation that Janine is on the autism spectrum. Same for Mary Anne's dad.

I liked seeing the BSC families coming together to support the Kishis.

I'm glad the internment camps were brought up. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I learned about them at a young age, but a lot of people in other parts of the US have said they were never mentioned in school.

The Humpty Dumpty picture from Mary Anne's infancy is revealed to have been her mother's when Alma was a baby.