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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
So fun. It totally took me back to my elementary/jr. high years. Now I want to go find all the books to read again. :)
Before the Baby-Sitters Club, there were four girls: Kristy, Claudia, Mary Anne, and Stacey. Kristy, Claudia, and Mary Anne had been friends since they were little, but as the summer before seventh grade stretched on, it looked like they might be growing apart. Stacey, having been through a terrible time with her friends in New York, is ready to start over someplace new. This prequel is perfectly what it was meant to be - an homage to the original Babysitters.
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/2010/01/catching-up.html
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/2010/01/catching-up.html
Ever since I learned that Netflix was reimagining one of my favorite childhood book series, I had decided that I would be embarking on a re-read of this series, reliving a series of books that helped to shape me into a voracious reader. And with The Summer Before, I'm off on this mission. This particular book didn't even exist in the way back, when I first fell in love with the BSC, as it's only about ten years old. It was the perfect introduction, really, feeling both fresh and familiar.
What I liked about The Summer Before:
Oh, the nostalgia - I am a sucker for nostalgia and this was the best sort. Characters so familiar, it was like reuniting with old friends. Stoneybrook, CT, an idealized New England town, which of course feels like home to me. If you look up 'nostalgia' in the dictionary, I'm pretty sure you'll find a picture there of me reading this book.
Backstory - It was fun to find out what happened to the four original BSC girls the summer before everything changed for them, seeing how they came together and fought not to grow too far apart.
What I didn't care for:
Shall we call it allusions to Dawson's Creek? - The slight unbelievability of these being roughly-twelve-year-old almost-seventh-graders based on their vocabulary choices. Maybe I just can't remember thirty-some-odd years ago with much clarity, but did I really use the word 'enlighten' at that age? I don't know. They just "talked a little old" to me at times.
I am so excited to embark on this travel back in time. I don't expect to be mentally stimulated -- I mean, I'm not exactly a pre-teen middle-schooler these days -- but I make no apology for choosing to enjoy this series from the perspective of adulthood. Don't expect me to have any sort of psychoanalyst or feminist sermonizing on the appropriateness of the situations or the effects on a young girl reading these books; there's plenty of that to go around already. I spent my girlhood reading them cover to cover dozens of times and I think I came out all right. ::shrug:: I'm here for the nostalgia and the meander down memory lane, as I recall how the adventures of Kristy and Mary Anne and Claudia and Stacey (and all the later additions) accompanied me through the bulk of my formative years.
What I liked about The Summer Before:
Oh, the nostalgia - I am a sucker for nostalgia and this was the best sort. Characters so familiar, it was like reuniting with old friends. Stoneybrook, CT, an idealized New England town, which of course feels like home to me. If you look up 'nostalgia' in the dictionary, I'm pretty sure you'll find a picture there of me reading this book.
Backstory - It was fun to find out what happened to the four original BSC girls the summer before everything changed for them, seeing how they came together and fought not to grow too far apart.
What I didn't care for:
Shall we call it allusions to Dawson's Creek? - The slight unbelievability of these being roughly-twelve-year-old almost-seventh-graders based on their vocabulary choices. Maybe I just can't remember thirty-some-odd years ago with much clarity, but did I really use the word 'enlighten' at that age? I don't know. They just "talked a little old" to me at times.
I am so excited to embark on this travel back in time. I don't expect to be mentally stimulated -- I mean, I'm not exactly a pre-teen middle-schooler these days -- but I make no apology for choosing to enjoy this series from the perspective of adulthood. Don't expect me to have any sort of psychoanalyst or feminist sermonizing on the appropriateness of the situations or the effects on a young girl reading these books; there's plenty of that to go around already. I spent my girlhood reading them cover to cover dozens of times and I think I came out all right. ::shrug:: I'm here for the nostalgia and the meander down memory lane, as I recall how the adventures of Kristy and Mary Anne and Claudia and Stacey (and all the later additions) accompanied me through the bulk of my formative years.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It was nice to take a trip down memory lane with the fab four. I loved the series when I was growing up. I hope this book re-news interest in the books for young girls. :)
I'm not sure how relevant it is to today's middle schoolers, but I liked the walk down memory lane!
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It's so awesome that Ann M. Martin decided to release this prequel, even if it is in a way both a money-spinning idea and a way to get interest into the re-released books. I was admittedly a bit pumped when I heard this was going to be released. I gobbled down the BSC series when I was young.
This prequel isn't bad. It isn't the best book, but it's not bad. I found Kristy's story perhaps the saddest, then Stacey's, Mary Anne's, and finally Claudia's being the least. Really, I just found Claudia to be a bit selfish the entire time. Dude, dating your sister's fancy? Not on. And hell, he's entering high school while you're only twelve. Did you think he was going to keep you hanging along? Not really.
I wouldn't recommend starting with this book, though. There's a lot of pre-assumed knowledge, even if that's not what Martin intended. Furthermore, I can't help but feel that this is more of a gift to Martin's now-adult readers.
If you love the BSC, then you will probably enjoy this.
This prequel isn't bad. It isn't the best book, but it's not bad. I found Kristy's story perhaps the saddest, then Stacey's, Mary Anne's, and finally Claudia's being the least. Really, I just found Claudia to be a bit selfish the entire time. Dude, dating your sister's fancy? Not on. And hell, he's entering high school while you're only twelve. Did you think he was going to keep you hanging along? Not really.
I wouldn't recommend starting with this book, though. There's a lot of pre-assumed knowledge, even if that's not what Martin intended. Furthermore, I can't help but feel that this is more of a gift to Martin's now-adult readers.
If you love the BSC, then you will probably enjoy this.