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ryceejo's review against another edition
4.0
I never babysat as a kid so I’m actually learning some good babysitting tips in these books!
vll295's review against another edition
5.0
These were my favorites, along with the Sweet Valley books in 5th-6th grade. I think my group of friends and I would take turns reading them and discussing. It was like our first book club! I remember writing to Ann M. Martin as a child and she wrote back (or at least someone did for her). It was one of the happiest days of my life. :)
kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
Reread for #BSC #bookaday 6/13/2011
All of the girls in the baby-sitters club are readers! Within this book, there are shout-outs to Nancy Drew, Ramona Quimby and The Secret Garden! And in the first book it mentioned Peter Rabbit and Where the Wild Things are. Stuff like this makes me so happy.
I also liked how the book deals with a struggling student. Claudia has a high IQ, but struggles in school. Another way that Ann M. Martin makes sure that every reader will see a reflection of themselves in one of the characters.
There was also a quote that I LOVED in the book (as a teacher):
"If they're discussion questions, why aren't we discussing them? How come Mr. Miller is making us write them down?" What a great point?! And this was 1986- some teachers need to learn from Claudia and Ann M. Martin
All of the girls in the baby-sitters club are readers! Within this book, there are shout-outs to Nancy Drew, Ramona Quimby and The Secret Garden! And in the first book it mentioned Peter Rabbit and Where the Wild Things are. Stuff like this makes me so happy.
I also liked how the book deals with a struggling student. Claudia has a high IQ, but struggles in school. Another way that Ann M. Martin makes sure that every reader will see a reflection of themselves in one of the characters.
There was also a quote that I LOVED in the book (as a teacher):
"If they're discussion questions, why aren't we discussing them? How come Mr. Miller is making us write them down?" What a great point?! And this was 1986- some teachers need to learn from Claudia and Ann M. Martin
girlinthepages's review against another edition
4.0
This one was a fun reread! I love Claudia as a narrator and it's so nice to see her loving relationship with Mimi, her trying to find common group with Janine and her trying to balance living up to her family's standards while still acknowledging that her skills and talents are different than theirs and yet still valid. I also liked the mystery element of the story (I always felt this book reads more like one of The Babysitter's Club Mystery books). I also forgot how much Claudia loves reading Nancy Drew! Perhaps those will be my next rereads...after I get through 200+ BSC books lol.
One thing I did not like about this book though is that it perpetuates the whole "boys are mean to girls when they like them" trope and it's brushed off as pretty much OK (which in fact it's definitely NOT and I'm shocked the BSC member who was the subject of this torment just let it go so easily). I think it's definitely one of the elements that dates this otherwise timeless series.
So far Claudia is my favorite BSC narrator, but we'll see if that changes along the way as I reread!
One thing I did not like about this book though is that it perpetuates the whole "boys are mean to girls when they like them" trope and it's brushed off as pretty much OK (which in fact it's definitely NOT and I'm shocked the BSC member who was the subject of this torment just let it go so easily). I think it's definitely one of the elements that dates this otherwise timeless series.
So far Claudia is my favorite BSC narrator, but we'll see if that changes along the way as I reread!
situationnormal's review against another edition
4.0
This one got skipped in the scheme of graphic novel creation, apparently, which is a shame because it's the first BSC ~mystery~ and it's actually pretty fun. I mean...I'm sure I was more creeped out reading it as a child, although actual life experience makes it still pretty creepy as an adult. I really do love Claudia's relationships with her grandma and Janine, though.
ardaigle's review against another edition
3.0
Boy oh boy am I behind in my reviews! Whatever could be distracting me? Pandemic perhaps?? I have it in my head that I shouldn't be reading new books until I've reviewed the old ones which is causing some counter productivity but NO MAS. Gonna get these down and raise my head high.
I'm not typically one for YA or youth books, but decided in this time of chaos to pick up a new hobby, specifically, read the Baby-sitters Club books on Facebook Live to anyone who cared to listen. I of course would be providing my colorful color commentary and it's been a hoot and a neat way to keep in touch IN THESE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES.
But as usual I digress. The book! I dig that each book focuses on a different member of the BSC, with them narrating the story and so this book gave us a glimpse into kooky-artistic-stylish-candy-loving-smart-but-not-as-smart-as-her-genius-sister Claudia.
This book really hammers in one point in the BSC: there is a strict party line of babies (Kristy/Mary Anne) and non-babies (Claudia and Stacey) which is basically a measure of who does not or does care about boys. Well, this book takes it up a notch with a boy plot! Also, um, I'm going to talk about the book, so I guess spoilers for a kids book that came out in the 90s.
THERE IS A JEWEL THIEF IN STONEYBROOK. Amazing. And this thief makes phone calls to homes prior to thieving to determine if anyone is home or not so of course when the BSC members get hang-ups calls while sitting they immediately assume it is that and FREAK OUT to include setting up an elaborate pots and pans burglar alarm while sitting for some kiddos. Hilarious.
There is THE DANCE coming up. Halloween I think? It's been a minute. Claudia is pining after best named boy crush ever, Trevor Sandbourne, who is (sigh) a poet and DOESN'T KNOW SHE IS ALIVE. Spoiler. He does.
There is also a super annoying Alan dude who torments Kristy and is GROSS and THE WORST.
So...you see what's happening right? The gals are not getting called by the jewel thief, it's the boys. And here is where I got maaaad. Alan has been presented as a real weasel, embarrassing Kristy which culminates in him being OUTSIDE THE HOUSE WHERE SHE IS SITTING skulking in the bushes. They freak, call the cops. Turns out he has known where they were going to be (and gave the Claudia deets to Trevor) because he periodically stole there club notebook.
Soooo, he essentially has been metaphorical hair-pulling and straight up stalking and what does he get for his efforts? A DATE BECAUSE KRISTY SAYS YES, THEREBY REINFORCING HIS BEHAVIOR. I get it. The 90s. Boys will be boys was in its heyday. But boy howdy was it tough to stomach what I was spoonfed when I was their age.
It was fun to read and read aloud but I'm glad we've moved past all of this and no longer teach boys these behaviors. Ha. Haha. Hahahaha. I mean, it's better I guess, so yay?
I'm not typically one for YA or youth books, but decided in this time of chaos to pick up a new hobby, specifically, read the Baby-sitters Club books on Facebook Live to anyone who cared to listen. I of course would be providing my colorful color commentary and it's been a hoot and a neat way to keep in touch IN THESE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES.
But as usual I digress. The book! I dig that each book focuses on a different member of the BSC, with them narrating the story and so this book gave us a glimpse into kooky-artistic-stylish-candy-loving-smart-but-not-as-smart-as-her-genius-sister Claudia.
This book really hammers in one point in the BSC: there is a strict party line of babies (Kristy/Mary Anne) and non-babies (Claudia and Stacey) which is basically a measure of who does not or does care about boys. Well, this book takes it up a notch with a boy plot! Also, um, I'm going to talk about the book, so I guess spoilers for a kids book that came out in the 90s.
THERE IS A JEWEL THIEF IN STONEYBROOK. Amazing. And this thief makes phone calls to homes prior to thieving to determine if anyone is home or not so of course when the BSC members get hang-ups calls while sitting they immediately assume it is that and FREAK OUT to include setting up an elaborate pots and pans burglar alarm while sitting for some kiddos. Hilarious.
There is THE DANCE coming up. Halloween I think? It's been a minute. Claudia is pining after best named boy crush ever, Trevor Sandbourne, who is (sigh) a poet and DOESN'T KNOW SHE IS ALIVE. Spoiler. He does.
There is also a super annoying Alan dude who torments Kristy and is GROSS and THE WORST.
So...you see what's happening right? The gals are not getting called by the jewel thief, it's the boys. And here is where I got maaaad. Alan has been presented as a real weasel, embarrassing Kristy which culminates in him being OUTSIDE THE HOUSE WHERE SHE IS SITTING skulking in the bushes. They freak, call the cops. Turns out he has known where they were going to be (and gave the Claudia deets to Trevor) because he periodically stole there club notebook.
Soooo, he essentially has been metaphorical hair-pulling and straight up stalking and what does he get for his efforts? A DATE BECAUSE KRISTY SAYS YES, THEREBY REINFORCING HIS BEHAVIOR. I get it. The 90s. Boys will be boys was in its heyday. But boy howdy was it tough to stomach what I was spoonfed when I was their age.
It was fun to read and read aloud but I'm glad we've moved past all of this and no longer teach boys these behaviors. Ha. Haha. Hahahaha. I mean, it's better I guess, so yay?
helendeu's review against another edition
4.0
Reading in chronological order (with the exception of The Kids in Mrs Colman's Class series).
An extra star for nostalgia. Loved this series as a kid and re-reading it is giving me all the warm and fuzzies.
An extra star for nostalgia. Loved this series as a kid and re-reading it is giving me all the warm and fuzzies.
funnyreadingbug's review against another edition
4.25
Such a fun and enjoyable read! To preface, I'd initially found the book at a secondhand bookstore in Semarang less than a week ago and only picked it up today. This morning, I found a series of numbers and a website address called bookcrossing. Naturally, I looked it up and found that the last owner of this book was back in 2004! How insane. I'm born in 2008! I only brought myself to read this afternoon, but I'd read it in two mere sittings.
The story's childish, obviously, afterall it's a children's book, but I find it sort of endearing and cute. It's perfect for children ages 8-12 probably, I might even keep this for my future kids as I do with all my other children's books. It's a hearty read, one that is really enjoyable honestly. Eventhough it's meant for kids, I can still easily imagine a 50 or 60 something year old enjoying this.
The story's childish, obviously, afterall it's a children's book, but I find it sort of endearing and cute. It's perfect for children ages 8-12 probably, I might even keep this for my future kids as I do with all my other children's books. It's a hearty read, one that is really enjoyable honestly. Eventhough it's meant for kids, I can still easily imagine a 50 or 60 something year old enjoying this.
dannic99's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
3.0