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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a fun novel, another book in the Babysitters Club series
This book was always a tough one to read when I was a kid, because of poor Mimi. She was such a fantastic elderly grandmother character, and then they throw in a curve ball real life stroke and damn. All the emotions over a BSC book. The only ones that were wore emotionally was Kristy and the Snobs (when Louie dies) and Claudia and the Sad Goodbye (when Mimi dies). I hate when these books get too deep, because seriously right in the feels. I mean I know the point was to sometimes teach kids life lessons instead of just having dumb shit, like winning the lottery, happen but still.
Anyway. The thing that always bugged me about this one, and does to this day, is Janine. I'm sorry but not even a genius talks like that. Just because you're super smart it does not mean you have to talk like a robot. This book also states that her IQ is 196, which...I'm pretty sure isn't actually possible. The test only goes to like 162 I think, so maybe she IS a robot. It would explain so much.
Anyway. The thing that always bugged me about this one, and does to this day, is Janine. I'm sorry but not even a genius talks like that. Just because you're super smart it does not mean you have to talk like a robot. This book also states that her IQ is 196, which...I'm pretty sure isn't actually possible. The test only goes to like 162 I think, so maybe she IS a robot. It would explain so much.
Heartwarming to get to see so much of the Kishi family interacting! I think this is a great story for young kids to understand complicated sibling relationships and the responsibility of caring for elderly grandparents. Enjoyed the focus on Claudia although I did miss getting to hear about the other girls in this one.
I read quite a bit of these as a kid. Nothing mesmerizing or fascinating (even then) but light and fun, easy reads with decent teen drama and some mild humor.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read my recap at A Year with the BSC via Stoneybrook Forever: https://www.livethemovies.com/bsc-blog/claudia-and-mean-janine
I thought this book was much more about Mimi and her medical scare, which was a interesting topic to bring up. Though what a stroke is was not actually explained. Maybe it would have been a teachable moment to recognize the signs of a stroke? But maybe back then we didn't know as much. Also, I thought Claudia was way meaner than Janine!
This book isn't really about Claudia and Janine's relationship, but more about Claudia and her relationship with Mimi, her grandmother, who has had a stroke. It wasn't my favourite of the original BSC books but it was a nice read. I realised halfway through that I must have read this as a child as I was recognising really obscure details! 8/10
Also, this story had four plots in it; quite impressive for a BSC book!
Claudia & Mimi
Claudia & Janine
Jamie & Lucy
The Playgroup
Also, this story had four plots in it; quite impressive for a BSC book!
Claudia & Mimi
Claudia & Janine
Jamie & Lucy
The Playgroup