A review by leighannsherwin
Claudia and the Bad Joke by Ann M. Martin

4.0

There is a sudden rash of practical jokes in town, mostly due to some films shown and unfortunately Claudia finds herself the victim of a joke gone very wrong. When the Soback family calls for a sitter for their daughter Betsy, the girls are surprised since they use other babysitters. This should've been a red flag. Betsy loves practical jokes and no one else will sit for her. So Claudia goes hoping for the best and when a swing breaks, she breaks her leg and winds up in the hospital. You'd think this would either scare Betsy into stopping, or at least get her an ass whooping from her parents. It doesn't, as a non American I don't know what a week in a hospital costs, but I'm guessing it's a lot, and the Kishi's should've at least sued for the cost of medical care. But again didn't happen. Betsy is still a brat who seems sadly neglected by her parents Claudia wants to quit the club and the girls decide to teach Betsy a lesson. The nostalgia in here was Claudia having to write thank you notes to everyone sending her flowers and cards, kids don't do that these days, just a text if you get anything at all. Stacey calls long distance during the day but Claudia realizes it's costing her a fortune which I I remember Mary Anne sneaking Tigger into the hospital to see Claudia and being afraid to break a leg because I'd be stuck in hospital for a week. It was an okay book, not one of my favourites but still an enjoyable way to pass time.