#63 - Claudia's Freind Friend

Timeline
Spring, 3rd 8th grade year.

Plot
First of all, the actual title of this book is Claudia's Freind Friend.
Claudia is in danger of failing English, again. If she fails, her parents will make her quit the BSC, again. She discusses the problem with her friends, who decide they will tutor her. Stacey volunteers for the first shift, and she is super bossy and strict. Claudia is very put off by her. At the next BSC meeting, Stacey announces to everyone she will be Claudia's only tutor, to keep things consistent. Everyone agrees that is a good idea. Claudia is not happy. Stacey makes Claudia keep a journal that she can correct. Claudia not only keeps a journal for Stacey, but she starts a private journal so she can bitch about Stacey.

Also, Shea Rodowksy has recently been diagnosed as dyslexic. His mom calls the BSC and asks for a tutor, to which the girls agree. When Claudia is baby-sitting (not tutoring), they do some homework together and they click well because they both have problems learning. Shea tutors Claudia just as much as she helps him. The next time Mrs. Rodowsky calls, she says she wants Claudia to be Shea's only tutor.

Obviously, the two journals get mixed up and Stacey reads what Claudia says about her. They both realize they are being dicks and apologize to each other. It's oddly anticlimatic.

Also, as a weird side story, the girls start getting notes at the BSC meetings. They are very tame, saying things like "You are nice." All the girls think their boys are sending them notes. But it ends up being some of the BSC charges, who plan a little celebration for them.

Also, there is a weird, community spring dance that everyone goes to.

Takeaways
At the spring dance, Claudia and Shea dance. It's kind of weird. Like, he's only three years younger than her - they could totally date later.

Also, at the celebration, he slips Claudia a thank you note, and he signs it "your freind friend, Shea". Which Claudia saves in her jewelry box. I don't know. It just seemed weird, like they might be into each other.

I feel like if Stacey and Claudia were really such great friends, Claudia could have been like "dude, you are being a dick. Stop treating me like I'm stupid." Rather than writing it all out in a journal, which obviously would be found. Even if it wasn't found by Stacey, your friends are in your room three times a week rifling through all your shit. Someone was going to find that journal.

There is an entire chapter where Kristy is coaching her softball team and babysitting at the same time, so she has to like watch a one year old and a ton of kids. That just seems very unsafe.

Best Character
I honestly don't know. Maybe Shea, because he helps Claudia even though he really doesn't have to.

Worst Character
No one is really "The worst" in this book. I mean Stacey kind of sucks, but Claudia is extremely frustrating. I guess Mary Anne wins this one, because when the notes start appearing she actually starts crying because she thinks it is Logan sending them. Like her boyfriend of over a year would be like "You are nice."