#120 - Mary Anne and the Playground Fight

Timeline
Beginning of summer between 8th and 9th repeat

Plot
It is summer again, Dawn is back again, and, again, somehow, SMS has offered their students an amazing trip. This year it is Europe for FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS. THAT'S ALL.

There is also a opportunity at the playground for camp counselors. Everyone wants to do all of the things. But then Dawn says she is not going on the trip, so then Mary Anne decides she is not going. Then Logan says he is not going. Then Claudia says she is not going if she gets a playground job. Stacey, Abby and Kristy decide they want both, so they lie during the interview and say they won't go, but their plan is to just wait until they start and then ask for the ten days off. It's super shady and the girls fight pretty badly about it.

Mallory and Jessi get cut right from the start because of their age. Kristy, Stacey and Abby put their plan of lying into action. Meanwhile, Kristy is insistent everyone help fund raise even though not everyone is going. She is a huge bitch about it, which doesn't help with the fighting.

Subplot in this book is that little princess Victoria is moving back to Europe and she's sad. so they have an "American themed" goodbye party for her.

So as it ends up, the committee sees through the lies and only hires Dawn, Logan, MaryAnne and Claudia. They have this weird meeting where the formally apologize to each other and all is well.

Takeaways
How are they going on this trip for only FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS?!

As this series is coming to an end, Kristy is becoming worse and worse to hang out with. I would guess when they are finally too old to be in a babysitting club, most of these girls won't be friends with Kristy anymore.

Mallory has a pretty good line in this book where she FINALLY yells at Kristy for treating her like a baby. Kristy is kind of the worst.

I also love that the committee saw through the lies and didn't give the job to Kristy. She kept saying in this book how she was way more qualified than anyone around her.

Best Character
I mean, they are all kind of terrible, but I would say MaryAnne because she makes the right decision by choosing to stay in Stoneybrook with Dawn. Although, passing up a $400 trip to Europe is pretty stupid.

Worst Character
Fucking Kristy.

#119 - Stacey's Ex-boyfriend

Timeline
May of 8th repeat

Plot
Robert broke up with Stacey several months ago for his friend Andi. Their relationship didn't last very long, but Stacey is still with the guy she met and started dating after Robert dumped her. His name is Ethan and he lives in New York, so Stacey sees him a few times a month. She is really happy, but Robert is in a noticeable weird funk. He has kind of given up on everything - his friends, his school work, his family - he even quits the baseball team right before their championship game.

Stacey runs into Robert's little sister, who yells at Stacey and says it's her fault that Robert is in a depression. So she goes completely overboard trying to "fix" Robert. She tries to become his best friend, and Robert will let her in for awhile but then he would get pissed and push her away. Finally Stacey calls into a radio show therapist and asks for help, and the therapist tells her she needs to get an adult involved. Stacey tells that to Robert, who gets pissed, but then he shows up at Stacey's house in the middle of the night, sobbing, begging for help. They call his baseball coach, who helps Robert a lot. He finally seems to be getting better. Stacey and Robert go to the spring dance, as friends, and they declare that they love each other as friends.

The side story is there is a strawberry patch that opens in Stoneybrook, and of course all of Stoneybrook is obsessed with it. Kristy and the BSC throw a Strawberry Festival and of course the entire town came and it is the biggest success in the entire world.

Takeaways
These baby-sitting club books are getting pretty deep lately.

It was pretty clear that Robert was going through a depression, and I can't believe Stacey didn't catch on sooner. She just kept telling him to snap out of it.

Her parents are also pretty patient with her, considering she decides at a moments notice to go to NYC for the day. Also, it's kind of weird that a 13 year old is in a long distance relationship.

Best Character
I mean, obviously Stacey who tries so hard to help even though she is getting no where - and this guy dumped her, so she really had no reason to want to help him.

Worst Character
I would say Robert's family, because WTF. They should maybe be paying more attention to their kid rather than just saying "that's how teenagers are".

#118 - Kristy Thomas, Dog Trainer

Timeline
April of 8th repeat

Plot
There is a baby-sitting charge in Stoneybrook, Deb, who recently lost her sight. She got sick and woke up blind one day, and she is not handling it well. She is isolating herself and refusing to see friends. One day Kristy is babysitting her and she decides to walk to town by herself, almost killing herself. Kristy finds her and they have a long talk, and Deb seems a little better after that.

This unfortunate turn of events made Watson think that 7 kids, a bunch of pets, a business and running a household isn't enough, so he decides to become a service dog trainer as well. They go pick up their service dog in training, Scout, and the entire family starts taking him everywhere.

And that's what happens in this book.

Takeaways
Deb has some pretty good comebacks in regards to her blindness. Like basically anytime someone mentions seeing something, she's like um nope I'm blind. And at one point her brother is yelling at her and she's like dude I'm blind not deaf.

Of course there is some "service dog" fair when the Watson-Brewer's are done with their dog.

They take the dog to a dog training class, and on the "graduation" day, they have like professional pictures taken of the whole class and then the dogs and their owners. Seriously, that can't be real.

I am not a dog person.

Kristy even brings the fucking dog to the BSC meetings. Every single BSC meeting.

There is also a time when Karen feeds the dog something and Kristy loses her goddamned mind, but then Watson is like it's fine, things happen. Kristy is a lot to handle sometimes.

Best Character
Watson, who makes this decision and is just trying to do a good thing.

Worst Character
There really isn't a worst character in this book, but I'm going to give it to Kristy bc she's such a tyrant sometimes. And why does she have to bring the fucking dog to Claudia's house, which is pet free?

#117 - Claudia and the Terrible Truth

Timeline
March of 8th repeat

Plot
There were really three plots in this book:
1. Claudia's aunt and uncle leave town for a week and leave their kid, Lynn, at the Kishis.
2. It's St. Patrick's Day and there's a parade in town, so of course the BSC organizes with all the kids in town so they can be involved.
3. There is a new client in town, the Nicholls family. The dad is incredibly strict and doesn't have a job right now, and the mom is pretty meek and timid and works at the library with Claudia's mom. They have two young boys, who are not allowed to act like young boys bc the dad is so strict. They are terrified of them, and are always on their best behavior because of their fear. The dad still thinks they can't do anything right, even referring to them as "dumb" and "jerks" to Claudia, who becomes their regular babysitter.
One day Claudia leaves their house, but realizes she forgot her coat and goes back, walking in just in time to hear Mr. Nicholls slap one of the boys. Claudia can see the red mark on his face and both boys are crying. She runs immediately to the BSC, who decide they need to tell an adult. They tell Claudia's mom, who talks to a social worker and tries to talk to Mrs. N, but she denies everything and fires the BSC.
Another 8th grade girl, Erica, is babysitting for them one night and calls Claudia, because she heard Claudia had been fired. She said both boys are all bruised up and one of them has a black eye. Claudia calls her mom right away, who helps Mrs. N and the two boys escape. She finally admits the truth about the abuse and moves the boys 4 hours away to stay with her sister.

Takeaways
Jeez Louise, I legit had to fight back tears through most of this book.

I'm so glad the BSC decided to actually tell an adult, rather than trying to handle this on their own like they typically would.

I don't know what else to say. This book was heavy.

Best Character
Claudia's mom, who swept right in and saved the day and didn't give up when Mrs. N clearly wanted her to butt out.

Worst Character
Obviously the child abuser, Mr. Nicholls.

#116 - Abby and the Best Kid Ever

Timeline
Feb of 8th repeat

Plot
Lou, who was the worst kid ever when the Papadakis's were fostering her, is back in town. Her aunt and uncle adopted her and her brother and now they've moved to Stoneybrook. Also, the Addison's are moving. Also, it's Black History Month so Abby is doing a project on the Underground Railroad and (obviously) she involves all the kids in Stoneybrook.

Lou is acting like a perfect angel because she is scared that her aunt and uncle will get rid of her. She is annoyingly helpful and makes a lot of mistakes bc she is so obsessed with perfection. Abby talks to her brother about it, and be basically says Lou is on edge because she is scared of getting thrown back into the system. Even though she knows that, Abby snaps at her and then Lou becomes a brat again. Then she's good again. Then she's bad again. Finally she has a breakdown and her aunt and uncle say they will never get rid of her ever.

So that is settled. Abby's project is amazing. And they throw a goodbye part for the Addison's, and the family who moves in comes. The dad seems super controlling and the kids seem scared of him.

Takeaways
This book was SO boring.

Abby mentions a few times how bossy Kristy is, and how she is uncomfortable when she isn't in charge. She is super passive aggressive about it.

AFTER Lou's brother tells Abby how sensitive Lou is, Abby yells at her. It's so rude.

Again, this book was so boring.

Best Character
Mallory, because even though it had nothing to do with her, she helps Abby A LOT with her project and then stands at the fair with her the entire time.

Worst Character
Abby, for a variety of reasons. And probably the dad of the new kids, because I'm sure it will come out later that he is abusive.

#115 - Jessi's Big Break

Timeline
Winter of 8th repeat

Plot
Jessi auditioned for a special "Winter Session" at a prestigious ballet program in New York several months ago. She gets a letter that she GOT IN! She arranges to stay with Aunt Cecilia's son and daughter-in-law, and off she goes to New York for three weeks! She is so excited, but of course Mallory goes into a depression and Becca becomes an unholy terror, all because Jessi is going to be gone for less than a month.

The ballet class is amazing, and Jessi is a standout from the beginning. She meets a bunch of friends and feels so at home there. She loves the city. Quint, her kind of boyfriend from the first time she visited New York, is there and still likes her, but she tells him they can only be friends and he's fine with that. Everything is going so amazing, she almost forgets about Stoneybrook at all.

Mallory comes to visit once, but it's kind of awkward and Jessi is almost relieved when she goes back home. All of the other ballerinas start getting offers to stay for another three weeks, but Jessi doesn't. She is confused, but thinks maybe it's just because she's so young.

At the end of the session, there is a special event where her parents and aunt come to see her perform. She is supposed to go home with them after that, and back in Stoneybrook Becca and Mallory plan a welcome back party. However, after her performance she is asked to stay one more night so she can audition for a permanent position in this school. She stays, and Becca/Mallory are fucking pissed.

She, of course, gets an offer, but is told it will be there whenever she wants it. Jessi decides she will take it, but not right now - she wants to finish middle school maybe, and just be with her family for awhile longer.

There is no subplot except Becca and Mallory are little bitches.

Takeaways
Jessi is ELEVEN. ELEVEN. But somehow she has to break up with a guy twice because she is not ready for a boyfriend. Which of course she's not. Because she's ELEVEN.

She was only gone three weeks, but Becca and Mallory seriously act like she has moved to New York. Like they get super pissed because she doesn't want to come home every weekend that she is gone.

Jessi makes a comment that all of her new friends are black and she feels so at home with them. I bet it was such a culture shock for her to move from an all black neighborhood to an all white neighborhood. I feel bad for her.

And finally - I kind of wish she would have taken the spot at the school. I know she's only ELEVEN, but also this is her dream. She would be guaranteed to be a professional dancer had she gone there.

Best Character
Jessi is pretty adorable in this book, so she wins.

Worst Character
I would say Mallory because she's a pouty b through this whole book, but Becca is an actual little bitch so she wins.

#114 - The Secret Life of Mary Anne Spier

Timeline
December of 8th repeat

Plot
MaryAnne's dad, for some reason, gives MA his credit card to use to do all her Christmas shopping. The deal is that she has to pay him back by the time he has to pay his credit card bill. For some reason, she goes bananas buying really super nice Christmas presents for her entire family and every single one of her friends. She doesn't mess around - like, she buys Jessi ballet tickets - and then seems super shocked when she finally adds up all her receipts. Then her dad tells her she will also have to pay interest on her purchases, and wow. MA needs to do something, because her babysitting money isn't going to cover it.
So she lies about her age and gets a job as an elf at the mall. She keeps this a secret from everyone and is just truly living a double life. Meanwhile, Dawn is home but she's acting like she is way too cool for her - back in California, 8th graders are in high school - but MA is so busy she doesn't really try to fix it, she just snaps right back at her. Plus, MA's coworker, Angela, tells her that her parents kicked her out and she is homeless, so MA is very concerned about her not having anywhere to spend Christmas.
There is a close call at the mall when Logan, Dawn and Logan's bro and sis come to see Santa. No one recognizes MA except Logan's little brother, who promises to keep her secret. Finally, her last day comes and goes and she has enough money to pay her dad. MA confronts Dawn about her shadiness, who then throws it back at her - so MA confesses to her double life, then she tells Logan, then her parents. Everyone is like dude, you should have just told us. MA also asks her parents if Angela can spend Christmas with them and her dad grumbles, but Sharon is like hell yes, and she buys her some gifts.
Subplot is that the hospital always does a Toys for Tots type fundraising event, but they cant this year - so of course the BSC takes it over and knocks it completely out of the park and raises the most money of anyone else in the land.

Takeaways
Why in the world would you give a 13 year old a credit card to spend how she wants? AND WHY wouldn't MA be keeping track of her spending as she went along? AND WHY wouldn't Richard explain about interest before letting her spend her balls off? That whole thing is so out of character for both of them.

MA mentions that Logan can't babysit his brother and sister because he has volleyball practice - how progressive of SMS.

Angela's parents throw her out - at 16 years old - and she tries to call them twice and they won't take her calls. Like...what the hell did she do?

Best Character
I mean, I think I have to give it to the whole BSC because they work their asses off for this Toys for Tots type charity.

Worst Character
It's a tie between MA and her dad, for their stupid financial decisions.