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Post by hitzpink on Jan 28, 2007 23:09:33 GMT -5
I could have sworn there was a thread for this book, but searching through the forums I couldn't find one.
Jessi pretty much infuriated me in this book. Every chapter seemed the exact same. "I think Mary's anorexic...maybe I should tell someone. No, I don't want to betray her." So she goes yet another week without telling an adult about Mary's problem. Ugh. Then at the end of the book in Ann's special author's note, she says that if you suspect a friend of being anorexic, to make sure you tell an adult "immediately." Which, yeah, good advice, and some that Jessi probably should have followed herself! I just couldn't believe she went SO long without telling somebody. Ugh.
Anyway, I did really enjoy the subplot, though. I always thought it was kind of odd that Shannon was in the club even though nobody besides Kristy really hung out with her, so it was cool to see the other girls spending time with her. And it was funny how jealous Kristy got, even though she was the one who originally suggested they all hang out.
Best quote of the book...
Haha, oh poor Mallory.
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inge
Junior Sitter
Posts: 767
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Post by inge on Jan 29, 2007 6:19:54 GMT -5
Hehe, that quote is priceless! I could've sworn there was a thread for this book, too, but maybe we discussed it somewhere else? Anyway, I totally agree with you on the main plot, it just goes on and on. Chapter 5: She may be anorexic! Oh no! I should tell someone but I can't! Chapter 6: She may be anorexic! Oh no! I should tell someone but I can't!! Classic BSC stuff as well about the not telling anyone. Jessi seems to be really good at not telling adults anything serious. I agree with you on the subplot as well. It's always nice to read about Shannon
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alula
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 406
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Post by alula on Jan 29, 2007 12:28:41 GMT -5
Oh, poor Mallory.
Yeah, the "not-telling" does go on forever, but I just feel relieved that eventually Jessi does talk to some grown-ups instead of, like, dragging poor Mary to a BSC "intervention" or something. Aunt Cecilia gets a good scene where she actually gives Jessi pretty good advice, and I kind of love Mme Noelle here--but I'm a sucker for stories where the stern, remote authority figure suddenly becomes all gentle and loving. (Dr. Bailey on Grey's Anatomy? OWNS ME.) All things considered, I guess on the BSC Relative Realism scale, where they don't tell their parents when they get kidnapping threats and things like that, I'm always relieved when an adult gets ANY nod at the end.
And I actually really like the ballet part of the main plot, as well as the Shannon part. I think the recital the kids do sounds adorable.
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wanderingfrog
Sitting For The Arnolds
Official BSC Archivist
Posts: 2,552
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Post by wanderingfrog on Jan 29, 2007 17:31:25 GMT -5
I agree with everything that everyone has said so far about the book.
It's kind of ironic that in the video Stacey's Big Break, Jessi's the one who refuses to believe that any models are anorexic, and thinks they're all just naturally thin and perfect. Ugh. I've realized that I really hate TV Jessi. I don't particularly have anything against the actress; I just hate the way she was written for the videos. She always seems to be saying stupid things.
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Post by baseballchica03 on Jan 29, 2007 19:25:14 GMT -5
That and "tough young liberal teacher goes into a bad neighborhood and makes the kids believe in themselves" are my two secret, shameful book/movie loves. I loved Mme Noelle in this book.
I understand Jessi's apprehension of turning in Mary. I actually went through something similar in eighth grade with someone who was a much closer friend than Mary was to Jessi. It's a tough decision to make, and it does feel like a betrayal (even if you know that it's really better for them). And the problem was not magically solved in a chapter or two like most things in BSCworld. I think this book handled the issue pretty well for a change.
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Post by aln1982 on Jan 30, 2007 8:51:04 GMT -5
What is the subplot of this one? I hated the main plot but want to eventually collect the whole series and don't want this one to stand in my way. Glad to see a BSC book with one of the girls actually going to adults but you do have to be careful with accusing someone of being anorexic - it can be a very damaging accusation when it isn't true since there are other reasons that people can be underweight (even though in this case Mary was anorexic). Okay... not going to get on this subject Just wondering if the book had a decent subplot.
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Post by liss31d on Jan 30, 2007 10:02:09 GMT -5
In the subplot, Kristy feels guilty because she has barely any time to hang out with Shannon, who for once has free time. So the BSC suggests that they get Shannon to call them to hang out which pleases Kristy. So Shannon starts hanging out with Stacey, Claudia, Mary Anne and Dawn a lot and Kristy gets jealous and after giving her the cold shoulder eventually accuses Shannon of "stealing her friends," "taking her place" and using the whole "you wouldn't know anything about the BSC or my friends if it weren't for me" line. They eventually make up BSC style and this is how it leads to Shannon coming to meetings more often.
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Post by aln1982 on Jan 30, 2007 10:42:06 GMT -5
Thanks liss! Sounds like a pretty decent subplot. Any good babysitting stories or stories about the kids in this one? I always love the Pikes
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digigirl02
Junior Sitter
The P is for Princess
Posts: 698
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Post by digigirl02 on Jan 30, 2007 12:20:23 GMT -5
Me too, but I don't think that they are in this book, but Jessi and some of her friends do help out with a dance school for underprevilaged kids.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2007 14:01:35 GMT -5
Ouch! Geez, Ann...way to go! I always kind of thought that Mallory's whining about her looks was more about being "that age" than anything else. Sure, she's sort of plain/average, but so are probably 80% of the population. It doesn't mean they're UGLY; just not drop-dead gorgeous. But in that one line, it makes it sound like all the other girls are beauties, and Mallory's the beast they simply tolerate Re: Jessi not realizing ballet dancers aren't all naturally thin - I think that's the most realistic thing about her, IMO. It would be in line with an average 11-year-old's way of thinking...you're old enough to want/do certain things, but you're still hanging onto that child's way of thinking. Everything ELSE is what's off about her "ballet career."
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starrynight
Sitting For The Kuhns
The Royal Diner of Pizza Express
Posts: 4,004
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Post by starrynight on Jan 30, 2007 14:59:02 GMT -5
I KNOW there's a thread for this somewhere, because I commented in it by saing that I get hungry reading about their trips to Burger King in this book, and someone else replied saying that it's ironic that the book about anorexia makes me hungry.
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inge
Junior Sitter
Posts: 767
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Post by inge on Jan 30, 2007 15:16:54 GMT -5
maybe it's in the foodthread, then?
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Post by liss31d on Feb 2, 2007 2:26:36 GMT -5
Ooh I love it when they go to Burger King! The idea of being in freezing weather and then stepping into the warmth of Burger and ordering warm fries just makes my mouth water every time ;D
There are a couple of babysitting jobs. Stacey sits for David Michael, Emily Michelle, Karen and Andrew (yeah Watson and Elizabeth are going out again despite K and A only being there at weekends). Emily becomes obsessed with putting away her toys ('puway'), hence she hides everyone else's toys. Also DM thinks he's way cool because he's a few months older than Karen. The other job is at the Papadakises with the Kormans and they're making a 'snow village,' in which Claudia and Shannon make their own hotel with a pool and 'chic club.' Thta's when Kristy comes in and goes crazy...
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lisa
New To Stoneybrook
Posts: 201
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Post by lisa on Feb 2, 2007 9:52:42 GMT -5
Hmm...Maybe the baby-sitting jobs in this one were better than the main plot :S
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Post by aln1982 on Feb 2, 2007 20:26:02 GMT -5
Thanks liss! The snow village sounds cool. Maybe I'll read it just for that
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