Post by oldmeanie on Feb 22, 2023 19:10:31 GMT -5
I think this is my favorite book in the 80s. Obviously I still have two more to go, but if they top this one I'll be surprised.
Aside from the annoying sayings at the beginning, I actually like Stacey in this book and I think it's better than Stacey v the BSC. Again, since it's a summer book it makes me nostalgic. Even Stacey and her friends hanging out at her house was nostalgic.
I was also annoyed that Maureen made her get a job... I get that Stacey's friends freeloading all the time (why couldn't they contribute with the snacks?) and making a mess is annoying, but why couldn't she just suggest that Stacey take swimming/ tennis lessons or something to fill her time? Idk, I guess by this point in the series, I should be used to the idea of 13 year olds working. Her job also suited her pretty well and it's more believable than working on a ferry.
The subplot was kind of a drag. Am I made of stone or something, because I didn't understand why it made everybody in the book cry? Mary Anne cries at everything so okay... and Dawn got bad news about Mrs. Winslow (I didn't remember that from this book and my god was that a bummer), plus was feeling homesick herself, but other than that, why was everybody crying over Amy being homesick? It's just kind of weird. I'm also the kind of person who cries at commercials, so idk what I'm missing. I do feel bad for her, don't get me wrong. I think her parents are kind of crazy for leaving her with family she barely knows for three weeks. One week, sure. Three weeks is a long time for a 6 year old and quite a lot to ask (I was totally with Richard's initial reaction). Also, Dawn and Mary Anne suck for altering Jeff's room without his permission. He had every right to be pissed, especially about the stickers. I'm also weirded out that Amy made it to the mall. I guess that's how Stacey reunites with the BSC though.
Is it just me or was the "bad girls'" scam of buying stuff with Stacey's discount then returning it for full price kind of dumb? It's only 10%. Even if something was $200, which I doubt, they're only making $20 from that item since they paid Stacey back. I just... maybe I'm just out of it, but this doesn't seem worth the trouble at all. And this is also why you require a receipt with a return, duh (maybe I'm being too harsh and it wasn't a big problem in the 90s).
Other than that, the "bad girls" were sort of lame. I doubt they were actually drunk at the concert, since they couldn't have smuggled in that much wine (lol). I think they thought they were drunk and got caught up in the crowd's energy. There's a term for this and I can't think of it. It's still silly, though. I also don't understand why Maureen grounded Stacey. She basically punished her for being naive. I... I don't get it. Still wild for a BSC book! It's just classic haha.
I like that the BSC meeting wasn't all jump up and down, Stacey's back. It's more lukewarm and that feels realistic to me.
Something odd about this book that I don't remember from when I read it a decade ago: Claudia calls Stacey and reads notebook entries to her. Wtf?! I don't know why this is so weird to me. I can accept Claud calling her to update her on BSC goings on, but yeah, other than that... does this strike anyone else as odd, or do you suppose it was a plot device to make the sitting chapters make sense? Stacey did have to know who Amy was to make the ending work, but still. Also, I just don't imagine those phone calls being exciting lol.
I'm a little sad. See, when I think of the BSC, I think of the core 7 members. They're only really together for one more book (Claudia and the recipe for danger), and then Dawn is off to California. Idk, late series Dawn is irritating, but I'm still kind of not looking forward to #88. I think it's also that she's leaving on really sad terms. I like Abby, though, and am looking forward to the 90s because there are actually several books I haven't read.
Aside from the annoying sayings at the beginning, I actually like Stacey in this book and I think it's better than Stacey v the BSC. Again, since it's a summer book it makes me nostalgic. Even Stacey and her friends hanging out at her house was nostalgic.
I was also annoyed that Maureen made her get a job... I get that Stacey's friends freeloading all the time (why couldn't they contribute with the snacks?) and making a mess is annoying, but why couldn't she just suggest that Stacey take swimming/ tennis lessons or something to fill her time? Idk, I guess by this point in the series, I should be used to the idea of 13 year olds working. Her job also suited her pretty well and it's more believable than working on a ferry.
The subplot was kind of a drag. Am I made of stone or something, because I didn't understand why it made everybody in the book cry? Mary Anne cries at everything so okay... and Dawn got bad news about Mrs. Winslow (I didn't remember that from this book and my god was that a bummer), plus was feeling homesick herself, but other than that, why was everybody crying over Amy being homesick? It's just kind of weird. I'm also the kind of person who cries at commercials, so idk what I'm missing. I do feel bad for her, don't get me wrong. I think her parents are kind of crazy for leaving her with family she barely knows for three weeks. One week, sure. Three weeks is a long time for a 6 year old and quite a lot to ask (I was totally with Richard's initial reaction). Also, Dawn and Mary Anne suck for altering Jeff's room without his permission. He had every right to be pissed, especially about the stickers. I'm also weirded out that Amy made it to the mall. I guess that's how Stacey reunites with the BSC though.
Is it just me or was the "bad girls'" scam of buying stuff with Stacey's discount then returning it for full price kind of dumb? It's only 10%. Even if something was $200, which I doubt, they're only making $20 from that item since they paid Stacey back. I just... maybe I'm just out of it, but this doesn't seem worth the trouble at all. And this is also why you require a receipt with a return, duh (maybe I'm being too harsh and it wasn't a big problem in the 90s).
Other than that, the "bad girls" were sort of lame. I doubt they were actually drunk at the concert, since they couldn't have smuggled in that much wine (lol). I think they thought they were drunk and got caught up in the crowd's energy. There's a term for this and I can't think of it. It's still silly, though. I also don't understand why Maureen grounded Stacey. She basically punished her for being naive. I... I don't get it. Still wild for a BSC book! It's just classic haha.
I like that the BSC meeting wasn't all jump up and down, Stacey's back. It's more lukewarm and that feels realistic to me.
Something odd about this book that I don't remember from when I read it a decade ago: Claudia calls Stacey and reads notebook entries to her. Wtf?! I don't know why this is so weird to me. I can accept Claud calling her to update her on BSC goings on, but yeah, other than that... does this strike anyone else as odd, or do you suppose it was a plot device to make the sitting chapters make sense? Stacey did have to know who Amy was to make the ending work, but still. Also, I just don't imagine those phone calls being exciting lol.
I'm a little sad. See, when I think of the BSC, I think of the core 7 members. They're only really together for one more book (Claudia and the recipe for danger), and then Dawn is off to California. Idk, late series Dawn is irritating, but I'm still kind of not looking forward to #88. I think it's also that she's leaving on really sad terms. I like Abby, though, and am looking forward to the 90s because there are actually several books I haven't read.