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Post by supernatural babe on Jun 2, 2006 12:56:58 GMT -5
I haven't read this book but I know it's about how Claudia hid in a cupboard and witnesses how a new charge smack his kid. And she's shocked. And starts going on about 'child abuse' and how she's never been smacked.
It's quite interesting that no other BSC charge has smacked their kid. At least 1 must do.
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Post by sugarmonkey on Jun 2, 2006 15:37:09 GMT -5
Probably the clients don't do it when the BSC is around. Why would Claudia be hiding in a cupboard? If it was just one smack and depending on the situation, why is that so horrible? Maybe the BSC are just sheltered little girls.
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Post by lovelylemontree on Jun 2, 2006 15:42:57 GMT -5
I've never read this book. Does the client smack his kid across the face or on the butt? And why is Claudia hiding in a cupboard?
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macca
Sitting For The Newtons
Posts: 2,084
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Post by macca on Jun 2, 2006 17:48:23 GMT -5
I can't believe not one of the BSC themselves were ever spanked. Or were they? I can't remember this book very well. Surely Claudia knows enough to realise that spanking kids - while definitely not the current trend - is not particularly unusual. Hasn't she ever been to the supermarket?! ;D
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wanderingfrog
Sitting For The Arnolds
Official BSC Archivist
Posts: 2,552
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Post by wanderingfrog on Jun 2, 2006 18:35:35 GMT -5
I've never read this book. Does the client smack his kid across the face or on the butt? And why is Claudia hiding in a cupboard? Claudia hears him slap one of the kids across the face. Another time he gives one of the children a black eye. I don't really think Claudia's disapproval of this sort of thing means she is a "sheltered little girl." It wasn't like it was a little swat on the butt. I'm pretty sure that we can say that hitting a child in the face is child abuse without needing to put quotes around the phrase. He's also verbally abusive. Sorry if I sound annoyed. I realize that no one else in this thread has actually read the book, and didn't know exactly what behaviours Claudia was calling abusive. But I'm a bit touchy about abuse issues lately.
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Post by lovelylemontree on Jun 2, 2006 18:40:57 GMT -5
Thank you for clarifying. From the original post, I had the impression the kid was spanked and Claudia, perhaps, overreacted.
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macca
Sitting For The Newtons
Posts: 2,084
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Post by macca on Jun 2, 2006 23:17:17 GMT -5
Oh okay, if he was belting his kids across the face and giving them black eyes, it's most definitely child abuse. I was thinking it was typical zomg BSC hysteria over what, realistically, amounts to nothing.
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Post by sugarmonkey on Jun 3, 2006 7:53:45 GMT -5
Yeah, that's what I was thinking. The BSC is so good at that.
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Post by aln1982 on Jun 3, 2006 7:59:42 GMT -5
I need to reread but I remember liking this book because I thought it dealt pretty decently with the important issue of child abuse - Claudia actually gets help from her mother. Strange concept in BSC land. From what I remember, Mr. Nicholls was truly abusive - mentally, verbally, and physically. In one scene, I think I remember him causing a big issue because one of the boys touched his briefcase. I also remember thinking when reading it that he has many of the typical characterisitics of abusive parents and thought that the book was good because it might give kids an idea that this type of behavior (not merely discipline in "super strict" Richard Spier style) was not normal and that it was okay to tell someone: Claudia's mom helped the boys' mom do something. I've probably gone on too much about I book I don't remember well but wanted to add these thoughts before I forgot them and probably won't get a chance to reread the book for a bit.
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jen
Sitting For The Johanssens
Posts: 1,156
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Post by jen on Jun 3, 2006 21:11:34 GMT -5
I agree with aln1982. I liked how the issue was dealt with in this book--Claudia actually talks to her mother about concerns pretty soon after you has her suspicions about Mr Nicholls. And I remember Kristy acknowledging that child abuse does occur, even in small towns like Stoneybrook.
Mr Nicholls had some major issues... The boys were punished because one of them touched their briefcase; there were strict rules about which snacks are for Mr Nicholls and which ones were for after dinner; Mr Nicholls goes off at them for leaving a jar of peanut butter on the counter (before he realises that it was Claudia who did it); and he refers to his boys as "stupid, slobby sons". And then there's the whole black eye, bruises on arm, slapping across the face thing... So yeah. This wasn't typical BSC hysteria over nothing. I'm actually surprised that such a serious issue made it into the books.
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macca
Sitting For The Newtons
Posts: 2,084
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Post by macca on Jun 3, 2006 21:21:16 GMT -5
Wow, after reading some more detailed descriptions, I'll definitely have to rethink my position on this book. Wish I had a copy to re-read, because it does not sound like typical BSC fluff. I'm glad Claudia got help from her mother. I think any other scenario would've sent an irresponsible message to the intended audience. If a child knows of someone who's being abused (with airtight evidence) they most definitely need to speak up to a parent. Sounds like this issue was handled quite well.
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Post by liss31d on Sept 2, 2007 4:29:55 GMT -5
And yet again in this book, the BSC get involved in another parade for the 10 millionth time
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fluffycakes
Junior Sitter
A silken-haired beauty with a laugh like pealing bells
Posts: 868
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Post by fluffycakes on Sept 2, 2007 8:44:20 GMT -5
^ Gah. I'm going to ignore their stupid shamrock parade. I don't know if I've ever read the entire sub-plot.
I liked this book, definitely one of the better "heavy issues" ones. I really liked how Claud went to her mother right away, and how Mrs. Nicholls reacts when Mrs. Kishi tries to talk to her about it. I thought the entire thing was really well dealt with, especially for a BSC book. It's also one of the few BSC book that isn't entirely resolved and doesn't quite end happily.
Mr. Nicholls is the all-time scariest client dad. Screaming at the kids for touching his briefcase, and then being all friendly and smiley at Claud the next second? (Not to mention the actual physical abuse!) Reading about him really creeped me out. Especially when he calls Claudia in the middle of the night and screams at her. Yikes.
Still, it's surprisingly a good read, for one so late in the series as well as being one of the "A Very Special BSC" types. It's heavy, but it's good. Way to go, ghostwriter!
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msstock87
Sitting For The Braddocks
Here Comes The Bride!
Created by Rie.
Posts: 3,618
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Post by msstock87 on Sept 2, 2007 11:16:24 GMT -5
I liked this book because of how well it dealt with the topic. I was actually a little surprised to find that topic in a BSC book. Mr. Nicholls defiantly weired me out though for lack of a better term he was very ..scary.
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Post by aln1982 on Sept 2, 2007 17:05:08 GMT -5
^ Totally agree with everything. This one really makes my heart race with excitement, deals well with the issue, and is one of my favorites, I think. I should reread even though I just did ;D
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