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Post by virgoscorpio on Feb 15, 2011 16:44:26 GMT -5
I loved this book! I ordered it individually off of Amazon because I wanted to re-read it so much. There are a few things about this book. I know that before I have babbled on about the energy of the books, but I LOVED the March feeling -- probably because it's after Valentine's Day and I can't wait for March, spring, and no snow!
I love the cover. Claudia looks good on it and I think the house -- including the lawn, foresty area and driveway - are really, really cute. The cover draws me in (not really addressing the part that everyone is looking timidly at the house).
I read the St. Patrick's Parade subplot and didn't find it too bad...
Like everyone agreed in this thread, the issue was handled well. I really liked Mrs. Kishi in this book.
One of my favourites!
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u4me
Sitting For The Papadakis's
Posts: 1,655
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Post by u4me on Feb 15, 2011 19:09:26 GMT -5
^I ordered mine individually off Amazon too. I wanted to reread it sooo bad.
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Post by virgoscorpio on Feb 15, 2011 22:40:34 GMT -5
Me too! It was one of the first ones I ordered individually, along with Mary Anne and the Haunted Bookstore (which I am going to start reading now!)
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Post by wiggir13 on Aug 15, 2011 15:20:39 GMT -5
I feel like a lot of other people on here that the book handled this is a good and realistic way. I also like that there really is no end to this one. I mean we hear what the plans are but those are after all just plans. It would be interesting if the family showed up again or if the dad lost it and continued to call Claudia. For some reason, that phone call creeped me out more than anything! How scary and psycho!
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Post by sparklymouse on Aug 15, 2011 19:25:47 GMT -5
No kidding about the phone call. I wouldn't have picked it up again for a few days.
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Post by zoar3 on Aug 16, 2011 20:13:33 GMT -5
^I never thought about Janine being home alone with Mr. Nicholls nearby; how very scary and lucky he didn't come over. What I liked most about this book besides the puppy at the end and how great Mrs. Kishi (and Mr. Kishi, too) was, Erica's involvement. It was great to see a non BSC Member as not only a sitter but a key player in helping children be safe. The St. Pat's parade, was boring. I did LOL when Mal told Abby not to let Pow outside because he'd be mad to see Bo in his yard. Did it say then what type of dog Bo was? I know Pow is a basset hound.
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Post by virgoscorpio on Jan 31, 2013 2:10:26 GMT -5
One of the parts that struck me is how they boys weren't allowed to have any stuffed animals or companion toys because Mr. Nichols thought they were babyish. How sad. He might have been a drunk, but the fact that everything had to be absolutely perfect and orderly doesn't seem like trait of an alcoholic (or is it? Wouldn't they mess up their stuff in a drunken state?)
Also, by this time, Claud's Pebbles side ponytail is so overused on the covers. In fact, I think it's used for most of her covers in the series.
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Post by zoar3 on Jan 31, 2013 11:37:55 GMT -5
I am not sure it was so much about the stuffed animals as it was Mr. Nichol's trying to feel in complete control over every aspect of his son's lives, including their feelings of comfort and security. I've never lived with a truly alcoholic parent or person but I do have first-hand experiences with child abuse. I'm just stating this as a fact, nothing else, not something I care to talk about on here. I will always "hate" Mr. Nicholl's as much as that is possible for a fictional character. I see "red" when I read or hear of kid's especially being hurt in anyway. This book did do a good job of showing the Nicholl's. However, I completely admit that it was the last BSC book I ever wanted to have in my collection--too close for comfort and also I didn't care for some of the discussions in it. As so many of us have said, I think the BSC might have been better if some of the stories, such as this one, had stayed away from the "serious" issues. Just my early morning three cents.
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scrounge
Sitter-In-Training
Boo and bullfrogs!
Posts: 414
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Post by scrounge on Jan 31, 2013 16:16:28 GMT -5
I agree about the side ponytail, Virgo. Claudia always described interesting hair styles but on the covers she only ever had a ponytail or a side ponytail or her hair just down. Not to mention that Claudia was supposed to be so cool and cutting edge with her fashion, yet she has the same hairstyle as 7-year old Karen Brewer in all of the pictures.
I had a weird obsession with child abuse themed books as a kid even though it upset me to read them (Don't Hurt Laurie, by Willo Davis Roberts, was my "favorite") so I bought this book when it came out even though I was too old. I think they did an okay job with the subject. I liked that Erica had a big role in this book and liked that Claudia went to her mom with her concerns.
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Post by Sideshowjazz1 on Dec 7, 2017 21:07:31 GMT -5
I'd like to find out what happened to the Nichollses after this book, too. However, I think Mr Nicholls was a bit too open about the abuse, since he was emotionally abusive in front of the sitters to a degree, but I guess there's a wide gap between those two types, especially if it was only demonstrated in very minor ways. Tbh, I wonder if anyone picked up on it in the town they were living in before? People must have noticed some of the things Claudia and Erica noted. The only way to really avoid that was to keep the boys off school a lot and never hire any sitters or let them have friends over.
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livvy
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 394
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Post by livvy on Jul 2, 2022 15:53:39 GMT -5
I don't care what anyone says or what Mal said hitting your kids is a crime. As well as spanking them (it is in Australia anyway. You get charged).
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Post by oldmeanie on Jul 17, 2023 12:46:56 GMT -5
So I am kind of floored by how good this book is. Idk how Ellen Miles pulled it off! Late series, very heavy topic, special issues book... it's a recipe for a disaster tbh.
But for some reason it's the best special issues book? It's amazing how mature it is. Mrs. Kishi is awesome in this book; I love how supportive she is of Claudia, and how she's realistic about the situation too, telling her that she doesn't technically have proof that Mr. Nicholls hit Joey. It would sadly be more realistic if Mrs. Nicholls cutting off the BSC was the end of it. I think because it's a kid's series, they couldn't make it that traumatic, and I think it still ended more realistically than most of these special issues books.
I like how Claudia calls an emergency meeting of the BSC, they collectively decide to talk to an adult, are there for her when she's talking to her mom, and... I don't know, it's just so good.
Omg. I love Kristy in this book. I know right?! But she's so ready to change the BSC contact number without question if Mr. Nicholls calls again. And she's not really bossy in this one. She knows this issue is kind of out of her realm of expertise.
It's also a page turner. I'd read the first couple chapters earlier in the day before work, picked it up again at 11:30 last night (I'm a bit of a night owl and atm don't really have to get up early for work), figuring I'd read a couple chapters before dozing off. Nah, I read the rest of it in one go. It actually made me feel scared for Joey and Nate, angry, sad, like what?! It is actuallg really sad and I felt choked up a couple of times (especially when Claudia is in her room and realizes how safe she feels, and that Joey and Nate don't have that. Yeah, that got me).
Poor Erica... I wouldn't blame her if this experience put her off sitting for awhile.
Even the subplot wasn't that bad in my opinion (I'm biased because my birthday is St. Patrick's Day. But it also barely takes up any time, and the planning session in the Pike's yard is actually kind of funny). I also found the moments with Claudia and Lynn to be endearing.
"I glanced at Lynn, who had ap parently just discovered the fact that she has toes. She was thrilled. (Babies are easily pleased.)"
I am not a kid person and tbh I don't understand the BSC's hype over babies. But this passage? Adorable.
I think this one gets a 9, it's weirdly good. Honestly, the 110s have overall been much better than the 100s (minus 111).
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livvy
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 394
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Post by livvy on Sept 7, 2023 2:22:58 GMT -5
Reread this again and what floored me was how selfish Russ and Peaches as parents are. Lynn is only six months old and already they need a vacation?? It would have been fine if Lynn was a older but not after six months. They are dumping her with Claudia and her family while they're off enjoying themselves? They're tired of parenting already? I always thought Peaches was selfish and spoiled and this confirms it.
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livvy
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 394
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Post by livvy on Sept 7, 2023 6:09:35 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. Hitting kids is child abuse. He didn't "smack them" as you put it.
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livvy
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 394
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Post by livvy on Sept 7, 2023 6:12:39 GMT -5
Yeah, maybe. Either way, it still kinda made me laugh at an inappropriate place in the book. Wtf?? You laughed at kids getting abused?!
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