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Post by sotypical42483 on Nov 9, 2006 12:36:49 GMT -5
^Ah, okay, thanks. I've never read that book
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lilafowler
Sitting For The Johanssens
Posts: 1,163
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Post by lilafowler on Jan 3, 2007 15:42:54 GMT -5
Don't forget "I feel very honorific to have been chosen." When I read that line, I immediately thought of Stacey the Math Whiz and how Claudia feels like Mr. DeWitt was rude because she thought he didn't want someone who got left back tutoring his daughter. If Claudia consistently uses a word as the wrong part of speech when speaking to him, that could have been another red flag.
Yeah, ITA. But when she first got sent back to seventh grade, all her new classmates thought she was very cool then, so I don't know how she could have transformed from Super Popular to Unknown to Super Popular.
I also thought it was lame how Claudia had that inner battle between loving Mark and hating him. The part where she fell down and he kissed her read like one of those terrible pornographic stories at the end of every Cosmopolitan magazine, where, like, some high-powered female lawyer does it with her sexist co-worker. Just...without the sex.
At the same time, I really liked this book. I was amused when Mark said he wanted to have dukes, earls, and wenches, and the Sean Addison subplot was interestingly creepy. Kid was scary.
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Post by aln1982 on Jan 3, 2007 17:04:47 GMT -5
My aunt got me this book at Christmas - found it used for 10 cents. I'm always thrilled to get a new BSC book for a deal and am now anxious to reread. Don't remember anything about Sean and it sounds like Claud had some classic "dumb" moments. Those are great.
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lilafowler
Sitting For The Johanssens
Posts: 1,163
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Post by lilafowler on Jan 4, 2007 1:53:31 GMT -5
Oh, one of her dumb moments I forgot -- saying "Lillipulitzer" instead of "Lilliputian". Kind of funny when you consider Miss Thrift Shop Chic would probably wear an outfit from Janine's closet before an item from Lilly Pulitzer's line.
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Post by aln1982 on Mar 9, 2007 11:18:38 GMT -5
Loved the "Pumpin Circumstance" and Claud's dream of Queen Elizabeth in this one. There were several classic dumb Claudia moments. I actually liked this book pretty well. Even though I thought the older girls in the BSC were jerks about the "little 7th graders" thing, I can understand why they were like that - good old jealousy of Claudia's new friends. I really enjoyed how Mal and Jessi were so supportive of Claudia. As for the Sean subplot - that kid needs MAJOR help!
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Amalia
Sitting For The Braddocks
Her Original Point of View
Posts: 3,664
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Post by Amalia on Jun 13, 2007 3:03:13 GMT -5
^ Just read this book, and it was okay. I remember in the beginning, about how she was lecturing them about kingdoms, phylums, etc. and her friends were awed by her knowledge. And later on she would make all of these dumb Claudia moments, like what aln said. And for some reason, what else sounded pornographic to me, besides the "pressed back" thing was when they describe Stacey running and her hair was flying in the wind and how Josh had his mouth gawked open. I felt that Josh liked Claudia. He seemed bummed when Claudia mentioned that she kissed Mark. He was fumbling with putting the cape on her. And as for Sean, MA seemed bossy to me in how she handled Sean. She seemed to have been taking Corrie's side instead of being a little bit more even-handed.
Edit: I remember now why I wanted to post in the first place. What really grossed me out was when Claudia "cracked" and saliva spewed from her mouth right in front of Mark. And then a moment later he kisses her? WTF.
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fluffy
New To Stoneybrook
Posts: 180
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Post by fluffy on Jun 14, 2007 5:51:31 GMT -5
Speaking of pornographic, was anyone else here amused by the scene in which Sean continuously 'groans' in his room?
I think the whole Claudia/Mark romance was too facile and predictable, like Ann was giving in to her readers. I was glad when they broke up a few books later. One of the FF books has a similar relationship between Kristy and Cary Retlin, only this time Ann (or her ghostwriter?) is smarter and the characters don't hook up, or come close to it.
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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 Jul 10, 2007 16:20:34 GMT -5
^ Hahaha! Yes, I was amused by Sean's "groans." I immediately thought of the sexual references thread here. ;D ITA with everything you said. I hate Mark Jaffe, and their relationship was ridiculous and completely predictable. There's really no explanation as to why she likes him, other than the fact that he's hot (or so they say), and he said one or two honest things to her. For the majority of the book, he's an obnoxious, selfish jerk. Oh, and I can't believe that Claud thinks they have a relationship because they've kissed twice. If that how it works, then I've had a LOT of boyfriends... Of all the Claudia in grade seven books, this my least favourite. I think Claudia's actually more stupid than usual, and apparently has some anger issues - like when she starts throwing chocolates at Kristy because she's mad at her. And she was always flying off the handle over the prom meetings. She's pretty ragey in this one. Plus, the older BSC girls are pretty terrible. It's funny that they make such a big deal about Claudia having friends who are 12. Wouldn't there be some kids in seventh grade who turned 13? But I guess by that logic, there would be 14 year-old eighth graders, and in BSC Land, there will be none of that! The only thing I really liked is Josh. I think he's one of the better BSC boyfriends. He's supposed to be kinda cute, but that's not his defining trait (Logan Bruno, I am looking at you!). He's sweet and funny (well, tries to be) and he's a good friend. I like that he seems like an actual boy, as opposed to yet another SMS Sex God. And I loved how he was upset over the Mark thing. OmgConsistencies! Foreshadowing! In a book so late in the series, that's a rare find.
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Post by aln1982 on Jul 10, 2007 16:39:49 GMT -5
^ Agree about Josh, though he doesn't seem like a good match for Claud because he seems so much younger. Never thought about Claud and the rage issues but I think you're right. Maybe this is connection to the subplot of Sean's rage. Will have to reread as it has been a while. Also noticed and liked the foreshadowing.
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Post by aln1982 on Sept 20, 2007 23:11:59 GMT -5
Am rereading this one right now and just can't see why Claudia (or anyone) likes Mark. He seems so immature and obnoxious, like one of the Pike triplets or Jeff almost. Josh is annoying, too, but not in the same way. I never like this book much because Claudia ends up with Mark. Yuck. I've just gotten to the part where MA goes to sit for Sean and it says she's nervous. This is understandable since I'm actually nervous for her just reading it. Sean is definitely difficult at best and at worst, well....
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Post by greer on Sept 20, 2007 23:17:50 GMT -5
i really like mark and claudia's kiss though. it's so ~real~.
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Post by booboobrewer on Sept 20, 2007 23:24:16 GMT -5
I think Claudia's actually more stupid than usual, and apparently has some anger issues - like when she starts throwing chocolates at Kristy because she's mad at her. Hahahaha. Yes, Claudia flies off the handle a lot in this book! I find it simultaneously annoying and amusing.
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Post by aln1982 on Sept 20, 2007 23:24:27 GMT -5
^ Haven't gotten to that part yet but from what I remember, I liked it, too. The kiss definitely seemed real ;D
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2008 23:03:28 GMT -5
I like this book. i think Claud is pretty cool in it, loved when she called them out on being bitches- and they actually apologised! never thought i'd see the day ;-)
I want to smack Kristy when she told Claudia to tell her friends to stop tying up the phoneline. Hello, its her freaking phone, she can do whatever she wants.
I think Josh was adorable in this book too :-)
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Post by zoar3 on Nov 17, 2009 18:02:14 GMT -5
It just occured to me that maybe the 4 older BSC Members (Stacey, Kristy, Mary Anne, and Abby) may have thought/been afraid that Claudia was replacing them with her 4 new 7th Grade friends: Shira, Josh, Joanne, and Jeannie. I'm in no way exusing their behavior toward Claudia (typical BSC viewpoint that members can only be true friends with one another) just that that may have been a part of it.
The first time I read Mary Anne and the Library Mystery, a part of me thought the firebug would be Mel Tucker, if it was to be a kid. Prior to that, all Sean Addison did was randomly play the tuba in a Pike Talent Show right? (I think in Mallory and the Dream Horse)? Mel had already been established as needing some major help: His treatment of the Hobarts and Susan Felder and of course his act as Mr. X.
ITA, though that in this book the Sean supblot was much better written than the main Claudia one. Who really cares about her being 7th Grade Prom Queen and do they really have such things? Proms for 7th Graders that is?
I agree, anothergirl, Josh was adorable and a good all around guy and friend in this book. He's supposed to be the blonde boy on the left right? (He always reminded me of hunky Maxwell Caulfiled from Grease2) The dark haired boy standing behind Claudia and Jeannie is Mark? If so, simply based on looks, Josh imo is much, much better looking than Mark. Even in the dopey looking picture on the cover of Claudia Makes Up Her Mind, if Josh is wearing the striped shirt, he's still better looking than Mark Jaffe. More importantly, he sure comes across as a better person!
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