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Post by helsieboo on Jun 10, 2012 14:37:03 GMT -5
I just reread this one.
I felt so sorry for Jenny in this one! She really didn't do anything wrong and she certainly wasn't being bratty. I hate the way that in BSC Land, a child who likes to do quiet activities and remain clean and tidy is deemed as awkward. Poor Jenny.
Love the Louie makeover. Again, I felt sorry for Jenny because they acted like she was being a brat when she was genuinely scared of dogs. Some people are, including my boyfriend.
Always sad about Mimi and I felt sad for Claud when she thought she was too blame for it. But I hated how mean she was to poor Janine.
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Post by booboobrewer on Jun 10, 2012 18:49:29 GMT -5
There was Jenny talk on another thread recently and this confirms it...I was exactly like her as a kid and the BSC would have hated me My mom dressed me like a doll, I liked quiet indoor things, and I was afraid of dogs. The Louie makeover, so so cute! I love those scenes in the graphic novel.
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Post by zoar3 on Jun 10, 2012 22:08:06 GMT -5
I was terrified of dogs as a young kid, too. I really didn't completely get over my fear until Champ. I also preferred indoor games but did enjoy kickball, handball, etc. I would have loved being apart of non competitive/friendly young kids like the Krushers. I've often said on here, I also would have enjoyed helping Kristy coach.
Wasn't Andrew also frightened of dogs? If you took away his casual clothes and much more natural enjoyment of being outside and even around (slowly but surely) of other kids, he wasn't that unlike Jenny. Both took a backseat in their families to more outspoken/demanding members. Jenny never went to any type of nursery school. Andrew did, but we never got to read about it or his friends (In BSC books). Maybe I just felt sorry for both of them and am trying to find common ground why.
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Post by zoar3 on Sept 7, 2012 14:56:39 GMT -5
Three things stood out for me on this re-read. First, at least twice during the play group all the baby-sitters abandoned ship for a huddled conference. This was either to try and convince Jenny to put on the smock or when they stood around refusing to step in when Karen was scaring Jenny. I remember when Mal asked Kristy what she should do next after bringing 5 kids over to the play group (first day), Kristy replied "to keep an eye on the kids, break up fights and/or suggest boredom cures when necessary." I'm not suggesting the BSC did nothing just that for a lowly "helper" Mal was sure expected to do a lot! I never quite realized that before. Too bad Mal didn't try to help Jenny or intervene with Karen, not she probably felt she could (older girls) just that I would have loved seeing her try. Second, we are told Jenny wears the "monster smock" at home for many days. We know in BSC time, "days" can mean anywhere from 2 days to multiple years. It definitely sounded like Mrs. P was quite aware that something was upsetting her daughter. Other than "grumble" about the smock, shouldn't she (or her husband, Nick) have asked the girls (assuming Jenny wouldn't tell her) what was going on? That just bugged me. I sure would hope a covered dress wasn't more important than Jenny (to her parents). Sadly, here, it seemed like it was. :/ Finally, on page 87 (newer cover), it was Claudia who had the idea of asking Mimi to write down what she wanted to say and on a larger piece of paper (to make it easier). Once again, practical smarts (Island Adventure) ended up coming in very handy. Too bad (to our knowledge) neither Claudia’s parents or teachers ever tried explaining just how school-work, particularly English (written and oral promotion of her art) and math (space on a canvas and also if Claudia ever hired any staff) could indeed be useful to her future career as an artist. If they had, maybe Claudia might have put a bit more effort into her work. Sorry this was so long!
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Post by wiggir13 on Sept 8, 2012 7:00:17 GMT -5
I do feel that claudia has a ton of street smarts, however, everyone I read this I still hate the fight when she almost hits Janine because it seems so ridiculous.
Interesting note, Stacey got a haircut and everyone liked it! No one gave her crap about it either ...
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Post by anzuhana on Sept 8, 2012 8:28:54 GMT -5
That's because Stacey's the sophisticated one.
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Post by virgoscorpio on Sept 9, 2012 2:44:53 GMT -5
I'm sure this has been mentioned before, and many of us would agree that this should be re-titled as Janine and Mean Claudia. I don't think Janine would EVER almost hit Claud.
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wanderingfrog
Sitting For The Arnolds
Official BSC Archivist
Posts: 2,552
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Post by wanderingfrog on Oct 19, 2012 19:15:32 GMT -5
Um, Margo Pike is going into Grade Two, and she's just learning to write? Really, she can't do any better than that? I'm worried about the kind of education they're getting at Stoneybrook Elementary. Oh, and I checked in the reissued book, too, and it still says "Margo," so I guess they didn't mean "Claire" and make a mistake or anything.
Not that I don't think it's funny, though. I would love a get well card that said "HGDOMYLSP" and had a picture of a fireman.
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Post by virgoscorpio on Oct 20, 2012 0:49:40 GMT -5
Bwahahahaha! This made me laugh.
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Post by Kylie90210 on May 20, 2013 22:21:20 GMT -5
I just re-read this one... And I was surprised at how teary parts made me. I'm such a wimp. Anyway, obviously the Mimi stuff was sad... But Claudia thinking she caused the stroke was so sad. When my Grandma died when I was 8, all I could think about was this one time I snapped at her. I was riddled with guilt for years. So I understood Claudia’s guilt.
They really emphasis how much changes in this one Summer, and it’s interesting. It’s very true, so much happens in this Summer arc (books 6-10), compared to the rest of the ‘year’, haha.
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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 May 20, 2013 22:52:18 GMT -5
^You're right, Maybe that's why these books have always been some of my favorites in the series! Not only do they remind me of summer and being a kid and all that good stuff, but some of the most significant events in the BSC world happened in them.
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Post by virgoscorpio on May 21, 2013 13:27:36 GMT -5
Um, Margo Pike is going into Grade Two, and she's just learning to write? Really, she can't do any better than that? I'm worried about the kind of education they're getting at Stoneybrook Elementary. Oh, and I checked in the reissued book, too, and it still says "Margo," so I guess they didn't mean "Claire" and make a mistake or anything. Not that I don't think it's funny, though. I would love a get well card that said "HGDOMYLSP" and had a picture of a fireman. Agreed. Considering the Pike kids are portrayed to be pretty smart kids, this really surprises me. Mr and Mrs Pike also seem like parents who actually give a d**n about their children's education so this is double surprising! Perhaps Margo might have a learning disability not detected yet?
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Post by wenonah4th on May 22, 2013 8:13:36 GMT -5
I guess it should have been Claire who wrote that card out.
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oldhickory
Sitting For The Arnolds
Heather Loves Boys and Gym
Posts: 3,268
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Post by oldhickory on May 22, 2013 19:42:50 GMT -5
i wouldn't be surprised if margo couldn't write very well, since the pike parents give her no attention. also, she has two sister who are super passionate about their writing, and the fact that she shows no interest at all in something she's been exposed to shows me she's probably a bit behind.
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Post by Honeybee on Dec 21, 2013 1:53:44 GMT -5
Well, I finish reading this book. I don't remember reading this book, when I was teenager. Maybe, I read it once, forgot all about it. Wasn't one of the chapters in this book. Mallory was proud of herself crossing the road with the children, when they went to the park? Anyways, the one who was mean, was Claudia. Janine, did want to help with her grandma, but her family told her go study. Jenny P. is something else. Wants to wear a pretty dress at play group. At least, Andrew told her to wear the smock. After the growling. LOL. When, I was growing up, I wore my play clothes for playing. The only time, I got dress up, was at church, party at the families, getting my picture taken or other special event. I like this book. I gave it 4 stars.
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