Turning point in series

[mara]

Do people think there is a turning point in the BSC series where the books change i.e. the books become better or worse, or more modern or just different in some way?

[andrew]

I would say with books 46-51 (shift from Martin writing almost all the books to ghost writers working on most, also the Mystery spin-off starting), or 88-90 (Dawn gone and Abby in, new kind of cover design, soon after the movie was released).

[CharlotteTJohanssen]

I think somewhere between books 50 to 60 was the turning point. I noticed a lack in quality around that time and they settle into their stereotypes.

[booklover85]

I think that #67 where Dawn moves back to California for the first time was the turning part of the series. The series was not the same after that and the girls started feeling more like caricatures of themselves.

[TheTig]

I think they're several turning points in the series. The first would be when Dawn and Mary Anne's parents get married, the second when Dawn goes to California for a few months and Shannon takes her place, when Dawn moves back for good and Abby's introduced, and then somewhere around #115 the books change again to where they barely resemble the first few (Introducing new characters and hangouts, less time spent on babysitting, shorter books, basically trying to get everything set up for Friends Forever.)

[m0drnmoonlight]

The big turning point for me, when I was reading it, was books #88 and #89, when Dawn leaves for good and then Abby arrives. You also had the "new" style book covers, it just felt like a rebirth of the series, in a way. And also an attempt to drum up new interest by introducing a new sitter. I do like Abby but she did feel like she had Cousin Oliver Syndrome.

[cnj]

They should have allowed the girls to age...there can only be so many plotlines in one grade.

[oldmeanie]

Sorry for the super long post, I have no life.

Up to #28- early BSC. I think there's some early installment weirdness in here, Stacey is in New York for half the books, most characters are introduced, it's simpler times, writing is pretty consistent (there are a couple of books I don't like much, but they're still all right).

#29-#59- mid, classic BSC. I really like Abby, but to me, the 7 baby-sitters are iconic, and I think this is before they get TOO flanderized. It also still feels pretty high quality (iirc, haven't gotten here yet, but I liked most of the books) Mary Anne's Makeover is entertaining, but felt like a shift in their character traits somehow. Then of course, #67 was really a turning point with Dawn's 6 month CA stay. Then #69 with Mallory getting mono. The club just wasn't the same. I think they injected too many jarring changes in the series in the second half.

I think around Here Come the Bridesmaids, the quality really dipped. Abby was the best written character in later books (imo) because her character was still being developed and she felt distinct from the other members. Other than that, Kristy is irritating, Claudia going back to 7th grade is ridiculous, and Stacey becomes very bitchy (more so after the Bad Girls arc). I think the changes felt more ridiculous because they're still in 8th (or 6th) grade. Also, the later books have far less stories narrated by Jessi and Mallory, which is a shame. I think they're kind of underrated.

[oldhickory]

The turning point for me is #67, Dawn's Big Move. It sets up several arcs that have repercussions later in the series - like Mallory being exhausted, everyone being stretched too thin, and uncertainty about Dawn's future. There isn't much direct continuity in the late series, but much of what happens afterwards can be traced back to this book. It's also halfway through the main series and divides it nicely in two.

Abby is my favorite character. Maybe I felt the same way you did about her writing and that's why I enjoy her so much.

[barttaylor]

Book 67 is the first turning point since that's when Dawn leaves temporarily, followed by Mallory and Stacey.
#88 is the official turning point of the club since Dawn's move is pemanent and we're introduced to Abby.