The Nichollses

[baseballchica03]

I just finished #116 (Abby and the Best Kid Ever), and I was curious about the Nicholls family. Do they ever show up again in other books? The way those kids are so fearful and obedient, it almost sounds like there's some sort of abuse going on, but did the BSC ever tackle something like that?

[liss31d]

Yes the Nicholls kids are part of the central plot within Claudia and the Terrible Truth, which focusses on these two kids who are being mentally and physically abused by their father. Their Dad appears very strict initially with his uber harsh and often ridiculous rules (they got punished when one of the kids 'touched' his briefcase). But eventually Claudia hears him slap one of the kids, which is confirmed when she sees his red cheek. For once after she talks to the BSC, Claudia goes to her Mum about this problem (shock horror, a BSC member talks to their parent about an issue instead of trying to solve everything ). I won't say what happens at the end, but I think the issue of child abuse is handled very well in this book.

[digigirl02]

I agree. But it still is a very sad book.

[baseballchica03]

I'm surprised they did a book on that. Honestly, I was sort of expecting abuse in Best Kid Ever, but the ending they gave it made sense. And while it's definitely out of BSC-character, I think they did go to the adults on things that they really, really needed to be role models and show. I'm thinking of Jessi and the Awful Secret, for example. Granted, they didn't go to adults every time they should have, but I'm glad they did the few times when it really counts (like in this one, as you say).

[aln1982]

Not finding a thread on it but am rereading Terrible Truth with the Nichollses and really disliking Mr. Nicholls. He has some serious problems and I really feel for his wife and kids. I do like this book. Even though this is a serious issue for the BSC to deal with, I think the book does a pretty good job. I like it how Claudia's mom helps at the end instead of the usual of the girls not telling their parents.
I liked the Nicholls boys and wish they would have gotten rid of the dad so they could have come back to town and been clients of the BSC ;D

[anzuhana]

I would have liked it if they appeared again or were mentioned after Claudia and the Terrible Truth. I would have liked to see what happened to them afterwards.

[sparklymouse]

It was mentioned in the Terrible Truth thread that Mr. Nicholls was probably still in Stoneybrook. It's not likely that the girls would ever run into him anywhere (I don't think most of them had ever met him anyway) but it's still a little scary to think about.

I felt badly for the boys but they weren't given enough personality for me to want to read more about them. They already did the suddenly single mom trying to get her life back together storyline a few times.

[anzuhana]

^ It is a little scary to think that Mr. Nicholls remained in Stoneybrook at the end of Claudia and the Terrible Truth and that the girls could still run into him, however unlikely.

[Sideshowjazz1]

I wanted some closure with the Nichollses. I wonder if there was ever a fanfic written about them settling in their new home without their father threatening them at every turn?