macca
Sitting For The Newtons
Posts: 2,084
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Post by macca on Nov 15, 2006 23:39:30 GMT -5
Okay, this book was totally worth it, just to read MA's hissy fit!!! Virtually throwing a temper tantrum and smashing a mug on the tiles! And then giving Dawn the ultimate smackdown... which was reciprocated nicely! Awesome stuff ;D One of Kristy's Great Ideas was to throw a goodbye party for Dawn? Wow, how unique. Where does that girl come up with such original material? ... Also, a touch of realism when they decided not to invite kids to the party because they'd just end up having to babysit them instead of having fun. But when Stacey left in #13, the highlight of the party was the kiddies and the activities planned for them IIRC. As for the Christmas in Summer subplot? Boring. Also, as I pointed out in the Inconsistencies thread, we don't call soccer "football" in Australia - that'd be the UK. Get it right, ghostwriters!!
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jen
Sitting For The Johanssens
Posts: 1,156
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Post by jen on Nov 16, 2006 1:10:33 GMT -5
Oh, I hated the Mary Anne fight in this. I don't like reading about conflicts... I want them to be happy all the time Yeah, I thought it was a strange contrast re: kids at the party. They must've learnt, after 70 or so books, that constant baby-sitting isn't really like partying. I thought the farewell present video montage thing they made Dawn sounded pretty cool. Oh, and I liked the Christmas in summer thing! I always like stuff involving the Hobarts. I like to see how Australia gets portrayed in the BSC But yeah, the football/soccer thing bugged me.
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Post by liss31d on Nov 16, 2006 1:37:57 GMT -5
Hehe I remember when I first read the book, I was mad at the BSC for saying that they didn't want kids at their party as that's what they'd always done before and it seemed sad, like they were getting fed up with babysitting. But when I think about it now, I think it took them helluva a long time to realise that babysitting at a party is not a party. Even when I read Goodbye Stacey Goodbye, I wonder why they bought all those prizes for the kids and held loads of relay races like it was their party and not Stacey's. If I were the McGills, I would have be pretty miffed if the BSC had spent all the money from my old stuff on silly putty toys! But yep, "poor sweet old Mary Anne who wouldn't hurt a fly," really threw a mental. I remember being so shocked when I first read it! And she went into her typical silent, "I'm not mad" modes for the millionth time in the series. Although in ways, I don't blame her, Dawn really messed her around in this book and she messed everyone around by going on the 6 month trip and then saying she'd definitely come back, getting everyone's hopes up and then after being back only 2 minutes she whines that she wants to go back to Palo City (despite the fact that she bought a plane ticket on the sly and ran away to the airport back to Stoneybrook in book 72, what the hell do you want Dawn? : I felt sorry for Dawn's mum more than Mary Anne though.
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lilafowler
Sitting For The Johanssens
Posts: 1,163
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Post by lilafowler on Nov 16, 2006 14:21:01 GMT -5
I didn't blame Mary Anne for getting mad at Dawn -- telling Kristy before telling Mary Anne was pretty thoughtless.
Also, I know it wasn't the best idea of Sharon's to schlep her two kids all the way across the country right after the divorce, but I thought it was ridiculous that they let Dawn move back and forth so much! Visits are one thing, but packing up ALL your stuff and sending it to the opposite coast? It seemed ridiculous to me. At least Jeff could stay in one place.
ETA: I actually have something of a soft spot for this book because it was the last one to be released with the original cover style, and my copy is signed by Ann. Has anyone seen the last few books to be released with the original covers anywhere with new covers? I don't think I've seen new cover copies of books 81-88.
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Post by sparklymouse on Nov 16, 2006 17:12:31 GMT -5
I own this but haven't read it yet. I love everyone's expressions on the cover though. Dawn and Mary Anne look ready to cry, Claudia's smiling sweetly at Dawn, and Kristy's grinning like that Alice in Wonderland cat. I bet she went home and had her own little party after Dawn finally left town.
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Post by booboobrewer on Nov 16, 2006 19:04:48 GMT -5
^Word on Kristy looking like a Cheshire cat. Too funny. I always thought Dawn looked very pretty on the cover, and nice touch that they added the pink and purple bag that everyone gave her at the party.
MA's freakout was good reading. There's a part where she's going on about Dawn's "selfish, selfish feelings" and I'm like, settle down there, Mary Anne. Felt bad for Dawn that MA froze her out for those last days she was there.
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jen
Sitting For The Johanssens
Posts: 1,156
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Post by jen on Nov 17, 2006 4:05:01 GMT -5
^Word on Kristy looking like a Cheshire cat. Too funny. I always thought Dawn looked very pretty on the cover, and nice touch that they added the pink and purple bag that everyone gave her at the party. Consistency between plot and cover art! A rarity
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macca
Sitting For The Newtons
Posts: 2,084
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Post by macca on Nov 18, 2006 20:15:24 GMT -5
Oh, I hated the Mary Anne fight in this. I don't like reading about conflicts... I want them to be happy all the time Well, you know it's BSC land and so only a matter of time before everything works out! So I guess that's why I'm able to enjoy those angsty scenes ;D And it wasn't the first time. MA's mental in SS4 was classic too!
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Post by liss31d on Nov 20, 2006 10:28:19 GMT -5
Haha indeed so, "I wish you would get out of my life... forever!" And when Dawn carries out this request, she smashes a mug on the floor. Hmm you can't have it both ways Mary Anne
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Post by sugarmonkey on Aug 23, 2007 16:32:18 GMT -5
Wow, was MA a self centered brat in this. I'll finish later I gotta go.
Okay. I had to help put stuff away outside, there's a major storm headed our way (Aln I know you live in SW Michigan, I hope you're prepared.)
OT: Dawn and MA both gave one another what they deserved. Kristy should've kept her mouth shut. While Dawn should've just had the guts to tell MA right off, Kristy should've kept her promise.
The subplot was dull and the Christmas in Summer idea I didn't like at all. And that's coming from someone who breaks out Christmas songs periodically year around.
I hate to say it, but I actually kind of teared up throughout this book. The struggles, drama and goodbyes. I felt bad for Sharon (and everyone else I guess) but she should've have been surprised. After the abrupt way Dawn and Jeff were told about the divorce and moved her kids across country she should've expected it.
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msstock87
Sitting For The Braddocks
Here Comes The Bride!
Created by Rie.
Posts: 3,618
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Post by msstock87 on Aug 23, 2007 20:45:36 GMT -5
This book was sad for me at first, but I actually liked it. Even before this book I somehow always knew Dawn was going to move back to California. I am not sure exactly what tipped me off. Mary Anne was very bratty in this book but in a way I could understand her being angry.
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Post by sotypical42483 on Aug 23, 2007 22:18:40 GMT -5
Anybody know what # this book is? I don't own it and honestly I have no idea if I've even ever read it. I must've at some point but I seriously am drawing a blank. I don't recall MA smashing a mug and I don't see how it's possible to forget something like that.
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Post by aln1982 on Aug 23, 2007 23:27:11 GMT -5
^ #88. Right after Stacey and the Bad Girls and right before Dirty Diapers, which is when Abby comes. Guess that she came just at the right time ;D I never realized that before. I don't remember MA smashing the mug, either, but it's been a long time since I've read this one. I might have to read again as it sounds more interesting than I remembered ;D
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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 Aug 26, 2007 16:31:58 GMT -5
I refused to read this book when I was a kid, because I didn't want Dawn to move back to California.
I kinda want to read this one now. I'll probably cry - I got a bit teary-eyed during Dawn's Big Move. And I know I'd enjoy the Mary Anne freak out(s). ;D While I don't know if anything could ever top the "I wish you'd stay out of my life...forever!" line, smashing a tea cup or whatever it was on the ground sounds pretty awesome.
I always thought Dawn looked pretty on the cover, too. It bugged me how happy Kristy looked, though. I know she and Dawn had their differences, but sheesh. I'd be upset if one of my friends was grinning like crazy when I moved away, I don't think I'd be keeping in touch with her.
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Post by aln1982 on Aug 26, 2007 17:32:35 GMT -5
I'll have to reread and check out the cover as I don't remember it at all. Maybe Kristy is smiling about something else (even though I agree that she's probably not terribly disappointed that Dawn is going back ;D)
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