Rie
Sitting For The Newtons
Posts: 1,998
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Post by Rie on Mar 20, 2008 1:18:51 GMT -5
I've just finished this book,and I really liked it. I really felt sad for the Pikes. They made me cry in this book,especially Claire. I loved the subplot. It was so touching. Especially the moment with Kristy and Mr.Schwartz. It brought tears to my eyes. Just remembering them makes them so happy...I love it when they throw parties at Stoneybrook Manor.
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Rie
Sitting For The Newtons
Posts: 1,998
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Post by Rie on Mar 20, 2008 2:10:52 GMT -5
Oh,I really liked Sharon in this one too.
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alula
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 406
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Post by alula on Mar 20, 2008 2:29:42 GMT -5
I always really like Jessi's friends at the slumber party, when they are so warm and friendly to Mal, and positive about her decision. She's been surrounded by so much negativity and hostility; I know what it's like to try to make what you believe is the best choice in that atmosphere, and I know what it's like to get a straightforward, warm-hearted reaction from someone with no prompting or agenda.
And then Jessi follows it up with a bit of passive-aggressive brattiness that rivals anything my dear MA has ever pulled. The more times I read this, the more firmly I am on Mallory's side.
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inconstant heart
Sitter-In-Training
wind is wading on the floor, we won't be lovely anymore...
Posts: 302
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Post by inconstant heart on Mar 20, 2008 2:50:56 GMT -5
I don't really care for this book, because it features my three least favourite sitters, but I think it's interesting that Mal seems so desperate to escape Stoneybrook. In 'Baby-sitters Fright Night,' (I think) when that sixth-grader (Elaine?) is bullied by Alan and Cokie and her cronies, Mal defends her very strongly and confidently. I know it's a different matter when *you're* the one being bullied, but I don't know... It just feels like Ann M. was eager to get rid of Mal.
I mostly agree with you alula, but I can also understand why Jessi is so bitter and negative about Mal's decision. Mal was basically the first friend Jessi made in Stoneybrook, and after having to face horribly unfriendly behaviour in a new town and life, I suppose their friendship became even more important and solid to her than it might have if she hadn't faced those hardships.
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Rie
Sitting For The Newtons
Posts: 1,998
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Post by Rie on Mar 20, 2008 4:08:40 GMT -5
^I agree about Jessi.
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Post by aln1982 on Mar 20, 2008 8:15:36 GMT -5
I don't really care for this book, because it features my three least favourite sitters, but I think it's interesting that Mal seems so desperate to escape Stoneybrook. In 'Baby-sitters Fright Night,' (I think) when that sixth-grader (Elaine?) is bullied by Alan and Cokie and her cronies, Mal defends her very strongly and confidently. I know it's a different matter when *you're* the one being bullied, but I don't know... It just feels like Ann M. was eager to get rid of Mal. I mostly agree with you alula, but I can also understand why Jessi is so bitter and negative about Mal's decision. Mal was basically the first friend Jessi made in Stoneybrook, and after having to face horribly unfriendly behaviour in a new town and life, I suppose their friendship became even more important and solid to her than it might have if she hadn't faced those hardships. I agree, inconsistentheart. I really enjoyed the girls at the slumber party, too, Alula. Still, I can relate to Jessi's bitterness and hurt at losing her friend. I know when I feel that way, I tend to act bratty or get mean and passive-agressive so I think Jessi's response is realistic - not that it's right but it does happen. ;D I have trouble siding with either Mal or Jessi in this book and mostly feel for MA, who is truly "in the middle." I always used to wonder why she was the sitter involved in their fight rather than one of the others and last night while reading another book, I saw something that made me wonder if it was because she was the one who best understood what it's like to feel abandoned by your best friend who needs to get away. That's kind of what happened with Dawn.
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inconstant heart
Sitter-In-Training
wind is wading on the floor, we won't be lovely anymore...
Posts: 302
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Post by inconstant heart on Mar 20, 2008 10:04:32 GMT -5
^ Ooh, that's a really good point. I just put it to the fact that she's the sensitive one of the group, but Mal/Jessi's situation really is a nice parallel of Dawn/MA's.
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lyricalangel
Sitting For The Newtons
Logan's love-bunny
Posts: 1,918
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Post by lyricalangel on Mar 20, 2008 14:06:12 GMT -5
^That actually makes the book make more sense to me.
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Post by aln1982 on Mar 20, 2008 16:06:36 GMT -5
^ It made it make more sense to me, too, and also made me like it better. I still think it's one of my least favorites but now it somehow seems less pointless.
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Rie
Sitting For The Newtons
Posts: 1,998
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Post by Rie on Mar 22, 2008 4:44:29 GMT -5
^That actually makes the book make more sense to me. Me too.
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Post by booboobrewer on Apr 26, 2008 20:51:16 GMT -5
I kind of liked We Love Mallory Day. It was sweet of everyone to organize that, and contact Henrietta Hayes and Mal's boss at her Washington Mall job. I felt bad for the Pike kids when they were writing sad poetry for Mal and crying. Especially little Claire.
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tiff85
Junior Sitter
Posts: 583
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Post by tiff85 on Mar 16, 2009 19:15:16 GMT -5
I understand where Mal's coming from. She isn't trying to avoid Jessi, she's just doing what she feels is best for her.
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Post by otempora541 on Apr 5, 2009 16:34:54 GMT -5
I thought Jessi's reaction was spot on: her only true friend in Stoneybrook just ups and leaves her? No wonder she panicked. If you ready #14, Mallory makes a comment about how lonely she feels, she wants a best friend, there's few spare girls walking around, etc; compare this with this book.
I thought it was neccesary for there to be a third person, because you need the third person perspective to see true interaction between the girls.
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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 Apr 6, 2009 14:23:38 GMT -5
I think Mary Anne was a pretty good choice to be "In the Middle." We always read in Chapter 2 about what a good sympathetic listener she is; now we get to see it in action. I actually wish we'd seen more of the other girls confiding in her. Also, as others have mentioned, she went through the Dawn situation, and knows what it's like.
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tiff85
Junior Sitter
Posts: 583
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Post by tiff85 on Apr 9, 2009 17:18:40 GMT -5
Yeah, Mary Anne seemed like the kind of friend who would be there for someone.
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