andrew
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 353
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Post by andrew on Jan 31, 2017 3:16:17 GMT -5
Super-over-the-top, especially the writing of Ed, but still mostly fun. It initially felt really weird that Stacey would think other people that are into math would be nerdy and she was pretty annoying in being upset, although privately, that Claudia had managed to do better tutoring than her. It was believable enough and interesting that the kids got interested in math in various ways and degrees and mostly did good jobs in their projects.
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Post by sparklymouse on Mar 23, 2022 16:09:22 GMT -5
Stacey, the braids and eyebrows!!
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Post by anzuhana on Mar 23, 2022 18:04:52 GMT -5
I actually like her hair on this cover (I also like her shirt as well). The eyebrows admittedly are unflattering.
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livvy
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 394
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Post by livvy on Jun 28, 2022 2:58:55 GMT -5
I really really hate this one.
Mostly because I'm bad at maths and in this book the ghostwriter is trying to make maths fun which it isn't. Btw in Australia we call math maths which just sounds better.
I always skip this one. I loath the later Stacey books with a passion.
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swizzles
New To Stoneybrook
Claudia Kishi ruels ok
Posts: 83
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Post by swizzles on Aug 11, 2022 9:28:55 GMT -5
I loved all the ‘drawn’ in maths problems- I don’t recall seeing many books in this series where the text is broken up this way. Is it just me, or are the tutoring notes Stacey prepared for Lindsey beyond ludicrous? I’m in my mid-thirties and still wouldn’t follow the words she uses to describe fractions and decimals.
I also loved the dilemma re: hanging out with her dad vs focusing on the mathletes. It would have passed me by as a kid, but watching Mr McGill’s almost manic energy is quite interesting to explore. Not to mention how quickly he reverts to type once he’s gainfully employed again. I try not to think about how he probably isn’t much older than me now…
The maths fair was a hoot! I loved reading about the various kids’ stands. And that poor girl with the genetics presentation whose scientist mom micromanaged the entire thing!
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Post by oldmeanie on May 20, 2023 19:55:26 GMT -5
What the heck! I finished reading this several days ago and didn't review it.
It's another one I've never read. I did enjoy it, but aside from a couple of things, I guess it didn't leave much of an impression on me.
I'm surprised that Ed lost his job- I don't recall any later books mentioning that. I suppose it is good continuity, since I remember an earlier book (not sure which one) saying his company was in trouble. He is annoying and sort of... odd in this book. For some reason, he just seems OOC. He also seems much less responsible than earlier books, throwing around money like crazy (then again, maybe he doesn't have to worry. I am definitely one of those people who believes he is as rich as Watson).
I enjoyed the Mathletes plot and how involved Stacey got. I think it's realistic that she thought it was too dorky at first then it grew on her. Of course she's tied with the best in Connecticut. The math problems were fun, although the last one didn't feel like a math problem, more like a puzzle. I do like that Stacey decided to show up for the competition instead of going to the U4Me concert with her dad (and, as much as I overall don't like Ed, I like that he understands and doesn't try to guilt trip her into going to the concert).
Subplot was... all right. It felt forced and I don't remember much. I did think this was funny though:
"Vanessa was hunched over a sheet of paper at the kitchen table. “Da one da two da three da four da five da six da seven.”
"The triplets were cracking up. “And over here, ladies and gentlemen,” Adam said, “is Vanessa Pike’s fascinating experiment — counting how many times she can say ‘Duh’ in one sentence.”
I thought the conflict at the end with the BSC was sort of weak. As a reader, it did come across that the BSC were salty about Stacey not showing up at the celebratory dinner (especially with Kristy being rude to the waiter... not cool, Kristy). So it felt kind of weird when it was revealed that they weren't? It's nice that they're supportive at the end, but actions speak louder than words. Stacey threatening to quit the BSC if they didn't understand her problems felt kind of OTT, though.
Overall, it's all right. It's a weird one. Maybe like a 6/10.
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