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Post by CharlotteTJohanssen on Jul 13, 2021 19:32:20 GMT -5
I know the BSC is the fun babysitters that get the kids involved in fun activities but what were they thinking forming a band? None of them are musical, apart from Shannon and this is before Anna arrived. Like, yes, some of the kids play the piano and the Perkins girls are talented singers. But what was the rest of the band? A bunch of kids playing the kazoo and banging on jars? And Charlotte on guitar. Not gonna lie, but if I was the neighbors I would have been wearing the ear plugs. I wish that this band plot was used when Anna was in town and they could have had her help out.
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Post by sparklymouse on Jul 13, 2021 20:47:52 GMT -5
It sounded like a school music class where everyone got a block of wood and a stick, a triangle, shaker bells, etc.
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cnj
Sitting For The Papadakis's
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Post by cnj on Jul 13, 2021 23:35:04 GMT -5
I still think it was cute...yeh, it would have been nice to have Anna in there giving a few pointers.
But hey, they were just young kids at play...and it was a great break after the Lowell nightmare.
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Post by booboobrewer on Jul 14, 2021 15:13:13 GMT -5
I dunno, I imagined it sounded nice as a kid with the piano and guitar additions, because I was just that brainwashed by the BSC
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cnj
Sitting For The Papadakis's
Posts: 1,708
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Post by cnj on Jul 14, 2021 16:24:59 GMT -5
I think it would sound nice and cute...I like that the BSC were generally mindful of young kids' feelings and never excluded anyone from their activities.
So what if the band was an imperfect band using kazoos and pots and pans?
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Post by CharlotteTJohanssen on Jul 14, 2021 19:05:38 GMT -5
I wish that really wasn’t the subplot though, this is one of those books where I skip the subplot.
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cnj
Sitting For The Papadakis's
Posts: 1,708
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Post by cnj on Jul 14, 2021 20:39:09 GMT -5
I'm glad they had this subplot...the BSC and their clients needed that happy break after the horror of the Lowells.
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oldhickory
Sitting For The Arnolds
Heather Loves Boys and Gym
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Post by oldhickory on Jul 15, 2021 17:21:22 GMT -5
I also dislike the subplot. I understand why they didn't make it this super strict thing and I'm sure they all had fun with it, but you know the group had to sound horrible. I had garage band neighbors for a while and they were bad with just like four kids. Can you imagine the chaos 20 kids with fake instruments must have created? Nah, I just don't get excited to read about that.
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cnj
Sitting For The Papadakis's
Posts: 1,708
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Post by cnj on Jul 15, 2021 20:07:53 GMT -5
I also dislike the subplot. I understand why they didn't make it this super strict thing and I'm sure they all had fun with it, but you know the group had to sound horrible. I had garage band neighbors for a while and they were bad with just like four kids. Can you imagine the chaos 20 kids with fake instruments must have created? Nah, I just don't get excited to read about that. I bet they sounded HILARIOUS. I also hear little garage bands of kids around my neighborhood and they don't bother me. It was just a one-time performance in the middle of a weekend afternoon, not a late-night party with speakers. And the BSC needed that happy oasis after the Lowell nightmare. Funny subplots, especially in teen series, are good for the soul.
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Post by CharlotteTJohanssen on Jul 19, 2021 13:16:48 GMT -5
Is it bad I wanted Mrs Lowell to come back only for Abby or someone to tell her off?
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cnj
Sitting For The Papadakis's
Posts: 1,708
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Post by cnj on Jul 19, 2021 20:12:48 GMT -5
Why for Abby...? Anyway, no, it would have been GREAT to see several of the neighbors and BSC to tell Ms. Lowell off and drive her out of Stoneybrook.
Hate has absolutely no home in Stoneybrook, Connecticut.
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Post by m0drnmoonlight on Jan 31, 2022 12:40:18 GMT -5
I'm trying to remember which of the other books dealt with racism at all -- I remember the book when Jessi came to town, some of the girls in her class were making fun of her and speculating on her "African" name. Then in the winter vacation, Jessi assumed Pinky was racist, when really she was just...what...homesick? Anyone remember any others? I know this is an old post but in BSC in the USA, they make a stop at Jessi's grandmother's house in New Jersey. Jessi notices Mallory is being very quiet and then notices the African statues on her grandmother's piano. She remembers when she first moved to Stoneybrook, a girl laughing at the same statues her family has, then the girl's parents asking if anymore of "you people" would be moving to Stoneybrook. So she momentarily panics that Mallory is actually racist. Then her cousin Keisha starts talking to Mallory and everything is well. Turns out she was just shy around people she wasn't familiar with. I know we like to snark on Jessi being quick to jump the gun on assuming people are racist but considering what she's been through, I don't blame her for worrying. Then again, Mallory is her best friend.
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Post by sparklymouse on Apr 29, 2022 14:05:39 GMT -5
That is a donut belt over a denim fringe shirt! I like the little face on this shirt, whatever it is. Titles: We don't want you anymore,Claudia Joke unwanted! An unpleasant experience for Claudia Ouch, these are all super sad.
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Post by oldmeanie on Sept 7, 2022 14:13:29 GMT -5
I always remember really liking Claudia's outfit on the cover and wanting to copy it (even though I'm much more of a Kristy). On the updated cover, she has a yellow shirt and red vest. I prefer the original, but the new isn't bad.
So on to the actual book. After 4 not-great ones (although I do like Dream Horse, I just find it a bit of a bummer), this one definitely feels like it stands out. The main plot is actually really interesting- infuriating, but interesting. The subplot is okay, but drags a bit, and I think Ann should've trimmed the fat on it to allow more development of the main plot.
"All the Children" is just cheesy as hell. I mean, it's cute, but meh. Also, the Brook's demographics aren't at all representative of children of the world. I guess from a kid's perspective it seems like it, though.
I do like the main plot, but like the majority on here, I feel like it's unresolved. I think that the BSC felt intimidated of Mrs. Lowell and maybe that's why they didn't confront her, but I wanted her to get a taste of her own medicine somehow. I think Claudia's anger was 100% justified; I think it's actually written well. I honestly wish that Kristy had taken her suggestion and told Mrs. Lowell that they don't sit for bigots. In fact, Kristy had already decided that back in Hello, Mallory. Who cares if it's rude or it hurts her feelings? They have enough business with loyal customers and Mrs. Lowell was beyond rude as hell, especially to Jessi.
Poor Jessi. Now, I actually really dislike how the fandom makes fun of her accusing everyone of racism. To be honest, up until this point, it's only happened once, with Pinky. I kind of don't blame her because at the point that happened, she was still very new to Stoneybrook and probably shocked by her experience. She doesn't even automatically think Mrs. Lowell is racist, she's more confused and hurt than anything else. Sorry, I just never thought the jokes about Jessi in that vein were funny.
I got annoyed when Mary Anne and Stacey kind of made the problem with Mrs. Lowell about them. Mary Anne, about to cry, is like, "What if she doesn't like me because I'm part Russian?" and Stacey is like, "How do you think I feel, being approved by Mrs. Lowell?" Ugh. This is NOT ABOUT YOU (well, later on Mrs. Lowell does ask for a blonde-haired and blue-eyes sitter, wtf, so I'll give Mary Anne that. But still, it's cringy). I guess at 13 they might not know what to say? I can see that.
The conversation they have in chapter 14 is actually really interesting. I freaking love Mallory here, she's angry at Mrs. Lowell and wants to teach her a lesson. I'm kind of disappointed in the older sitters (sans Claud) for just wanting to, like, let this go? I agree that confronting Mrs. Lowell isn't a good (or safe) idea, but I still see nothing wrong with Claudia's suggestion on saying they don't sit for bigots. There's nothing offensive about telling her the truth. And I think this is the one time they SHOULD "impose their beliefs" on the kids. Idk. I think this would be handled very differently if it was written now. As it is, though, this was way better than the previous 4 books.
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Post by booboobrewer on Sept 7, 2022 14:59:25 GMT -5
I clearly remember Kristy responding to Claudia’s bigot line: “you know darn well we can’t say that.” I think Kristy was thinking about parents’ reactions. Like they would tell their other client friends, omg our sweet sitters said that to an adult? I could see her thinking they’d lose clients if they said that.
I think teens in this day and age would have no problem saying it, and adults would (I hope) back them up.
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