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Post by Sideshowjazz1 on Sept 23, 2017 17:03:04 GMT -5
Personally, I think this book was kind of a fuss about nothing. I know everyone wanted the job, but do the Europe sitters really think they could get away with not being there half the time? And again, we have the sixth-grade sitters acting the most mature about a situation. Anyone notice that trend growing? That's why Jessi is one of the sitters I like the most (I have a soft spot for Stacey, for some reason).
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Natasha
New To Stoneybrook
BSC Reread Update: no 115:Jessi's big break.
Posts: 198
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Post by Natasha on May 25, 2018 9:21:17 GMT -5
This one was pointless and really annoyed me. Kristy especially annoyed me in this one. I just so hate the way the older BSC members treat their younger members of the BSC sometimes. They are just as good as sitters as they are. Mallory even more so because of all those siblings.
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andrew
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 353
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Post by andrew on Jun 7, 2018 19:07:59 GMT -5
Kristy was a big grouch in this book, pretty unreasonable (demanding and unappreciative) to everyone; the other sitters' tensions about the competitiveness were, nicely, mostly pretty subtle (I didn't really get why there was such a conflict, sort of, between Stacey and Claudia). The apologies felt too sudden and forced.
I liked the conflict between Mary Anne and Vicki, not overdone at any point and Mary Anne responding pretty maturely and Vicki in turn becoming more mature.
It was funny that the sitters were able to be pretty productive in planning for fundraising even while mad at each other.
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Post by oldmeanie on Jul 30, 2023 12:25:43 GMT -5
This book felt kind of different, and I can't explain why. I guess it's because of a different ghostie. It felt sort of... low energy? Despite that, I kind of rant a bit.
They apparently go to school within walking distance (biking distance?) from a lighthouse, and thus a beach. It didn't really bother me much thinking about this on re-read, but I'm surprised that the fact that they live so close to a beach isn't mentioned often. I assume it's a rocky beach, so not exactly as relaxing as a sandy one, but still. You'd think it would come up more often and they'd take their charges there sometimes. I guess this is jealousy talking, because I'd love to live that close to a beach. Stoneybrook really doesn't feel or read like a beach town to me at all tbh.
The actual book is... weird. I don't buy that half the club (basically) is so unexciting about FREAKING EUROPE!!! Like are you kidding me?! Claudia, what is your problem, Paris is a major art destination, WTF?! She was so not thinking clearly... she'd totally have fun in London and Paris with Stacey. The BSC members are crazy for wanting to work instead. Ffs you're 13, enjoy your childhood (plus you already have steady employment, pretty much). I will be never get over this. I agree that Dawn shouldn't go, but I don't buy her not at least trying to go. She went to Hawaii and a cross-country trip after all.
For me personally, London and Paris are not where I would choose to visit. Amsterdam, Venice, Berlin, the Alps, etc all sound more like my style. But for $400, I would absolutely go. Claudia, Mary Anne (I can understand her reasoning more though), Dawn, and Logan are crazy for not wanting to go.
The fight was dumb and honestly mostly initiated by Kristy. I kept wondering wtf her problem was. Again, Mal and Jessi were the most mature in the fight lol.
There is no way the stuffed animal sale did so well. Cute idea, but how much were they selling them for? I work at a secondhand store and they go for $1.25. This book was written almost 25 years ago (!), so were they going for like a quarter? 50 cents? Anything more is overcharging. Even with refreshments and books, I just don't see it.
It is an awful idea to hold the interviews in a room where the other applicants can overhear the entire interview. They had to know this. I'm sure this happens more often than I think it does, but no matter what, the later applicants will absolutely take ideas from earlier interviews (like Kristy does). Feels so unprofessional.
Tbh, based on her interview, I'm surprised that Mary Anne got the job. It was a mostly sports-oriented camp. Feels... weird. I'm guessing that her BSC status helped her out.
The Victoria subplot was actually kind of fun. Yes, the British stereotypes are cringe, but I like the BSC having to deal with a difficult child (although, tbh, she's not as difficult as they made it out to be. Kristy said her sitting job was one of the worst she's ever been on. It really wasn't THAT bad). It's kind of cute how much she loves American food (and omg that girl can eat. Hot dog, fries, corn dog, sundae, AND a frosted donut from the mall. Good lord). The mall trip was actually kind of fun to read about as well, although I definitely see how Mrs. Rutherford wasn't looking forward to it. Not that bad, really.
The conclusion to the fight was so weak. The book needed to be longer to develop it more. I guess that's what I mean about this book being kind of low energy.
I guess this one gets a 4.5. Believe it or not, I think its biggest flaw is that it's too short. Their reasoning should have been fleshed out more.
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oldhickory
Sitting For The Arnolds
Heather Loves Boys and Gym
Posts: 3,251
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Post by oldhickory on Jul 31, 2023 9:43:05 GMT -5
They apparently go to school within walking distance (biking distance?) from a lighthouse, and thus a beach. ...... isn't mentioned often. I 100% don't believe this. Stamford is on the water (Long Island Sound). Stoneybrook has to be east of Stamford and not much farther north since it's only 30 minutes away, so they would also have to be very close to Long Island Sound. This should have come up before! I would totally believe living near just some lake, but small lakes don't have lighthouses. (My research = googling how far north I can drive from Stamford in 30 minutes without going into NY, and that town is only 12 miles from the water. Not biking distance, but also not far enough that it would never get a mention in 120 books). For me personally, London and Paris are not where I would choose to visit. Amsterdam, Venice, Berlin, the Alps, etc all sound more like my style. But for $400, I would absolutely go. Claudia, Mary Anne (I can understand her reasoning more though), Dawn, and Logan are crazy for not wanting to go. London was having a moment in the 90s. I was obsessed with the Spice Girls and Britpop. I have visited both London and Paris so they wouldn't be above new places on my wish list, but when I was a kid both of those cities felt incredibly glamorous and would have been at the top.
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