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Post by booboobrewer on Dec 4, 2010 21:50:45 GMT -5
She sure looks creepy on the cover...
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lilafowler
Sitting For The Johanssens
Posts: 1,163
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Post by lilafowler on Apr 6, 2011 16:44:41 GMT -5
So I'm on a BSC-books-I-hated-as-a-kid kick, because these are the ones I never reread so it's almost like they're new.
I vaguely remember reading this at least fifteen years ago, and my memories of Lou's appearance in Abby and the Best Kid Ever are only slightly clearer. I don't think Lou's behavior in this one makes Abby's reaction to her in Best Kid Ever any more understandable, and the whole book was kind of creepy/a buzzkill. If I wanted to entertain myself with troubled children who do things like torturing animals, I'd turn on the Lifetime Movie Network.
However, it wasn't all bad:
I LOVE The Velvet Underground so I totally geeked out at Nola Thacker naming a singer after one of their songs. It almost makes up for Dawn and Whitney, Friends Forever and Jessi and the Troublemaker (I seem to have a problem with serious issues books. I'm not totally heartless, really).
I also enjoyed this 97% outdated gem:
I can't even remember the last time I set foot in a record store, which makes me feel kind of bad about all the ones that have gone out of business in recent years. But "laser discs" just makes me think of 3-2-1 Contact videos in elementary school, the memory of which I enjoy. Did any of you guys have a laser disc player at home? I don't think I knew anyone who did.
ETA: This four-year-old post by sparklymouse makes a very good point. I salute you.
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Post by zoar3 on Apr 6, 2011 17:38:34 GMT -5
^I don't even know what a laser disc is. I agree that this book was a bad one.
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Post by greer on Apr 6, 2011 18:13:28 GMT -5
^I don't even know what a laser disc is. I agree that this book was a bad one. laser discs were record-size discs that were killed when dvd became king. Kind of like the vhs vs beta of the 90s. And Sweet Jane and the Sleazebuckets also makes me so happy!
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Post by sparklymouse on Apr 6, 2011 18:35:59 GMT -5
I remember watching exactly one laser disc program in my 5th grade class. It was something about rainforests. That disc player was obviously money well spent.
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Post by zoar3 on Apr 6, 2011 20:14:39 GMT -5
Thank you, Greer.
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oldhickory
Sitting For The Arnolds
Heather Loves Boys and Gym
Posts: 3,257
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Post by oldhickory on Apr 7, 2011 10:33:08 GMT -5
everyone in stoneybrook seems way too wholesome to travel to new york to visit a band called the sleazebuckets.
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ndj1991
New To Stoneybrook
Posts: 76
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Post by ndj1991 on Apr 8, 2011 23:58:41 GMT -5
I know! Reading the post about them discussing the band made me double-take! This is one of those books I've never read.
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Post by featherearrings on Apr 13, 2011 14:00:58 GMT -5
I had a laser disc player! They were so short-lived before DVD's came out. I think my dad still has all his laser discs lol.
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Post by zoar3 on Jun 14, 2011 11:22:30 GMT -5
I'm re-reading and already don't like this book. On the back cover it says "The Baby-sitters think taking in a troubled child is a really special thing to do."
Poor Lou was labelled as "troubled" before the BSC even met her. It has always bothered me when a kid is labelled anything. Sometimes a child's behavior is less than ideal but that doesn't mean he/she= "troubled" or worse "bad."
I agree with aln from many years ago. This book does have a disturbing--and sorta creepily odd--quality to it. I did enjoy reading about Emily looking for DM and shouting "Davie, Davie," when she found him. Good to see DM have a positive moment and wow he had a one-book, one-page nickname. Although shouldn't it have been "Davy?" From that scene, I would have liked more DM and Emily by themselves.
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Post by wiggir13 on Jun 14, 2011 14:09:53 GMT -5
This book is definitely not my favorite. While I feel bad for Lou and all of her abandonment issues, it makes me wonder why no one took this kid to counseling. She clearly is disturbed. It seems to me like that should probably be something that goes along with fostering kids, not just for the foster child, but for the family as well. I felt bad for Linnie and Hannie throughout this book.
I totally am sick at the many references in this book to being cruel to animals. I know its a book but I am an animal lover and I hated all of this part of the book! I really feel like people that do mean things to animals as a kid are really starting down a terrible path.
I did like the auction though. It was interesting to see the things people put up for auction.
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Post by zoar3 on Jun 14, 2011 15:29:56 GMT -5
I completely agree with your above post, Wiggirl, well said. I also think the Papadakises should have been given some history on Lou and had a few visits with her before jumping in as a foster family. Shades of Emily Michelle's adoption in a way.
Edited to add, I know (hope) Kristy didn't mean anything nasty by this comparison but it kind of comes across that way. What do you ladies think? At the bottom of page 38 and the top of page 39, Kristy and Mary Anne are talking about how Lou's dad died and her mom abandoned the family. MA's reponse to being told this info is "Poor Louisa." Kristy then remembers (to herself) that MA was probably thinking about her own mom that died. Kristy then says this: "I couldn't help but think about my own father, just for a moment. He acts as if we're barely alive. But that doesn't make me feel like poor Kristy."
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Post by wiggir13 on Jun 15, 2011 1:46:59 GMT -5
I could see how you might take that as Kristy thinking MA is going A"Poor MA" - which I do sometimes get that vibe. In my mind though, I took it as Kristy showing that she could be stronger and didn't ever take on that poor Kristy mentality which would have been easy to do.
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Post by zoar3 on Jun 15, 2011 11:37:33 GMT -5
^Actually I took it as a mix of awesome but also semi-rude to Lou. I think if Kristy was saying that Lou's past doesn't=Lou (as you I think are saying) than go Kristy, I completely agree. It just also came across as the opposite. Lou is not entitled to feel cheated or down about her past. I don't think that was the aim at all just how it semi read. This could have also been a great place for Kristy and/or Mary Anne to "remember" their pasts and hey friendship, too!
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Post by anzuhana on Oct 5, 2011 19:29:17 GMT -5
I felt sorry for Lou. Her background was rather sad and I could understand why she acted the way she did. But she definitely crossed the line at times, such as when she had Boo-Boo in the pillowcase and the playhouse. I think therapy could've helped her deal with any abandonment feelings that she might have and help her deal with her emotions in a better way. I also felt bad for Hannie and Linny. They didn't deserve Lou's wrath, especially since they've being nothing but nice to her.
I did like the auction since I liked seeing what people brought.
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