cnj
Sitting For The Papadakis's
Posts: 1,708
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Post by cnj on Nov 1, 2018 9:25:06 GMT -5
I also liked the slumber party at the beginning of the book, it was sweet to see them all bonding before she left. I always enjoy BSC moments like that. Me too! They're wonderful friends.
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swizzles
New To Stoneybrook
Claudia Kishi ruels ok
Posts: 83
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Post by swizzles on Sept 20, 2020 23:46:08 GMT -5
One of the best ones I have re-read as an adult. The descriptions of California (or at least the Anaheim-esque universe inhabited by Dawn) are utterly magical. I don’t know if it’s just my pandemic-borne desire to travel that makes me think so, but I did think the quality of the writing in this one really stood out. I could practically feel the sun shining on my face. And I live in a tropical equatorial country, so this shouldn’t even feel particularly exotic to me! I also loved reading the depiction of the day out at Disneyland. It even made me look up a map to plan an imaginary future trip there of my own. Lots of other things to love, including the plane ride over with the ‘kewpie’ air stewardess and theatre director, and the beautiful descriptions of Mrs. Austin’s loom and her colour palate. I also really liked the theme - being torn between two different places and lifestyles. I’m currently experiencing this tension at the age of 33 and I’m lucky I did not have to consider it at 13. Dawn’s thoughts and thinking process on the matter are such helpful life lessons for a reader at any age. My only complaint? Good grief, it is possible to be Californian and eat fast food or confectionery!
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Post by sparklymouse on Mar 23, 2022 15:58:25 GMT -5
Both she and CA look depressed. I like her watermelon umbrella.
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Post by sparklymouse on Apr 14, 2022 20:49:34 GMT -5
She looks like a movie star and her hang-ons. I hope she's not painting her nails on the plane. GOOFY!! Jack looks so creepy. Pluto doesn't look so hot, either. Titles are pretty straight forward: Dawn goes to California A dream holiday for Betty Violet in California Diane in California Carla’s holiday Dawn in California
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Post by oldmeanie on Jul 10, 2022 19:44:41 GMT -5
I'm flying through these I guess- haven't been feeling great and can't think of a better way to pass the time.
I don't remember much about this one whose from the Kewpie doll, lol. It's the first ghostwritten book, but it still feels like an early series book. It's still pretty well-written.
She really does make California sound great, haha. So not the reality! I have a theory about why AMM thinks CA is like this- I know she actually visited the state, so maybe she visited Loma Linda? I've never been, but it's a "blue zone" area with many vegetarians because it's majority seventh day adventist. So maybe that's where she gets the vegetarian (or semi-vegetarian, whatever) and health food stereotype from? Not sure if Loma Linda is laid back, but that is DEFINITELY not the case in most of CA. And I bet future Dawn is wishing she didn't praise the heat and lack of rain so much, just saying...
This book made me weirdly sad, actually. I think her dilemma is too much for a 13 year old girl. I like Sharon, but I think moving across the country was cruel to Dawn and Jeff. I wonder if AMM was considering moving Dawn back early on (is this whole book foreshadowing?) or if she just felt like the series needed some shaking up by #67 (also, I always forget that Jeff had a 6 month trial as well). Dawn also doesn't miss Stoneybrook much in this, same with the CD books. On a lighter note, there might be some foreshadowing for California Girls! in chapter 14 (am I giving AMM too much credit?):
“And hey,” he (Mr. Schafer) said, suddenly inspired. “Why not bring all those friends of yours? All your friends in the Baby-sitters Club. I’ve certainly heard enough about them.”
I'm not sure if at this point, AMM or her editors decided to make the Super Specials a long running thing. Just kind of a fun line.
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