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Post by thejunkbucket on Sept 18, 2015 8:02:21 GMT -5
Maybe it's just the fact that I didn't go to a middle school (rather a 7-12 school) but I can't imagine the amount of fuss over 8th grade graduation. There was a low-key ceremony for 6th grade, no caps/gown. I too went to a 7-12 school (c. 1992-1998). Kindergarten was a separate entity, then elementary was 1-6. My town did an overhaul when I started 10th grade (c. 1995), so that elementary was K-4 (the old Kindergarten was turned into a police station, and the K's moved to the elementary school), a new middle school was built for grades 5-8, and the same high school was now 9-12. I remember wishing they had done that years earlier, because it was a shock to go from 6th grade to high school. As a 12-year-old seventh-grader, I felt overwhelmed being among the big kids (17/18 years olds). I think middle school is a good idea, because it's a nice transition. That way, by the time you enter high school (age 14/15)l, there's not much of an age disparity. Anyway, like wenonah4th, I too had a low-key ceremony for 6th grade/elementary graduation. No caps/gowns, either. In fact, it was held at the end of the last day of school. All the 3 sixth-grade classes met up at the auditorium, we were given computer-printed diplomas, and wished good luck in high school. But when my younger sister attended the new middle school (1995-1999), they had a big send off for 8th-grade graduation. Caps, gowns, the whole shebang. It was even held at the football field, parents/families attended, and it was after school hours. I was a wee bit jealous. I'm from Massachusetts, by the way. Connecticut is our neighbor, so maybe it's a New England thing? My niece just graduated middle school this past June, and they too had a big ceremony on a Friday evening.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2017 15:40:05 GMT -5
yeah, this book was sad at the end but a bit boring to me. and kristy was a loser, she so needed to move on. it seemed like the BSC was her whole life. maybe i just dont like kristy too much. and as for claudia failing her exam (was it the science one? i dont even remember), couldnt they give her a break, seeing as it was the last book ever. how was she gonna manage in high school if she couldnt even pass middle school? and also, about stacey and the library book needing to be returned in order to graduate, does that actually happen? i live in australia so i dont know about the american school system but it sounded pretty odd to me. Kristy IS NOT A LOSER HOW DARE YOU CALL HER A LOSER!!!! KRISTY LOVES THE BSC IF YOU DONT LIKE KRISTY THEN YOU ARE A LOSER NOT KRISTY!!!
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Post by booboobrewer on Jan 26, 2017 11:58:58 GMT -5
kristythomaspower, attacking other members is against the rules.
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Post by Kylie90210 on Mar 6, 2017 21:47:30 GMT -5
kristythomaspower, attacking other members is against the rules. Thanks Gina, she/it/whatever is about to be banned for trolling. I'm just reading through all the posts atm.
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andrew
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 353
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Post by andrew on Oct 31, 2020 21:09:27 GMT -5
I couldn't get into this, especially Kristy focusing on just the negative aspects of moving to high school and being so annoyed that others were more excited, she and Stacey (and to a lesser extent Mary Anne) insisting too hard that it was such a big change, Kristy and Stacey often expecting that the club would change a lot or outright be neglected, and Claudia yet again not caring about and doing badly in school.
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Post by CharlotteTJohanssen on Oct 31, 2020 21:31:35 GMT -5
I couldn't get into this, especially Kristy focusing on just the negative aspects of moving to high school and being so annoyed that others were more excited, she and Stacey (and to a lesser extent Mary Anne) insisting too hard that it was such a big change, Kristy and Stacey often expecting that the club would change a lot or outright be neglected, and Claudia yet again not caring about and doing badly in school. I can't remember, but were the girls keeping the club going on while in high school? I get why Stacey and Mary Anne were saying so much was going to change. I bet they wanted to change their schedules around and stuff. I liked that Claudia didn't care that much though.
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andrew
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 353
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Post by andrew on Nov 1, 2020 10:44:04 GMT -5
The sitters declaring that they won't get married right after high school felt too preachy and dated, in 2000 there wasn't expectation that they would, and Kristy that she probably won't get married but will definitely have a lot of kids, both felt too adamant, extreme. Dawn saying she might not have kids, might not make a good parent, was interesting and not completely out-of-character but pretty abrupt.
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livvy
Sitter-In-Training
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Post by livvy on May 17, 2022 10:40:40 GMT -5
Did Kirsty really think they'll be members of the BSC and baby sit through high school? Lol. She needed to move on. She's still so immature and def not ready for high school.
In Australia we have graduation at the end of year 7 and year 8 is the first year of high school not primary school. Primary school is Australia's equivalent to middle school.
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oldhickory
Sitting For The Arnolds
Heather Loves Boys and Gym
Posts: 3,254
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Post by oldhickory on May 17, 2022 11:46:34 GMT -5
Is that a common practice in Australia? In the US we don't graduate from middle school. "Graduation Day" is a nice title for a series finale, but in an average middle school that just wouldn't be an event.
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Post by oldmeanie on Oct 28, 2023 16:23:08 GMT -5
Is that a common practice in Australia? In the US we don't graduate from middle school. "Graduation Day" is a nice title for a series finale, but in an average middle school that just wouldn't be an event. We actually did have an eighth grade graduation ceremony (I went to kind of a preppy middle school. No uniforms or anything, thank god, but it basically took itself WAY too seriously, and many kids were well-off and sheltered), but no caps and gowns (we just dressed up). It sort of was a big deal and wasn't at the same time. Middle school honestly wasn't that different from high school (the schools were actually right next to each other!). For us, it was more that the pressure was on now... every grade counted towards college. I could relate to Kristy, although more so after my elementary graduation and high school graduation. I wasn't ready for the next step. She wanted time to go backwards... so did I. I am sort of confused that they're all thinking the BSC is going to be babyish (pretty much), when... aren't older sitters probably seen as more reliable (wasn't this the conflict in Truth About Stacey)? They can stay out later, etc. I think irl, outside of family, most kids start babysitting in high school. I know it's just because they want to do other activities, I just find it odd. You'd think keeping up with the BSC would actually be seen as more mature because they're earning money. Oh well. Aside from that, the first half or so of this book was somewhat dull, I hate to admit. Thinking about it now, not much happened (Claudia flunking a science final, Stacey not being able to find that book, and the time capsule are the only real standouts). Also, I don't really remember finals being as big a deal as they are in this book. I don't even know if they were called finals. It seems like Claud would just have to take remedial science, not have to repeat eighth grade if she doesn't pass it in summer school. Do they hold kids back for failing one class? It's also sad that Claudia and Stacey never go back to best friend status. I suppose it's realistic, but did it really have to be over a dud like Jeremy? I do feel bad for Claudia. A bit of an unpopular opinion here: I think she really does try. Yes she procrastinates, but honestly, so do most people I know. It's hard to try so hard for something and still do poorly (I wasn't like this in school, but things like job hunting). I did think it was nice that we a bunch of different narrators. Claire's chapter was cute, but honestly, the BSC should have explained the point of the capsule to her and begged her to put something else in. Speaking of the capsule, meh... most of the contributions were lame tbh. I really liked Charlie's letter. I'll admit that I teared up a little bit during the last chapter. That bit about Kristy saying they'll always be friends got me a little bit. I liked Dawn saying she doesn't think she'll want kids (I was also around that age when I realized I didn't want kids. And while Abby is the one to question Dawn here, I imagine her being childfree as well), Kristy saying she might not want to get married, and that Abby wants to travel the world before settling on anything. Pretty cool perspectives. Somehow, I imagine Abby accomplishing that. This book definitely alludes to a reunion book. Tbh, I have mixed feelings about that. First of all, I'd be first in line to buy it. But second... it's going to disappoint us. AMM will probably just give them their stereotypical careers, which would not only be unrealistic (and boring), but just feel like she's... pandering or something. But if it's more realistic, it might be too much of a bummer. Idc, I still want one XD Overall, this wasn't as good as I hoped, but not the worst either. I guess it gets a 5. I've enjoyed FF more than I thought I would overall. It starts off kinda weak, but ends stronger (aside from the Super Specials. I thought Everything Changes was better than Graduation Day). I'm glad I read them. Can't believe I'm done with the series (other than The Summer Before. Definitely going to read that). It's been fun revisiting it and seeing how different my opinions are now.
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Post by CharlotteTJohanssen on Oct 29, 2023 21:21:55 GMT -5
^ I feel like Ann would do a better job at writing a reunion book then a ghostie would. Like I feel like Peter L or someone could give Kristy a stereotypical sports-caster, big CEO position, or a sports/business related job. And then Ann would give her some nuance by making her a teacher or somewhere in administration? Early Kristy feels like a different character then the way she's depicted later.
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oldhickory
Sitting For The Arnolds
Heather Loves Boys and Gym
Posts: 3,254
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Post by oldhickory on Oct 30, 2023 9:35:44 GMT -5
I love the idea of Ann writing a reunion book. After 20 years away, maybe she could capture the feeling and freshness of the early series again. But she's a kids author and I don't know how well she would write a group of adults.
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Post by oldmeanie on Oct 30, 2023 12:07:01 GMT -5
I think Ann would definitely have to write it (I think she would if the reunion book did happen). Peter L would be my last pick.
I picture Kristy being a teacher. I'm thinking elementary school (gym is a bit too obvious and she doesn't seem drawn to a specific subject). She'd also be a coach for sure.
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