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Post by virgoscorpio on Jan 3, 2011 19:17:48 GMT -5
I used to think that the publication month was *usually* the same month that the book was set it. I liked that. It gave me the feeling that the Babysitter's Club went alongside my life at the time (or I could image it as such).
I'm currently reading "Poor, Mallory" and I noticed that the publication date is November 1990. On the cover, the kids are swimming, and I know the story is set during the summer when it's hot.
But I do know that there are tons of other books that follow their publication month-date. For example, all the Christmas books, Mary Anne and the Memory Garden, Abby's Twin, etc.
Could it be that Poor, Mallory was written by Ann M. Martin herself? So it doesn't apply (meaning she doesn't follow the same pattern)? As opposed to the later books I mentioned, which were all written by ghostwriters.
Does anyone else notice this and/or differences?
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lilafowler
Sitting For The Johanssens
Posts: 1,163
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Post by lilafowler on Jan 3, 2011 19:42:07 GMT -5
Interesting topic! Here's a list of the books with publication dates -- I just glanced through the first few but Claudia and Mean Janine, Boy-Crazy Stacey, Logan Likes Mary Anne, and Karen's Roller Skates all have some discrepancy between the month of release and the plot of the book. I personally never noticed this growing up, because I started reading the BSC around 1993 or 1994, and by then the series was such a juggernaut Scholastic was doing a much better job of coordinating book storylines and publication dates. |
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Post by booboobrewer on Jan 3, 2011 22:30:42 GMT -5
Ooh, I always used to check the publication date to see if it matched the book. Boy-Crazy Stacey came out in November if I'm not mistaken, and Ghost and Logan Likes MA followed, so they were published in winter while the stories themselves were about the end of summer/start of school. Poor Mallory was indeed written by Ann.
ETA: Oh, just clicked the ^link. Yeah, the later books matched up well, which I always appreciated ;D
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Post by virgoscorpio on Jan 4, 2011 0:02:43 GMT -5
BSC 51 - Stacey's Ex-Best Friend (February 1992)
This is during Laine`s winter break and the BSC all go to the Valentine`s Day dance, so that matches up...
BSC 41 - Mary Anne vs. Logan (February 1991)
I have a feeling that Mary Anne and Logan go skating in this one. Also, I think there is a mention of Christmas -- or something happening at Christmas, or Christmas wasn`t long ago. Whatever. Either way, I think this matches up, too. And these were written by Ann, so maybe my original theory isn`t correct...!
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Post by virgoscorpio on Jan 4, 2011 0:03:46 GMT -5
Does anyone know a good January BSC book to read!
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Post by booboobrewer on Jan 4, 2011 1:08:34 GMT -5
I always like reading Dawn's Big Date and Mary Anne's Makeover in January. (I'm a sucker for a makeover-because-it's-the-new-year book)
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Post by candykane on Jan 4, 2011 11:20:39 GMT -5
I was always a little confused as to what time of year Poor Mallory was supposed to take place. They were in school during this book, yet it was warm enough to go swimming in Connecticut. So I assume it was supposed to be either early in the school year, or late in the school year. Or Ann just didn't think about what time of year the book would be taking place.
A good January BSC book? Mary Anne Saves the Day starts in January. It might go into February, not sure. Their fight was about a month long. But I clearly remember Mary Anne stepping out of her house and walking across the yard "through the remains of a January snow" in the first chapter.
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Post by virgoscorpio on Jan 4, 2011 11:39:22 GMT -5
Thanks guys -- these are all great suggestions and I will take them!
Also, to answer your question candykane, I always assumed that Poor, Mallory took place late in June (just before school is over). I actually just finished reading it.
However, I agree with you that the time is messed up. For example, if it was the end of June or early September -- still swimming weather in Connecticut -- you would think that the book would either mention the end of school or the start of another school year. Yet, it does neither, which makes it confusing.
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Post by virgoscorpio on Jan 4, 2011 22:44:27 GMT -5
hey booboobrewer, you were right about Mary Anne's makeover. It was actually published in January, too!
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Post by booboobrewer on Jan 5, 2011 18:15:18 GMT -5
Yup, that was always one of my favorites to read in January  |
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Post by virgoscorpio on Jan 7, 2011 12:58:42 GMT -5
What are good February books?
Stacey and the Stolen Hearts doesn't count! haha
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Post by anzuhana on Jan 7, 2011 13:27:09 GMT -5
I like reading Stacey the Math Whiz in February.
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Post by booboobrewer on Jan 7, 2011 15:38:12 GMT -5
Mary Anne vs. Logan, Stacey's Ex-Best Friend, Abby's Unvalentine, Kristy and the Missing Fortune (she talks about having Feb. cabin fever in this one.)
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Post by anzuhana on Jan 7, 2011 15:42:03 GMT -5
^ I looked at Abby's Un-Valentine and it says that it was published in January.
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Post by virgoscorpio on Jan 7, 2011 16:52:51 GMT -5
I want to read Stacey the Math Whiz but I don't have a copy of it -- waaa!
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