Claudia's Portrait

[supprazz]

The school sounded really good for Claudia, but maybe her parents didn't prepare her enough for the change emotionally well enough. She may have felt rejection and abandonment at school by her teacher even though she was trying to help Claudia be in an environment suited to her. I recall that Claudia didn't do the test properly, she understood it to be an entrance exam and didn't want to go, so she did badly, but it was really an assessment tool. She also didn't want to be away from her friends, and was already feeling inferior to Janine and I'm sure to some extent, her peers at public school, so she was not emotionally equipped to deal with it and clearly had social anxiety there, resulting in her avoidant behaviour. What I found inaccurate and not well explained was that she had more homework to do after school than what she had at Stoneybrook elementary when at alternative schools, special ed and gifted classes, the teaching styles are different and more catered to the students needs, and there is not very much homework cause they do keep in mind the possibility of a low attention span or getting bored with the material fast despite being smart/bright, which Claudia appeared to have in her grade 1 class in Baby Sitters Remember and Mary Anne's Book. She could have had a little bit of homework too but had a hard time completing it cause of feeling down and having anxiety. I'm sure she could have had an individual worker and extra support at that school but no one was really encouraging her to utilize that, it just seemed like she didn't care about school and only art, cause that was the only thing that made her feel validated for years in addition to being in the BSC later, and that my friends was the root of many of her issues.

I also found it weird how no one at all showed up to Claudia's party, most parents check their kids backpacks at that age after school for forms and things like that, right? I know I was one of those kids who was excited every time I got a birthday invitation too. I wonder if the circus party would have been as fun as Karen's and Pamela's, Claudia had the neatest birthday outfit of them all, sense of style already!
I also had a really good memory at age 2 though it was really starting to form just before 3, I remember what I was wearing if I went to certain places like Chuck E Cheese, McDonalds and so on and long car rides, a lot of times with directions on how to get somewhere if it wasn't far from home even if I didn't know the road names yet. I remember music and music videos moreso than anything and interacting with my family, and sometimes putting them together like who I was with when I heard certain music or what dress I was wearing and so on. I remember what I was scared of as well, and being able to read from an early age as well as learning my alphabets and numbers.

[bscfan1997]

I reread the book last night. It was as always an enjoyable read. Claudia's is #2 favorite portrait with Stacey being #1 and Kristy's being #3.

My favorites:

The tooth fairy. Though, I don't think it shouldn't have been mentioned in a book geared for kids ages 7 to 12. I mean, of course, kids ages 9 or 10 and above can handle it, but younger ones still believe in tooth fairy, Santa, and Easter bunny. Nonetheless, I liked it a lot.

The new school Claudia attended. IMO, it seemed like a wonderful school for children struggling with certain things in school. It was too bad Claudia left. Though, I understand why she hated it. She was too depressed.

The sea rose. It was really stupid of Kristy and Claudia to let a five year old to go out on his own to buy a hot dogs AND be expected to return in 10 minutes. First of all, he's way too young to be going off on his own and buy something by himself. Second, he can't tell time yet. Oh, well. The girls acted like real eleven year olds. It was an entertaining story.

Least favorites:

The birthday party.

[Enigma]

Just read this for the first time and agree with your points:

1) With Claudia's outgoing personality and creative learning style, she should have actually been happier at SAA and their creative, hands-on, small group, fail-proof teaching style than at a traditional elementary school. But in BSC-land (even pre babysitting days) friendship trumps all factors and being separated from Kristy and Mary Anne made her more depressed than being bored and miserable with the traditional curriculum at SES.

2) The Sea Rose incident would have definitely been seen gross negligence today. However, in the '80s, it was considered totally acceptable to leave two 11 year olds in charge of a 5 year old in the open public. Kristy and Claudia behaved much like what real 11 year olds would have done (not knowing that 5 year olds don't have a concept of time and are easily distracted then hiding it from their parents that they lost him for an hour). Jessi and Mallory, at age 11, would have probably behaved like mini-moms, with both of them each holding his hand the entire time. 

3) As for the tooth fairy chapter, it seemed that AMM went the same way that Judy Blume did with Santa in 'Superfudge' (which I did read at age 9 but I already knew by then). Many 7-9 year olds still believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy and think books for this target age shouldn't be the one to blow the cover on their beliefs.

[livvy]

It was really irresponsible of Kristy letting a four year old who doesn't know how long ten mins to go off by himself.

Claud doesn't have a learning disability. She's an underachiever which basically means lazy.

[Sideshowjazz1]

Feb 6, 2014 21:29:53 GMT -5 ashley868 said:

I have a memory, I don't remember if I was 2 or 3 though but I remember it really well. We lived in a small apartment, and then we moved into a house. Well, I remember that move really really well. I remember I had a baby-sitter who gave me a little ball that I thought was a gum ball at first, and I put it in my mouth and she scolded me for doing it. And I also remember being really excited to see my dads truck. I don't know why that memory is so significant either. Sometimes I wonder if it's my first memory because I don't remember much about that apartment.

My first memory is actually the birthday party I had when I was two. It was at McDonald's (one that no longer exists) and I remember not wanting to leave because I didn't want to leave the play area. I think it must be my earliest memory. Apart from that, I have no memories of being 2 and I don't remember my third birthday at all. After that, I have faint memories of a chairlift in Melbourne when I was three (I have a photo), and our visit to Noosa (the beach and the sun mostly), but that's all. I do remember my fourth birthday at Lollipop Land (indoor adventure playground, I don't think we have it any more), but not my fifth, although there are lots of photos of that one. I don't remember turning six either, but I have plenty of memories from when I was about four onwards, like being on TV (they were doing a short spot on kids about to start school and I knew there was a pool, so I said swimming was the thing I was most looking forward to), some of the things at daycare, and an evening picnic and my first experience with Burger Fuel's amazing aioli sauce.

[oldhickory]

It's so cool how you remember each party so well. I remember bits here and there, but I couldn't tell you what I did for my birthdays before 10-ish. They were all good days but that's about it.

[Sideshowjazz1]

Nov 8, 2006 12:55:18 GMT -5 sotypical42483 said:

Well Kristy and Mary Anne didn't really need any other friends because they had each other. I'm sure MA was content with just having Kristy as a bff and Kristy was probably content just having MA as her personal little lap dog.

Well, according to the books, Kristy was friends with the Shillaber twins before seventh grade. They were only friendly with Mary Anne because she was Kristy's best friend, and later Dawn because she used to sit at the same table before the whole BSC started sitting together every lunch.

[oldmeanie]

I re read this one a LOT when I was younger. It's actually pretty good, there are no bad stories.

I liked the birthday one; that party sounds so fun. Only thing is I don't buy that no one but Kristy and Mary Anne came. I can see a much smaller turnout than expected since her birthday is midsummer, but idk. I did feel bad for her, though, and am glad the Thomases, Kishis, and Spiers pulled together a really good party for her.

The tooth fairy one was funny; I can totally relate to making up your own superstitions. When I was around the same age, my aunt told me about guardian angels and that they are always watching you. I hated that... mage me so uncomfortable. She also told me that those orbs you see when you close your eyes after looking at a light (I hope you know what I mean) was your guardian angel. I HATED that, and always tried really hard not to see them. Lol kids are silly sometimes. Anyone else have any goofy superstitions from childhood?

The SAA one made me a little sad. I suffer from depression as well and it kills me that kids can get it. I feel like SAA was a good idea, but maybe they went about it the wrong way?

I somehow don't recall the Sea Rose chapter much. But I liked it. I don't really care that Kristy and Claudia were a bit irresponsible... that feels realistic. I liked Kristy here too, she actually seems super mature. The only thing I don't get is that the very next year, Claudia thinks she's babyish. Also, I think in KGI, Kristy states that Claudia was never a close friend. I'm thinking this is just a retcon, because it doesn't make sense otherwise. If they grew apart because lack of common interests, that's one thing, but Claud feeling much more mature doesn't make sense when taking this story into account. Tbh, as much as I prefer the earlier books, I like this version better. Early series Claud actually seems more judgmental than late series Claud. Weird.

I think she should've gotten higher than a B-. The grades feel random. I also wonder how long the actual autobiographies were.

[booboobrewer]

Feb 8, 2023 13:23:02 GMT -5 oldmeanie said:

The tooth fairy one was funny; I can totally relate to making up your own superstitions. When I was around the same age, my aunt told me about guardian angels and that they are always watching you. I hated that... mage me so uncomfortable. She also told me that those orbs you see when you close your eyes after looking at a light (I hope you know what I mean) was your guardian angel. I HATED that, and always tried really hard not to see them. Lol kids are silly sometimes. Anyone else have any goofy superstitions from childhood?

I can’t forget all the superstitions heard from my grandma as a kid. The one I think of more than others is don’t put your purse on the floor or you’ll lose money. I see others at work doing that and am like don’t they know?!

I think she should've gotten higher than a B-. The grades feel random. I also wonder how long the actual autobiographies were.

The bios were for English class, right? Maybe the teacher marked it down for spelling and grammar Her stories were very sweet. Love baby Claudia.

[m0drnmoonlight]

The one part I remember from this book is Janine telling Claudia about the day she came home from the hospital. Janine has a really good memory considering she was, what, 3 at the time?

[oldmeanie]

I tried to quote both replies but I'm not sure it worked. Also, realized I didn't comment on the sidewalk story. I thought it was cute. This is probably going to end up being one of the better portraits because we get to see Mimi again.

Feb 8, 2023 20:14:39 GMT -5 booboobrewer said:

Feb 8, 2023 13:23:02 GMT -5 oldmeanie said:

The tooth fairy one was funny; I can totally relate to making up your own superstitions. When I was around the same age, my aunt told me about guardian angels and that they are always watching you. I hated that... mage me so uncomfortable. She also told me that those orbs you see when you close your eyes after looking at a light (I hope you know what I mean) was your guardian angel. I HATED that, and always tried really hard not to see them. Lol kids are silly sometimes. Anyone else have any goofy superstitions from childhood?

I can’t forget all the superstitions heard from my grandma as a kid. The one I think of more than others is don’t put your purse on the floor or you’ll lose money. I see others at work doing that and am like don’t they know?!

I think she should've gotten higher than a B-. The grades feel random. I also wonder how long the actual autobiographies were.

The bios were for English class, right? Maybe the teacher marked it down for spelling and grammar Her stories were very sweet. Love baby Claudia.

I haven't heard about the purse superstition before, but for some reason it makes sense to me. I don't think that's a good idea just because you don't know if there are bugs on the floor and don't want to bring them home!

I think that's why. It's understandable, although I still think it should've been higher, especially given the extra effort she put into it.

Feb 9, 2023 10:16:50 GMT -5 m0drnmoonlight said:

The one part I remember from this book is Janine telling Claudia about the day she came home from the hospital. Janine has a really good memory considering she was, what, 3 at the time?

Yeah, I was surprised. I think this was supposed to be related to her high IQ, but intelligence doesn't equal memory so it's weird. I don't remember specific details about anything until maybe 5 years old, and even then it's sparse (I think memories aren't clear for me in general until about 9 years old). It might've been her first memory.

[oldhickory]

Feb 9, 2023 19:25:06 GMT -5 oldmeanie said:

I haven't heard about the purse superstition before, but for some reason it makes sense to me. I don't think that's a good idea just because you don't know if there are bugs on the floor and don't want to bring them home!

Haha, I haven't heard this superstition before either but my first thought was it's because someone could steal your purse easier.

I have nothing to back this up, but I do feel like Janine had a good memory and her remembering Claudia coming home seems fine to me. She was probably already an insightful kid and meeting your sister is a big moment.