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Post by booboobrewer on Oct 25, 2013 17:00:01 GMT -5
I saw the Carrie remake recently and it reminded me of how this book is kind of Carrie-lite.
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andrew
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 353
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Post by andrew on Nov 13, 2017 10:17:05 GMT -5
I thought this was one of the weaker books. I thought Stacey's narration did seem unusually self-centered and stuck-up, including the antagonism to Cokie (it was like Miles was bored and so overdid those things). There didn't seem to be much doubt the main prankster would be Elizabeth rather than the teacher or cranky editorial writer and there also was not much concern or urgency about what she would do at the dance. The Ghostbusters scenes were mostly pretty boring, not sure what they "really" trapped/pretended to trap or if it was just trapping nothing or how that would be fun.
Weird to think of Cary as good-looking, I think he was rarely described to be. Some of the pranks seemed pretty excessive and bothersome rather than more fun.
I did like the roles Claudia and Logan played in solving the mystery.
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Amalia
Sitting For The Braddocks
Her Original Point of View
Posts: 3,664
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Post by Amalia on Nov 13, 2017 14:35:38 GMT -5
I thought this was one of the weaker books. I thought Stacey's narration did seem unusually self-centered and stuck-up, including the antagonism to Cokie (it was like Miles was bored and so overdid those things). There didn't seem to be much doubt the main prankster would be Elizabeth rather than the teacher or cranky editorial writer and there also was not much concern or urgency about what she would do at the dance. The Ghostbusters scenes were mostly pretty boring, not sure what they "really" trapped/pretended to trap or if it was just trapping nothing or how that would be fun. Weird to think of Cary as good-looking, I think he was rarely described to be. Some of the pranks seemed pretty excessive and bothersome rather than more fun. I did like the roles Claudia and Logan played in solving the mystery. I've lived in a small town before and the students did those kind of pranks during holiday dances, lol.
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livvy
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 394
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Post by livvy on Jun 23, 2022 5:27:26 GMT -5
One of the worst ones.
Michael certainly had tickets on himself when he actually described himself as good looking, popular, smart etc. What a loser.
The girls actually read some confidential school records and didn't get into trouble for it?
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Post by oldmeanie on Mar 13, 2023 2:05:55 GMT -5
This is one of the better mysteries. I read this one back in the day, and while I'm avoiding some of the mysteries I knew I didn't enjoy, I remember liking this one.
It is good! Cary Retlin is a fun character, the mystery is fun, and the dance sounds cool. I've been skimming the chapter 2s for the most part, but I like that in this one Stacey gives us a "quiz" on the sitters' costumes based on their personalities (I did in fact get them all right, although not the first time I read this. For the record, I think Kristy as Amelia Earhart is perfect). I like when the chapter 2s do something a little different.
Sometimes I get a little bored with the "research" chapters of the mysteries, but not with this one. It didn't drag on too long and I thought the mystery was engaging enough. Subplot was almost not there, but I thought it was fine.
I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but I actually got chills a little bit with the "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" thing and the dummy. It's actually pretty spooky for the BSC, I love it lol. I think this book was heavily inspired by Carrie, which I haven't seen in years, but now I kind of want to rewatch it.
So overall it's a really good mystery, but like most mysteries, the ending is kind of a letdown. I wish we could have seen it all go down instead of them just summarizing what happened at a BSC meeting. Almost every mystery does this and it is so annoying! Show, don't tell. It's still entertaining, but it feels like a cop out and often comes across as kind of cheesy. It's hard to explain. It's kind of like: "Oh, x was behind it all, but they didn't get away with it! We are awesome at mysteries! They're in jail/ a hospital/seeking help, they won't bother anyone again!" I'm not explaining myself well at all, but I hope someone gets what I mean lol.
Skipping Abby and the Secret Society because I remember being bored with it when I was younger. I kind of regret skipping some of them, and on my next re-read I think I'll fill in the gaps, but I am at the very least reading the ones I remember liking and the ones I haven't read before. For some reason, the later mysteries really aren't my thing.
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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 Mar 13, 2023 9:57:12 GMT -5
I'm the opposite! I think the later mysteries really hit their stride. They have some of the most classic mystery settings -- old lighthouse, secret society, rich family squabbling over inheritance, etc. Someone leaves a baby on a doorstep! Notorious Neighbor is literally Rear Window for teenagers, and the music box and painting books could easily be Nancy Drews.
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Post by oldmeanie on Mar 14, 2023 14:21:25 GMT -5
I'm the opposite! I think the later mysteries really hit their stride. They have some of the most classic mystery settings -- old lighthouse, secret society, rich family squabbling over inheritance, etc. Someone leaves a baby on a doorstep! Notorious Neighbor is literally Rear Window for teenagers, and the music box and painting books could easily be Nancy Drews. I really want to read the lighthouse one... that's one of the ones I haven't read. I'm not sure why they don't hit for me tbh. The Super Mysteries are all really good though imo. I do think that the first 10 aside from Dawn and the Disappearing Dogs (that one just isn't my favorite) are better written overall.
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livvy
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 394
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Post by livvy on Dec 20, 2023 6:34:15 GMT -5
Why would they target kids who weren't even born thirty years ago? It doesn't make sense to me. This book was a bit ott. And that old man who says no to dances. Is he against kids having fun and just being kids?
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