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Post by Honeybee on Feb 29, 2012 16:20:46 GMT -5
This mystery was easy to solve. I knew, had be the painting. I was right, the first painting that Dawn saw. Had the number code. When I was reading this. I bet, the brother isn't dead. That the butler is their brother. I was right.
The Friend Day sounds like fun. Have the kids bringing their favorite games with them.
I'll love to tour that Mansion.
I can see Karen Brewer explaining about her daddy's new mansion.
Karen's New Mansion:
Book 123
Chapter 2.
We have this gigundoly mansion that we lived in. It's bigger than my daddy's old mansion. That can fit inside of this gigundoly gigantic mansion. My daddy & my step mother. lives the east wing. My mommy & step dad lives in the west wing. Andrew & I, can go from west to east wing. Anytime, we want. I sleep in the west or east wing each day. Monday is the east wing. Tuesday is the west wing & so on. We have Butler name George. He's gigundoly nice & handsome. When my two best friends come over. Our Butler George makes little cakes for us. When we have tea. Wondering, how we got this Mansion. Well, the Livingston got tired of the house. So, they all move to different state. Maryland. Anyways, the Livingston had contest. Who ever got the grand prize. Will get the house & everything inside. So, daddy enter his name in the drawing contest. I want my name in there. Here my name being called. Karen Brewer. But, you must be 21 & over to enter the drawing. Boo & bullfrogs. When the time came. Justine Livingston call my dad. Said, he won the grand prize. We all cheer. I was jumping up & down. So, we only had move our clothing & other belongings. we left our furniture. Headed to our new mansion. Daddy call up mommy. told her, she & Seth can lived in the west wing. So, they pack up their stuff. gave their old furniture away. Midge & Rocky came along. I already had Emily Michelle Jr & Andrew had Bob the hermit crab. few hours went by. We're all settle in. We had huge feast. Celebrating our new Mansion. Now, its so much easier for Andrew & I, see our mommy & daddy. We don't have to drive from house to other house. each every other month. I'm so gigundoly happy.
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Post by maddieruns on Mar 1, 2012 13:54:09 GMT -5
Lol I like your Karen story Buttercup! The part with Butler George making little cakes for Karen and her friends cracked me up.
This family was definitely one of the most ridiculous families the BSC has sat for. It was crazy how the parents made up some big “fight” between the cousins that happened a long time ago and continue to talk about it years later.
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Post by Honeybee on Mar 2, 2012 3:02:59 GMT -5
Lol I like your Karen story Buttercup! The part with Butler George making little cakes for Karen and her friends cracked me up. This family was definitely one of the most ridiculous families the BSC has sat for. It was crazy how the parents made up some big “fight” between the cousins that happened a long time ago and continue to talk about it years later. Thanks. Yeah, I crack up, too. reading George making little cakes for Karen & her friends. I agreed with you, on this. This the only time BSC sit for this family? or di they sit more in the regular books?
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oldhickory
Sitting For The Arnolds
Heather Loves Boys and Gym
Posts: 3,234
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Post by oldhickory on Mar 2, 2012 22:11:11 GMT -5
i'm pretty sure this was the only book, because both families were from out of town.
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Post by shannon86 on Mar 3, 2012 18:38:18 GMT -5
I just love this book! Love the storyline and the cover of the book.
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Post by virgoscorpio on Jul 15, 2012 0:58:02 GMT -5
I always thought Dawn looks cute on this cover. You know how it's been said that Dawn and Mary Anne share clothes? Well this is one outfit that I can see them both wearing. I also noticed this book was an example of how Dawn's enviro friendly ways went overboard - it's mentioned that even packaging Dawn uses for food can be recycled. And then Dawn has ice cream?! This was something that Ann wouldn't have put in the books. It's funny how they eventually become, in a way, farces of themselves and are over-exaggerated.
Also, the Family Day and Friends Day bit took up two whole chapters. I was kind of surprised about this. But I guess this is Dawn's "goodbye" book and her last official book of the series. So, in that sense, I can see how it would make sense. Bye Dawn!
This mystery was okay. I always remember how cute the kids on the cover look. Interesting how it was written for you to think Amy and John were lovers but they were actually siblings? That's just a little bit weird seeing as the age group is Grade 4. At least it provided a bit of suspense though.
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Post by zoar3 on Jul 16, 2012 19:55:35 GMT -5
^I agree but when you think about it messages to young girls (mainly girls read the books) from the BSC were either "when you turn 11/13 your life just might truly be a boy-filled, parent-free picnic." That's where the greater my conflict with the later books comes in as the "messages" turn into "once you are 11/13," you can go out and solve dangerous crimes, nab criminals, and oh yeah, just maybe convince a college guy you are close to his age." Oh well, we still love the BSC.
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celaeno
Sitting For The Papadakis's
I have to share a room with Vanessa
Posts: 1,514
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Post by celaeno on Sept 14, 2014 15:19:26 GMT -5
I'm embarrassed to admit I was totally surprised that John the butler was the supposedly dead younger brother! When Lyn mentioned in the beginning that there was a younger brother who died, for some reason I assumed she meant he had died as a baby, so obviously a baby can't fake his own death. I liked Mary Anne and Dawn's gifts of pinky rings to each other.
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swizzles
New To Stoneybrook
Claudia Kishi ruels ok
Posts: 83
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Post by swizzles on Jun 6, 2022 19:29:26 GMT -5
I also thought Amy and John were clandestine lovers. The brother reveal was a devastating reveal I enjoyed this one, but my one minor gripe is- why Is Erica Blumberg suddenly such a huge part of Dawn’s life? As we all know, the BSC does not really encourage non-BSC friendships! I say that tounge in cheek.
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livvy
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 394
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Post by livvy on Jul 25, 2022 1:46:04 GMT -5
Judging by the cover Dawn doesn't have the right to go snooping in her clients house. It's just wrong.
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Post by CharlotteTJohanssen on Jul 25, 2022 11:52:46 GMT -5
Judging by the cover Dawn doesn't have the right to go snooping in her clients house. It's just wrong. Wouldn’t be the first time she does it.
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Post by oldmeanie on Apr 22, 2023 11:27:43 GMT -5
This was my first time reading this one.
For some reason, I wasn't a big fan and was kind of bored by it, I hate to say. It's not bad, it's just that the whole situation seemed weird. The kids (sorry to say, but I couldn't keep their last names straight for some reason) needed two baby-sitters even though Amy and John were there the whole time. It's just... very odd.
The actual mystery was kind of fun to read about, but it's so short! Most of the time is actually devoted to the squabbling, and it felt too... cartoonish? Idk. I just read this book and for some reason don't recall much about the sitting chapters. I will say I did like that this mystery was more low-key, not involving criminals or whatever. I liked Abby's theory and wanted Arthur Livingston to still be alive lol, even though it logically makes no sense. That would've been so interesting; the house is big enough for him to hide out and people have hidden in smaller places before. I'm starting to think Abby and I have a lot in common in terms of logic lol.
I was sort of let down by the John/ Patrick revelation, and tbh, I'm not sure I buy the other sisters' reactions. Idk about you, but I'd be pissed at Amy if she his the fact that my brother WASN'T dead.
I really like the descriptions of the Livingston house, though (having the smaller house be 3 bed, 2 bath... not jealous, no, not jealous at all). I liked the cozy feel of the book and the summer day descriptions... so nostalgic. I actually kind of liked the subplot, even though I think it taking up the past 3 chapters was a bit much. Dawn overbooking is pretty relatable; I've done that before on accident, and oh man did I get chewed out for it. I can see both Mary Anne and Dawn's perspective here... it does hurt when someone forgets that you made plans, and it can be hard of your schedules don't line up. Mary Anne's passive aggressiveness did grate, though, and I'm glad it didn't turn into a full-blown fight.
Lots of food in this book, although, despite being a Dawn book, not a lot stands out. The breakfast she makes at the end does sound good, though (eggs with cheese, herbs, and salsa, tofu sausages, whole grain toast, fresh squeezed orange juice, and fruit salad). I really wish more time was devoted to the sleepover... I love reading about those! To this day, I still think the one in Ghost at Dawn's House was the best.
Weird that she's close enough with Erica Blumberg and Mari Drubek to hang out with them. That was never mentioned before. Don't get me wrong, it's good to have friends outside the BSC, but I was more surprised than anything.
This is the last Dawn book minus Super Special chapters and CDs, and it really does read like that. It just feels... I don't know how to put it into words. We already said goodbye to Dawn lol, and here we are again. Somehow, it's well-written though.
Overall, it's not a bad book, and has a lot going for it. I just thought it dragged on at times.
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