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Post by Kylie90210 on Jul 16, 2013 19:35:09 GMT -5
I've decided to do another read through of the LS since I now have all but one of the (later) books, and I couldn't remember too well where I left off, and for some reason (even though I wasn't into them much when I was a kid) I love them!
I'm only half way through, but I agree that it seems to me that Mrs Porter has to know the kids think she's a witch, or at least joke about it. I doubt she would think any of them REALLY think she is (like Karen) and more that she knows it's a neighbourhood joke.
The whole 'heh heh heh' noises she makes to herself though, what is that?! I can't figure out a logical reason for why she would do that.
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Post by wenonah4th on Aug 21, 2013 15:41:57 GMT -5
She definitely must. I wonder if she realized that Karen and Hannie were right there and she played up the witch thing.
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Post by zoar3 on Oct 31, 2013 17:02:27 GMT -5
^Hug to you, Afton and you are so right. When Watson exclaims, "Mother Packett" on page 89 and then hugs her, it sounds like they are close which is sweet and interesting, too. I also have always wished grandparents had been more prominent in the BSC books. That scene came across as so funny, too. I would imagine Lisa's mom, unless her dad is also alive, is probably the last person Watson ever expected to see that morning. Even Lisa herself would have been much more expected because of the kids. speaking of the "kids," Karen did come across as so young in this story, possibly closer to how I felt DM did in KGI but a little older. I do believe she was genuinely scared especially after imaging Morbidda and Midnight riding off on the broom, that picture is even creepy--it's on page 26. Also on pictures, Karen on the cover looks (to me) different, somehow more of a real (instead of cartoon-y drawn) little girl than she often does in well a lot of the later LS illustrations for sure. I like the blue shutters on Mrs. P's house. One interesting thought I had that I don't think was mentioned yet in this thread is Watson. We know even in Kristy and the Missing Fortune the girls "forget" that he (and by then Nannie, too) are gardeners and that they could ask them for help with Mrs. Dobson's plants. But since Karen even tells us Watson is (actively even) gardening in this book, what a twist it could have been if he had attended the gardening meeting at Mrs. Porters! Might make a fun fan fiction sometime.
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Post by wenonah4th on Nov 3, 2013 7:54:10 GMT -5
The garden club likely met at different members' houses in turn, so it would only occasionally have met at Mrs. {Porter's place.
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Post by zoar3 on Nov 3, 2013 10:56:45 GMT -5
^That is a great point, Wenonah and something to think about. I tend to think of most clubs in Stoneybrook, outside of the most important one of all, the BSC, as only lasting the book it was mentioned in. I wonder if perhaps "The Green Thumbs," from "Karen's Leprechaun," was related to the Garden Club in this book? Probably not since they did have different names and Karen didn't recognize any Little House neighbors there but that would have also been an awesome connection--to read about the Druckers, I really like them, just read "Karen's Christmas Tree," socializing with some "new" (to us knowing that they did) friends. I still think it would have been interesting had Watson attended any garden meeting Mrs. Porter was at. Maybe if Karen had gone with him to one, she maybe would have seen her neighbor a little differently.
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Post by wenonah4th on Nov 25, 2013 14:42:23 GMT -5
I don't think Watson belonged to the club but maybe he did.
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Post by virgoscorpio on Apr 19, 2015 18:41:52 GMT -5
I'm starting a LS re-read again and I finished this one tonight.
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mallorypike
Sitting For The Papadakis's
If I were thirteen instead of eleven, life would be a picnic...
Posts: 1,636
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Post by mallorypike on Jul 30, 2017 16:57:59 GMT -5
I read it today and LOVED it. It was so funny even though I doubt it was supposed to be funny Karen seemed so much like her age and I could understand why she thinks Ms Porter/Morbidda Destiny is a witch! I would've too, honestly (back as a little kid, of course - not now, lol)! I think the "witch" and Karen's POV about the "witch" had more depth in this book than the BSC. I was surprised I enjoyed this since I generally can't stand Ms Porter/Morbidda Destiny...
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Post by CharlotteTJohanssen on Jul 31, 2017 2:17:18 GMT -5
Karen hiding Emily in the attic though. Dang, I thought that was the haunted area Karen.
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mallorypike
Sitting For The Papadakis's
If I were thirteen instead of eleven, life would be a picnic...
Posts: 1,636
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Post by mallorypike on Aug 1, 2017 17:06:21 GMT -5
Karen hiding Emily in the attic though. Dang, I thought that was the haunted area Karen. haha, I guess Karen simply didn't care if Emily would been taken by Old Ben Brewer
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Elsie13
New To Stoneybrook
Posts: 126
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Post by Elsie13 on Sept 22, 2020 1:58:24 GMT -5
I just reread this one and, as an adult, felt so sorry for Mrs Porter! It was pretty funny though...I also really liked the way Watson was so happy to see his ex-wife's mother. So often families with divorce are often portrayed as more divided and with more conflict, I think that one of the main focuses of the LS series is family and the many different forms family can take. I like the way divorce isn't depicted as all doom and gloom and conflict, but not all sunshine and rainbows either, but then it is a kids' book...Overall, I love the way Karen's family (or two families) is celebrated despite it's non-traditional structure and despite the challenges that come with living between two homes and stuff. I also thought Karen was a realistic 7 year old and a lot of fun to read about.
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Post by candykane on Sept 25, 2021 17:44:16 GMT -5
I reread this one for the first time in ages. In the first chapter Karen says Rocky and Midgie are stupid names for a cat and dog. She goes on to say "I would have named the cat Jones and the dog Vance. Jones and Vance are really great names."
That part was not included in the graphic novel adaptation, which I read recently, so I'd forgotten about it and it made me laugh.
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Post by sparklymouse on Sept 25, 2021 18:01:27 GMT -5
She said that with confidence like she didn’t go on to name 2 fish the same thing and also stole her sister’s name for a rat. Where did the creativity go, Karen?
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Post by sparklymouse on Feb 16, 2023 17:48:29 GMT -5
This book seemed long to me because there was no sub-plot. It was mostly just Karen looking out her window and hiding in bushes. I didn't feel like the book introduced many characters for it being the start of a series.
Lisa's parents do live in Stoneybrook. I read Karen's Doll recently and was confused as to why came straight to Stoneybrook from their English vacation. It's cute how Watson bonded with both of his mothers-in-law with gardening.
I'm worried about these kids' receding gumlines with their toothbrushing technique. Don't scrub hard.
I laughed how Karen kept trying to hype Andrew up about it being a spooky night and he just deadpan shot her down. Karen: "Doesn't it feel like fall to you?" Andrew: "Yup. But it isn't." Karen: "It's all gray and chilly. The wind is blowing. And look at that huge full moon. It's Halloween." Andrew: "Not really."
Kristy let Karen sleep with her one night. Karen woke up in the morning, and Moosie was riding up and down on Kristy's chest while she slept. I bet that was a restless night for Kristy, lol.
Right away they made it sound like Lisa was the boring, strict parent. Her rules were always put your toys away, no running indoors, and no Saturday morning cartoons (what!). I can't find where she said it, but I swear later Karen said that she couldn't eat candy at the Little House, so she ate it at the Big House. Then the kids were playing in the living room even though they had a big playroom on the second floor. "Daddy always lets us. That's the kind of person he is. He doesn't worry about silly things." It sounded like Lisa did worry about silly things.
I still love how freaked out Karen was to learn about warlocks. Her problems doubled before her eyes.
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Post by booboobrewer on Feb 16, 2023 19:39:03 GMT -5
I’m going to need Andrew to keep that exact energy throughout their teen years.
For real. That is the easiest way to keep the kids occupied!
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