The elementary school kids in Stoneybrook have pen pals who live and attend school on a Zuni reservation in New Mexico. After a fire at the school and several homes in that community, Dawn is inspired to get the Stoneybrook community involved in some fundraising and donation drives in what could've been heartwarming, but ultimately just felt generally not great for us due to the communities involved and the book's inability to dive deeper and tell a better version of this story (although we acknowledge this might be another "be careful what you wish for" situation). This is on top of a few different culturally insensitive and downright terrible comments and situations from our kids that aren't really addressed as being bad. There are some fun notes - like the carnival in the Pikes' back yard - but this was another book we just wanted more from.

Follow us!

Contact us!

Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Stacey's long-foreshadowed health emergency has finally arrives. After extended periods being super tired and very hungry and thirsty, Stacey finally admits how she's feeling and ends up in the hospital in NYC for two weeks. Her time there is helped by two visits from the Baby-Sitters Club, but severely hindered by her parents' inability to be in the same room and remain civil while Stacey insists she wants and needs them there together. Stacey ends up recovering and having a heart-to-heart with her mom (and then her dad off-screen) about how they are treating her and what she needs from them. Charlotte takes things poorly back in Stoneybrook, exhibiting clear hypochondria that Dr. Johansson somehow fails to properly understand.

Follow us!

Contact us!

Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Jessi gets the starring role in Sleeping Beauty over older girls in her ballet classes, which causes various levels of jealousy and anger. This results in Jessi getting threatening notes in her bag along with multiple incidents of stolen and damaged personal property. The BSC helps narrow down the suspects to three and Jessi uses logic and ingenuity to figure out the culprit and then... just forgives her for terrorizing her? The logic goes out the window and the teachable moment doesn't go the way we'd prefer. Also there's a pet show.

Follow us!

Contact us!

Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Logan continues to be the worst and basically never being understanding of anything Mary Anne wants or needs and after she cools things off for a bit (which he respects for a literal day), they end up breaking up for real. We recall our prior conversations where perhaps we internalized Logan and Mary Anne being the BSC OTP because there's a whole lot of tell, not show in the series. There's some Jenny Prezzioso-related antics throughout and the BSC does their best to support Mary Anne through her tough times with Logan, including Dawn swinging back toward best BSC friend.

Follow us!

Contact us!

Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

There's literally no mystery in this one where Claudia is accused of cheating on a math test after she gets an A- and just so happens to have the exact same right and wrong answers as Shawna Riverson, who obviously cheated off Claudia in what turns out to be a premeditated offense. Seriously - we did not remember Shawna, but she's somehow worse than Cokie Mason. Claudia and the BSC have some antics and eventually resolve the issue at hand and Claudia gets some recognition for her hard work and success.

Follow us!

Contact us!

Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

We're back from our Summer Vacation with another super special! We're joined by YA librarian and mom of next generation BSC readers, Dr. Lyn Scharf Hunter, to discuss our babysitters' two-week, non-Christmas winter break trip to California after winning the lottery. As usual, hyjinks of varying levels occur, but this time around we're spared of any extended truly life-or-death stakes.

Follow us!

Contact us!

Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

We get what we've been wishing for when the BSC finally tackles the issues of wealth and class in Stoneybrook when Mr. Pike loses his job (and then promptly and relatively easily finds a new one) in Poor Mallory. And as a result, we learn sometimes getting what you've asked for isn't the best...

Follow us!

Contact us!

Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

The day Kate has been anxiously awaiting has finally arrived - Kate and Lauryn are finally getting around to discussing Kristy's Mystery Admirer!! And as an added bonus, we're joined by Kelly Biscopink, co-host of the Nancy Drew "faux crime" podcast, It's a Clue! There's plenty to hear about and we had a great conversation, but please do not disregard just how problematic and truly scary Cokie Mason is in this one!

Follow us!

Follow Kelly and It's a Clue!

Contact us!

Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Dawn finds herself in a problematic crush situation (that no one else seems to realize is a problem) and it's not great for her or us!

Follow us!

Contact us!

Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Jessi's mom is headed back to the working world, so Mr. Ramsey's sister, Cecelia, is moving in to help manage the house and watch the kids. Jessi thinks she's too old for a babysitter and she and Becca pull pranks straight out of The Sound of Music, but the book completely disregards that cultural reference. There's science fair antics and troubling racial commentary and we question just how much thought the Ramseys put into their plan to have Aunt Cecelia move in.

Follow us!

Contact us!

Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.