5 out of 5 stars
This was probably my favorite of the graphic novels so far, even though it is one of the saddest books in the series. I'm just saying it now: if they do Claudia & The Sad Goodbye, I don't know if I'll be able to read it!
Okay, so the story starts off in the last week of school. Claudia has a big math test and Janine is trying to tutor her (which is obviously not working, because she doesn't know her basic times table!?) They get in an argument and Janine storms off; Mimi comes in and helps Claudia. Claudia doesn't know what she or her family would do without Mimi.
At the BSC meeting the next day, Stacey has a chic new haircut and Pete Black held her hand, Kristy thinks boys are gross and still doesn't like Dawn, and they come up with the idea for a summer playgroup as soon as school lets out. Because they can't spend even one week just chilling and watching Price is Right or whatever. Claudia and Janine continue to fight and cause Mimi to have a stroke. (Not really, but that's what Claudia thinks.) It's really scary and sad and well-done for younger people.
The playgroup goes well: Andrew makes Prissy Jenny Prezzioso wear her art smock because he's a monster, the kids give Louie the dog a bath, they make lots of money. Kristy & Dawn spend some time together alone and come to a friendly understanding of sorts. Mimi comes home and starts her recuperation, learning words again and how to use her motor skills. Jamie Newton loves his new little sister, Lucy, but gets upset when she gets all the attention and almost pours the punch bowl over her head. Claudia realizes she and Janine are acting like Jamie. They finally talk and both realize they're jealous of the other. They make up and Janine even admits that she hides candy in her room too. The book ends towards the end of summer and the girls realizing they've been the official Baby-Sitters Club for one year.
Now let's talk about the artwork. Overall, very good and in line with the descriptions. Claudia's room looks a lot better in this one. Plenty of art supplies and stuff on the walls, snacks hidden away, and we even get to see inside her closet! Her fashion was very on-point throughout the book too.
We see Jeff in this one and Dawn's house and the old spooky barn. And more of the neighborhood kids in the playgroup. Andrew and Karen are so cute. Also, there's apparently at least one other black family in Stoneybrook (at least in Raina's world), before the Ramsey's show up, because their kid is at the playgroup. He never gets named though. I wonder if they'll talk about that when Jessi finally shows up, if she does.
After the end of the book, Raina talks us through how the graphic novel is formed and it was really interesting to read. I can't wait to read the next one!
I'm glad they decided to continue on with the graphic novels, even without Raina, though I really like her art. This is probably my favourite of the four she did.
ReplyDeleteMe too! I'm excited to see what the new artist does with them.
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