I actually felt bad for Jenny Prezzioso in this one. She is usually just a spoiled brat but she had some serious issues in this book and for the most part, they're completely ignored. Also, what is this outfit Mary Anne is wearing on the cover?? Logan's sweats? It's awful.
The book starts with Mary Anne helping Mallory watch the younger Pike kids. Mal is still recovering from mono, but her parents let her baby-sit her siblings. A lot. Too much. Mary Anne references one of the mystery books, which kind of makes me want to start reading them, but I had decided to wait until I finish the regular series, whenever that will be. The triplets declare that they are officially too old to be baby-sat, at 10 years old. Back then, yeah probably. Now? I'm not so sure. I guess it depends on the kids and the neighborhood. In the intro chapter, Stacey's boyfriend Robert gets a mention and the showdown they had with the basketball players and cheerleaders is discussed too. Like we care lol. At the end of the meeting, Mrs Prezzioso calls and says she needs a sitter for Jenny (not baby Andrea) every afternoon for the foreseeable future. The girls are all kind of stunned, but don't question it. Mary Anne ends up with the most days, with the others filling in for her.
At her first job, Mary Anne is shocked to see "Miss Priss" back. Jenny had relaxed a little recently, wearing play clothes and going outside. But now...she was covered from head to toe in lace. Two pink lace bows perched in her dark brown hair. Her pink dress had a delicate lace collar, lacey puffed sleeves, and a big satin-and-lace sash around the waist. Even her socks were topped with lace. Jenny looked more like a doll-the kind you collect, not play with-than a real little girl. (No Claudia outfit, so this is the best we get!)
Mrs P rushes out the door with Andrea and Mary Anne tries to get Jenny to play, but she doesn't want to. She spills a drop of juice on her dress and freaks out, running to her room to change clothes and then washing her hands several times, obsessively. They go on a walk and see some kids, but Jenny doesn't want to play and get dirty. After the 2nd time sitting for her with this happening, Mary Anne asks her dad that evening if he knows anything about behavior problems and he lets her look at some of his old psychology books. Mary Anne reads up on it (OCD basically) and wonders if she is equipped to help Jenny. Not if she should talk to the parents. Just if she can help her. Sigh.
Mary Anne finally finds out that Mrs P is taking Andrea on auditions, to make her a little child star. I'm getting Olsen twins vibes. Jenny begs to go to one of the auditions and Mary Anne goes with them. Turns out Jenny is jealous of Andrea because she's perfect and getting lots of attention (and some jobs) and Jenny is left out. Luckily, she's not holding a grudge against her sister though. She just wants to be included. Jenny tells her mom she wants to do the modeling/acting thing too so Mrs P agrees and sets her up to get head shots taken. But then precious Andrea gets a call-back, so she asks Mary Anne to take Jenny instead. The shoot goes okay and Jenny gets an audition right away, but it's a disaster.
The next sitting job, Jenny has decided she doesn't care about being perfect anymore. She gets juice all down her dress, rips her tights, and decides to make a mud pie for perfect Andrea. She makes a mess in the house too: playing with clay in the living room, painting without her smock, making a peanut butter sandwich all over the kitchen, knocking over a vase of flowers. Mary Anne is extra worried and still doesn't speak to the parents, but instead calls Dawn all the way in California and takes over a whole BSC meeting to discuss it. She finally decides to talk to Mrs P but first yells at Jenny for causing a mess again. Mrs P is, of course, aware of her child's problems but also doesn't want to give up on Andrea's acting career. So they basically let Jenny just sort things out herself.
The Pike triplets start up a kickball team but can't keep it together long enough to actually play a game. Claudia & Mal try to give them some pointers on how to be leaders and at first the boys don't want to listen, but eventually do and the team is a success. Even Jenny plays at the end. And Mallory is back in the BSC officially!
