For fifteen years and 213 books, the Baby-Sitters Club has worked their way through the trials of middle school and life in small-town New England. This book stands as the final book in that legacy and manages to leave a beautiful, sentimental, hopeful swan song in the process. For any fan of the BSC, regardless of age and regardless of when you stopped reading new editions, this book serves as a powerful reminder of childhood and change. I am nearly 28 years old. I feel no shame in confessing that I loved the Baby-Sitters Club. I loved the characters and their unique voices narrating the everyday and the spectacular in life. I loved the sense of community and family that made so many of the books end in happy tears for me. I love the "me" that developed out of the lessons and support that the BSC instilled in me as an impressionable, book-crazy child. I didn't like to baby-sit, but I sought out and devoured every one of the series that I could get my hands on. The lives of the characters enriched my own life and allowed me to develop greater empathy for people of differing viewpoints and life experiences. The characters were the heart of the series. For those who shared any part of Kristy's vision, this book is a worthy closing chapter on the journey. We really were the Baby-Sitters Club Generation.
Goodbye, Girls
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
The Baby-Sitters Club books were the first that I remember reading. When I was a child, I would take books to the dinner table and read during a meal (not the best manners, but my parents were ok with it because they encouraged me to read whenever I could). I was crazy about the BSC--I had the videos, dolls, even the sleeping bag (which I received for my 11th birthday). I can say that I've read up to the point where the acquired Abby as a new sitter, but I spotted "Graduation Day" and had to read it. I feel that I "grew up" with these girls--even though they are still 13 and I am now 23. The ending of a favorite series is bittersweet. Months ago, "passed the torch" to my 8 year old niece. On the first day of summer, I mailed her a copy of Kristy's Great Idea. She has fallen in love with the BSC and has now taken over the collection. When I went back home a few weeks ago, I had to smile when I saw a copy of "Claudia's Goodbye" in my old chair at the table. "Graduation Day" was terrific. The perfect ending to a wonderful coming-of age series. Goodbye, Girls.
The BEst Of The BESt
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
I've been a fan of the babysitters club since I was 6 years old, now i'm 16! They were the fist chapter books I read and once i started, I just couldn't stop. I read every single BSC book printed and enjoyed each and every one of them. There was something special about the last 13 however. The Friends forever issues, even though they stopped talking as much about babysitting, and they started talking more about boys and teen problems, that was perfect for me. Because I was growing, too. So it was almost like they were growing up with me. I didn't have very many friends in elementary school, so i would pretend I was one of the babysitters and go places with them. Everywhere I went, they would come with me. People would think I was crazy asking "Stacey" if she wanted a pretzel. So then I heard the horrible news, The babysitters CLub was coming to an end. The last book Ann M. Martin was going to right with my best friends in it. I was actually crying! It was like I grew up with them and now they were moving away and the only way I could see them again is if I read one of their old books. But, at least Ann made the last book the greatest book! Graduation Day brought so many tears to my eyes. It brought back memories that "we" had together. There were funny parts, sad parts, and just parts where you would just sit still and relize, this was the last BSC book, ever! This was definetely my favorite issue of the Babysitters club, and to keep the memories flowing, I started my own club, called the Baby Fun Club(BFC). We use kid kits and use a lot of the ideas that were in the books. So thank you Ann for making my life a whole lot better!
WOW!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
Oh my gosh (or in the words of Claudia, Oh my lord)! I can't believe the series is OVER! Done, finished, kaput. This was definitely a great book! I loved the BSC books, the Little Sister books, and most of all, the Friends Forever books. The FF books moved so much more. I cried so hard when I read this one, because I was like, no it's over! To ANN: Your books were wonderful. It's obvious that they have touched many people throughout the years. Fifteen years, that's most of my life (I'll be 18 in March). I can say that they touched me, in more ways than one. They gave me tips/ideas, and even courage to stand up for myself. You are truly deserving of the praise you are getting here. I really honor your decision to end the BSC, even though it means the end of a great series. An idea is that along the line, you could do a reunion book, to honor the pact that was made in the end of the series. (Kind of like in MALLORY PIKE, #1 FAN, when she works with her favorite author and helps with the reunion book.) Anyway, kudos to you for the wonderful job that you've done!Anyone can get in touch with me! *Bri*
The Best and Very Emotional!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Finally! The BSC graduates! In the book, it tells what happened in the years for the BSC. While that, it tells about a time capsule for the Pikes! It also has some stuff like Margo's Story, Charlie's, people who were never in other books. Also in the final book, it tells about the BSC's point of view. Like Kristy DOESN'T want to graduate.(She starts a chain reaction.) To Ann: Your books were the best. Besides that, you wrote BSC tips. You made in the BSC Friends Forever that Mary Anne brakes up with Logan, I was happy because no offense but I was pretty much tired Mary Anne following Logan like a chiuahua. When I read about Mary Anne about the fire I was sad. You wrote things that touched us deeply. But in the BSC Friends Forever, I sensed the BSC will end... and I was right!Mary Anne has to fix up problems with her ex-boyfriend, Logan. Claudia's worried if she'd be able to graduate at all. Stacey is stressed about her parents. Kristy is worried about the BSC. But their memories will last forever. P.S. If you're pretty much wondering, the book you'll see is NOT the way it looks like on the 'net.
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