daybreak1012's review against another edition
4.0
Before I get to my actual review, a quick disclaimer: Ever since I learned that Netflix was reimagining one of my favorite childhood book series, I had decided that I would be embarking on a re-read of this series, reliving a series of books that helped to shape me into a voracious reader. I am so excited to embark on this travel back in time. I don't expect to be mentally stimulated -- I mean, I'm not exactly a pre-teen middle-schooler these days -- but I make no apology for choosing to enjoy this series from the perspective of adulthood. Don't expect me to have any sort of psychoanalyst or feminist sermonizing on the appropriateness of the situations or the effects on a young girl reading these books; there's plenty of that to go around already. I'm here for the nostalgia and the meander down memory lane.
**********
I remember this being one of my favorite books in this series, though I don't know the precise reason. Was it the change of scenery? The allure of a two-week beach vacation? The addition of boys to the narrative? The simple fact that Book Seven was behind me? Quite possibly each of those factored in, to some degree or another.
What I liked about Boy-Crazy Stacey:
All of the above - It was fun to take the Club (or two-thirds of it anyway) beyond the city limits of Stoneybrook. Even more than that, the sort of vacation the Pikes took seemed unimaginably extravagant to me, when we took long weekend road trips but never a vacation away for that length of time. Add to that, the idea of boys?! My pre-teen brain nearly exploded. This book was the best antidote for the heaviness of the previous book with all it's fluff and flirtation and salty beach breezes. It had that perfect vacation feel.
Lessons on being realistic, friendship, and responsibility - While a 15 year-old and an almost(?)-thirteen-year-old isn't exactly a pearl-clutch-worthy age gap. I mean, there's a difference in maturity but not inappropriate in that sense. And it was illustrated well: choose someone who is an equal match for you. And while you're at it, remember you can still take time for your friends and honor your commitments. All "make thoughtful choices" lessons that it never hurts to be reminded of.
The reminders of youth - Ah, those formative years when you're convinced every crush is what LOOOOOVE feels like. Oh does it make me chuckle.
What I didn't care for:
Silly-billy-goo-goo - Have mercy how old it got reading that. Ugh.
This was still a fun, quick read. I loved reliving both my enjoyment of the book and the the navigation of first romantic inclinations, which seem so real and immense at the time. Despite my fondness for the book, I did knock it back to four stars, merely because I just cannot abide awarding a book five stars that isn't life-changing on some level or entirely un-put-down-able. This book has countless fond memories attached to it, but of the four-star sort.
**********
I remember this being one of my favorite books in this series, though I don't know the precise reason. Was it the change of scenery? The allure of a two-week beach vacation? The addition of boys to the narrative? The simple fact that Book Seven was behind me? Quite possibly each of those factored in, to some degree or another.
What I liked about Boy-Crazy Stacey:
All of the above - It was fun to take the Club (or two-thirds of it anyway) beyond the city limits of Stoneybrook. Even more than that, the sort of vacation the Pikes took seemed unimaginably extravagant to me, when we took long weekend road trips but never a vacation away for that length of time. Add to that, the idea of boys?! My pre-teen brain nearly exploded. This book was the best antidote for the heaviness of the previous book with all it's fluff and flirtation and salty beach breezes. It had that perfect vacation feel.
Lessons on being realistic, friendship, and responsibility - While a 15 year-old and an almost(?)-thirteen-year-old isn't exactly a pearl-clutch-worthy age gap. I mean, there's a difference in maturity but not inappropriate in that sense. And it was illustrated well: choose someone who is an equal match for you. And while you're at it, remember you can still take time for your friends and honor your commitments. All "make thoughtful choices" lessons that it never hurts to be reminded of.
The reminders of youth - Ah, those formative years when you're convinced every crush is what LOOOOOVE feels like. Oh does it make me chuckle.
What I didn't care for:
Silly-billy-goo-goo - Have mercy how old it got reading that. Ugh.
This was still a fun, quick read. I loved reliving both my enjoyment of the book and the the navigation of first romantic inclinations, which seem so real and immense at the time. Despite my fondness for the book, I did knock it back to four stars, merely because I just cannot abide awarding a book five stars that isn't life-changing on some level or entirely un-put-down-able. This book has countless fond memories attached to it, but of the four-star sort.
thatbooklovergirl's review
5.0
This has always been one of my favorite BSC books! I love the beach, so it’s a lot of fun reading about Stacey and Mary Anne’s babysitting adventures in Sea City.
andrewhatesham's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Medical content
aprilparker97's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
caseythecanadianlesbrarian's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
An iconic Stacey book. Also Mary Anne is badass in this one: she stands up to Stacey for ditching the Pike kids to hang around the lifeguard, and she asks a boy out on a date!
Lol at how the cover artist drew Scott the hunky 18-year-old lifeguard to look about 30!
Lol at how the cover artist drew Scott the hunky 18-year-old lifeguard to look about 30!
sarahaeckardt's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Cute BSC book :)
catareadsbooks's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
queerbooklover03's review
4.0
Babysitters Club - at the beach! I really enjoy how this series doesn't shy away from real character growth. Stacey is actually allowed to make mistakes and learn from them. I will definitely be more books in the series, hopefully soon.
traditionson's review
4.0
Crush galore!
Boy crazy is a very apt way of putting this book. All her focus is lost and this book is far less on the crazy antics of the kids but more on her crush. It really shows how the infatuation stages can hurt but also hurt others. I missed seeing some of the others this time but it was still a very fun book. Also the second relationships were far healthier than the first.
Boy crazy is a very apt way of putting this book. All her focus is lost and this book is far less on the crazy antics of the kids but more on her crush. It really shows how the infatuation stages can hurt but also hurt others. I missed seeing some of the others this time but it was still a very fun book. Also the second relationships were far healthier than the first.
idreamofallthebooks's review against another edition
4.0
And the stirrings of hormones!
In Boy-Crazy Stacey (The BSC No. 8), Stacey and Mary-Anne accept the position of mother’s helpers to the Pike family and are whisked away for two weeks of their summer in New Jersey.
As the girls mature, it is interesting to see their friendships evolve. Though it was insipid, it was enlightening to see Stacey recognise how she allowed her fixation on a boy to cloud her job as a babysitter and her reliance on Mary-Anne. I liked how the girls were able to learn a little more about each other, and make new friends as well!
Thank you @scholastic_au for gifting me these copies to read and review!
In Boy-Crazy Stacey (The BSC No. 8), Stacey and Mary-Anne accept the position of mother’s helpers to the Pike family and are whisked away for two weeks of their summer in New Jersey.
As the girls mature, it is interesting to see their friendships evolve. Though it was insipid, it was enlightening to see Stacey recognise how she allowed her fixation on a boy to cloud her job as a babysitter and her reliance on Mary-Anne. I liked how the girls were able to learn a little more about each other, and make new friends as well!
Thank you @scholastic_au for gifting me these copies to read and review!