Kristy and ShannonEnemies at first, then friends
Bonded over dogs
Summary
The Thomases are more or less settled in Watsons' neighborhood, and everyone but Kristy has managed to make friends. She thinks the other girls in the neighborhood are snobs, and doesn't actually want to make the effort to get to know them. She and Shannon Kilbourne, in particular, develop an instant dislike to each other. They play some pranks on each other, but when Shannon confesses that she was jealous of Kristy's success with the BSC (and the jobs Kristy was getting that used to go to Shannon), they're on their way to a friendship. Shannon even gives the Thomases a puppy (welcome to the family, canine Shannon) after Louie dies. She also becomes the second alternate officer of the BSC.
In subplot news, Louie the collie isn't doing so well. He's having trouble moving, and it's clear he's in pain. The Thomases try pills and shots, but nothing works. They have a family meeting, and eventually make the decision to put him down. After all these years, I still can't read the descriptions of what Louie goes through (falling down the stairs, losing control of his back legs, etc) or the entire chapter where the Thomases take him to the vet for the last time without getting choked up. Heck, I'm getting choked up now, in the middle of the freaking library! BSC books should not have the power to do this to a relatively non-weepy and emotional adult.
Thoughts and Things
- Shannon's uniform on the cover is hideous. Amanda's is okay, but why does she have blond hair, when she's described as a brunette in the book? I've always seen her as a blond, so I'm okay with that particular inconsistency.
- Did you know that Priscilla the beautiful white Persian cat cost $400? :D
- There's a lot of snark out there about AMM making doctors, police officers, and other professional people female for feminist reasons. It's actually realistic that the Thomases' vet would be a woman, though; there are far more female veterinary students than male ones these days.
- Shannon went way too far when she called Kristy, claiming that the Papadakis house was on fire. What if Kristy had called the fire department, or asked someone who wasn't Shannon to do it? That's a good way to get fined.
- Eh, I just can't pick on this one too much because of all the Louie stuff. The next one has way more material for that kind of thing!
dude, that book was sad when louie died and karen was a bitch for inviting shannon and others to louie's funeral when they didn't even know louie. but yet again i liked it because shannon and kristy would of never made up and shannon the puppy wouldn't even existed.
ReplyDeletethis is actually my favorite kristy book because it focuses on kristy's neighborhood for the first time, and how her family is doing and etc.
she was TRYING to be kind
Deletethis is actually my favorite kristy book because its an introduction to kristy's new life and how settled kristy's family seems to be.
ReplyDeletei was so sad when louie died cause louie seemed like such a cool dog to have. also i happen to be very fond of collies as well as saint bernards and chihuahuas.
this is such a good post by the way. continue to keep up the good work.
I loved the subscription to the diapers(lol)but it said they just dropped the diapers off and left. are they free, then?
ReplyDeleteThey probably taped the bill to the package :)
DeleteI am sure I cried (and cried hard) when Louie died. I had my first dog at that time and loved her to pieces so the idea of her dying just tore me up (and I'm a sympathetic crier anyway). Also I love(d) collies. My cousin had one when I was a little kid and that dog was just amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in college, I went out with a guy who had a collie. I didn't really dig him, but I hung out with him an extra time or two just because of his dog.
Also, this book introduced me to Bernese Mountain dogs.
I actually re-read this one the other day. Pepperoni Mountain Dog.
ReplyDeleteI still don't get the whole 'Pepperoni Mountain Dog' joke. That and the rivalry and tension between Kristy and Shannon are the only part I don't like about the book. I LOVE the Delaney's though :)
ReplyDeleteThe stuff about Louie is soooo well-done. It makes me think about my dog who is still technically a puppy at 1.5 years but I’ll be sad when she gets to that point. The stuff with the snobs was wrapped up a little too quickly and neatly. I love Stacey’s baby-sitting chapter with the Delaney’s and her reverse psychology. Another reason Stacey rocks.
ReplyDeleteNot true with the hate reasons, since was mentioned in The BS Remembers...
ReplyDeleteThe Delanys were AWFUL, worst BSC client ever :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, in Dawns book she walks her charges to her house to call the fire department. Wow shanmom
ReplyDeleteI always teared up over the Louie scenes in this book. But, (and this is in many books) I do not understand why a two and a half year old would be as articulate as they portray Gabbie to be.
ReplyDelete