Ann M Martin

Working as a mother's helper, with Stacey, for the Pike family at the Jersey shore, Mary Anne is upset when Stacey begins to neglect her job to spend her time pursuing a gorgeous lifeguard.

Kristy decides to form a baby-sitters club with her friends, Claudia, Mary Anne, and Stacy, but they run into unexpected problems which threaten to break up the club.

The new girl, Ashley, tells Claudia that she has artistic talent and that she should quit the Baby-sitters Club and spend more time on art.

"Claudia's sister, Janine, is too busy being smart to be nice to anyone-- even their grandmother, Mimi. But Claudia doesn't have to see Janine too much this summer since the Baby-sitters Club is starting a new play group. It's going to be so much fun! But then Mimi has a stroke, and the whole summer changes. Now Claudia is "Mimi-sitting" and Janine is no help at all. How can the Kishi sisters get along when Janine is always so mean?"--P. [4] of cover....

Feeling isolated as the only African American in her sixth grade class, Jessi gains a sense of belonging by participating in the Baby-sitters Club, learning sign language in order to communicate with a deaf child, and dancing in a ballet.

"Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacey are best friends and founding member of The Baby-sitters Club. Whatever comes up--cranky toddlers, huge dogs, scary neighbors, prank calls--you can count on them to save the day. Baby-sitting isn't always easy, and neither is dealing with strict parents, new families, fashion emergencies, and mysterious secrets. But no matter what, the BSC have what they need most: friendship"

"Claudia and her sister, Janine, may as well be from two different planets. Claudia, who pays more attention to her artwork and The Baby-sitters Club than her homework, feels like she can't compete with her perfect sister. Janine studies nonstop, gets straight As, and even takes college-level courses! But when something unexpected happens to the most beloved person in their family, will the sisters be able to put aside their differences?"--Publisher....

During the summer before their seventh-grade year, Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacey tackle difficulties, including family problems, crushes, moving, and making new friends.

When a fight breaks out among the members of the Baby-sitters Club, timid Mary Anne finds herself becoming more assertive as a babysitter and in her relationships with her father and friends.

It's fun to be a Baby-sitters' Little Sister! Karen thinks there's a ghost in her house! But she's never really seen the ghost of Old Ben Brewer -- until now. Karen and her stepsister Kristy have found out that Ben Brewer and his spooky friends are going to have a birthday party in her attic on Halloween night! It used to be fun having a ghost around. But now Karen's not so sure! Ann M. Martin is the creator of The Baby-sitters Club,...