But when something unexpected happens to the most beloved part of Claudia and Janine's family, will the sisters be able to put side their differences?
So here's something different! Obviously I've already reviewed BSC #7, Claudia and Mean Janine, but I saw this at my local library the other day and couldn't resist! Since I've already reviewed the main book, I'm going to mostly stick to reviewing the graphic novel and some of the changes they've made adapting the book to it.
First off, for those of you who don't know, they started releasing these books in the 2010s, right when they started re-releasing updated versions of the novels. These updated versions of the novels not only had all-new covers (ones that didn't involve the girls, so that they can be more timeless), but also updated content. They either took out the 1980s prices and dollar amounts, or inflated them to the new millennium. (For instance, in BSC #3, it mentions that a small popcorn and drink cost 1.25$, and poor Stacey only had a dollar on her. The updated version [which I don't have on hand], either just simply said that Stacey didn't have enough money, or I think they changed the price to 10.25$). They also updated the information on Stacey's diabetes, reflecting the research and modern medicines and treatments now available.
Sadly, the books didn't take off, and I think they stopped somewhere around #8 or so.
The graphic novels (and there's two versions: coloured and black-and-white) more or less follow the stories depicted in the updated 2010s releases. For some reason, they decided not to adapt #2, Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls, jumping instead #3. Then they did Mary Anne Saves the Day, followed by this one. Because of the combination of skipping books and updating the material, while this graphic novel stays true to the essence of its source, there are some changes.
For some reason, even though I own #1, this is the first time I've actually sat down and read one of the graphic novels from cover to cover, taking in the detail. It was really fun!
The book opens up with Janine helping Claudia study for math. It's a dark and stormy night, and it's pretty much an amalgamation of the opening scene from BSC #2 and the breakfast scene at the beginning of #7. Janine is trying to talk to Claudia and is getting frustrated because Claudia doesn't understand a word she's saying. Mimi then comes in to help her.
Because #5 and #6 never happened, this one takes place in the last week of school, followed by the start of summer vacation. Kristy's mom and Watson still aren't married yet, but Dawn is around and in the Club. Dawn and Kristy haven't had a chance to reconcile after the events of #4, so things are still really tense between them. Anyways, Kristy proposes randomly that they have a playgroup for their clients. Other than the set-up for the playgroup, it's pretty much the same as it is in the novel.
Also because #5 never happened, Kristy and Dawn's conversation in Dawn's barn happens in this one. It seems really random and comes out of nowhere, but it's still a really cute scene.
One of the updates to this book is that Janine now takes computer science courses, because she's working on her own personal website. I'm dying to know what her website is.
They added Claudia painting a family portrait in this one, which leads to a nice scene between Claudia and Janine. Claudia, in an attempt to connect to Janine, shows Janine the portrait. Janine really likes it, but offers Claudia advice on how to capture Mimi better. At first Claudia is offended, but then realizes that Janine is right.
There's some talk of adding Mallory to the Club at this point, mostly because I think they were planning on skipping the next few novels. But then they never ended up doing anymore (although there are rumors they might do 4 more now).
The subplot of Jamie Newton and Lucy Newton and her Christening are still here.
Random Thoughts:
- I really like how everyone is drawn. The girls are adorable and are all the correct heights and proportions compared to each other. Mallory is just about as tall Mary Anne and Kristy.
- To modernize Claudia and show how artistic she is, without having her dress really really weird (because I think they realized that her outfits would not translate well into a visual medium), they make it so her bangs are hot pink
- I don't like how they drew Mrs Kishi. It looks like she has curly hair. What kind of Japanese woman has curly hair???
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