CLAUDIA MIGHT GIVE UP THE BSC - AND IT'S ALL THE NEW GIRL'S FAULT!
Welcome to the discussion post for Claudia and the New Girl! This post doesn't have an expiry date on it, so just comment whenever you're ready.
What was your favourite part? What was your least favourite part? Any memorable quotes you'd like to share? What had you forgotten about since the last time this book was read? If someone wrote a fic set during the timeline of this fic, what should they write?
There are no mandatory questions or points of discussion for this - anything you want to talk about in relation to this week's book, go ahead!
Next week's book is Super Special #1 - Baby-sitters On Board!
Oh, Claud. She's obviously crying out for help here. I can't believe Mrs. Kishi is a librarian and can't help her.
Also, reading this section has reminded me of a baby BSC fan anecdote, which is that my grandmother disapproved of Claudia's spelling in notebook entries because it was a bad influence. Not of the BSC in general, just Claud's spelling—I was allowed to read whatever I wanted (including Nancy Drew!) but I guess she just thought they shouldn't print out her bad spelling in the notebook.
Claud didn't read the homework—what happened to her parents and Mimi and Janine doing it with her? I guess the "resource room" takes the place of that, so it's nice that she seems to be getting some kind of professional help.
For more fun in "Spot what dates this book": Ashley is a weird name (I think this is actually on Ann; it was not uncommon by the mid-1970s which is when the BSC would have been born, although it was up to #2 when this book was published so while it would have been a lot more common on a baby than a thirteen-year-old, it would be weird to have not heard the name); Ashley's clothes (which would become quite trendy in a few years) are weird.
Also, Claud totally has a crush.
I am cracking up at the differing perspective on Kristy's new "uniform." Last book was a Kristy book and it made it easy to get ready. And here it's annoying Claudia.
I do love that Claud's parents encourage her art. Sometimes I think they're not close to being as bad as Claud thinks they are.
Since art is one of the few things I think I’m any good at, I just die if people don’t like my work. ((((Claudia)))))
Oh, poor Archie and Shea, trained to clean up after Jackie. And the way they run after him when he leaves the room like he's some kind of animal!
Ashley sneaking up on Claudia is so stinking cute. But not the rest. >:|
I do think it's weird that the BSC revolts when Claud spends one day outside of their presence but Ashley's possessiveness is also pretty weird. But, really, Claud, complaining that they started without you when you miss half the meeting?
Oh, poor Dawn. :( She shouldn't have to do this for Jeff but I love that Mrs. Besser calls her responsible.
Ashley is so full of shit. The noble fire hydrant?!?! (Also a person who wears BELL-BOTTOM BLUE JEANS.)
Mary Anne and Stacey crying. :'( While I do think they're mostly being ridiculous, it does break my heart how insecure Stacey feels, probably because of what she went through in New York.
All the bitchy notebook entries. D:
Ugh, I can't stand all the meanness. They are so horrible, argh. THE BEST FRIENDS YOU'LL EVER HAVE.
I love her idea to sculpt Jackie! I'm a bit disappointed this is a book and we don't get to see the sculpture!
Aww, I do like Claudia knowing Mary Anne well enough to know when she's gathering her courage. And that Jackie posing during MA's job lets up some of the strain of having to watch Jackie, lol.
Claudia standing up to Ashley! <3 I often feel that, even for all her ~sophistication~ Claud just doesn't have enough confidence, especially when compared to Ashley, and how she kept thinking she didn't know enough about art and should let Ashely take the lead. This is big for her.
I love Claud prioritizing and getting her shit together. I like that she has a system because that's probably hard for her. And I like that she feels good about school.
I love when the club makes up! They were all totally jerks! But making up is nice. Claudia's apology is sweet.
Janine congratulating her on her honorable mention. <3
So, Ashley is their sometimes friend who sometimes sits with them who is never mentioned again. Sounds about right. :D
The notes are so mean D: but I think part of the issue here is also access. They're mad and hurt, and they're also hanging out in her room for half an hour three times a week. That's an unusual combination.
- I love Claudia's instant fascination with Ashley, from the way she looks to the "she could potentially be related to this famous artist!" thing.
- Yup, the "chapter two" thing is becoming firmly cemented.
- Oh, the little moment with Mimi and Claud is adorable. I would love to hear more about Mimi's past. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT with Grandpa Kishi ♥
- I definitely wouldn't get along with Ashley IRL. I already feel anxious for Claudia because she's so earnest and art is precious to her but in a happy and lighthearted sort of way. Ashley takes it so seriously all of the fun is immediately sucked away.
- RED LIGHT GREEN LIGHT. I never knew anyone who played this when we were kids but I was so fascinated by it and so I introduced it to my brother and sister. We used to play it a lot and it was all due to the BSC :D
- Ugh Ashley D: So far in every scene she's managed to make Claudia feel vaguely uncomfortable.
- Aww, Claud talking about how the Club has become closer and now they're all BFFs ♥
- Oh, Claudia being anxious about having to choose between Ashley and her friends - and it's so early in the book! D: Ashley makes me so uncomfortable, idk. I think it'd be interesting to see what she's like in five to ten years - has she mellowed, or is she still a loner? Or worse, is she friends with someone but really manipulative and passive aggressive/abusive?
- Aw I love the description of Mrs Perkins as "A nice mommy" :D
- UGGGH Ashley using guilt to make Claudia miss another meeting. "I'm your friend too!"
- Aw, Stacey crying because she thinks Claudia doesn't like her anymore. And Mary Anne crying in sympathy! (This readthrough has given me SO MANY Stacey/Mary Anne shippy feels, idk.)
- Ashley, what the fuck with all this fire hydrant stuff. Seriously.
- Let me tell you, I didn’t feel good about missing club meetings and spending so little time with my friends. But I felt great having a mentor who liked my work so much and thought I was smart and kept telling me how much artistic potential I had. When you’re a C-student who has to go to the Resource Room, “potential” is a word you don’t hear a lot, unless someone, usually a teacher or guidance counselor or one of your parents, says, “It’s really a shame. I don’t see why her grades aren’t better. She does have potential. …” Man this has all the hallmarks of a really abusive relationship D: I would really love to see what fanfiction could make of it with the girls aged up a bit. With lots of claudia/Stacey endgame comfort after all the hurt/angst, of course.
- All the stuff the girls do in Claudia's room is so mean D: They're hurt and angry, but still :( :( I think what upsets me most is Claudia is really uncomfortable with how everything is - she's not doing it to be irresponsible or mean, she just wants to feel worthy of someone who has offered her a bit of praise. Claud must feel she doesn't get praise very often.
- "Maybe Claudia is a project for Ashley." Oh, MA hit the nail on the head :(
- Omg I was so happy when Claud stood up to Ashley, and then Ashley whips this crap out: “You mean, you’re not giving anything up just for me. Because I’m not important enough to you. That’s what you’re saying, isn’t it? Well, I’ll tell you something, Claudia Kishi. You are ungrateful. And foolish. And you don’t know a thing about being a friend.”
- Mary Anne gathered up her courage to ask me an important question. I can always tell when she’s doing that. Gathering her courage, I mean. She starts to fidget, then she starts breathing heavily, then she’s silent for a few moments, and finally she clears her throat. “Ahem.” AW :D I love these little behavioural things.
- Ashley what the FUCK D: She comes over to the Rodowsky's for the pure reason of being a jerk. Poor Jackie.
- God, poor Claudia :( Ashley isn't interested in her apology or explanation, and claud realises that she's not really a friend, but it still hurts. :( :(
- Jackie nodded. “You know what, Claudia?” “What?” “I love you.” MY HEART ♥
- The little numbered poem thing is adorable :D
- Aw, Mary Anne brings her Dad to Claudia's art show :D
- I'm annoyed that Ashley won first prize with her stupid fire hydrant.
- I thought this read-through might make me more sympathetic towards "the new girl" Ashley, but wow. Nope. What a jerk.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ozqueen) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
stoneybrook2016-07-17 10:10 am
no subject
(Anonymous) 2016-07-17 12:36 am (UTC)(link)Also, reading this section has reminded me of a baby BSC fan anecdote, which is that my grandmother disapproved of Claudia's spelling in notebook entries because it was a bad influence. Not of the BSC in general, just Claud's spelling—I was allowed to read whatever I wanted (including Nancy Drew!) but I guess she just thought they shouldn't print out her bad spelling in the notebook.
Claud didn't read the homework—what happened to her parents and Mimi and Janine doing it with her? I guess the "resource room" takes the place of that, so it's nice that she seems to be getting some kind of professional help.
For more fun in "Spot what dates this book": Ashley is a weird name (I think this is actually on Ann; it was not uncommon by the mid-1970s which is when the BSC would have been born, although it was up to #2 when this book was published so while it would have been a lot more common on a baby than a thirteen-year-old, it would be weird to have not heard the name); Ashley's clothes (which would become quite trendy in a few years) are weird.
Also, Claud totally has a crush.
I am cracking up at the differing perspective on Kristy's new "uniform." Last book was a Kristy book and it made it easy to get ready. And here it's annoying Claudia.
I do love that Claud's parents encourage her art. Sometimes I think they're not close to being as bad as Claud thinks they are.
Since art is one of the few things I think I’m any good at, I just die if people don’t like my work. ((((Claudia)))))
Oh, poor Archie and Shea, trained to clean up after Jackie. And the way they run after him when he leaves the room like he's some kind of animal!
Ashley sneaking up on Claudia is so stinking cute. But not the rest. >:|
I do think it's weird that the BSC revolts when Claud spends one day outside of their presence but Ashley's possessiveness is also pretty weird. But, really, Claud, complaining that they started without you when you miss half the meeting?
Oh, poor Dawn. :( She shouldn't have to do this for Jeff but I love that Mrs. Besser calls her responsible.
Ashley is so full of shit. The noble fire hydrant?!?! (Also a person who wears BELL-BOTTOM BLUE JEANS.)
Mary Anne and Stacey crying. :'( While I do think they're mostly being ridiculous, it does break my heart how insecure Stacey feels, probably because of what she went through in New York.
All the bitchy notebook entries. D:
Ugh, I can't stand all the meanness. They are so horrible, argh. THE BEST FRIENDS YOU'LL EVER HAVE.
I love her idea to sculpt Jackie! I'm a bit disappointed this is a book and we don't get to see the sculpture!
Aww, I do like Claudia knowing Mary Anne well enough to know when she's gathering her courage. And that Jackie posing during MA's job lets up some of the strain of having to watch Jackie, lol.
Claudia standing up to Ashley! <3 I often feel that, even for all her ~sophistication~ Claud just doesn't have enough confidence, especially when compared to Ashley, and how she kept thinking she didn't know enough about art and should let Ashely take the lead. This is big for her.
I love Claud prioritizing and getting her shit together. I like that she has a system because that's probably hard for her. And I like that she feels good about school.
I love when the club makes up! They were all totally jerks! But making up is nice. Claudia's apology is sweet.
Janine congratulating her on her honorable mention. <3
So, Ashley is their sometimes friend who sometimes sits with them who is never mentioned again. Sounds about right. :D
no subject
no subject
no subject
- I love Claudia's instant fascination with Ashley, from the way she looks to the "she could potentially be related to this famous artist!" thing.
- Yup, the "chapter two" thing is becoming firmly cemented.
- Oh, the little moment with Mimi and Claud is adorable. I would love to hear more about Mimi's past. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT with Grandpa Kishi ♥
- I definitely wouldn't get along with Ashley IRL. I already feel anxious for Claudia because she's so earnest and art is precious to her but in a happy and lighthearted sort of way. Ashley takes it so seriously all of the fun is immediately sucked away.
- RED LIGHT GREEN LIGHT. I never knew anyone who played this when we were kids but I was so fascinated by it and so I introduced it to my brother and sister. We used to play it a lot and it was all due to the BSC :D
- Ugh Ashley D: So far in every scene she's managed to make Claudia feel vaguely uncomfortable.
- Aww, Claud talking about how the Club has become closer and now they're all BFFs ♥
- Oh, Claudia being anxious about having to choose between Ashley and her friends - and it's so early in the book! D: Ashley makes me so uncomfortable, idk. I think it'd be interesting to see what she's like in five to ten years - has she mellowed, or is she still a loner? Or worse, is she friends with someone but really manipulative and passive aggressive/abusive?
- Aw I love the description of Mrs Perkins as "A nice mommy" :D
- UGGGH Ashley using guilt to make Claudia miss another meeting. "I'm your friend too!"
- Aw, Stacey crying because she thinks Claudia doesn't like her anymore. And Mary Anne crying in sympathy! (This readthrough has given me SO MANY Stacey/Mary Anne shippy feels, idk.)
- Ashley, what the fuck with all this fire hydrant stuff. Seriously.
- Let me tell you, I didn’t feel good about missing club meetings and spending so little time with my friends. But I felt great having a mentor who liked my work so much and thought I was smart and kept telling me how much artistic potential I had. When you’re a C-student who has to go to the Resource Room, “potential” is a word you don’t hear a lot, unless someone, usually a teacher or guidance counselor or one of your parents, says, “It’s really a shame. I don’t see why her grades aren’t better. She does have potential. …”
Man this has all the hallmarks of a really abusive relationship D: I would really love to see what fanfiction could make of it with the girls aged up a bit. With lots of claudia/Stacey endgame comfort after all the hurt/angst, of course.
- All the stuff the girls do in Claudia's room is so mean D: They're hurt and angry, but still :( :( I think what upsets me most is Claudia is really uncomfortable with how everything is - she's not doing it to be irresponsible or mean, she just wants to feel worthy of someone who has offered her a bit of praise. Claud must feel she doesn't get praise very often.
- "Maybe Claudia is a project for Ashley." Oh, MA hit the nail on the head :(
- Omg I was so happy when Claud stood up to Ashley, and then Ashley whips this crap out:
“You mean, you’re not giving anything up just for me. Because I’m not important enough to you. That’s what you’re saying, isn’t it? Well, I’ll tell you something, Claudia Kishi. You are ungrateful. And foolish. And you don’t know a thing about being a friend.”
- Mary Anne gathered up her courage to ask me an important question. I can always tell when she’s doing that. Gathering her courage, I mean. She starts to fidget, then she starts breathing heavily, then she’s silent for a few moments, and finally she clears her throat. “Ahem.”
AW :D I love these little behavioural things.
- Ashley what the FUCK D: She comes over to the Rodowsky's for the pure reason of being a jerk. Poor Jackie.
- God, poor Claudia :( Ashley isn't interested in her apology or explanation, and claud realises that she's not really a friend, but it still hurts. :( :(
- Jackie nodded. “You know what, Claudia?”
“What?”
“I love you.”
MY HEART ♥
- The little numbered poem thing is adorable :D
- Aw, Mary Anne brings her Dad to Claudia's art show :D
- I'm annoyed that Ashley won first prize with her stupid fire hydrant.
- I thought this read-through might make me more sympathetic towards "the new girl" Ashley, but wow. Nope. What a jerk.