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The Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels #15
Claudia and the Bad Joke: A Graphic Novel
A brand-new Baby-sitters Club graphic novel adapted by newcomer Arley Nopra! Claudia isn't worried when she hears her newest baby-sitting charge, Betsy Sobak, is a big practical joker. After all, how much harm can one little girl do? Plenty. Claudia breaks her leg as a result of one of Betsy's jokes. Now Claudia is feeling like baby-sitting might be too dangerous and she's talking about quitting the club. Kristy thinks Betsy needs to be taught a lesson, and that the baby-sitters are just the ones to do it. Watch out, Betsy Sobak. The joke war is on!
192 pages, Paperback
First published December 26, 2023
343 people are currently reading
2141 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
January 5, 2024
I liked the art style and am glad Claudia didn’t quit.
December 31, 2023
Boy, this did not live up to its predecessors. It reads more like one of the Baby Sitter's Little Sister graphic novels.
March 5, 2025
When a child in their care attempts to kill one of the babysitters with a practical joke, the whole club declares a prank war on her.
I'm not a fan of practical jokes. And it seems to me that trying to prank a young practical joker to teach her a lesson is actually just teaching her more tricks for her annoying repertoire.
But mostly, I have to question the inclusion of the movie theater "popcorn trick" suggested by one sitter's brother. A thumb is used in this instance, but does a children's book really want to invoke an infamous prank that usually involves a different body part? Ewwww.
I'm not a fan of practical jokes. And it seems to me that trying to prank a young practical joker to teach her a lesson is actually just teaching her more tricks for her annoying repertoire.
But mostly, I have to question the inclusion of the movie theater "popcorn trick" suggested by one sitter's brother. A thumb is used in this instance, but does a children's book really want to invoke an infamous prank that usually involves a different body part? Ewwww.
September 8, 2024
Enter little bad Betsy Sobak and she is a big practical joker until Claudia gets hurt. Because of this Claudia is riddled with anxiety thinking babysitting might be too dangerous for her. Overall, this was good. I think I would have preferred BSC to involve the adults a bit more in this situation rather than taking on Betsy alone. In the end Betsy learned her lesson.
December 22, 2023
Nice book but when Claudia broke her leg and the scenery, i literally went numb. So now l like this book one star less lol. Anyway, really decent book, definitely recommend reading around April fools day.
I don’t have a song for this book but if you do have one let me know in the comments and have a magical reading experience today!
Ps. I made a quote by me inspired by Haunted Mansion and my mom lol : “There are 99 books on my bookshelf waiting to be read, but there’s always room for one more 😏”
Love ya 🩵
I don’t have a song for this book but if you do have one let me know in the comments and have a magical reading experience today!
Ps. I made a quote by me inspired by Haunted Mansion and my mom lol : “There are 99 books on my bookshelf waiting to be read, but there’s always room for one more 😏”
Love ya 🩵
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2024
Didn’t really love this one, but I don’t know if it’s the interpretation or the source material. The way the BSC embarrass the kid in front of a bunch of people to get her to stop pranking is just so weird.
And the library being the source of the obsession with pranks…and their huge program had very few attendees, but lots of snacks. I wonder what Stoneybrook Library’s funding is like?
And the library being the source of the obsession with pranks…and their huge program had very few attendees, but lots of snacks. I wonder what Stoneybrook Library’s funding is like?
May 29, 2024
The pacing and tone feel a little off with this one. Things that should be a really big deal are glossed over, while we get every detail of trivial things. I like the way this artist does facial expressions though.
July 22, 2024
I read these when I was younger and am now reading the graphic novels as they come out. This one was ridiculous and repetitive.
The book starts with everyone going to a slapstick film showing at the library where they enjoy a bountiful buffet of snacks. (You know what my library serves at film showings? Nothing!) But anyway this sets off many in Stoneybrook to start a series of practical jokes like prank phone calls which makes no sense because that is not slapstick.
Then the club gets a new charge named Betsy who is a known practical joker. Claudia goes there and meets Betsy who appears to be dressed as Robin Williams and is subsequently bombarded with stupid practical jokes which culminate in her flying off a swing and breaking her leg. She is taken to the hospital and is met by the rest of her family (who seriously do not look Japanese- very bad artwork here- I wasn't even sure at first who the woman was supposed to be) and all of a sudden decides babysitting might be too dangerous which seems like a very rapid decision based on not much.
Then Claudia is getting tons of visitors at the hospital but not from Betsy or her parents which begs the question- did they seriously not reach out to see if she was okay? It's their responsibility to pay her medical bills which I guess doesn't need to be addressed in a children's book, but one would think there would be something about them sending flowers or something.
Then Mary Anne and Jesse are baby sitting for the Pike children who keep playing jokes so Mary Anne and Jesse really get revenge on them by making them believe that there's an elephant in the front yard. I mean- wow. They really got those kids and put them in their places with that whooper. They'll never be playing a joke again after getting played so badly. Just like wow.
So then Claudia reveals she's considering quitting babysitting and for the rest of the book all the club will talk to her about is if she's quitting or not even though it's not that big of a deal and she still has weeks before she even could go sitting so stop bugging her about it.
Then Betsy's mom has the nerve to call the club and request a sitter for Betsy. Instead of saying no like they should, Mallory takes the job and they plot for Mallory to play jokes on Betsy because as Kristy says, "We obviously have a problem and need to do something about it." Um, I think that would be telling Betsy's parents no more sitting whatsoever. It's their job to correct their child's unruly and dangerous behavior, not yours!
Mallory goes over and her and Betsy play jokes on each other. Then Dawn has a turn at a later date and they play jokes on each other. Nothing seems to stop Betsy! But don't fear- Kristy steps in and humiliates Betsy in public. Success! If her parents aren't going to do anything (which they clearly aren't), then Kristy giving her a taste of her own medicine is perfectly okay by me. So what if she gets embarrassed in front of her classmates- none of whom like her because of her jokes. Maybe she needs to be shown what it is like to be on the receiving end of these pranks to realize how they affect others.
And she finally realized it because now she's asking after Claudia. It's been weeks since this psychopath maimed our poor Claudia and now Betsy's ready to ask if she's okay? Perhaps it's better late than never. Kristy takes Betsy over to Claudia's and they talk it all out and have candy.
And Claudia decides to stay in the club. There's no way Claudia could have given up baby sitting because then she wouldn't have money for art classes and candy. Gotta have that candy.
The book starts with everyone going to a slapstick film showing at the library where they enjoy a bountiful buffet of snacks. (You know what my library serves at film showings? Nothing!) But anyway this sets off many in Stoneybrook to start a series of practical jokes like prank phone calls which makes no sense because that is not slapstick.
Then the club gets a new charge named Betsy who is a known practical joker. Claudia goes there and meets Betsy who appears to be dressed as Robin Williams and is subsequently bombarded with stupid practical jokes which culminate in her flying off a swing and breaking her leg. She is taken to the hospital and is met by the rest of her family (who seriously do not look Japanese- very bad artwork here- I wasn't even sure at first who the woman was supposed to be) and all of a sudden decides babysitting might be too dangerous which seems like a very rapid decision based on not much.
Then Claudia is getting tons of visitors at the hospital but not from Betsy or her parents which begs the question- did they seriously not reach out to see if she was okay? It's their responsibility to pay her medical bills which I guess doesn't need to be addressed in a children's book, but one would think there would be something about them sending flowers or something.
Then Mary Anne and Jesse are baby sitting for the Pike children who keep playing jokes so Mary Anne and Jesse really get revenge on them by making them believe that there's an elephant in the front yard. I mean- wow. They really got those kids and put them in their places with that whooper. They'll never be playing a joke again after getting played so badly. Just like wow.
So then Claudia reveals she's considering quitting babysitting and for the rest of the book all the club will talk to her about is if she's quitting or not even though it's not that big of a deal and she still has weeks before she even could go sitting so stop bugging her about it.
Then Betsy's mom has the nerve to call the club and request a sitter for Betsy. Instead of saying no like they should, Mallory takes the job and they plot for Mallory to play jokes on Betsy because as Kristy says, "We obviously have a problem and need to do something about it." Um, I think that would be telling Betsy's parents no more sitting whatsoever. It's their job to correct their child's unruly and dangerous behavior, not yours!
Mallory goes over and her and Betsy play jokes on each other. Then Dawn has a turn at a later date and they play jokes on each other. Nothing seems to stop Betsy! But don't fear- Kristy steps in and humiliates Betsy in public. Success! If her parents aren't going to do anything (which they clearly aren't), then Kristy giving her a taste of her own medicine is perfectly okay by me. So what if she gets embarrassed in front of her classmates- none of whom like her because of her jokes. Maybe she needs to be shown what it is like to be on the receiving end of these pranks to realize how they affect others.
And she finally realized it because now she's asking after Claudia. It's been weeks since this psychopath maimed our poor Claudia and now Betsy's ready to ask if she's okay? Perhaps it's better late than never. Kristy takes Betsy over to Claudia's and they talk it all out and have candy.
And Claudia decides to stay in the club. There's no way Claudia could have given up baby sitting because then she wouldn't have money for art classes and candy. Gotta have that candy.
January 28, 2024
So far, they've skipped a few BSC books in the graphic novel conversions, and I think this should have been one of them. The plot just makes me cringe.
October 13, 2025
This is the first BSC graphic novel illustrated by Arley Nopra. I really like her art style and color palette. I’m not sure I ever read the original novel growing up, but I liked how the lesson was presented. I love Kristy’s brother Sam. Even though he only appeared off screen in this one, he’s still great.
January 19, 2024
My mom is a teacher librarian ofc im gonna read all the new baby sitters club books😭
August 25, 2024
Read this on the floor in an airport bookstore with a psl. Living my best airport life 😌
March 13, 2024
3🌟
Because this was so quick it didn’t have much depth and as a result I didn’t love this. But it was enjoyable and fast paced, just not my favourite in the series.
Because this was so quick it didn’t have much depth and as a result I didn’t love this. But it was enjoyable and fast paced, just not my favourite in the series.
June 13, 2025
1 📚 Physical Book
We love the BSC but the subject matter of this book was just annoying. Funnily enough, that's what the whole book was about - characters being annoyed by practical jokers. So this one wasn't a favorite but we'll keep reading the rest of the series.
We love the BSC but the subject matter of this book was just annoying. Funnily enough, that's what the whole book was about - characters being annoyed by practical jokers. So this one wasn't a favorite but we'll keep reading the rest of the series.
April 22, 2024
I liked the plot of the story, and it was nice book that reminds you that what you send out, comes back. It is about a movie night about pranks that starts a whole prank season in all of Stonybrook (the town). Everyone is pranking each other, and in the process, feelings are hurt and people are injured, which starts a prank war.
March 27, 2024
Claudia broke her leg because one of the kids she babysat pushed her on a broken swing 😥
February 25, 2024
As always, a fun nostalgic read. I do wonder if pranks are as popular now as they used to be? But I think they were as unfunny to me when I read this as a kid as when I read this now. But I still appreciated the different threads of the story, and how the pranks were dealt with.
I could tell that this was a different artist with a few panels that felt off, but mostly it was still good :)
I could tell that this was a different artist with a few panels that felt off, but mostly it was still good :)
September 8, 2025
Veel minder diepgang dan de vorige delen. Ik was al een beetje vergeten dat de BSC ook meerdere delen had die gepubliceerd werden, niet zozeer omdat de schrijfster nog diepgaande boodschappen mee te geven had, maar omdat de reeks sowieso zo populair was. Dit was een ervan. Qua tekeningen knap, qua inhoud wat teleurstellend.
November 9, 2025
I read this for Kindle’s graphic novel reading challenge. I still have the print copy of the original book and have read it several times but hadn’t read the graphic novel version before now. My little girl likes the graphic novels and they are well done and still stick to the original story, which I really like.
February 5, 2024
Nice graphics with one note that Claudia looks like Veronica Lodge on the cover. The story feels a bit dated. Since they aren't redoing all the BSC books into graphic novels, maybe this volume wasn't the right choice. 🤔
January 6, 2024
Pretty good
May 23, 2024
This series never disappoints! I have been reading this since like sixth or seventh grade, and am finally graduating high school this week! Absolutely insane how long this series has had me invested
June 3, 2025
Not as good as the older ones
December 30, 2023
This is the 15th graphic novel adaptation of The Baby-Sitters Club series. For me, these adaptations have been a great way to revisit my fave series from when I was a kid. I also get to share these books with my own kids - it's a win-win!
January 3, 2024
Meh. Did not like the artist for this one.
January 1, 2025
I always enjoy these books and this was nostalgic because I remember going through a joke phase when I was a kid. I did feel for Claudia and really wanted the kids to stop playing pranks.
June 19, 2024
poor claudia and poor me because i finished the main graphic novel series as of now. gotta love the nostalgia of the babysitters club
Read
January 6, 2024Yea for another Baby-sitters Club graphic novel! These have become such a comfort that I look forward to when the new ones will be released! Will add the next one to my to-read shelf! So many exclamation points!
January 19, 2025
This book didn't really live up to the other books in this series for me.
The main plot was rushed really quickly, you could even say it started within the first page. With that it was also really fast paced. So if you don't like books fast paced this book isn't for you.
For me quite alot of the jokes in this book were really dry and rather made me sigh instead of laugh.
The way they taught Besty Sobak made me icky and uncomfortable. Especially when they ignored the effects it had on Besty Sobak
But the plot was good and the character development in Betsy Sobak was a nice touch.
Overall I was disappointed in my expectations but it's a quick read and definitely worth my time.
The main plot was rushed really quickly, you could even say it started within the first page. With that it was also really fast paced. So if you don't like books fast paced this book isn't for you.
For me quite alot of the jokes in this book were really dry and rather made me sigh instead of laugh.
The way they taught Besty Sobak made me icky and uncomfortable. Especially when they ignored the effects it had on Besty Sobak
But the plot was good and the character development in Betsy Sobak was a nice touch.
Overall I was disappointed in my expectations but it's a quick read and definitely worth my time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews