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The Baby-Sitters Club #47
Mallory on Strike
Mallory couldn't imagine not being in a big family like hers. There's always someone to do things with, and she likes to help take care of her younger brothers and sisters.
But now Mallory's working on an important writing project, and she needs peace and quiet. So why won't everyone leave her alone? Nicky needs help tying his shoes, Claire wants a sandwich, and someone has to break up the fight among the triplets.
Mallory feels like a baby-sitting slave.
And there's only one thing to do: This Baby-sitter is going on strike!
161 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1991
69 people are currently reading
863 people want to read
About the author
Ann M. Martin
1,101 books3,053 followersAnn Matthews Martin was born on August 12, 1955. She grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, with her parents and her younger sister, Jane. After graduating from Smith College, Ann became a teacher and then an editor of children's books. She's now a full-time writer.
Ann gets the ideas for her books from many different places. Some are based on personal experiences, while others are based on childhood memories and feelings. Many are written about contemporary problems or events. All of Ann's characters, even the members of the Baby-sitters Club, are made up. But many of her characters are based on real people. Sometimes Ann names her characters after people she knows, and other times she simply chooses names that she likes.
Ann has always enjoyed writing. Even before she was old enough to write, she would dictate stories to her mother to write down for her. Some of her favorite authors at that time were Lewis Carroll, P. L. Travers, Hugh Lofting, Astrid Lindgren, and Roald Dahl. They inspired her to become a writer herself.
Since ending the BSC series in 2000, Ann’s writing has concentrated on single novels, many of which are set in the 1960s.
After living in New York City for many years, Ann moved to the Hudson Valley in upstate New York where she now lives with her dog, Sadie, and her cats, Gussie, Willy and Woody. Her hobbies are reading, sewing, and needlework. Her favorite thing to do is to make clothes for children.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/annmma...
Ann gets the ideas for her books from many different places. Some are based on personal experiences, while others are based on childhood memories and feelings. Many are written about contemporary problems or events. All of Ann's characters, even the members of the Baby-sitters Club, are made up. But many of her characters are based on real people. Sometimes Ann names her characters after people she knows, and other times she simply chooses names that she likes.
Ann has always enjoyed writing. Even before she was old enough to write, she would dictate stories to her mother to write down for her. Some of her favorite authors at that time were Lewis Carroll, P. L. Travers, Hugh Lofting, Astrid Lindgren, and Roald Dahl. They inspired her to become a writer herself.
Since ending the BSC series in 2000, Ann’s writing has concentrated on single novels, many of which are set in the 1960s.
After living in New York City for many years, Ann moved to the Hudson Valley in upstate New York where she now lives with her dog, Sadie, and her cats, Gussie, Willy and Woody. Her hobbies are reading, sewing, and needlework. Her favorite thing to do is to make clothes for children.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/annmma...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
May 4, 2016
this is my first time reading this book!
in this installment by ghostwriters Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner, mallory wants to enter a writing competition in school. she barely has any time to write, though, because she keeps having to care for her younger siblings. she even considers quitting the baby-sitters club to make more time for writing (and because she blames herself for a dumb baby-sitting accident in which buddy barrett hurts himself). she doesn't quit, wins the writing competition, and gives her siblings a fun day to make up for being a jerk and acting resentful of them earlier in the book.
highlights:
-whenever mal would mention mr. d I thought of dionysus in The Lightning Thief. also this description of him is funny: "he's kind of round and jolly, with a big, bushy mustache that he twirls around his finger whenever he's pleased with something."
-another reference to kristy's grandmother nannie as a woman who "wears pants and goes bowling" (this was also stated in Kristy's Mystery Admirer). the idea of a woman who wears pants being radical/notable is hilarious to me.
-there's a chapter where kristy is asked last-minute to baby-sit her younger siblings, and it doesn't go well. david michael is supposed to have a friend come over, but the kid's parents don't feel comfortable leaving him in the house with no adult present. kristy is angry about that, but it gives a sense of legitimacy to this book series. thirteen is really freakin' young, and I don't know that I would want my kid being cared for by a thirteen year old!
-when hearing that the library may be in financial trouble, mary anne and dawn don't know what to say because, "it's hard to understand how a library operates, or where it gets its money, or any of that complicated stuff." whoever wrote this line is absolutely a librarian.
-is everyone going to almost quit? we had claudia in Claudia and the Bad Joke and now mallory. let's see who else!
lowlights/nitpicks:
-mallory says everyone in her family has chestnut brown hair. she doesn't say, "except me." consistency, please! is her hair brown or red? aghhhh!
-there's a part where claudia talks about how she loves to eat this meal at chez maurice (fancy restaurant in stoneybrook) called "anguilles roti." everyone thinks it's funny because jessi knows enough french to know it means roasted eels. but the problem is it would be "anguilles rôties" -- get yr conjugation right!
-there's a chapter where jessi babysits for margo and claire and they make a ballet/game called mean old mallory. they tell mallory that jessi helped them make the game, and jessi is worried that mallory will be mad at her. but then this plot is never resolved or even talked about again. a couple chapters later mallory and jessi go to the mall and don't address the problem.
-the pikes play cowboys and indians. woof.
-mal and jessi go into the punk store at the mall and the guy working there has black hair dyed bright red on top with a peace symbol shaved into the side of his head. these people don't know anything about punk. even hippie idiot peace punks don't wear peace signs, and if they do they certainly don't have the hair that is described here, they have white boy dreads! and they live in north carolina not connecticut, obviously. though really they live on whatever train they just hopped on...
-they keep saying brushed leather when they mean suede. WHY DON'T THEY KNOW THE WORD SUEDE?
-the chapter where mallory and jessi have a fun day for the other pikes is kind of dumb and feels tacked on.
-the big problem with this book is that mallory makes her own problem. her parents take her for granted because she never asks them not to. instead of talking to them, she puts on a sandwich board that says "mallory on strike" on it, which is so irritating. being a pushover and then being angry at the people who expect you to continue to be a pushover is so mary anne. I hate mary anne, so I hate mallory in this book.
jessi's kid kit:
-skipper doll
-picture books of horses
-animal puppets
-flowered crown
-colored chalk
outfits (no claudia outfits though)
mallory:
-"On Tuesday I wore my navy blue wool skirt and knit sweater vest with a white starched blouse and penny loafers, so I would look more studious."
-"I was so excited that I changed clothes three times before finally settling on my jean skirt and jacket, bright red tights, sneakers, and multi-colored earrings that Claud had made for me."
mr. d:
-"He wore a brown corduroy coat with brushed leather patches at the elbows, a red-and-yellow-plaid shirt, and baggy tan chinos."
jessi:
-"She met me on her front porch dressed in a new purple jumpsuit with a gold turtleneck, which made her look taller and more like a dancer than ever."
pamme reed (author)
-"Pamme Reed looked like an artist in her Indian-print skirt, brushed leather vest, white blouse with puffed sleeves, and sleek boots."
snacks in claudia's room:
-pretzels in a pile of dirty clothes
-m&ms (n.s.)
in this installment by ghostwriters Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner, mallory wants to enter a writing competition in school. she barely has any time to write, though, because she keeps having to care for her younger siblings. she even considers quitting the baby-sitters club to make more time for writing (and because she blames herself for a dumb baby-sitting accident in which buddy barrett hurts himself). she doesn't quit, wins the writing competition, and gives her siblings a fun day to make up for being a jerk and acting resentful of them earlier in the book.
highlights:
-whenever mal would mention mr. d I thought of dionysus in The Lightning Thief. also this description of him is funny: "he's kind of round and jolly, with a big, bushy mustache that he twirls around his finger whenever he's pleased with something."
-another reference to kristy's grandmother nannie as a woman who "wears pants and goes bowling" (this was also stated in Kristy's Mystery Admirer). the idea of a woman who wears pants being radical/notable is hilarious to me.
-there's a chapter where kristy is asked last-minute to baby-sit her younger siblings, and it doesn't go well. david michael is supposed to have a friend come over, but the kid's parents don't feel comfortable leaving him in the house with no adult present. kristy is angry about that, but it gives a sense of legitimacy to this book series. thirteen is really freakin' young, and I don't know that I would want my kid being cared for by a thirteen year old!
-when hearing that the library may be in financial trouble, mary anne and dawn don't know what to say because, "it's hard to understand how a library operates, or where it gets its money, or any of that complicated stuff." whoever wrote this line is absolutely a librarian.
-is everyone going to almost quit? we had claudia in Claudia and the Bad Joke and now mallory. let's see who else!
lowlights/nitpicks:
-mallory says everyone in her family has chestnut brown hair. she doesn't say, "except me." consistency, please! is her hair brown or red? aghhhh!
-there's a part where claudia talks about how she loves to eat this meal at chez maurice (fancy restaurant in stoneybrook) called "anguilles roti." everyone thinks it's funny because jessi knows enough french to know it means roasted eels. but the problem is it would be "anguilles rôties" -- get yr conjugation right!
-there's a chapter where jessi babysits for margo and claire and they make a ballet/game called mean old mallory. they tell mallory that jessi helped them make the game, and jessi is worried that mallory will be mad at her. but then this plot is never resolved or even talked about again. a couple chapters later mallory and jessi go to the mall and don't address the problem.
-the pikes play cowboys and indians. woof.
-mal and jessi go into the punk store at the mall and the guy working there has black hair dyed bright red on top with a peace symbol shaved into the side of his head. these people don't know anything about punk. even hippie idiot peace punks don't wear peace signs, and if they do they certainly don't have the hair that is described here, they have white boy dreads! and they live in north carolina not connecticut, obviously. though really they live on whatever train they just hopped on...
-they keep saying brushed leather when they mean suede. WHY DON'T THEY KNOW THE WORD SUEDE?
-the chapter where mallory and jessi have a fun day for the other pikes is kind of dumb and feels tacked on.
-the big problem with this book is that mallory makes her own problem. her parents take her for granted because she never asks them not to. instead of talking to them, she puts on a sandwich board that says "mallory on strike" on it, which is so irritating. being a pushover and then being angry at the people who expect you to continue to be a pushover is so mary anne. I hate mary anne, so I hate mallory in this book.
jessi's kid kit:
-skipper doll
-picture books of horses
-animal puppets
-flowered crown
-colored chalk
outfits (no claudia outfits though)
mallory:
-"On Tuesday I wore my navy blue wool skirt and knit sweater vest with a white starched blouse and penny loafers, so I would look more studious."
-"I was so excited that I changed clothes three times before finally settling on my jean skirt and jacket, bright red tights, sneakers, and multi-colored earrings that Claud had made for me."
mr. d:
-"He wore a brown corduroy coat with brushed leather patches at the elbows, a red-and-yellow-plaid shirt, and baggy tan chinos."
jessi:
-"She met me on her front porch dressed in a new purple jumpsuit with a gold turtleneck, which made her look taller and more like a dancer than ever."
pamme reed (author)
-"Pamme Reed looked like an artist in her Indian-print skirt, brushed leather vest, white blouse with puffed sleeves, and sleek boots."
snacks in claudia's room:
-pretzels in a pile of dirty clothes
-m&ms (n.s.)
July 7, 2020
While I actually started reading around age 3 (thank you, my Granny's Dick and Jane books!), this series is what I remember most about loving to read during my childhood. My sister and I drank these books up like they were oxygen. I truly think we owned just about every single one from every one of the series. We even got the privilege of meeting Ann M. Martin at a book signing, but of course little starstruck me froze and could not speak a word to my biggest hero at that time. Once in awhile if I come across these at a yard sale, I will pick them up for a couple hour trip down memory lane, and I declare nearly nothing centers and relaxes me more!
November 2, 2010
the book opens with mallory's creative writing instructor (& seriously, how much money does the stoneybrook public school system have, that they can hire a teacher specifically to teach creative writing to gifted sixth graders?) informing his class that young authors day is approaching. the students have a month to prepare writing for the big contest. there are several categories to enter, including "best illustration for a story," "best short play," & the category mallory wants to win, "best overall sixth grade fiction". or something to that effect.
i think it's kind of weird that there are all these different categories. exactly how many sixth graders attend stoneybrook middle school, & how many are likely to want to compete in the young authors day contests? mallory likes to write, but she also likes to draw. doesn't it make more sense for her to create one piece that is simultaneously entered into as many categories as it adheres to? like "best overall" & "best illustration"? that way the kids stand a better chance of winning, right?
anyway, the point is, mallory is really psyched about this opportunity. she has big plans to rush home & get started on her story. after all, she only has a month to make it awesome. she shares her news with jessi, who is pleased for mallory.
but when mallory gets home, she finds claire in tears because she thinks mrs. pike has been "napped". & the triplets are being obnoxious. & frodo the hamster gets loose. mallory had big plans to finish her homework before the afternoon's babysitters club meeting & save the evening for her story, but things are so crazy at home, she doesn't make a dent in her homework & is even a little bit late for her meeting.
this becomes a regular occurence. mallory creates a detailed schedule for herself, penciling in school, sitting jobs to which she is already committed, writing time, family dinners, etc. if she sticks to her schedule, she can get everything done, including her story. but things don't go according to plan. her parents ask her to help with the kids or housework or cooking so often that she has to postpone homework, & then postpone her writing time. she starts turning down sitting jobs because they conflict with her schedule. she is embarrassed to be turning down jobs & forcing the club to rely on the talents of the associate members, & she's worried that they'll think she's being selfish for wanting the time to work on her story.
it all comes to a head when mallory is sitting for the barretts. somehow buddy & suzi spill a bag of flour all over the kitchen floor while mallory's back is turned. she asks them to clean it up while she deals with marnie, so they dump a bucket of water on the floor & try to "mop" up the mess. which of course results in a horrible paste. mallory recruits suzi to help with marnie & suggests that buddy play outside while she deals with the paste mess. ("make yourself a pair of paste pants & no one will know the difference!") but buddy neglects to put on his shoes before he goes outside. he manages to catch his foot in his bike spokes & cuts it really badly. mrs. barrett comes home just as mallory is bandaging him up. mallory feels like everything bad that happened on the job was all her fault because she is so distracted by her story. she regretfully tells the BSC that she wants to be demoted, that she's a crummy sitter, & that she shouldn't babysit anymore. they tell her to take two weeks off, finish her story, & then make a decision.
not that that solves the problems at home. at one point, mrs. pike asks mallory to stop doing her homework & make dessert for dinner. claire agitates for chocolate chip cookies. seriously? this family eats dessert with every meal? that seems completely insane to me. dessert is like a once or twice a week thing in my house. after one saturday morning when mallory pays vanessa off to let mallory have the room to work on her story, only to be drafted into managing the household for mr. & mrs. pike, mallory rebels. she decides to go on strike. she makes a sandwich board demanding her freedom & wears it to breakfast. it's obvious that the pike parents are lawyers or some kind of fancy professional shit because the younger kids do not comprehend the nature of a strike. my dad worked at an oil refinery & was out on strike for eight months when i was about two years old. i know from strikes. anyway, mallory's stunt works & the pike parents agree to give her her freedom while she finishes her story. they even go so far as to call mary anne & dawn to come babysit when they are called to an emergency library board meeting.
the younger pikes are not pleased by mallory's behavior. claire & margo call her "mean old mallory" & think she cares more about her story & her time than them. which...fair enough on mallory's part, i think. it's not like she asked to have seven brothers & sisters. why should they be her responsibility? whatever.
mallory finished her story & turns it in. it's about a girl who is part of a large family, surprise surprise. that's what all mallory's stories are about, when she's not writing about mice that wear pants. the girl's parents don't give the protagonist enough attention because they are busy dealing with the demands of younger children & their concern over their oldest daughter's inappropriate teen romance. it's all very judy blume-meets-cynthia voigt.
the day before the judging, the pike parents give mallory a special day all to herself. she & jessi go to the mall & have a great time. mallory can't buy much because her income has been depleted by not babysitting, but the trip to the mall makes her realize that she misses her siblings & wants to give them a special day to make up for her recent crabbiness.
at the judging ceremony, mallory (of course) wins best overall sixth grade fiction. she is shocked & delighted. the next day, she invites the younger pikes on a special day of family fun. with jessi's help, they organize a parade, a circus, they go on a scavenger hunt, they get treats from an ice cream truck, etc etc. cute. but time-consuming. & the overall good behavior the younger pikes show on their special day blows my mind. i only have two siblings, but i feel like we did nothing but fight for literally about fifteen years.
mallory also realizes that she misses babysitting & re-joins the club as a full-fledged junior member.
despite the pikes' shitty parenting techniques (they really over-rely on an 11-year-old...what the fuck did they do when mallory was, like, eight?) & mallory's occasional whininess, i liked this book. i wonder how much of it was an author commentary on the difficulty of finding time to write.
i think it's kind of weird that there are all these different categories. exactly how many sixth graders attend stoneybrook middle school, & how many are likely to want to compete in the young authors day contests? mallory likes to write, but she also likes to draw. doesn't it make more sense for her to create one piece that is simultaneously entered into as many categories as it adheres to? like "best overall" & "best illustration"? that way the kids stand a better chance of winning, right?
anyway, the point is, mallory is really psyched about this opportunity. she has big plans to rush home & get started on her story. after all, she only has a month to make it awesome. she shares her news with jessi, who is pleased for mallory.
but when mallory gets home, she finds claire in tears because she thinks mrs. pike has been "napped". & the triplets are being obnoxious. & frodo the hamster gets loose. mallory had big plans to finish her homework before the afternoon's babysitters club meeting & save the evening for her story, but things are so crazy at home, she doesn't make a dent in her homework & is even a little bit late for her meeting.
this becomes a regular occurence. mallory creates a detailed schedule for herself, penciling in school, sitting jobs to which she is already committed, writing time, family dinners, etc. if she sticks to her schedule, she can get everything done, including her story. but things don't go according to plan. her parents ask her to help with the kids or housework or cooking so often that she has to postpone homework, & then postpone her writing time. she starts turning down sitting jobs because they conflict with her schedule. she is embarrassed to be turning down jobs & forcing the club to rely on the talents of the associate members, & she's worried that they'll think she's being selfish for wanting the time to work on her story.
it all comes to a head when mallory is sitting for the barretts. somehow buddy & suzi spill a bag of flour all over the kitchen floor while mallory's back is turned. she asks them to clean it up while she deals with marnie, so they dump a bucket of water on the floor & try to "mop" up the mess. which of course results in a horrible paste. mallory recruits suzi to help with marnie & suggests that buddy play outside while she deals with the paste mess. ("make yourself a pair of paste pants & no one will know the difference!") but buddy neglects to put on his shoes before he goes outside. he manages to catch his foot in his bike spokes & cuts it really badly. mrs. barrett comes home just as mallory is bandaging him up. mallory feels like everything bad that happened on the job was all her fault because she is so distracted by her story. she regretfully tells the BSC that she wants to be demoted, that she's a crummy sitter, & that she shouldn't babysit anymore. they tell her to take two weeks off, finish her story, & then make a decision.
not that that solves the problems at home. at one point, mrs. pike asks mallory to stop doing her homework & make dessert for dinner. claire agitates for chocolate chip cookies. seriously? this family eats dessert with every meal? that seems completely insane to me. dessert is like a once or twice a week thing in my house. after one saturday morning when mallory pays vanessa off to let mallory have the room to work on her story, only to be drafted into managing the household for mr. & mrs. pike, mallory rebels. she decides to go on strike. she makes a sandwich board demanding her freedom & wears it to breakfast. it's obvious that the pike parents are lawyers or some kind of fancy professional shit because the younger kids do not comprehend the nature of a strike. my dad worked at an oil refinery & was out on strike for eight months when i was about two years old. i know from strikes. anyway, mallory's stunt works & the pike parents agree to give her her freedom while she finishes her story. they even go so far as to call mary anne & dawn to come babysit when they are called to an emergency library board meeting.
the younger pikes are not pleased by mallory's behavior. claire & margo call her "mean old mallory" & think she cares more about her story & her time than them. which...fair enough on mallory's part, i think. it's not like she asked to have seven brothers & sisters. why should they be her responsibility? whatever.
mallory finished her story & turns it in. it's about a girl who is part of a large family, surprise surprise. that's what all mallory's stories are about, when she's not writing about mice that wear pants. the girl's parents don't give the protagonist enough attention because they are busy dealing with the demands of younger children & their concern over their oldest daughter's inappropriate teen romance. it's all very judy blume-meets-cynthia voigt.
the day before the judging, the pike parents give mallory a special day all to herself. she & jessi go to the mall & have a great time. mallory can't buy much because her income has been depleted by not babysitting, but the trip to the mall makes her realize that she misses her siblings & wants to give them a special day to make up for her recent crabbiness.
at the judging ceremony, mallory (of course) wins best overall sixth grade fiction. she is shocked & delighted. the next day, she invites the younger pikes on a special day of family fun. with jessi's help, they organize a parade, a circus, they go on a scavenger hunt, they get treats from an ice cream truck, etc etc. cute. but time-consuming. & the overall good behavior the younger pikes show on their special day blows my mind. i only have two siblings, but i feel like we did nothing but fight for literally about fifteen years.
mallory also realizes that she misses babysitting & re-joins the club as a full-fledged junior member.
despite the pikes' shitty parenting techniques (they really over-rely on an 11-year-old...what the fuck did they do when mallory was, like, eight?) & mallory's occasional whininess, i liked this book. i wonder how much of it was an author commentary on the difficulty of finding time to write.
May 14, 2014
This is the 2nd book in a row with a school project centering around authors and books. What's the deal? Did they switch ghost-writers in between and forget to inform the new ones of what they were doing? Either way, I actually enjoyed this one a lot more than the last. I think I've finally come to terms with Mallory being my favorite character. I mean, appearance wise, I'm more of a Mary Anne and family wise, more of a Kristy. But I just connect with Mallory more. I'm a big nerd and I'm okay with that.
Annnyway...Mallory's life is changed forever when her creative writing teacher tells them about "Young Authors Day". Okay, first: Mal is in the 6th grade. She was picked for this class because she's so freaking creative. How can they tell? From her 5th grade work? I was creative in 5th grade too (example), but come on. This is more of a 10th grade class. And second: another special event?? I am repeating myself from the last book, but really, these kids should be studying SAT vocab lists. Ugh, I hated those lists. My younger sister was so lucky I kept all of mine too because she totally just copied mine lol.
Mallory is convinced that she is going to be an Author one day and decides to enter the Best Overall Fiction Story category. She goes home from school all excited to start writing and then gets distracted by all her brothers and sisters. You know what's really distracting? Those pants she's wearing on the cover. Seriously, what's going on there? With all the chaos, Mal starts to wonder if she'll even be able to write her story. "Seven brothers and sisters is just too many! I hate to admit this but sometimes I wish they would just disappear so that I could have a normal life." And then her guardian angel appeared and showed her how everyone's lives would be different if her siblings weren't around. Just kidding. :) She goes to her BSC meeting...
Click here for my full review & to see what Claudia, Mal, & Jessi were wearing this time!!
Annnyway...Mallory's life is changed forever when her creative writing teacher tells them about "Young Authors Day". Okay, first: Mal is in the 6th grade. She was picked for this class because she's so freaking creative. How can they tell? From her 5th grade work? I was creative in 5th grade too (example), but come on. This is more of a 10th grade class. And second: another special event?? I am repeating myself from the last book, but really, these kids should be studying SAT vocab lists. Ugh, I hated those lists. My younger sister was so lucky I kept all of mine too because she totally just copied mine lol.
Mallory is convinced that she is going to be an Author one day and decides to enter the Best Overall Fiction Story category. She goes home from school all excited to start writing and then gets distracted by all her brothers and sisters. You know what's really distracting? Those pants she's wearing on the cover. Seriously, what's going on there? With all the chaos, Mal starts to wonder if she'll even be able to write her story. "Seven brothers and sisters is just too many! I hate to admit this but sometimes I wish they would just disappear so that I could have a normal life." And then her guardian angel appeared and showed her how everyone's lives would be different if her siblings weren't around. Just kidding. :) She goes to her BSC meeting...
Click here for my full review & to see what Claudia, Mal, & Jessi were wearing this time!!
July 30, 2023
Ah Mallory and her eldest daughter trauma. Definitely relate.
I’m taking a trip down memory lane as I found some BSC books I didn’t have yet at the thrift store.
Pretty typical stuff for Mallory, but I did very much like her confronting her parents about needing time for herself and not being a free babysitter all the time for her parents. Still relatable in this day and age!
I’m taking a trip down memory lane as I found some BSC books I didn’t have yet at the thrift store.
Pretty typical stuff for Mallory, but I did very much like her confronting her parents about needing time for herself and not being a free babysitter all the time for her parents. Still relatable in this day and age!
October 15, 2025
As a very happily childfree woman, reading about the Pike household always makes me nearly break out in hives.
I appreciate this one for showing how unfair it is for parents to treat any of their children like mini-adults and secondary moms or dads. Mallory is only eleven (eternally), for fuck's sake, and they expect her to do everything for the other kids the two of them insisted on popping out one after the other. Like, you all chose to have this many kids, and now you're going to make one of them bear the burden of it for you? Nah. So I was glad that Mallory finally put her foot down and was like BITCH BACK OFF. But, you know. In language suitable for middle-grade readers.
I didn't like the gaslighting that went on in the BSC, though. It was perfectly valid for Mallory to say she couldn't take any new jobs for a couple of weeks while working on her writing project, and Kristy and some of the others acted like she had suggested they start barbecuing the children they sit for. Like, are they not allowed to have lives outside of babysitting? Lord. But then later they're like "OMG no way it was totally fine, don't be silly!!!!!!!!" and it made me wonder if the two ghostwriters named at the end didn't read what the other had written.
But this is decent entry in the series, and makes me very glad I didn't have younger siblings or any spawn of my own to deal with. Gross.
I appreciate this one for showing how unfair it is for parents to treat any of their children like mini-adults and secondary moms or dads. Mallory is only eleven (eternally), for fuck's sake, and they expect her to do everything for the other kids the two of them insisted on popping out one after the other. Like, you all chose to have this many kids, and now you're going to make one of them bear the burden of it for you? Nah. So I was glad that Mallory finally put her foot down and was like BITCH BACK OFF. But, you know. In language suitable for middle-grade readers.
I didn't like the gaslighting that went on in the BSC, though. It was perfectly valid for Mallory to say she couldn't take any new jobs for a couple of weeks while working on her writing project, and Kristy and some of the others acted like she had suggested they start barbecuing the children they sit for. Like, are they not allowed to have lives outside of babysitting? Lord. But then later they're like "OMG no way it was totally fine, don't be silly!!!!!!!!" and it made me wonder if the two ghostwriters named at the end didn't read what the other had written.
But this is decent entry in the series, and makes me very glad I didn't have younger siblings or any spawn of my own to deal with. Gross.
February 4, 2020
Mallory is officially on strike!
Being the oldest child of 8 is hard work. She always has to help with the kids, homework, chores, keeping them occupied. It’s no fair. She usually doesn’t mind, but something important has come up. Young Authors Day! It’s her dream to be an author and she has a chance to write a story and be entered to win! She only has a month to work on this story, but with her having so much responsibility at home and with the babysitters club she is feeling overwhelmed and at a loss.
This was a cute read and I love how all the babysitters books have a happy ending and special messages behind them.
Being the oldest child of 8 is hard work. She always has to help with the kids, homework, chores, keeping them occupied. It’s no fair. She usually doesn’t mind, but something important has come up. Young Authors Day! It’s her dream to be an author and she has a chance to write a story and be entered to win! She only has a month to work on this story, but with her having so much responsibility at home and with the babysitters club she is feeling overwhelmed and at a loss.
This was a cute read and I love how all the babysitters books have a happy ending and special messages behind them.
March 30, 2024
I'm so glad that at the end she also talks to her parents about the issue.
It's easy to have the "but I missed my family" trope to undermine the real issue about equitable distribution of chores in the family. And elder siblings often get roped in to do a lot of work.
But I love that here they have her talk to her parents about it and they understand her position well and take steps to make sure she's heard and appreciated.
Another reason why I love these books so much!
It's easy to have the "but I missed my family" trope to undermine the real issue about equitable distribution of chores in the family. And elder siblings often get roped in to do a lot of work.
But I love that here they have her talk to her parents about it and they understand her position well and take steps to make sure she's heard and appreciated.
Another reason why I love these books so much!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2020
Not finding time to write because you have too many big bad responsibilities and people vying for your time is waaaay too familiar. (But Mallory is at least a tad annoying.)
Read
August 4, 2024Mallory On Strike
Mr. Dougherty announces “Young Author’s Day” to Mal’s creative writing class. Mal was picked for this special class and feels honored because of it. A famous author will speak to the class about how to get a book published and there will be a contest. There are a lot of categories “Best Poem”, “Best Short Story” “Best Mystery” “Best Illustration of a Story” and “Best Overall”. Mal wants to win the “Best Overall”. Mal tells Jessi the news and they’re both excited! Jessi asks Mal what she’s going to write about and she says she’s going to hole herself up in her room for two days and think on it. Jessi suggests a horse story. Mal says she’ll check her journal. Mal hurries home so she can finish her homework and get ready for a BSC meeting in a couple of hours.
When she gets there Claire is upset because she says the boogeymen are going to get her. The “Boogeyman” turn out to be the triplets in various (sports) masks (and ski caps pulled over their face). She says “Moozie” (her mother) is gone. They kidnapped her. They said they didn’t mean to scare Claire. They’re playing “Mutant Invaders from Outer space). Mal tells them to cut it out and they go off to continue their game. Margo’s in their parents room playing with her mother’s makeup. She says their mother said it was ok. Mallory gets Vanessa to take Claire and find their mom. Mal finally thinks she has some peace and quiet, but Nicky comes into the room and says Frodo bite him. So, she has to give him some attention. Then they have to find Frodo who’s escaped. (Frodo is a hamster). Then her mother calls and tells her to handle an argument the triplets are having. She tells her she DID NOT tell Margo she could play with her makeup. She told her she could play with her chapstick.
Claire then gets the idea Mal was kidnapped. Then the triplets again scare her. Mal wants to tell her mom about the contest and about how she needs to control her kids but her mother’s already looking frustrated. Mal wishes she didn’t have so many brothers and sisters and that sometimes they’d just disappear. The first call is from Mrs. Prezzioso and Maryanne volunteers. Kristy gets a job for the Papadakis’s and Jessi gets one for the Arnold twins. Dawn gets a job with Jaime and Lucy. The phone keeps ringing and ringing. Claudia says Chez Maurice is having a special luncheon and will donate the money to the Stoneybrooke library. While Claud is going on and on about the French food, Mal is thinking about how she only has a month and wants to win the contest for herself and for her teacher.
Mal gets offered a job for the Hobarts for four Saturdays in a row, but she turns it down. They have to call Shannon. Mal doesn’t explain and hurries home. On Saturday, Mal wakes up early and starts on her homework. It’s quiet for once. Then it starts. The triplets and Nicky start arguing over who gets to watch what. Mr. Pike makes them flip a coin and Nicky wins. After breakfast, Mal pays Vanessa a quarter so she can get the room to herself all day. Her mother comes in then and says she and Mr. Pike are going to look for a used lawn mower and wants her to watch the kids for 30 minutes. Then Mr. Pike comes in the room (after they get back) and asks can she make Claire a PBNJ sandwich. After this, Mrs. Pike asks can she help her fold clothes. Then she has to comfort Margo who got hit with a Baten mitten. Then she has to make Claire another PBNJ sandwich because some dog (dogs) ran off with hers. (She was having a picnic).
Then her mother asks her to help her come down and help serve dinner. So, the whole say was wasted. She’s only wrote one sentence. In Mr. D’s class, he gives a lecture about “Having the Right Stuff.” He says all ten of them have it but it’s something they have to work at. They have to have self-discipline. Mal thinks about how something always seems to get in a writers way. He then takes down the name of the people participating in the contest. He says he’ll talk to them each individually about their entries and he wants them to pick an object in the room and write a 1 page history on it. He asks Mal to tell him what her plot is. She says it’s about a girl that comes from a large family and feels left out. Her parents are too worried about her older sister that’s dating a boy they don’t like. Or her yournger brothers who always get in trouble at school.
One day Tess’s parents have to go away and she sees how important she is to the family. But Mal only has three paragraphs to show. Her teacher is clearly disappointed. He tells her it’s fine to think about the story but unless she puts the words down, she won’t be considered an author. But he tells her he knows she can write, but the contest is only three weeks away. Mal promises she’ll spend every waking minute on it. When she goes home she starts to make a schedule. Vanessa notices it has no time for fun. Mal says right now she doesn’t have time for it. Vanessa points out she’s supposed to be doing her homework. Claire comes in and wants to know if all the dinosaurs died. Claire’s talks can get long but Claire looks so sad she doesn’t have the heart to turn her away. After this, Mrs. Pike wants her to make dinner. This means that she’ll have to work on homework during the time she’s marked to write. She thinks of just telling her mother no. Get someone else. She doesn’t.
Friday, Mal is able to write a long time. No one interrupts her. She’s written five pages before she realizes she has a BSC meeting. She has a thought of resent against the club but knows she made a commitment. Kristy is immediately on her about. Mal was gonna apologize but is pissed at Kristy so she says nothing. Mrs. Arnold needs a sitter for the twins. It’s offered to Mal, but it’s for Saturday moning and she turns it down. She doesn’t explain why. The job is given to Claudia. Maryanne and Dawn get jobs with the Sobaks and the Addisons. Jessi gets a job for the Perkins on Sunday. The meeting is kind of quiet and sullen. Again it’s offered to Mal. Again she turns it down. Kristy asks her what’s up. She says she doesn’t have time. Then she tells them about Young Author’s Day, her schedule, and her family. Kristy gets on Mal’s case about the importance of them being available after she shows them her schedule and she sees there’s no time scheduled in for new jobs.
After the meeting, Mal wonders if she should take a leave of absence, but then she doesn’t want Kristy to let her go so she says nothing. Mal has a sitting job at the Barette’s. Buddy and Suzie are fooling around playing and one of them knocks over a bag of flour. Marnie comes in the room and slips on it. Buddy tries to mop it up and gets paste all over the mop. Then Suzie lets Pow in and gets covered in goo. Suzie then accidently sits down in the water. Mal has to explain to them you can’t clean up flour with water and a mop. She then lets Buddy go outside to ride his bike while she cleans up the mess. She’s about to take the girls to play with their dolls but Buddy yells out to help him. His bike is lying on it’s side. He says he was coming down the hill and his foot got caught in the spikes. His foot is covered with blood.
Mal elevates his foot and cleans his foot off. After this, she calls the doctor (telling Marnie and Suzie to go play with her Kid Kit). Mal tries to decide who to call. Then Mrs. Barette comes in and freaks out when Suzie tells Buddy’s hurt and bledding everywhere. Mal and his mother find out he wasn’t wearing shoes. The cuts on his heel and isn’t very deep. Mrs. Barett says she doesn’t think he needs to see a doctor. She goes to the medicine cabinet to find something and asks Dawn if she’ll watch Suzie and Marnie. Things go back to normal. Mal apologizes but Mrs. Barett says it happens. But Mal thinks it doesn’t happen to a *good* sitter.
Jessi sits for Claire and Margo. She’s brought her Kid Kit. There’s a Skipper in it for Claire. There are also some horse books, some puppets, her crown from Coppelia, and a box of colored chalk. So they decide to play hopscotch. They tell her they like playing with her better than Mal. She says she never lets them in her room anymore. Mal says maybe her teeth hurt due to getting her braces adjusted. They say well she ought to just say that. Jessi wins and Claire wants to play a new game. They see Jessi’s crown and decide to have a ballet. They say the puppets (Kermit and Foozie) can be in it too. They decide to wwear some chiffon dresses they find from their grandmother. They say it’ll be about two beautiful girls and there mean sister. Jessi doesn’t think she should let them talk about their sister but maybe it’ll be good to let them get it out creatively.
They says they’ll name it “Mean Old Mallory”. It turns into Cinderella. They perform their ballet until their mom comes home (whose taken the triplets shoe shopping). Claire and Margo tell Mal about the ballet they wrote. Their mom hears and tells them that’s not funny. Mal (whose tired of everyone by now) yells at Claire to shut up. She then runs up to her room. Jessi isn’t sure if she should go after her. She doesn’t want to turn it into an argument and make it worse so she leaves and tells Mrs. Pike to tell Mal to call her.
Mal has an announcement to make at the next meeting but is hesitant. It starts as normal. Kristy gets on them about writing in the notebook. Stacey reviews the money. Mallory then tells them she wants to be demoted and she thinks it’ll be better if she’s an associate member. She tells them she’s a bad sitter and then tells them about Buddy’s accident. Kristy shows her she did the right thing when it mattered. They try to talk her out of it but Mal says if they don’t she’ll quit. Then the Prezzios call and Dawn gets the job. Then the phone keeps rining. Kristy tells her she should think about it She tells her to take two weeks off. That way she’ll have time to finish her story. They’ll cover for her. Mal says she’ll try it.
Kristy has plans with Maryanne but Watson and her mom have to go out and tell her to watch the kids. David Micheal comes in teasing Karen by shaking his jar of bugs in her face. Andrew says he’ll save her. Emily starts to cry. Kristy tells them all to shut up. David Micheal says he has a friend coming over. This doesn’t make Kristy happy. REALLY?! THAT’S NEW! David Micheals friend’s mother isn’t happy that her parents aren’t home (Carver). Instead Carver suggests David Micheal comes over. Kristy says she has to get permission. David Micheal says they’d say yes, but Kristy says no. David Micheal gets mad at Kristy and tells her he’s never speaking to her again. He runs upstairs and slams the door. Andew wants to go outside and play but it’s coming down. Karen says they can make mud puddles. Kristy doesn’t want to chance it because Emily had an ear infection recently. So she suggests they go up to the attic and look for Ben Brewer. They decide on a ghost hunt. Kristy gets irritated that Emily wants to be carried and then again when they can’t decide what to eat. Kristy says they’ll be getting ham and cheese.
When she gets off the phone with Maryanne, Boo Boo has jumped on the counter. He’s eating the ham out of the sandwiches. Andrew then drops his glass of milk. So she cleans up the mess and makes then PBNJ sandwiches. She then realizes what Mal’s life must be like. She then hopes she doesn’t quit. She’ll never find someone else as good. The weekend rolls around and Mal thinks about the cover of her book and how she might use photos of her family instead of magazine pictures. Mal tells Vanessa she’s saying no to everyone today. Mal makes a sign that says MALLORY ON STRIKE and shows it to everyone. Everyone respects her wishes and leaves her alone. She’s able to work on her story for hours.
Maryanne and Dawn come to sit at the Pikes because there’s an emergency at the library. Mrs. Pike gives them instructions and then tells them the kids said to tell them “Your it”. Not long, they notice Claire is missing but they find her with two clothes pins and says there name is “Tilly” and “Milly”. So they all have pizza and then play “Chutes and Ladders”. They go to check on Mallory and she yells “WHAT!” Maryanne has to tell her who she is and why she’s there. Mal thinks it was nice of her parents. Maryanne says it was nice that Mal talks to her parents, but Mal realizes she didn’t. Maryanne suggests she talk to her parents. So, she does and her parents admit they do take advantage of her sometimes. They say she needs a day of her own. They tell her to pick a day. She picks the next day and they declare it “Mallory Pike Day”. It’s Sunday. She uses the day to go to the mall with Jessi and Dawn and Maryanne sit for the Pikes again. (Washington Mall). So many things remind Mal of her siblings. Earrings rind her of Margo. The video arcade remembers her of the triplets. An Emily Dickenson book reminds her of Vanessa. A toy demonstration reminds her of Nicky. When she comes home, she tells her family she missed them. Mal’s tells her brother’s and sister she has a surprise for them but doesn’t give them any details. Just that it’ll happen soon. On Author Day, Pam Reed is the speaker.Mallory wins for “Best Overall Fiction For The Sixth Grade”./ Her teacher tells her she’s a real writer now (which means more to her than the award).
Then she takes the work shops. One about illustration. One about what happens when a book is published. Mal tells her brothers and sisters she and Jessi are going to take them out for their own special day. Mr and Mrs Pike say if Mal needs privacy she can use their desk and when she needs too if she puts up her sign no ones to bother her. On “Pikes Day” they go to a circus that the Barrett’s throw. Then they have a puppet show. Then they go to the “Secret Garden” (the playground). There are clues hidden all over it and a prize at the end. The treasures are rubber insects and snakes and windup toys. Then they have burgers and fries and Mal treats them to popcycles. Mr. Doughterty in his next class ask them to come up with a story for a special event.
My Thoughts:
This was EXTREMLY lazy writing because it had the EXACT same plot as the book before it! Still, I could relate to this because as a writer sometimes I find it hard to work on my potential books because of distractions. Sometimes the distractions come from outside. Sometimes they come from inside. Sometimes they come from my family. Let me tell you it is A LOT to deal with and handle! I can’t ell you how many times I’ve felt like Mallory and thought I’m never going to get this book finished in this life time. And I REALLY loved that Mr and Mrs. Pike understood her need for privacy and quiet and gave her that. I can’t get that unless I wear ear plugs and headphones (TOGETHER)!
And then I thought of one of my cousin’s son. He’s the eldest of five and they’re always calling on him to be responsible for the others. He does this beautifully and he’s complimented by my cousin, but I know this *has* go to get tiring. I was at my cousin’s house for the 4rth and he was sitting down watching a movie and eating. Her mother called his name and begin to fuss at him because he wasn’t watching his younger sister. The crazy thing was there were other people outside by the pool where she was. I heard her say “I don’t care. He neds to learn to be responsible!” Umm. Like he’s not called on probably all day every day twenty four seven. LET THE BOY EAT HIS HOTDOG IN PEACE! Which is why I always notice if he’s at one of our events, he tends to separate himself from the rest of his siblings and talk to *any* one else. I really am so glad I was an only child. It’s hard enough to get some peace of mind without having to go on strike from your own family.
Rating: 7 I understood this book a WHOLE LOT!
Mr. Dougherty announces “Young Author’s Day” to Mal’s creative writing class. Mal was picked for this special class and feels honored because of it. A famous author will speak to the class about how to get a book published and there will be a contest. There are a lot of categories “Best Poem”, “Best Short Story” “Best Mystery” “Best Illustration of a Story” and “Best Overall”. Mal wants to win the “Best Overall”. Mal tells Jessi the news and they’re both excited! Jessi asks Mal what she’s going to write about and she says she’s going to hole herself up in her room for two days and think on it. Jessi suggests a horse story. Mal says she’ll check her journal. Mal hurries home so she can finish her homework and get ready for a BSC meeting in a couple of hours.
When she gets there Claire is upset because she says the boogeymen are going to get her. The “Boogeyman” turn out to be the triplets in various (sports) masks (and ski caps pulled over their face). She says “Moozie” (her mother) is gone. They kidnapped her. They said they didn’t mean to scare Claire. They’re playing “Mutant Invaders from Outer space). Mal tells them to cut it out and they go off to continue their game. Margo’s in their parents room playing with her mother’s makeup. She says their mother said it was ok. Mallory gets Vanessa to take Claire and find their mom. Mal finally thinks she has some peace and quiet, but Nicky comes into the room and says Frodo bite him. So, she has to give him some attention. Then they have to find Frodo who’s escaped. (Frodo is a hamster). Then her mother calls and tells her to handle an argument the triplets are having. She tells her she DID NOT tell Margo she could play with her makeup. She told her she could play with her chapstick.
Claire then gets the idea Mal was kidnapped. Then the triplets again scare her. Mal wants to tell her mom about the contest and about how she needs to control her kids but her mother’s already looking frustrated. Mal wishes she didn’t have so many brothers and sisters and that sometimes they’d just disappear. The first call is from Mrs. Prezzioso and Maryanne volunteers. Kristy gets a job for the Papadakis’s and Jessi gets one for the Arnold twins. Dawn gets a job with Jaime and Lucy. The phone keeps ringing and ringing. Claudia says Chez Maurice is having a special luncheon and will donate the money to the Stoneybrooke library. While Claud is going on and on about the French food, Mal is thinking about how she only has a month and wants to win the contest for herself and for her teacher.
Mal gets offered a job for the Hobarts for four Saturdays in a row, but she turns it down. They have to call Shannon. Mal doesn’t explain and hurries home. On Saturday, Mal wakes up early and starts on her homework. It’s quiet for once. Then it starts. The triplets and Nicky start arguing over who gets to watch what. Mr. Pike makes them flip a coin and Nicky wins. After breakfast, Mal pays Vanessa a quarter so she can get the room to herself all day. Her mother comes in then and says she and Mr. Pike are going to look for a used lawn mower and wants her to watch the kids for 30 minutes. Then Mr. Pike comes in the room (after they get back) and asks can she make Claire a PBNJ sandwich. After this, Mrs. Pike asks can she help her fold clothes. Then she has to comfort Margo who got hit with a Baten mitten. Then she has to make Claire another PBNJ sandwich because some dog (dogs) ran off with hers. (She was having a picnic).
Then her mother asks her to help her come down and help serve dinner. So, the whole say was wasted. She’s only wrote one sentence. In Mr. D’s class, he gives a lecture about “Having the Right Stuff.” He says all ten of them have it but it’s something they have to work at. They have to have self-discipline. Mal thinks about how something always seems to get in a writers way. He then takes down the name of the people participating in the contest. He says he’ll talk to them each individually about their entries and he wants them to pick an object in the room and write a 1 page history on it. He asks Mal to tell him what her plot is. She says it’s about a girl that comes from a large family and feels left out. Her parents are too worried about her older sister that’s dating a boy they don’t like. Or her yournger brothers who always get in trouble at school.
One day Tess’s parents have to go away and she sees how important she is to the family. But Mal only has three paragraphs to show. Her teacher is clearly disappointed. He tells her it’s fine to think about the story but unless she puts the words down, she won’t be considered an author. But he tells her he knows she can write, but the contest is only three weeks away. Mal promises she’ll spend every waking minute on it. When she goes home she starts to make a schedule. Vanessa notices it has no time for fun. Mal says right now she doesn’t have time for it. Vanessa points out she’s supposed to be doing her homework. Claire comes in and wants to know if all the dinosaurs died. Claire’s talks can get long but Claire looks so sad she doesn’t have the heart to turn her away. After this, Mrs. Pike wants her to make dinner. This means that she’ll have to work on homework during the time she’s marked to write. She thinks of just telling her mother no. Get someone else. She doesn’t.
Friday, Mal is able to write a long time. No one interrupts her. She’s written five pages before she realizes she has a BSC meeting. She has a thought of resent against the club but knows she made a commitment. Kristy is immediately on her about. Mal was gonna apologize but is pissed at Kristy so she says nothing. Mrs. Arnold needs a sitter for the twins. It’s offered to Mal, but it’s for Saturday moning and she turns it down. She doesn’t explain why. The job is given to Claudia. Maryanne and Dawn get jobs with the Sobaks and the Addisons. Jessi gets a job for the Perkins on Sunday. The meeting is kind of quiet and sullen. Again it’s offered to Mal. Again she turns it down. Kristy asks her what’s up. She says she doesn’t have time. Then she tells them about Young Author’s Day, her schedule, and her family. Kristy gets on Mal’s case about the importance of them being available after she shows them her schedule and she sees there’s no time scheduled in for new jobs.
After the meeting, Mal wonders if she should take a leave of absence, but then she doesn’t want Kristy to let her go so she says nothing. Mal has a sitting job at the Barette’s. Buddy and Suzie are fooling around playing and one of them knocks over a bag of flour. Marnie comes in the room and slips on it. Buddy tries to mop it up and gets paste all over the mop. Then Suzie lets Pow in and gets covered in goo. Suzie then accidently sits down in the water. Mal has to explain to them you can’t clean up flour with water and a mop. She then lets Buddy go outside to ride his bike while she cleans up the mess. She’s about to take the girls to play with their dolls but Buddy yells out to help him. His bike is lying on it’s side. He says he was coming down the hill and his foot got caught in the spikes. His foot is covered with blood.
Mal elevates his foot and cleans his foot off. After this, she calls the doctor (telling Marnie and Suzie to go play with her Kid Kit). Mal tries to decide who to call. Then Mrs. Barette comes in and freaks out when Suzie tells Buddy’s hurt and bledding everywhere. Mal and his mother find out he wasn’t wearing shoes. The cuts on his heel and isn’t very deep. Mrs. Barett says she doesn’t think he needs to see a doctor. She goes to the medicine cabinet to find something and asks Dawn if she’ll watch Suzie and Marnie. Things go back to normal. Mal apologizes but Mrs. Barett says it happens. But Mal thinks it doesn’t happen to a *good* sitter.
Jessi sits for Claire and Margo. She’s brought her Kid Kit. There’s a Skipper in it for Claire. There are also some horse books, some puppets, her crown from Coppelia, and a box of colored chalk. So they decide to play hopscotch. They tell her they like playing with her better than Mal. She says she never lets them in her room anymore. Mal says maybe her teeth hurt due to getting her braces adjusted. They say well she ought to just say that. Jessi wins and Claire wants to play a new game. They see Jessi’s crown and decide to have a ballet. They say the puppets (Kermit and Foozie) can be in it too. They decide to wwear some chiffon dresses they find from their grandmother. They say it’ll be about two beautiful girls and there mean sister. Jessi doesn’t think she should let them talk about their sister but maybe it’ll be good to let them get it out creatively.
They says they’ll name it “Mean Old Mallory”. It turns into Cinderella. They perform their ballet until their mom comes home (whose taken the triplets shoe shopping). Claire and Margo tell Mal about the ballet they wrote. Their mom hears and tells them that’s not funny. Mal (whose tired of everyone by now) yells at Claire to shut up. She then runs up to her room. Jessi isn’t sure if she should go after her. She doesn’t want to turn it into an argument and make it worse so she leaves and tells Mrs. Pike to tell Mal to call her.
Mal has an announcement to make at the next meeting but is hesitant. It starts as normal. Kristy gets on them about writing in the notebook. Stacey reviews the money. Mallory then tells them she wants to be demoted and she thinks it’ll be better if she’s an associate member. She tells them she’s a bad sitter and then tells them about Buddy’s accident. Kristy shows her she did the right thing when it mattered. They try to talk her out of it but Mal says if they don’t she’ll quit. Then the Prezzios call and Dawn gets the job. Then the phone keeps rining. Kristy tells her she should think about it She tells her to take two weeks off. That way she’ll have time to finish her story. They’ll cover for her. Mal says she’ll try it.
Kristy has plans with Maryanne but Watson and her mom have to go out and tell her to watch the kids. David Micheal comes in teasing Karen by shaking his jar of bugs in her face. Andrew says he’ll save her. Emily starts to cry. Kristy tells them all to shut up. David Micheal says he has a friend coming over. This doesn’t make Kristy happy. REALLY?! THAT’S NEW! David Micheals friend’s mother isn’t happy that her parents aren’t home (Carver). Instead Carver suggests David Micheal comes over. Kristy says she has to get permission. David Micheal says they’d say yes, but Kristy says no. David Micheal gets mad at Kristy and tells her he’s never speaking to her again. He runs upstairs and slams the door. Andew wants to go outside and play but it’s coming down. Karen says they can make mud puddles. Kristy doesn’t want to chance it because Emily had an ear infection recently. So she suggests they go up to the attic and look for Ben Brewer. They decide on a ghost hunt. Kristy gets irritated that Emily wants to be carried and then again when they can’t decide what to eat. Kristy says they’ll be getting ham and cheese.
When she gets off the phone with Maryanne, Boo Boo has jumped on the counter. He’s eating the ham out of the sandwiches. Andrew then drops his glass of milk. So she cleans up the mess and makes then PBNJ sandwiches. She then realizes what Mal’s life must be like. She then hopes she doesn’t quit. She’ll never find someone else as good. The weekend rolls around and Mal thinks about the cover of her book and how she might use photos of her family instead of magazine pictures. Mal tells Vanessa she’s saying no to everyone today. Mal makes a sign that says MALLORY ON STRIKE and shows it to everyone. Everyone respects her wishes and leaves her alone. She’s able to work on her story for hours.
Maryanne and Dawn come to sit at the Pikes because there’s an emergency at the library. Mrs. Pike gives them instructions and then tells them the kids said to tell them “Your it”. Not long, they notice Claire is missing but they find her with two clothes pins and says there name is “Tilly” and “Milly”. So they all have pizza and then play “Chutes and Ladders”. They go to check on Mallory and she yells “WHAT!” Maryanne has to tell her who she is and why she’s there. Mal thinks it was nice of her parents. Maryanne says it was nice that Mal talks to her parents, but Mal realizes she didn’t. Maryanne suggests she talk to her parents. So, she does and her parents admit they do take advantage of her sometimes. They say she needs a day of her own. They tell her to pick a day. She picks the next day and they declare it “Mallory Pike Day”. It’s Sunday. She uses the day to go to the mall with Jessi and Dawn and Maryanne sit for the Pikes again. (Washington Mall). So many things remind Mal of her siblings. Earrings rind her of Margo. The video arcade remembers her of the triplets. An Emily Dickenson book reminds her of Vanessa. A toy demonstration reminds her of Nicky. When she comes home, she tells her family she missed them. Mal’s tells her brother’s and sister she has a surprise for them but doesn’t give them any details. Just that it’ll happen soon. On Author Day, Pam Reed is the speaker.Mallory wins for “Best Overall Fiction For The Sixth Grade”./ Her teacher tells her she’s a real writer now (which means more to her than the award).
Then she takes the work shops. One about illustration. One about what happens when a book is published. Mal tells her brothers and sisters she and Jessi are going to take them out for their own special day. Mr and Mrs Pike say if Mal needs privacy she can use their desk and when she needs too if she puts up her sign no ones to bother her. On “Pikes Day” they go to a circus that the Barrett’s throw. Then they have a puppet show. Then they go to the “Secret Garden” (the playground). There are clues hidden all over it and a prize at the end. The treasures are rubber insects and snakes and windup toys. Then they have burgers and fries and Mal treats them to popcycles. Mr. Doughterty in his next class ask them to come up with a story for a special event.
My Thoughts:
This was EXTREMLY lazy writing because it had the EXACT same plot as the book before it! Still, I could relate to this because as a writer sometimes I find it hard to work on my potential books because of distractions. Sometimes the distractions come from outside. Sometimes they come from inside. Sometimes they come from my family. Let me tell you it is A LOT to deal with and handle! I can’t ell you how many times I’ve felt like Mallory and thought I’m never going to get this book finished in this life time. And I REALLY loved that Mr and Mrs. Pike understood her need for privacy and quiet and gave her that. I can’t get that unless I wear ear plugs and headphones (TOGETHER)!
And then I thought of one of my cousin’s son. He’s the eldest of five and they’re always calling on him to be responsible for the others. He does this beautifully and he’s complimented by my cousin, but I know this *has* go to get tiring. I was at my cousin’s house for the 4rth and he was sitting down watching a movie and eating. Her mother called his name and begin to fuss at him because he wasn’t watching his younger sister. The crazy thing was there were other people outside by the pool where she was. I heard her say “I don’t care. He neds to learn to be responsible!” Umm. Like he’s not called on probably all day every day twenty four seven. LET THE BOY EAT HIS HOTDOG IN PEACE! Which is why I always notice if he’s at one of our events, he tends to separate himself from the rest of his siblings and talk to *any* one else. I really am so glad I was an only child. It’s hard enough to get some peace of mind without having to go on strike from your own family.
Rating: 7 I understood this book a WHOLE LOT!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2023
I almost gave this book one star because I was so offended by so many things. The end was mostly sweet, so it helped a bit. (But still, Mallory is so indoctrinated into her childcare role that she can't even enjoy a special day for herself without feeling bad about it. Hello problem with no name.) First of all, Mallory does not go on strike. She describes a strike somewhat accurately (although missing key components), but all she does is try to take a day off. And Mr Pike SPECIFICALLY gets it wrong. "Only one Pike kid can go on strike at a time." No, that's LITERALLY THE OPPOSITE of how it works. Secondly, all the adults in Stoneybrook are a hot mess in this book. Completely selfish. I had such anxiety over the way Mallory's parents treated her, then how Kristy's parents treated HER, then Mallory's teacher with his "real author" bullshit. Okay, dude. And finally, the neoliberal bullshit is off the charts. Kristy mimics the toxic work culture of "be available for your job all the time, at the expense of anything else in your life." Mallory's own parents don't seem to consider that she has to do homework. And like, no, her siblings are NOT her responsibility. She didn't make them, she isn't obligated to take care of them. Eight kids are too much for Mr and Mrs Pike? They should have thought of that before they had them. That's not Mallory's problem. None of those ideas are adequately addressed by the end. Give Mallory ONE DAY to make up for the fact that you didn't let her do her homework? And that your expectations on her to do housework and childcare are robbing her of her childhood? Yeah, sounds about right. Neoliberal corporate "concessions." Plus, the triplets are 10 and Vanessa is 9. Mallory has had household responsibilities since she was at least the triplets' age (from the earlier books) and probably Vanessa's. So why is she supposed to be responsible FOR them? When they don't seem to be expected to do anything? I just... ugh. This book made me really mad.
June 9, 2020
This book was pretty good. It expresses the fact that Mallory’s parents seem to be using her a lot, as also mentioned in Mary Anne and Miss Priss and Get Well Soon Mallory. It’s also been mentioned in other books but this book truly expresses it. The main plot is that Mallory has a creative writing project that she needs to work on and she has too much on her schedule. Instead of expressing her feelings about her schedule, Mallory tries to squish everything in and refuses good babysitting jobs as well as skipping babysitters club meetings. One thing that I would like to change about this book is that I would like to see the babysitters club members reactions more. At the meetings Mallory narrates that they were mad but the others don’t really talk about it. So I guess that means they’re good friends but it would be more natural if they just got upset with Malory like they did in Get Well Soon Mallory. One thing I would like to point out is the cover. The scene on the cover never happened in the book similar to Mary Anne Misses Logan’s cover. Mallorys creative writing teacher gives out very interesting prompts but I noticed he doesn’t give a lot of time for them. I mean, the students only have a month to write a story that deserves to be published. A part that was very interesting was the chapter where Mallory babysits for the Barretts and accidents happen. It’s sort of like babysitting for Jackie Rodowsky in my opinion. But why didn’t Mallory check to see if Buddy would wear shoes Before he left the house. I guess she was not really thinking that day. In all I enjoyed this book for the most part. It’s really good and it mentions things that some other books do not.
November 14, 2021
Mallory is a dark, sad character, and I don’t think her life is going to turn out very well. This family is a damn mess. Mrs. Pike needs to spend less time fussing over the library board and more time parenting her eight children.
The division of labor in the Pike household is arbitrary and unnecessarily punitive to Mallory. The fact that they don’t have a schedule for who makes dinner or does chores is ridiculous. It seems like all the other children’s interests are encouraged and supported but Mallory. Vanessa is only two years younger than her—she can’t make up her terrible poems while whipping up chocolate chip cookies? And, of course, there’s ZERO talk of the male Pike children taking on any kind of responsibility.
The BSC also needs to build in some sort of vacation or respite time into its structure, because it’s totally unrealistic to expect all these girls to be available all the time.
The division of labor in the Pike household is arbitrary and unnecessarily punitive to Mallory. The fact that they don’t have a schedule for who makes dinner or does chores is ridiculous. It seems like all the other children’s interests are encouraged and supported but Mallory. Vanessa is only two years younger than her—she can’t make up her terrible poems while whipping up chocolate chip cookies? And, of course, there’s ZERO talk of the male Pike children taking on any kind of responsibility.
The BSC also needs to build in some sort of vacation or respite time into its structure, because it’s totally unrealistic to expect all these girls to be available all the time.
January 18, 2019
Mallory’s family life is so hectic and her parents demanded and expected so much from her. So when the most important competition for her creative writing class starts she becomes so overwhelmed and has no time for herself as everyone is constantly calling her and needing her. So she cracks unable to take it any longer. Her story was much too important to her to let it be ignored so she goes on strike so she can focus on herself and her story. This opens up Her parents eyes to just how much Mallory needs some alone time every so often.
I really enjoyed this story and really felt for Mallory and all the stress she was put under constantly. I adored what she did for her siblings in the last chapter of the book it was seriously so precious and well thought of.
I really enjoyed this story and really felt for Mallory and all the stress she was put under constantly. I adored what she did for her siblings in the last chapter of the book it was seriously so precious and well thought of.
July 23, 2025
Like most people rereading these books as an adult with a 21st-century lens... I do not like the Pike parents. They're right up there with Sharon and the Kishis for me in terms of questionable parenting in these books. The way Mr. and Mrs. Pike parentify poor Mallory is just awful. And while I appreciate this book attempting to tackle the way Mallory is mistreated by her parents, it just feels very too little, too late in a way that left me feeling unsatisfied. Mallory's parents giving her one day off and agreeing to let her have dedicated time to write is a good start, but doesn't really fix the root issue that Mallory, a child, is being worked hard enough by her parents to even need a day off in the first place.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2022
This book is similar to Mallory Pike #1 fan a little bit, as it starts out with Mallory getting a big assignment in her creative writing class. She is going to enter a fictional story for the 6th grade young authors competition at school. She is too busy with baby sitting her siblings and the kids in the neighbourhood and feels she is being taken advantage of and can't catch a break. A funny part of the story is when her siblings put on a ballet and title it Mean Old Mallory, but she didn't like it and got upset. Shortly after, she goes on strike and tells her family she's not available and needs to write. And of course, she ends up winning for best overall fiction in 6th grade.
July 22, 2024
What a great book for Mallory! In this book, we follow Mallory as she attempts to enter a writing contest all while being pulled in many directions. From her responsibilities with the BSC to the demands of her home life, she hits her limit with the requirements on her time.
This was the first book where Mallory got a full voice. She was more courageous than we may have remembered. If I were Mallory, I would have gone on strike too because the way the parents made Mallory a third parent is insanity.
Highly recommend!
This was the first book where Mallory got a full voice. She was more courageous than we may have remembered. If I were Mallory, I would have gone on strike too because the way the parents made Mallory a third parent is insanity.
Highly recommend!
Read
July 29, 2020As a kid my best friends sister had the whole BSC series on a book shelf in her room. I thought she was so grown up. And I envied this bookshelf. And would often poke my head into that room just to look at it.
And when I read BSC, I felt like such a grown up.
And while I might have still been a little too young to understand some of the issues dealt with in these books, I do appreciated that Ann M. Martin tackled age appropriate issues, some being deeper than others, but still important.
March 5, 2023
When I was 10 I joined a readers club/group where we got a new book every week. I chose The babysitters club.
The books are fantastic! So enjoyable. I loved getting the book every week. They are super quick reads and I was able to read it in one day.
Highly recommend for young teenagers to read or even younger if they are able too read well.
The books are fantastic! So enjoyable. I loved getting the book every week. They are super quick reads and I was able to read it in one day.
Highly recommend for young teenagers to read or even younger if they are able too read well.
May 21, 2023
Good on Mallory for standing up for her need for time alone. In this case, it's for a story she wants to submit to a school competition, but on Mary Anne's urging, she also takes this chance to set healthier overall boundaries with her parents on how often they use her for help around the household.
March 16, 2024
It's about Mallory and her writing. How Mallory tackles her responsibilities while trying to do justice to her writing. It starts with discipline and a plan. But when the pressure of household chores and managing her siblings and babysitting tends to overwhelm her, she goes on strike. This is a fun-filled book which inspires one to be singleminded in their focus. Definitely recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
March 23, 2024Mr. & Mrs. Pike are the worst BSC parents, in my opinion. If I was Mallory, I’d probably pull a Lizzie Borden. Because these two horny freaks decided to emulate the Duggars, their 11 year old is expected to help take care of kids she didn’t even create. It’s not Mallory’s job to be a damn sister mom!
March 22, 2018
Mallory dreams of becoming a writer. She was distracted between doing household chores and concentrating in joining the contest to become a writer at school. Even being a babysitter was a distraction for her. Find out her struggle to those situation amd how she cope up. 😀
June 12, 2018
Even though I'm finally out of the hospital I am still craving comfort reads, so I just can't stop re-reading BSC books. I guess there's worse problems to have. =)
I don't know why I've always loved this one but I have, and I had a lot of fun re-reading it again now.
I don't know why I've always loved this one but I have, and I had a lot of fun re-reading it again now.
September 1, 2018
What a great read. I truly love the baby sitters club books and how each book has a message. I feel as though anyone who has been pressed for time or stressed over a project can relate to Mallory in this book. I know I sure can! Loved this one and how relatable Mallory was. 5 Stars.
November 6, 2022
3 stars. Not a favorite. I like Mallory but her and her ‘woe is me’ attitude in this one was exhausting. There wasn’t really a side plot going on so this overall wasn’t that interesting of a read but I did like the ending.
February 22, 2024
This one hit me unexpectedly deeply with Mallory's desire to have uninterrupted writing time and her creative anxiety. All of that was handled well and her imposter syndrome felt real and identifiable.
January 8, 2025
Part of my ongoing re-read of BSC books as I come across them.
I definitely sympathize with Mallory in this one--being parentified is really stressful and I appreciate that her parents take her complaints and concerns seriously when she voices them.
I definitely sympathize with Mallory in this one--being parentified is really stressful and I appreciate that her parents take her complaints and concerns seriously when she voices them.
August 12, 2017
Mallory Pike: actual red-headed stepchild?
September 25, 2019
Review on www.Audible.com please listen to this book
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