The Summer Before (The Baby-Sitters Club)

The Summer Before (The Baby-Sitters Club)

The BSC returns in this fantastic prequel from Newbery Honor author Ann M. Martin.Before there was the Baby-Sitters Club, there were four girls named Kristy Thomas, Mary Anne Spier, Claudia Kishi, and Stacey McGill. As they start the summer before seventh grade (also before they start the BSC), each of them is on the cusp of a big change. Kristy is still hung up on hoping that her father will return to her family. Mary Anne has to prove to her father that she's no longer a little girl who needs hundreds of rules. Claudia is navigating her first major crush on a boy. And Stacey is leaving her entire New York City life behind...ReviewPraise for The Summer Before"[T]houghtfully crafted... Martin credibly and affectingly blends the friends' stories and resolves their issues, while deftly foreshadowing what lies ahead." - Publishers Weekly"[E]ngaging, entertaining... Series fans and newcomers alike will enjoy each girl's lively alternating first-person stories." - Booklist"Book candy at its best." - Kirkus ReviewsAbout the AuthorAnn M. Martin's The Baby-Sitters Club series sold over 176 million copies and inspired a generation of young readers. Her novels include the Main Street series, BELLE TEAL, the Newbery Honor book A CORNER OF THE UNIVERSE, HERE TODAY, A DOG'S LIFE, and ON CHRISTMAS EVE, as well as the much-loved collaborations P.S, LONGER LETTER LATER and SNAIL MAIL NO MORE with Paula Danziger, and THE DOLL PEOPLE and THE MEANEST DOLL IN THE WORLD, written with Laura Godwin and illustrated by Brian Selznick. She lives in upstate New York.