We were dreading the return of the Mary Anne and Logan ship, but it turns out Logan was kind of a non-entity considering his name is in the title, and Mary Anne is much more level headed and reasonable about missing him on their road to reconciliation. But what we missed in melodrama from Mary Anne, we made up for in spades with Cokie Mason antics, toilet monsters, group projects, and speeches in front of "famous" fake authors.  Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc ​ Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com ​ Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

We were dreading the return of the Mary Anne and Logan ship, but it turns out Logan was kind of a non-entity considering his name is in the title, and Mary Anne is much more level headed and reasonable about missing him on their road to reconciliation. But what we missed in melodrama from Mary Anne, we made up for in spades with Cokie Mason antics, toilet monsters, group projects, and speeches in front of "famous" fake authors. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc ​ Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> ​ Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 046: Mary Anne Misses Logan!

As promised in our last episode, we're revisiting our discussion of the series ( :( ) finale of the Netflix Baby-Sitters Club series to compare and contrast with the book, as we hadn't read the book before that episode aired and we discussed it. We'll see you in two weeks for our next regularly-scheduled episode! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

As promised in our last episode, we're revisiting our discussion of the series ( :( ) finale of the Netflix Baby-Sitters Club series to compare and contrast with the book, as we hadn't read the book before that episode aired and we discussed it. We'll see you in two weeks for our next regularly-scheduled episode! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Re-Watch 10: Emergency Meeting - Netflix Season Two, Episode Eight: Kristy and the Baby Parade!!

It's the book where everyone's obsessed with babies! Our girls take an infant care class and are immediately inundated with jobs sitting for babies, which coincides with the bi-annual baby parade in Stoneybrook. The Baby-Sitters Club decides to enter a float and it goes disastrously, but they ultimately learn that communication is key to success. This is, of course, after another instance of our girls treating each other poorly when things don't go perfectly and they feel embarrassed, but all's well that ends well! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

It's the book where everyone's obsessed with babies! Our girls take an infant care class and are immediately inundated with jobs sitting for babies, which coincides with the bi-annual baby parade in Stoneybrook. The Baby-Sitters Club decides to enter a float and it goes disastrously, but they ultimately learn that communication is key to success. This is, of course, after another instance of our girls treating each other poorly when things don't go perfectly and they feel embarrassed, but all's well that ends well! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 045: Kristy and the Baby Parade!

Summer Semester has arrived and we're back with a new super special! We're joined by YA librarian, Crissy Varnell of the Chattanooga Public Library, to discuss another two-week vacation from school for our babysitters, this time with a trip for all of them to New York City, inspired by Claudia's desire to attend a specific art school during the break. As is typical for super specials, our girls have varying levels of ridiculousness in their assorted adventures, including international intrigue, agoraphobia, jealousy, and, of course, boys. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Summer Semester has arrived and we're back with a new super special! We're joined by YA librarian, Crissy Varnell of the Chattanooga Public Library, to discuss another two-week vacation from school for our babysitters, this time with a trip for all of them to New York City, inspired by Claudia's desire to attend a specific art school during the break. As is typical for super specials, our girls have varying levels of ridiculousness in their assorted adventures, including international intrigue, agoraphobia, jealousy, and, of course, boys. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

SS06: New York, New York!

Hello, fellow members of Generation BSC!! Kate and Lauryn are back after their extended fall and winter break and are so happy to be back to reading and discussing the Baby-Sitters Club! We discuss where we've been and our plans for the near and distant future when it comes to the podcast. We're back for our summer semester season and can't wait to share new episodes with you all! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Hello, fellow members of Generation BSC!! Kate and Lauryn are back after their extended fall and winter break and are so happy to be back to reading and discussing the Baby-Sitters Club! We discuss where we've been and our plans for the near and distant future when it comes to the podcast. We're back for our summer semester season and can't wait to share new episodes with you all! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

EM024: Emergency Meeting - Good Riddance, Cokie Mason!

The elementary school kids in Stoneybrook have pen pals who live and attend school on a Zuni reservation in New Mexico. After a fire at the school and several homes in that community, Dawn is inspired to get the Stoneybrook community involved in some fundraising and donation drives in what could've been heartwarming, but ultimately just felt generally not great for us due to the communities involved and the book's inability to dive deeper and tell a better version of this story (although we acknowledge this might be another "be careful what you wish for" situation). This is on top of a few different culturally insensitive and downright terrible comments and situations from our kids that aren't really addressed as being bad. There are some fun notes - like the carnival in the Pikes' back yard - but this was another book we just wanted more from. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

The elementary school kids in Stoneybrook have pen pals who live and attend school on a Zuni reservation in New Mexico. After a fire at the school and several homes in that community, Dawn is inspired to get the Stoneybrook community involved in some fundraising and donation drives in what could've been heartwarming, but ultimately just felt generally not great for us due to the communities involved and the book's inability to dive deeper and tell a better version of this story (although we acknowledge this might be another "be careful what you wish for" situation). This is on top of a few different culturally insensitive and downright terrible comments and situations from our kids that aren't really addressed as being bad. There are some fun notes - like the carnival in the Pikes' back yard - but this was another book we just wanted more from. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 044: Dawn and the Big Sleepover!

Stacey's long-foreshadowed health emergency has finally arrives. After extended periods being super tired and very hungry and thirsty, Stacey finally admits how she's feeling and ends up in the hospital in NYC for two weeks. Her time there is helped by two visits from the Baby-Sitters Club, but severely hindered by her parents' inability to be in the same room and remain civil while Stacey insists she wants and needs them there together. Stacey ends up recovering and having a heart-to-heart with her mom (and then her dad off-screen) about how they are treating her and what she needs from them. Charlotte takes things poorly back in Stoneybrook, exhibiting clear hypochondria that Dr. Johansson somehow fails to properly understand. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Stacey's long-foreshadowed health emergency has finally arrives. After extended periods being super tired and very hungry and thirsty, Stacey finally admits how she's feeling and ends up in the hospital in NYC for two weeks. Her time there is helped by two visits from the Baby-Sitters Club, but severely hindered by her parents' inability to be in the same room and remain civil while Stacey insists she wants and needs them there together. Stacey ends up recovering and having a heart-to-heart with her mom (and then her dad off-screen) about how they are treating her and what she needs from them. Charlotte takes things poorly back in Stoneybrook, exhibiting clear hypochondria that Dr. Johansson somehow fails to properly understand. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 043: Stacey's Emergency!

Jessi gets the starring role in Sleeping Beauty over older girls in her ballet classes, which causes various levels of jealousy and anger. This results in Jessi getting threatening notes in her bag along with multiple incidents of stolen and damaged personal property. The BSC helps narrow down the suspects to three and Jessi uses logic and ingenuity to figure out the culprit and then... just forgives her for terrorizing her? The logic goes out the window and the teachable moment doesn't go the way we'd prefer. Also there's a pet show. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Jessi gets the starring role in Sleeping Beauty over older girls in her ballet classes, which causes various levels of jealousy and anger. This results in Jessi getting threatening notes in her bag along with multiple incidents of stolen and damaged personal property. The BSC helps narrow down the suspects to three and Jessi uses logic and ingenuity to figure out the culprit and then... just forgives her for terrorizing her? The logic goes out the window and the teachable moment doesn't go the way we'd prefer. Also there's a pet show. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 042: Jessi and the Dance School Phantom!`

Logan continues to be the worst and basically never being understanding of anything Mary Anne wants or needs and after she cools things off for a bit (which he respects for a literal day), they end up breaking up for real. We recall our prior conversations where perhaps we internalized Logan and Mary Anne being the BSC OTP because there's a whole lot of tell, not show in the series. There's some Jenny Prezzioso-related antics throughout and the BSC does their best to support Mary Anne through her tough times with Logan, including Dawn swinging back toward best BSC friend. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Logan continues to be the worst and basically never being understanding of anything Mary Anne wants or needs and after she cools things off for a bit (which he respects for a literal day), they end up breaking up for real. We recall our prior conversations where perhaps we internalized Logan and Mary Anne being the BSC OTP because there's a whole lot of tell, not show in the series. There's some Jenny Prezzioso-related antics throughout and the BSC does their best to support Mary Anne through her tough times with Logan, including Dawn swinging back toward best BSC friend. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 041: Mary Anne vs. Logan!

There's literally no mystery in this one where Claudia is accused of cheating on a math test after she gets an A- and just so happens to have the exact same right and wrong answers as Shawna Riverson, who obviously cheated off Claudia in what turns out to be a premeditated offense. Seriously - we did not remember Shawna, but she's somehow worse than Cokie Mason. Claudia and the BSC have some antics and eventually resolve the issue at hand and Claudia gets some recognition for her hard work and success. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

There's literally no mystery in this one where Claudia is accused of cheating on a math test after she gets an A- and just so happens to have the exact same right and wrong answers as Shawna Riverson, who obviously cheated off Claudia in what turns out to be a premeditated offense. Seriously - we did not remember Shawna, but she's somehow worse than Cokie Mason. Claudia and the BSC have some antics and eventually resolve the issue at hand and Claudia gets some recognition for her hard work and success. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 040: Claudia and the Middle School Mystery!

Kate Vlasek and Lauryn Hunter are two women in their mid-thirties who generally geek out about all things pop culture, particularly nostalgic pop culture. A spur-of-the-moment purchase of a random assortment of Baby-Sitters Club books on eBay sparked the excitement that would become Generation BSC. And what is Generation BSC? First, it’s a micro-generation Kate and Lauryn have identified with between Generation X and Millennials. This micro-generation has also been called the Oregon Trail Generation, Generation Catalano, the Star Wars Generation, Xennials, and Elder Millennials - essentially, for our purposes, those born between 1980 and 1985 who would have read Baby-Sitters Club books as they were being released in the late 80s and early 90s. (As an aside, we've come to realize since starting our journey with the Baby-Sitters Club, however, that Generation BSC really is anyone who has grown or is growing up with the BSC, but we're examining it from our perspective in particular.) Second, it’s a biweekly episodic podcast where Kate and Lauryn revisit each book in the Baby-Sitters Club series both looking back at how they approached the topics and themes when they read the books as children and comparing that with how they approach the same topics and themes in 2019 (and beyond). Eventually, the podcast will include guests and “Very Special Episodes” where Kate and Lauryn visit other pop culture from the same era and later, using the Baby-Sitters Club and Generation BSC as a jumping off point for discussion.Whether you’ve loved the Baby-Sitters Club since childhood or are jumping in for the first time, you’ll have a great time reading along with Kate and Lauryn.  Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

I love the BSC, I love podcasts but I’m so confused at this one! It’s like they have a planned path to discuss and it turns into a tangent but only for one of the hosts... this episode barely discussed anything about the book before getting sidetracked on so many points.. 

It would be different if it was like that by both hosts, one of them just sits there and says ‘oh, ok, yeah’ as the other one seems to just tAlk about her life and not discuss the topic at all..

Weirdly chatty?

I loved reading these books as a kid, and listening to this podcast has brought back a lot of nostalgia. I love the conversation about each book, and I look forward to each new episode!

Great podcast!

Kate Vlasek and Lauryn Hunter are two women in their mid-thirties who generally geek out about all things pop culture, particularly nostalgic pop culture. A spur-of-the-moment purchase of a random assortment of Baby-Sitters Club books on eBay sparked the excitement that would become Generation BSC. And what is Generation BSC? First, it’s a micro-generation Kate and Lauryn have identified with between Generation X and Millennials. This micro-generation has also been called the Oregon Trail Generation, Generation Catalano, the Star Wars Generation, Xennials, and Elder Millennials - essentially, for our purposes, those born between 1980 and 1985 who would have read Baby-Sitters Club books as they were being released in the late 80s and early 90s. (As an aside, we've come to realize since starting our journey with the Baby-Sitters Club, however, that Generation BSC really is anyone who has grown or is growing up with the BSC, but we're examining it from our perspective in particular.) Second, it’s a biweekly episodic podcast where Kate and Lauryn revisit each book in the Baby-Sitters Club series both looking back at how they approached the topics and themes when they read the books as children and comparing that with how they approach the same topics and themes in 2019 (and beyond). Eventually, the podcast will include guests and “Very Special Episodes” where Kate and Lauryn visit other pop culture from the same era and later, using the Baby-Sitters Club and Generation BSC as a jumping off point for discussion. Whether you’ve loved the Baby-Sitters Club since childhood or are jumping in for the first time, you’ll have a great time reading along with Kate and Lauryn. Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Generation BSC: A Baby-Sitters Club Podcast

Before there were actual BSC Mysteries, there was the original - Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls. Are the girls being stalked by the actual Phantom Caller (who wants to steal… their hair ribbons…)? Or is there something else to this mystery? Kate and Lauryn’s Great Ideas touch on growing pains related to varying levels of maturity, sibling rivalry, what it means to be “smart,” imagination, and the ability of pre-teen girls to escalate to dramatics quickly. Lauryn can’t wait to discuss a certain Core Four member’s sexuality as she continues to explore her own, and Kate breaks down the ins and outs of IQs. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter. OUR SUMMARY!  (We'll include this in the actual episode going forward!) Claudia-Specific: Claudia has a crush on Trevor Sandbourne, a poet in her class, and wants to go to the Halloween dance with him. She doesn’t think he knows her, but she continues to pine throughout the book. Claudia and Kristy both get hang up phone calls at multiple babysitting jobs and eventually catch Alan Gray in the act! He’d been looking at the club appointment book and noting where they were both babysitting so he and Trevor Sandbourne could call them to ask them to the Halloween dance. Despite Kristy hating Alan, she goes with him, and they all have a great time. Except Mary Anne who stays home. BSC Generally: There is a burglar on the loose whose MO is to call the houses to see if anyone is home and then break in later to steal their fine jewels. He’s hitting homes far from Stoneybrook, but the Core Four jumps to conclusions and thinks they’re at risk of running into him. They come up with codes and ideas for alarm systems to prevent catastrophe. There’s a copycat nextdoor to Claudia and eventually the real Phantom Caller is caught and there’s nothing else to worry about in Stoneybrook.

Before there were actual BSC Mysteries, there was the original - Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls. Are the girls being stalked by the actual Phantom Caller (who wants to steal… their hair ribbons…)? Or is there something else to this mystery? Kate and Lauryn’s Great Ideas touch on growing pains related to varying levels of maturity, sibling rivalry, what it means to be “smart,” imagination, and the ability of pre-teen girls to escalate to dramatics quickly. Lauryn can’t wait to discuss a certain Core Four member’s sexuality as she continues to explore her own, and Kate breaks down the ins and outs of IQs. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter. OUR SUMMARY! (We'll include this in the actual episode going forward!) Claudia-Specific: Claudia has a crush on Trevor Sandbourne, a poet in her class, and wants to go to the Halloween dance with him. She doesn’t think he knows her, but she continues to pine throughout the book. Claudia and Kristy both get hang up phone calls at multiple babysitting jobs and eventually catch Alan Gray in the act! He’d been looking at the club appointment book and noting where they were both babysitting so he and Trevor Sandbourne could call them to ask them to the Halloween dance. Despite Kristy hating Alan, she goes with him, and they all have a great time. Except Mary Anne who stays home. BSC Generally: There is a burglar on the loose whose MO is to call the houses to see if anyone is home and then break in later to steal their fine jewels. He’s hitting homes far from Stoneybrook, but the Core Four jumps to conclusions and thinks they’re at risk of running into him. They come up with codes and ideas for alarm systems to prevent catastrophe. There’s a copycat nextdoor to Claudia and eventually the real Phantom Caller is caught and there’s nothing else to worry about in Stoneybrook.

Episode 002: Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls!

Stacey reveals the shocking truth! … she has diabetes? And also her parents refuse to face reality and keep pursuing miracle cures, to the detriment of Stacey’s mental and emotional health. Kate and Lauryn continue their discussions of maturity, how being older definitely does not make one wiser or more responsible, the entirely reasonable fear of crying at school, and medical personal autonomy. Lauryn recounts her time acting as her dad’s personal Siri after Kate clarifies Generation X, Millennials, and Generation BSC based on how each group deals with questions of fact while out at a bar. They also touch on what it really meant to be a nerd back in the day and updates to the book that include removing references to human garbage and adjusting for inflation. Also get excited for our future Very Special Episode to discuss Ulysses! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Stacey reveals the shocking truth! … she has diabetes? And also her parents refuse to face reality and keep pursuing miracle cures, to the detriment of Stacey’s mental and emotional health. Kate and Lauryn continue their discussions of maturity, how being older definitely does not make one wiser or more responsible, the entirely reasonable fear of crying at school, and medical personal autonomy. Lauryn recounts her time acting as her dad’s personal Siri after Kate clarifies Generation X, Millennials, and Generation BSC based on how each group deals with questions of fact while out at a bar. They also touch on what it really meant to be a nerd back in the day and updates to the book that include removing references to human garbage and adjusting for inflation. Also get excited for our future Very Special Episode to discuss Ulysses! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 003: The Truth About Stacey!

Kristy’s been living in her new neighborhood for months now and refuses to get to know anyone because they’re all snobs with a pool, multiple tennis courts, and a cook named Agnes. She’s forced out of her self-imposed isolation when the BSC starts advertising in her neighborhood and jobs with new families start coming in, which takes jobs from Kate’s favorite future associate member, Shannon Kilbourne (one of the aforementioned snobs). Kristy and Shannon have a prank war before finally becoming friends after Kristy’s dog Louie has to be put down. Yes, it’s another SUPER emotional book, this time one that completely came out of left field and floored us during reading (as it likely will in this description). We spend some time discussing dogs we love and loved, while also discussing growing into your “self” and feeling comfortable in your skin, quoting Homer Simpson, pondering the power of positive thinking (however that works for you), and obsessing over Amelia Bedelia. Also – we learn how to properly pronounce Mary Anne’s last name thanks to our listener Deanna!! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Kristy’s been living in her new neighborhood for months now and refuses to get to know anyone because they’re all snobs with a pool, multiple tennis courts, and a cook named Agnes. She’s forced out of her self-imposed isolation when the BSC starts advertising in her neighborhood and jobs with new families start coming in, which takes jobs from Kate’s favorite future associate member, Shannon Kilbourne (one of the aforementioned snobs). Kristy and Shannon have a prank war before finally becoming friends after Kristy’s dog Louie has to be put down. Yes, it’s another SUPER emotional book, this time one that completely came out of left field and floored us during reading (as it likely will in this description). We spend some time discussing dogs we love and loved, while also discussing growing into your “self” and feeling comfortable in your skin, quoting Homer Simpson, pondering the power of positive thinking (however that works for you), and obsessing over Amelia Bedelia. Also – we learn how to properly pronounce Mary Anne’s last name thanks to our listener Deanna!! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 011: Kristy and the Snobs!

The BSC is separated for the last two weeks of the summer for conveniently-timed vacations, including a trip to Sea City for Stacey and Mary Anne, as they travel with the Pike family as mother’s helpers. Stacey falls in LUV while shirking her babysitting responsibilities, while Mary Anne gets her first (somehow?) sunburn to deal with while covering for Stacey. We discuss first crushes and LUV and maturity generally along with navigating the ins and outs of nurturing friendships and romantic relationships simultaneously. Kate gets her first major soapbox moment with a discussion of sunscreen and Lauryn gives us some insight into her quintessential 7th/8th grade crush. We each reveal our irrational fears derived from early childhood movie-viewing (sharks for Kate and birds for Lauryn) and yet again question some of Stacey’s sartorial (along with life) choices. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

The BSC is separated for the last two weeks of the summer for conveniently-timed vacations, including a trip to Sea City for Stacey and Mary Anne, as they travel with the Pike family as mother’s helpers. Stacey falls in LUV while shirking her babysitting responsibilities, while Mary Anne gets her first (somehow?) sunburn to deal with while covering for Stacey. We discuss first crushes and LUV and maturity generally along with navigating the ins and outs of nurturing friendships and romantic relationships simultaneously. Kate gets her first major soapbox moment with a discussion of sunscreen and Lauryn gives us some insight into her quintessential 7th/8th grade crush. We each reveal our irrational fears derived from early childhood movie-viewing (sharks for Kate and birds for Lauryn) and yet again question some of Stacey’s sartorial (along with life) choices. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 008: Boy-Crazy Stacey!

Fresh off their timeless summer vacation to the Bahamas and Disney World (timeline wonkiness, what?), the girls are promptly faced with the Stacey’s family’s departure from Stoneybrook to return to NYC. It’s a rough road, particularly for Claudia, but the girls face it with excellent modelling behavior for readers – as Lauryn puts it in the episode, scary things happen, but good things can come from scary things. We discuss the difficulty as a child (and sometimes an adult) to recognize that you can have two conflicting emotions or feelings at the same time, the interplay of “smartness” being a big part of your self-identity and instances of someone else being smarter than you, the difference between all the breadcrumbs we’ve had about Jeff’s impending departure and Stacey’s abrupt and swift move, and take a deep dive on the realities of Mrs. Porter. Tangents (both on- and off-topic) include: reality TV recent and not, garage sales, growing affection (?) for Mallory and Dawn, FOMO, colloquialisms, and the repeated use of “exotic” to describe Claudia.   Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Fresh off their timeless summer vacation to the Bahamas and Disney World (timeline wonkiness, what?), the girls are promptly faced with the Stacey’s family’s departure from Stoneybrook to return to NYC. It’s a rough road, particularly for Claudia, but the girls face it with excellent modelling behavior for readers – as Lauryn puts it in the episode, scary things happen, but good things can come from scary things. We discuss the difficulty as a child (and sometimes an adult) to recognize that you can have two conflicting emotions or feelings at the same time, the interplay of “smartness” being a big part of your self-identity and instances of someone else being smarter than you, the difference between all the breadcrumbs we’ve had about Jeff’s impending departure and Stacey’s abrupt and swift move, and take a deep dive on the realities of Mrs. Porter. Tangents (both on- and off-topic) include: reality TV recent and not, garage sales, growing affection (?) for Mallory and Dawn, FOMO, colloquialisms, and the repeated use of “exotic” to describe Claudia. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 013: Good-bye Stacey, Good-bye

Kate and Lauryn take on the wedding industrial complex when Kristy's mom and Watson have to move their Fall wedding up because of "reasons"... In addition, there's the $3 per hour that the BSC members are making for babysitting fourteen children for like 40 hours in one week leading up to the wedding? There are lots of feelings, but of a much more positive variety than last episode! And spoiler alert - Kristy's super on board not only with being a bridesmaid but with the dress and flowers in her hair that go with it. We were way off in our predictions! Shocking, but true! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Kate and Lauryn take on the wedding industrial complex when Kristy's mom and Watson have to move their Fall wedding up because of "reasons"... In addition, there's the $3 per hour that the BSC members are making for babysitting fourteen children for like 40 hours in one week leading up to the wedding? There are lots of feelings, but of a much more positive variety than last episode! And spoiler alert - Kristy's super on board not only with being a bridesmaid but with the dress and flowers in her hair that go with it. We were way off in our predictions! Shocking, but true! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 006: Kristy's Big Day!

There’s a new boy in school – Logan Bruno, fresh from Louisville, Kentucky – and Mary Anne has a crush! He crushes right back, surprising Lauryn, whose main reaction to Mary Anne consistently seems to be “her?” Discussion of the gender dynamics and “romantic” relationships at play in this book includes tangents (both related and wildly varied) about shy girl tropes, the ins and outs of talking to boys at that age, the on-going absence of Cokie Mason, and feeling left behind when your friends take steps you haven’t yet. We touch on shipping from a more global perspective and realize we were both unexpectedly here for it for #reylo in The Rise of Skywalker. Lauryn reveals her Jenny Prezzioso past and unintentionally (?) shades Kate’s styling abilities, while Kate manages to squeeze in multiple references to Kristy’s Mystery Admirer and identifies strongly with Mary Anne. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

There’s a new boy in school – Logan Bruno, fresh from Louisville, Kentucky – and Mary Anne has a crush! He crushes right back, surprising Lauryn, whose main reaction to Mary Anne consistently seems to be “her?” Discussion of the gender dynamics and “romantic” relationships at play in this book includes tangents (both related and wildly varied) about shy girl tropes, the ins and outs of talking to boys at that age, the on-going absence of Cokie Mason, and feeling left behind when your friends take steps you haven’t yet. We touch on shipping from a more global perspective and realize we were both unexpectedly here for it for #reylo in The Rise of Skywalker. Lauryn reveals her Jenny Prezzioso past and unintentionally (?) shades Kate’s styling abilities, while Kate manages to squeeze in multiple references to Kristy’s Mystery Admirer and identifies strongly with Mary Anne. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 010: Logan Likes Mary Anne!!

We’ve long been anticipating (or dreading) this day, but Mallory (and Jessi) has officially joined the BSC! Despite the end of the last book with Stacey’s invitation to Mallory to join, the BSC decides to put Mallory through increasingly unreasonable tests and trials before she quits. This one also includes Jessi moving to Stoneybrook, Mallory deciding they would be best friends (and making it happen), Jessi’s family being subjected to some straight-up bullshit racism, and the formation of a BSC copycat, Kids Incorporated (which yes, results in us singing the theme song of the show with the same name). As always, the BSC, old and new, come together by the end, learning in the process and taking the maybe too easy way out in combatting racism. In addressing the racism storylines in this book, we acknowledge our own privilege in examining and addressing the stories of minority and marginalized groups and appreciate the limited inclusion and attempts at addressing major issues while also examining the difficulty of separating problematic art from its historical perspective and (although not applicable here) the artists later revealed to be human garbage and discussing how this type of story might be better approached by an author writing today. On lighter, but still on-topic, notes, we spend a long time reeling in the discovery that Mallory describes herself (and her entire family) as having dark brown hair, questioning whether Claudia is left-handed, and taking a deep dive into what it is about horses and pre-teen girls. In a shocking twist, we have very few random tangents, particularly of note as you’d expect us to want to change the topic from Mallory as quickly as possible, given our past feelings on her. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

We’ve long been anticipating (or dreading) this day, but Mallory (and Jessi) has officially joined the BSC! Despite the end of the last book with Stacey’s invitation to Mallory to join, the BSC decides to put Mallory through increasingly unreasonable tests and trials before she quits. This one also includes Jessi moving to Stoneybrook, Mallory deciding they would be best friends (and making it happen), Jessi’s family being subjected to some straight-up bullshit racism, and the formation of a BSC copycat, Kids Incorporated (which yes, results in us singing the theme song of the show with the same name). As always, the BSC, old and new, come together by the end, learning in the process and taking the maybe too easy way out in combatting racism. In addressing the racism storylines in this book, we acknowledge our own privilege in examining and addressing the stories of minority and marginalized groups and appreciate the limited inclusion and attempts at addressing major issues while also examining the difficulty of separating problematic art from its historical perspective and (although not applicable here) the artists later revealed to be human garbage and discussing how this type of story might be better approached by an author writing today. On lighter, but still on-topic, notes, we spend a long time reeling in the discovery that Mallory describes herself (and her entire family) as having dark brown hair, questioning whether Claudia is left-handed, and taking a deep dive into what it is about horses and pre-teen girls. In a shocking twist, we have very few random tangents, particularly of note as you’d expect us to want to change the topic from Mallory as quickly as possible, given our past feelings on her. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 014: Hello, Mallory

Claudia and Janine just don’t seem to get each other after some backsliding since their personal and relationship growth in Phantom Phone Calls. Things come to a head after Mimi has a stroke (completely blindsiding Kate and Lauryn in their reread). We discuss our experiences with siblings and grandparent health issues and spoiler alert, find ourselves unexpectedly, but solidly, on Team Janine (except when it comes to correcting grammar and speaking like a walking thesaurus in certain situations). There is some debate over how best to pronounce Reese’s Pieces and we again find ourselves questioning Stacey’s sartorial choices. Seriously - we clearly just accepted what the other girls said about her while disregarding the outfit descriptions!  Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Claudia and Janine just don’t seem to get each other after some backsliding since their personal and relationship growth in Phantom Phone Calls. Things come to a head after Mimi has a stroke (completely blindsiding Kate and Lauryn in their reread). We discuss our experiences with siblings and grandparent health issues and spoiler alert, find ourselves unexpectedly, but solidly, on Team Janine (except when it comes to correcting grammar and speaking like a walking thesaurus in certain situations). There is some debate over how best to pronounce Reese’s Pieces and we again find ourselves questioning Stacey’s sartorial choices. Seriously - we clearly just accepted what the other girls said about her while disregarding the outfit descriptions! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 007: Claudia and Mean Janine!

It’s a super special, super long, super guest episode to discuss the first Super Special - Baby-Sitters on Board! Mr. Pike wins a week-long cruise/Disney trip at work and the Pikes invite Stacey and Mary Anne to be mother’s helpers, just like Sea City. (When this book takes place, who knows, as they reference Sea City, but say this is still that summer...) Watson decides to take the Thomas-Brewer family as well and includes Claudia and Dawn because, why not? Kate and Lauryn invite their first guest – their often mentioned friend, Katie Schneller – to join them to discuss (among many topics) the repeated plots in this book, Game of Thrones/BSC crossover fanfic, Mallory’s bunny face signature, author intention, Katie’s scarf-tying abilities, misremembered parts of the Haunted Mansion, the ranking of donut hole flavors, Rick Steves vs. Rick Dees, and (of course) Cokie Mason. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

It’s a super special, super long, super guest episode to discuss the first Super Special - Baby-Sitters on Board! Mr. Pike wins a week-long cruise/Disney trip at work and the Pikes invite Stacey and Mary Anne to be mother’s helpers, just like Sea City. (When this book takes place, who knows, as they reference Sea City, but say this is still that summer...) Watson decides to take the Thomas-Brewer family as well and includes Claudia and Dawn because, why not? Kate and Lauryn invite their first guest – their often mentioned friend, Katie Schneller – to join them to discuss (among many topics) the repeated plots in this book, Game of Thrones/BSC crossover fanfic, Mallory’s bunny face signature, author intention, Katie’s scarf-tying abilities, misremembered parts of the Haunted Mansion, the ranking of donut hole flavors, Rick Steves vs. Rick Dees, and (of course) Cokie Mason. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

SS01: Baby-Sitters on Board!!

After becoming the Alternate Officer of the BSC, Dawn takes on primary responsibility for babysitting the so-called “Impossible Three” Barrett children. There are very problematic aspects of this story and WE. HAVE. FEELINGS. The continuing discussion on maturity takes an extreme turn in this episode due to the negligent and borderline absentee parenting by Mrs. Barrett. We recognize our prior mistaken overlooking of Claudia’s race and look forward to our future opportunities to bring other perspectives into our conversations. On a lighter note, Kate and Lauryn wrap up the episode with a discussion their favorite babysitting charges, Jackie Rodowsky and Jamie Newton in particular for both and Charlotte Johansson for Kate.  Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

After becoming the Alternate Officer of the BSC, Dawn takes on primary responsibility for babysitting the so-called “Impossible Three” Barrett children. There are very problematic aspects of this story and WE. HAVE. FEELINGS. The continuing discussion on maturity takes an extreme turn in this episode due to the negligent and borderline absentee parenting by Mrs. Barrett. We recognize our prior mistaken overlooking of Claudia’s race and look forward to our future opportunities to bring other perspectives into our conversations. On a lighter note, Kate and Lauryn wrap up the episode with a discussion their favorite babysitting charges, Jackie Rodowsky and Jamie Newton in particular for both and Charlotte Johansson for Kate. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 005: Dawn and the Impossible Three!

Kate and Lauryn call their first emergency meeting for an update on the state of the world and the state of the podcast before getting into a discussion of the recent releases and knowledge-drops related to the upcoming Netflix BSC series. We already knew Netflix was making a show and that Alicia Silverstone and Mark Feurstein were involved, but the details since then have been completely under wraps. In the last few weeks, however, there has been a major release related to the girls and their portrayers and what the show is going to look like. We get into our thoughts on the casting and costuming, both immediate knee-jerk reactions and our more in-depth analysis, and what we are anticipating, expecting, and hoping for from the series. (Note that Kate was clearly too excited and talking/reading too quickly and inadvertently initially says that Malia Baker is Latina – clarified later in the episode, but Malia is black and Xochitl is Latina.) Stay safe and healthy everyone!! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Kate and Lauryn call their first emergency meeting for an update on the state of the world and the state of the podcast before getting into a discussion of the recent releases and knowledge-drops related to the upcoming Netflix BSC series. We already knew Netflix was making a show and that Alicia Silverstone and Mark Feurstein were involved, but the details since then have been completely under wraps. In the last few weeks, however, there has been a major release related to the girls and their portrayers and what the show is going to look like. We get into our thoughts on the casting and costuming, both immediate knee-jerk reactions and our more in-depth analysis, and what we are anticipating, expecting, and hoping for from the series. (Note that Kate was clearly too excited and talking/reading too quickly and inadvertently initially says that Malia Baker is Latina – clarified later in the episode, but Malia is black and Xochitl is Latina.) Stay safe and healthy everyone!! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

EM001: Emergency Meeting re: State of the World and Netflix Series Information!

Mary Anne takes a stand and saves the day in multiple ways. After a huge fight where the girls aren't speaking, Mary Anne makes a new friend in Dawn Schafer and grows as a person before bringing the Core Four back together, taking care of a very sick child, getting her dad to see her as more mature and ready for more freedom. The conversation about maturity continues, with a focus on jealousy, growing pains, and conflict as a catalyst for action. Kate and Lauryn also discuss the BSC in Brooklyn Nine-Nine and the resurgence of the Baby-Sitters Club in pop culture generally. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Mary Anne takes a stand and saves the day in multiple ways. After a huge fight where the girls aren't speaking, Mary Anne makes a new friend in Dawn Schafer and grows as a person before bringing the Core Four back together, taking care of a very sick child, getting her dad to see her as more mature and ready for more freedom. The conversation about maturity continues, with a focus on jealousy, growing pains, and conflict as a catalyst for action. Kate and Lauryn also discuss the BSC in Brooklyn Nine-Nine and the resurgence of the Baby-Sitters Club in pop culture generally. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 004: Mary Anne Saves the Day!

Claudia’s got a new friend, despite our insistence on no new friends. Ashley Wyeth moves to town and is a Serious Artist. Claudia is immediately enamored of her and starts spending all of her time with Ashley, completely ignoring the BSC, her babysitting charges, and Stacey, in particular. Lauryn initially gets excited about the first non-straight "romantic" crush in the series, which leads to a conversation and re-evaluation regarding crushes and friendships at that age and their emotional complexities. Kate redeems her memory when her prediction of this book was spot-on (but she doubles down that Eddie from her Ghost at Dawn’s House prediction will for sure be in Beware, Dawn!, Mystery #2). As always, we touch on plenty of TV references – this time including, but not limited to, The Good Place, Project Runway, and Buffy. Newbury Award winners that we know and love are discussed in an actually on-topic tangent and we sort of make predictions for the next two books. Clearly, we’re figuring out how Super Specials actually fit in! We touch on Benedict Arnold (with Lauryn being a supporter? maybe?), Banksy, what art is anyway, early 2000s fashion, possibly and definitely problematic descriptive words, and reaffirm #nonewpeeps. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Claudia’s got a new friend, despite our insistence on no new friends. Ashley Wyeth moves to town and is a Serious Artist. Claudia is immediately enamored of her and starts spending all of her time with Ashley, completely ignoring the BSC, her babysitting charges, and Stacey, in particular. Lauryn initially gets excited about the first non-straight "romantic" crush in the series, which leads to a conversation and re-evaluation regarding crushes and friendships at that age and their emotional complexities. Kate redeems her memory when her prediction of this book was spot-on (but she doubles down that Eddie from her Ghost at Dawn’s House prediction will for sure be in Beware, Dawn!, Mystery #2). As always, we touch on plenty of TV references – this time including, but not limited to, The Good Place, Project Runway, and Buffy. Newbury Award winners that we know and love are discussed in an actually on-topic tangent and we sort of make predictions for the next two books. Clearly, we’re figuring out how Super Specials actually fit in! We touch on Benedict Arnold (with Lauryn being a supporter? maybe?), Banksy, what art is anyway, early 2000s fashion, possibly and definitely problematic descriptive words, and reaffirm #nonewpeeps. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 012: Claudia and the New Girl!

Dawn, her love of scary stories, and her search for a hidden passage in her house (built in 1715) are the focus in this book and episode. No really, the main plot is all about Dawn and her search for and discovery of a hidden passage and then her slow revelation of its existence to her friends and family. We both acknowledge just how wrong our predictions about this one were (with the caveats that Kate’s is 100% a future Mystery book plot and Lauryn’s Underground Railroad thoughts may still be revealed to be accurate). Lauryn relays her tale of “accidental” library book theft and Kate sets everyone up for the terrifying revelation that horror movie characters are living lives just as normal as ours before the horror events kick in. Plenty of random tangents abound as always: repeated day movie/TV tropes, bad Christmas movies on demand, first class plane travel, nerdy dog names, and font design. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Dawn, her love of scary stories, and her search for a hidden passage in her house (built in 1715) are the focus in this book and episode. No really, the main plot is all about Dawn and her search for and discovery of a hidden passage and then her slow revelation of its existence to her friends and family. We both acknowledge just how wrong our predictions about this one were (with the caveats that Kate’s is 100% a future Mystery book plot and Lauryn’s Underground Railroad thoughts may still be revealed to be accurate). Lauryn relays her tale of “accidental” library book theft and Kate sets everyone up for the terrifying revelation that horror movie characters are living lives just as normal as ours before the horror events kick in. Plenty of random tangents abound as always: repeated day movie/TV tropes, bad Christmas movies on demand, first class plane travel, nerdy dog names, and font design. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 009: The Ghost at Dawn's House!

It’s our first episode since the teaser for the new Netflix BSC series dropped, so Kate and Lauryn take a quick sidetrack to discuss their excitement and thoughts (generally and with respect to the FINALLY confirmed perfect casting of Marc Evan Jackson as Mary Anne’s dad). Then diving into the story at hand, we immediately touch on the Cokie Mason of it all (as she has made her long-awaited first appearance in the series) before getting into the bad luck mystery itself, stemming initially from a discarded chain letter Mary Anne receives, but continuing mostly due to Cokie’s scheming to help her friend Grace get Logan’s attention. We focus on the girls’ confirmation bias related to the bad luck they all experience and how they all immediately go all-in on the superstitions and witchcraft. We lament that there’s no skeptic or voice of reason like with child pageants previously, but transition into a conversation about the intended audience – specifically, how maybe that’s not necessary and generally, how well Ann M. Martin does at teaching kids how to read as they read. We do a related dive into Kate’s obsession with Kristy’s Mystery Admirer and how it and this book, when considered together, make absolutely no sense, leading to further discussion of timeline wonkiness and divergent/parallel timelines, and how the future ghostwriters may be the actual cause of all our confusion on those points. We also compare and contrast the characterizations in the books vs. the movies and find book Logan wanting, question Charlie Thomas’s life choices and wonder what a series from his perspective might look like (spoiler – likely very interesting and we want to read it so badly), and find ourselves concerned with the overly cliquishness and superiority of our BSC girls in this book. On the babysitting front specifically, Kate judges Dawn’s crafting choices and Lauryn finds the humor in her real-life nightmare, noting Claire Pike’s adorable question regarding whether a bird knows Santa Claus after it gets into her house through the chimney. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

It’s our first episode since the teaser for the new Netflix BSC series dropped, so Kate and Lauryn take a quick sidetrack to discuss their excitement and thoughts (generally and with respect to the FINALLY confirmed perfect casting of Marc Evan Jackson as Mary Anne’s dad). Then diving into the story at hand, we immediately touch on the Cokie Mason of it all (as she has made her long-awaited first appearance in the series) before getting into the bad luck mystery itself, stemming initially from a discarded chain letter Mary Anne receives, but continuing mostly due to Cokie’s scheming to help her friend Grace get Logan’s attention. We focus on the girls’ confirmation bias related to the bad luck they all experience and how they all immediately go all-in on the superstitions and witchcraft. We lament that there’s no skeptic or voice of reason like with child pageants previously, but transition into a conversation about the intended audience – specifically, how maybe that’s not necessary and generally, how well Ann M. Martin does at teaching kids how to read as they read. We do a related dive into Kate’s obsession with Kristy’s Mystery Admirer and how it and this book, when considered together, make absolutely no sense, leading to further discussion of timeline wonkiness and divergent/parallel timelines, and how the future ghostwriters may be the actual cause of all our confusion on those points. We also compare and contrast the characterizations in the books vs. the movies and find book Logan wanting, question Charlie Thomas’s life choices and wonder what a series from his perspective might look like (spoiler – likely very interesting and we want to read it so badly), and find ourselves concerned with the overly cliquishness and superiority of our BSC girls in this book. On the babysitting front specifically, Kate judges Dawn’s crafting choices and Lauryn finds the humor in her real-life nightmare, noting Claire Pike’s adorable question regarding whether a bird knows Santa Claus after it gets into her house through the chimney. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 017: Mary Anne's Bad-Luck Mystery!

Kate and Lauryn’s ongoing focus on the girls and what we think they’re doing to handle quarantine continues with an examination of Stacey’s situation in particular. We think Stacey’s going a little stir-crazy due to her lack of yard and outdoor space, her parents, and her high-risk status due to her diabetes and have divergent ideas about how she’s dealing with school, with Kate discovering she apparently has VERY strong opinions about the type of student Stacey is (i.e., one who would freak out if she got a C). Kate thinks Stacey is focusing on aspirational imaginary outfits and Lauryn contemplates a lifestyle blog for the tween set. And (of course) keeping up with the girls in Stoneybrook and Laine and finding enjoyment in having so much time to talk to them. In lieu of our typical check-in, we take a page from some of our favorite podcasts and focus on the positives with our own fucking hoorays and what’s making us happy recently (Never Have I Ever; the Parks &amp; Recreation reunion; The Science of Sci-Fi by Erin Macdonald; Harry Potter audiobooks; Star Wars Day (a/k/a Kate's birthday) and Star Wars generally; and friends and family). We end with a HUGE thank you to all the healthcare and other essential workers keeping us safe and the world running. Stay safe and healthy everyone!! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Kate and Lauryn’s ongoing focus on the girls and what we think they’re doing to handle quarantine continues with an examination of Stacey’s situation in particular. We think Stacey’s going a little stir-crazy due to her lack of yard and outdoor space, her parents, and her high-risk status due to her diabetes and have divergent ideas about how she’s dealing with school, with Kate discovering she apparently has VERY strong opinions about the type of student Stacey is (i.e., one who would freak out if she got a C). Kate thinks Stacey is focusing on aspirational imaginary outfits and Lauryn contemplates a lifestyle blog for the tween set. And (of course) keeping up with the girls in Stoneybrook and Laine and finding enjoyment in having so much time to talk to them. In lieu of our typical check-in, we take a page from some of our favorite podcasts and focus on the positives with our own fucking hoorays and what’s making us happy recently (Never Have I Ever; the Parks &amp; Recreation reunion; The Science of Sci-Fi by Erin Macdonald; Harry Potter audiobooks; Star Wars Day (a/k/a Kate's birthday) and Star Wars generally; and friends and family). We end with a HUGE thank you to all the healthcare and other essential workers keeping us safe and the world running. Stay safe and healthy everyone!! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

EM004: Emergency Meeting - Stacey in Quarantine!

It's Jessi’s first book and you know what? We’ve discovered/confirmed that Jessi’s pretty awesome. Past Kate and Lauryn didn’t know what they were missing in Jessi (and Mallory), but we think that maybe they just weren’t aspirational enough when we were reading since they were more similar to us in age and “coolness” (and let’s be honest – in-person fangirling and thirst). This book was very much an afternoon special-type examination and depiction of deafness and how one should interact with deaf individuals and while we’re disappointed in the fact that Jessi’s first book was an “issue” book and that there’s a lack of representation of any actually-deaf characters, we really enjoyed this one and the way the story presented itself. We remind ourselves just what a strong series this actually was and is (to-date at least) and how well they’ve held up, particularly since they’ve given us such interesting and deep topics to discuss and reflect on. We also spend some time talking on our childhood loves of ballet – with Lauryn actually participating and Kate enjoying from the audience – but both recalling an obsession with Coppélia traced to this very book. We discuss Jessi’s meta reference to the “last chapter,” Lauryn’s borderline obsession with Richard Dreyfuss as a child, the correct usage of “LEGO,” the stylishness (or not) of rat tails, and Kate’s certainty that her obsession with Cokie Mason will finally be plot-specific discussion worthy in the next book. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

It's Jessi’s first book and you know what? We’ve discovered/confirmed that Jessi’s pretty awesome. Past Kate and Lauryn didn’t know what they were missing in Jessi (and Mallory), but we think that maybe they just weren’t aspirational enough when we were reading since they were more similar to us in age and “coolness” (and let’s be honest – in-person fangirling and thirst). This book was very much an afternoon special-type examination and depiction of deafness and how one should interact with deaf individuals and while we’re disappointed in the fact that Jessi’s first book was an “issue” book and that there’s a lack of representation of any actually-deaf characters, we really enjoyed this one and the way the story presented itself. We remind ourselves just what a strong series this actually was and is (to-date at least) and how well they’ve held up, particularly since they’ve given us such interesting and deep topics to discuss and reflect on. We also spend some time talking on our childhood loves of ballet – with Lauryn actually participating and Kate enjoying from the audience – but both recalling an obsession with Coppélia traced to this very book. We discuss Jessi’s meta reference to the “last chapter,” Lauryn’s borderline obsession with Richard Dreyfuss as a child, the correct usage of “LEGO,” the stylishness (or not) of rat tails, and Kate’s certainty that her obsession with Cokie Mason will finally be plot-specific discussion worthy in the next book. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 016: Jessi's Secret Language!

Kate and Lauryn continue with their emergency meetings to check in with each of the girls and discuss what we think Claudia is doing during her COVID-induced quarantine. We disagree initially about how Claudia reacts to school being cancelled, with Lauryn focusing on the schoolwork aspect and Kate focusing on the interpersonal face-to-face interactions. We touch on how we think Claudia and Janine are handling being quarantined together (likely exactly how they have in the two books where their relationship has been a focus – conflicts initially, but coming around to understanding). We discuss whether Claudia is on the front lines of mask-making, either actually making them or possibly finding ways to decorate the masks, especially to make them more fun and less scary for kids. Knowing Claudia’s love of junk food and Nancy Drews, we discuss how we think Claudia is getting more of these things to satisfy her needs and whether her parents have maybe softened their position on these items given what’s going on in the world. Lauryn pretends that Amazon doesn’t exist in the version of 2020 that the BSC is in for purposes of our discussion and Kate questions whether Claudia would even use it if it was available. We definitely agree Claudia is using her time at home to focus on her art (and exploring new media) and on fashion and creating amazing outfits, potentially creating (or expanding) a fashion Instagram or blog. We again end with a quick check-in on how we’re feeling and getting through self-isolation this week. Stay safe and healthy everyone!! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Kate and Lauryn continue with their emergency meetings to check in with each of the girls and discuss what we think Claudia is doing during her COVID-induced quarantine. We disagree initially about how Claudia reacts to school being cancelled, with Lauryn focusing on the schoolwork aspect and Kate focusing on the interpersonal face-to-face interactions. We touch on how we think Claudia and Janine are handling being quarantined together (likely exactly how they have in the two books where their relationship has been a focus – conflicts initially, but coming around to understanding). We discuss whether Claudia is on the front lines of mask-making, either actually making them or possibly finding ways to decorate the masks, especially to make them more fun and less scary for kids. Knowing Claudia’s love of junk food and Nancy Drews, we discuss how we think Claudia is getting more of these things to satisfy her needs and whether her parents have maybe softened their position on these items given what’s going on in the world. Lauryn pretends that Amazon doesn’t exist in the version of 2020 that the BSC is in for purposes of our discussion and Kate questions whether Claudia would even use it if it was available. We definitely agree Claudia is using her time at home to focus on her art (and exploring new media) and on fashion and creating amazing outfits, potentially creating (or expanding) a fashion Instagram or blog. We again end with a quick check-in on how we’re feeling and getting through self-isolation this week. Stay safe and healthy everyone!! Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

EM003: Emergency Meeting - Claudia in Quarantine!

It’s our first regular episode recorded remotely post-quarantine and we’re discussing what we’ve agreed to be one of the best BSC books to-date in the series. This one tackles two potentially difficult topics – child pageants generally and Jeff’s long-imminent return to California – with nuance and consideration and we’re here for it. Dawn gets dramatic about the induction ceremony for Jessi and Mallory and uses an invitation by Mrs. Pike to help Claire and Margo prepare for the Little Miss Stoneybrook pageant to distract from Club-related jealousies and the difficult situation at home with the Schafer parents working out an arrangement for Jeff’s temporary return to California to see how it goes. The rest of the BSC (aside from Mallory and Jessi, who are opposed to pageants) gets into the competitive aspect and each get their own girl to help prepare. As always, the girls learn from their mistakes and realize they don’t need to compete or be jealous of each other. We discuss the “best” talent at the pageant (Margo’s poem recitation while opening and eating a banana with her feet), our past and current feelings on pageants in general (and how the book presents a balanced take), Dawn’s dramatic nature, Mrs. Schafer’s shockingly (to Lauryn) on-point advice and knowledge drops to Dawn, Mrs. Perkins thoughtful commentary on competition generally, and the world of big cat owners. We also touch on the significant number of instances where the BSC members take their charges to other locations, frequently without any kind of note or other notice for the parents, and again note how rich the people in Stoneybrook seem to be.  Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: generationbsc@gmail.com Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

It’s our first regular episode recorded remotely post-quarantine and we’re discussing what we’ve agreed to be one of the best BSC books to-date in the series. This one tackles two potentially difficult topics – child pageants generally and Jeff’s long-imminent return to California – with nuance and consideration and we’re here for it. Dawn gets dramatic about the induction ceremony for Jessi and Mallory and uses an invitation by Mrs. Pike to help Claire and Margo prepare for the Little Miss Stoneybrook pageant to distract from Club-related jealousies and the difficult situation at home with the Schafer parents working out an arrangement for Jeff’s temporary return to California to see how it goes. The rest of the BSC (aside from Mallory and Jessi, who are opposed to pageants) gets into the competitive aspect and each get their own girl to help prepare. As always, the girls learn from their mistakes and realize they don’t need to compete or be jealous of each other. We discuss the “best” talent at the pageant (Margo’s poem recitation while opening and eating a banana with her feet), our past and current feelings on pageants in general (and how the book presents a balanced take), Dawn’s dramatic nature, Mrs. Schafer’s shockingly (to Lauryn) on-point advice and knowledge drops to Dawn, Mrs. Perkins thoughtful commentary on competition generally, and the world of big cat owners. We also touch on the significant number of instances where the BSC members take their charges to other locations, frequently without any kind of note or other notice for the parents, and again note how rich the people in Stoneybrook seem to be. Follow us! Instagram and Twitter: @generationbsc Contact us! E-mail: <a href="mailto:generationbsc@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">generationbsc@gmail.com</a> Generation BSC logo created by Jordyn Hunter.

Episode 015: Little Miss Stoneybrook...and Dawn!

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