Name: Claudia and Mean Janine
ISBN: 9780590410410

Ann M. Martin

Claudia's participation in the Baby-sitters Club is curtailed when Grandmother Mimi suffers a stroke and Claudia finds herself "Mimi-sitting" and fighting more frequently with her sister. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

Claudia and Mean Janine

Claudia's participation in the Baby-sitters Club is curtailed when her Grandmother Mimi suffers a stroke and Claudia finds herself "Mimi-sitting" and fighting more frequently with her sister.

Samantha Seeman

This series was one of my absolute favorites when I was growing up. Now that I am thinking about it though, I think I read more of the Little Sister (Karen’s story) series than the actual babysitters but regardless, Ann M. Martin was a name I knew very well. While I was re-reading these stories, details from the originals came back to me instantaneously. Truthfully, I am really hoping that they continue to adapt the series into graphic novel form. It allows a whole new generation to enjoy these stories, much of which you could learn some valuable lessons from. 
I loved that each of the five books (that are out so far) were mostly in the voice of a different character, which was a lot like how the books went. It allows you to really get to know the characters as individuals, as well as the children they regularly babysit, and the club as a whole. Reina Telgemeier wrote and illustrated the first four books, and Gail Galligan did the fifth (and final one). Having Reina’s name on this series at the beginning definitely brings many kids from the younger generations in. They are already familiar with Smile, Sisters and her other work (and LOVE it) so they are more willing to pick this up than if someone else had done it. That being said, I think the transition from Reina to Gail was really smooth. Everything from the general feel of the book, to the characters and the storyline, all matched fairly seamlessly to Reina’s earlier work. I do really hope that they continue the series. I enjoyed reading them, and now I want to go back a reread the entire Babysitters Club book series, including all the specials and Little Sister spin off series…