Oh yeah. You heard that right. The Babysitters Club. Coming back. Not only are they re-issuing the original books but they're coming out with new ones and a prequel. If you were considered middle grade age anytime between 1986 and 2000, you know the win I'm reveling in right now. Not only did I have a shitload of BSC books, I had the board game and the sleeping bag. Ultimate cool, I know.More than 200 BSC books were published during its reign, written by a few ghosted authors to meet the insane publishing demands this book called for (one a month, seriously!). Martin wrote a quite a few but no one could keep up with that schedule on their own!
The only issue I have with the books being re-issued is they're updated. That was the reason why I passed on my copy of Thirst, because it was updated. For kids that haven't had the BSC exposure, sure. I get it. But us oldies, I want my nostalgia, dammit! I want to hear them talking about VHS tapes, cassettes and phones with cords! But that's just me.
David Levithan, awesome man that he is, is heading up this new venture of re-releases and the publishing of the prequel. Oh yeah. Expect a HUGE surge in adult purchases of these books when they start coming out. Personally I'd seek out the originals but what an excellent way for two generations to connect. It almost makes me wish I had a daughter. And then the psychosis goes away and the meds kick in.
I really hope this spurns yet another generation of BSC fans. It's going to be such a refreshing addition to the reading landscape already out there. The plots aren't overblown or catty. They're just girls and their adventures in babysitting. Below is a side-by-side comparison of Kristy's Great Idea from the original to what's going to be re-released.
Personally I like the older one. :)
