Boy-Crazy Stacey
#8 of 131 in The Baby-Sitters Club Series
on Goodreads (5,610)
What’s inside...
Working as a mother's helper, with Stacey, for the Pike family at the Jersey shore, Mary Anne is upset when Stacey begins to neglect her job to spend her time pursuing a gorgeous lifeguard. America's favorite series returns with a new look and a Netflix TV show. The Pike family is taking a vacation to the beach, and Stacey and Mary Anne get to go along to help out! Two weeks of sun, sand, and the cutest lifeguard Stacey has ever seen! Mary Anne says that Scott the lifeguard is way too old for Stacey, and besides, she shouldn't be ignoring the Pike kids to spend more time with a boy. But Stacey is in love. What could possibly be more important than following her heart?
Character compass
Stacey Mcgill
Alex
Mary Anne Spier
Mallory Pike
Toby
Nicky Pike
Claire Pike
Margo Pike
Vanessa Pike
Jordan Pike
Adam Pike
Byron Pike
Mr. Pike
Mrs. Pike
Scott Foley
Claudia Kishi
Kristy Thomas
Dawn Schafer
Discussion points
How do you think Stacey felt when she first met the lifeguard and why?
What do you think makes a good friend? How did Stacey and Mary Anne demonstrate that in the story?
Why do you think Stacey's feelings changed throughout the book?
How did the characters handle their disagreements? What would you have done differently?
What did Stacey learn by the end of the book? How can you apply this lesson to your own life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Set a comfortable and quiet environment to start the discussion, ensuring the child feels it's a safe space to express their thoughts and feelings.
Use follow-up questions to encourage deeper thinking and understanding. For instance, if discussing character emotions, ask 'Why do you think they felt that way?'
Relate the situations in the book to the child’s own experiences, which can help them connect personally with the story and its characters.
Acknowledge and validate the child’s perspectives, even if they differ from the themes of the story, to foster open communication and critical thinking.
End the discussion with a creative activity, like drawing a scene from the book or writing a letter to a character, to further engage with the story’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the value of friendship
Explanation: In 'Boy-Crazy Stacey', Stacey gets distracted by her crush but eventually realizes the importance of her friends who support and stand by her throughout her emotional journey.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value and prioritize friendships over fleeting feelings and infatuations, understanding the long-term importance of reliable and supportive relationships.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Stacey is tasked with babysitting duties which she neglects at first due to her crush but later on takes up responsibly, learning from her mistakes.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children see the importance of fulfilling their duties and obligations even when there are distractions. It underscores accountability and the maturity that comes from admitting and rectifying mistakes.
Example Lesson: Self-awareness and personal growth
Explanation: Throughout the book, Stacey reflects on her behavior towards her babysitting charges and friends, which leads her to a path of self-improvement and growth.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to self-reflect on their actions and behavior, understanding how their actions affect others and fostering personal growth through cognizance.
Example Lesson: Coping with emotions
Explanation: The character experiences intense emotions due to her infatuation, providing a narrative that shows how she navigates these feelings responsibly.
Real-World Application: Educates children on managing strong emotions by making thoughtful decisions, helping them navigate emotional intelligence from a young age.