#12 in The Baby-Sitters Club Series
Kristy and the Snobs
on Goodreads (4,660)
What’s inside...
The story revolves around Kristy Thomas, who moves to a posh society and faces snobbery. The snobs initially make fun of her but gradually, she proves her worth and gains respect.
Discussion points
How did Kristy's feelings change towards the snobs throughout the story, and why do you think that happened?
Can you relate to how Kristy felt when she met new people? What would you do in her situation?
What did Kristy learn about friendship in this book? What do you think makes a good friend?
Why do you think the author chose to have different social groups in the story? How does that relate to real life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own experiences with meeting new people or dealing with challenging social situations, encouraging your child to open up about their feelings.
Focus on the growth of Kristy’s character and ask your child how they have changed or grown from their own experiences.
Discuss the importance of empathy and understanding, using examples from the book where characters showed kindness or could have been more understanding.
Encourage your child to think about the broader themes of the book, like friendship and acceptance, and how these themes apply to their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding towards others
Explanation: Kristy shows empathy towards her new classmates despite their unwelcoming attitude, which eventually leads to mutual understanding and acceptance.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by showing kindness and trying to understand peers who may appear different or distant. This can lead to more inclusive and friendly interactions in school and other social settings.
Example Lesson: Dealing with change and loss
Explanation: Through Kristy’s experiences with her family and new surroundings, the book addresses how to cope with significant changes like moving homes and losing a pet.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to express their feelings and seek support from family and friends during major life changes, such as relocating or dealing with grief.
Example Lesson: The value of perseverance
Explanation: Kristy's determination to fit into her new environment and form a bond with the snobby classmates teaches the importance of not giving up despite challenges.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to persist in their goals, whether it's making new friends, improving in an academic subject, or taking up a new hobby.
Example Lesson: Building friendships across social divides
Explanation: The book illustrates how Kristy navigates the social hierarchy at her new school and eventually makes friends with people who initially seemed very different from her.
Real-World Application: Children can learn not to judge others based on first impressions or social status, and instead, focus on building meaningful relationships.