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chicafrom3's review
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
First book in the California Diaries spinoff of the BSC series. Dawn becomes a high schooler (technically) when Vista merges the eighth grade into its high school building, and struggles with a number of changes in her personal life. Aimed at an older audience than the BSC, it tackles some more mature topics, including underage drinking, sexual attraction and harassment, and a more informed take on serious medical issues. Might do better as a standalone series, as Dawn, Maggie, and Jill's characters are almost completely disconnected from their BSC versions; if you think of them as new characters, they come off better. A solid start to a new YA series, if a bit overwrought.
miniaturephilosopher's review
3.0
I loved the BSC books as a kid, and now that the Baby-Sitters Club Club Podcast is reading the California Diaries, I am finally reading the California Diaries. I probably would have loved these at about age 12. I'm enjoying the nostalgia factor.
sarahhatchet's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
leighannsherwin's review
4.0
This was different. I wish they had aged Dawn up a year or so, because it made no sense. This Dawn was nothing like BSC Dawn. It begins when her school becomes over crowded and 8th grade joins the high school. How the school managed this is beyond me but okay. Dawn is acting like she's so much older and mature than everyone. Her friend Sunny who is watching her mom die from cancer randomly gets her navel pierced which I didn't think you could do without adult permission if you're under 18. Poor Jill gets bullied by her friends in this. I would be pissed too if I got in trouble because of the actions of other people, but Dawn is all self righteous about it and frankly I really hated her in this book. This series feels like it's trying to be Sweet Valley High with slightly younger people and while it was engaging it was a disappointment. If Dawn had been 14-16 it would've worked better but I can't believe she would've change so much in such a short time. But I will push on, I'm interested to see Sunny's story as a person who lost her mom I want to see how it's handled through the eyes of a teenager.
kaylargh's review
3.0
Just going back to my pre-teen years. I ordered this from book club and got one book every month. I remember being absolutely furious when I found out my mum cancelled it after the 5th.
lovelyflowersinherhair's review
5.0
Dawn's diaries were a bit lighter in tone than the other diaries in the tragically too shortlived California Diaries series, due to the fact that she was also featured in the BSC books during that time, but I thought that this was really realistic, with the ending of her friendship with Jill and the news of her stepmother Carol's pregnancy.
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