#95: Kristy + Bart = ?

 

Thoughts before reading:

I did read this as a kid, but the subject matter didn't really interest me much back then. I think it was mostly a read of convenience. This time around, I've actually been looking forward to it, because ever since these two met WAY back in #20, nothing has happened... They've been in limbo forever, we know very little about how either of them feels towards the other, and they never discuss any of it. The whole situation is odd and leaves me wondering if they're both gay? Maybe it's a beard situation, but they are pretty young to be concerned about that... So, hopefully we'll finally get some answers.

The basics:

The Krushers are eager to begin their season, but it's still too cold and snowy out. Kristy has the idea to keep the kids occupied until spring by trying to set weird records (things like most free throws with a flat basketball). Of course, she immediately goes overboard and starts trying to get Mal or Claudia to ask Henrietta Hayes or Ted Garber to recommend her record book to publishers: Record Wreckers. (Never mind that it doesn't even exist yet.) 

She's also dealing with confusing feelings about her relationship to Bart. He calls her his girlfriend to his friends, which catches her off guard. Then they go to the movies together, and she gets uncomfortable because Bart keeps putting his arm around her, holding her hand, and kissing her. She does like the movie though, and has fun talking to him about it, but doesn't enjoy the other stuff. Afterwards, he also invites her to the April  Fool's Dance at his school also, and she does agree to go.

Kristy's babysitting at home not long after, when Bart drops by to watch a game together on tv. She's reluctant to give up her alone time, since the kids have just gone to bed, but she lets him in. They end up kissing, and she gets more into it than before... until her mom and Watson walk in. They're furious, because they have a rule about no significant others being over when no adult is home. This hadn't even crossed her mind, because she doesn't know what she considers Bart to be. She ends up getting grounded, and is furious at Bart, blaming him. (Nice to see some parenting!)

Unfortunately, Kristy had plans with Abby to work on the record breakers Saturday, so she tells Abby to go ahead and bring the kids to her yard, and she'll help from the window. Naturally, while doing just that, her mom catches her. Undeterred, Kristy keeps trying to find ways to participate (pantomiming, writing messages on paper airplanes and flying them out the window). 

On Monday, when she's free again, Kristy calls Bart to tell him what happened, places the blame all on him for coming over in the first place, and breaks up with him. Instead of feeling great though, she feels terrible. Then she gets angry that Bart doesn't call her to make up, because she quickly feels ready to forgive him. This leaves her feeling more confused, so she calls Jessi for advice, because she's too embarrassed to ask Mary Anne or Stacey. Jessi advises her to ask Mary Anne though, so Kristy reluctantly calls her next. Kristy starts crying as she explains that she wants Bart to call even though he's a jerk, and how he wants to be her boyfriend, but she's not sure she's ready because sometimes he makes her feel weird (pg 101). Mary Anne (wisely) tells her that it doesn't sound like she's ready for a boyfriend, and people don't do everything at the same rate. Age doesn't matter: if you're not ready, you're not ready. Nobody should ever do anything that doesn't feel right (pg 103). Kristy knows she's right, and vows to talk to Bart.

Kristy's still scared to call him, so she plans a speech. It's way too formal and confusing, but after reading it to him she's finally able to explain that she doesn't like him in the same way, only as a pal, and she felt pushed by him. 

Still, when Bart later tells her he isn't taking her to the dance and has gotten another date, she's confused and hurt. Eventually she realizes she hurt his feelings by breaking up with him, and they settle into being just friends.

Timeline:

It's March, and still snowing, to the kid's dismay.

Misc. thoughts:

*Ghostwritten by Peter Lerangis.

*Abby and Anna's bat mitzvahs are coming up next month.

*Finally Charlie gets some action in this book, haha! Also, I think this is the first mention of making out in the series, although Kristy calls it "going parking", like it's the 1950s instead of the 90's. 

*Elizabeth doesn't allow any significant others in the house when no adults are home. Not a bad rule, but how do they enforce this? I especially wonder how it was enforced with Sam and Stacey. When they were dating, was she not allowed to babysit for them unless Sam would be gone the whole time? Also, is it really better for Charlie to be out in his car doing anything he wants?

*Kristy says towards the beginning that Bart is cute, but can be a jerk, and that they "sort of" go steady, but low-key, not "boyfriend-girlfriend-kissyface-make-me-puke". Her words, not mine. 

*Page 22 editing error: it says Stacey says, '"Kristy," Stacey warned her'. It should say "warned me", since Kristy's narrating. 

*Kristy's caught off guard and surprised when Bart introduces her to his friends as his girlfriend, but she's been calling him her sort-of boyfriend for most of the series... then later in the book, it bugs her when he doesn't call her his girlfriend. 

*Abby cries about getting gum in her hair? She's a little old for that...

*The scene where Kristy was trying to help with the record breakers from her bedroom window was really familiar to me, but nothing else was.

*I'm not a big fan of Bart's, but I felt bad for him when Kristy blew up at him about coming over while she was babysitting. He didn't even know about the house rule. 

*This book was really like 80% about Record Wreckers, and Kristy + Bart came across as the side plot. Too bad, since it was vastly more interesting. 

*Once again, Claudia's put in charge of making signs. I just don't get it...

*First mention of the Ohdners in awhile, but still no mention of who their kids are, or anything about them.

*Henrietta Hayes is the author Mal knows from working for her in #80. Ted Garber is the children's author that Claudia interviewed on her radio show, in #85. 

Books mentioned:

*The Infinite Variety of Music, by Leonard Bernstein

*Shiloh, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

My rating:

2 stars. This had a lot of potential for me, but was ultimately almost all pointless filler. There were some insights into Kristy's character, but not enough to draw any conclusions. I did like the portrayal of a character who's a teenager but isn't ready to date, or do physical things like kissing yet. It's realistic, and good representation for kids who may feel the same way and be confused as to why, or feeling alone and left behind.