Mary Anne Saves the Day
#4 of 131 in The Baby-Sitters Club Series
on Goodreads (8,904)
What’s inside...
In 'Mary Anne Saves the Day', Mary Anne has never been a leader of the Baby-Sitters Club. She's left that up to Kristy... or Claudia... or Stacey. But now there's a big fight among the four friends, and Mary Anne is left to her own devices. She has to sit by herself at lunch, make new friends, and deal with her overprotective father all alone. The worst part is the girls may not be friends anymore. So Mary Anne has to step in, using her knack for honesty and empathy to try to repair the damage. America's favorite series returns with a new look and a Netflix TV show.
Character compass
Mary Anne Spier
Stacey Mcgill
Claudia Kishi
Kristy Thomas
Dawn Schafer
Richard Spier
Discussion points
How did Mary Anne feel when she had to resolve the fight among her friends, and what would you have done in her place?
Why do you think teamwork and taking responsibility are important, as shown in the story?
What are some ways Mary Anne showed courage and kindness throughout the book?
How do you think the characters changed by the end of the story, and what did they learn?
Can you think of a time when you had to help solve a problem among your friends like Mary Anne did?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing a personal story about a time you faced a similar challenge to what Mary Anne experienced, to create a relatable context for your child.
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts about the story by asking them to imagine themselves in Mary Anne’s shoes.
Discuss the importance of the themes like friendship, responsibility, and bravery highlighted in the book, and relate them to real-life situations your child might encounter.
Use praise to celebrate your child's insights during the discussion, which can boost their confidence and engagement with the story’s themes.
After discussing, consider co-creating a small project, such as a friendship bracelet or a responsibility chart, to reinforce the book’s messages in a fun and practical way.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Conflict Resolution
Explanation: When faced with conflicts among friends, Mary Anne finds the courage to speak up and navigate through the difficulties, ultimately helping her friends reconcile.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of resolving disagreements and communicating openly, which are essential skills for building strong relationships in daily life.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and Dependability
Explanation: Mary Anne takes on the responsibility of organizing a group, showcasing reliability when her friends are in a disagreement.
Real-World Application: Kids see the importance of being responsible and dependable, encouraging them to take initiative in their tasks and commitments at school or home.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Throughout the book, Mary Anne shows great empathy towards her friends' feelings, which helps in mending the friendships.
Real-World Application: This story exemplifies the significance of understanding others' emotions, guiding children on how to be empathetic friends and compassionate individuals.
Example Lesson: Courage to Be Yourself
Explanation: Mary Anne breaks free from her shy demeanor to assert her opinions and ideas, demonstrating growth and self-confidence.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to embrace their unique qualities and opinions, promoting self-confidence and individuality in various social settings.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: Despite the initial fallouts, the group learns to collaborate and support each other to achieve common goals.
Real-World Application: Highlights the effectiveness of working together, teaching children the benefits of teamwork in accomplishing tasks and overcoming challenges together.