Jessi and the Awful Secret is the 61st book in The Baby-Sitters Club series.
Back Cover Summary[]
When Jessi's dance teacher asks for volunteers to help out in a ballet class for children, Jessi gladly signs up. She loves kids, and this will give Jessi a chance to get to know some of the girls in her own class better.
Soon, Jessi wishes she didn't know them so well. Because Jessi discovers a secret about Mary Bramstedt. One that could hurt Mary. Jessi knows she has to tell someone. But will telling the secret mean losing a friend?
Summary[]
Subplot[]
Shannon has a free schedule but Kristy has been busy so she gets the BSC to spend some time with her. Kristy then becomes jealous when all her friends are spending time with Shannon.
Characters[]
Jessi's Family
BSC Members
Kids
- Jamie and Lucy Newton
- Devon Ramirez, Martha Roberts, Nora, Alphonse, Jane, Yvonne - new dancing students
- Karen Brewer
- Nancy Dawes
- Linny, Hannie, and Sari Papadakis
- Andrew Brewer
- David Michael Thomas
- Emily Michelle Brewer
- Bill, Melody, and Sari Korman
- Tiffany and Maria Kilbourne
- Charlotte Johanssen (mentioned)
Preteens
- Mary Bramstedt
- Katie Beth Parsons
- Vince Parsons
- Quint Walter (mentioned)
Teenagers
- Carrie Steinfeld - student in Jessi's ballet class
- Lisa Jones - student in Jessi's ballet class
- Mindy Howard - student in Jessi's ballet class
- Raul, Darcy, Cherisse, and Sue - student teacher volunteers
Adults
- Madame Noelle
- Madame Dupree
- Mrs. Newton (mentioned)
- Mrs. Papadakis
- Jon Tsuji - piano player
- Watson Brewer (mentioned)
- Elizabeth Thomas-Brewer
Locations[]
- Stamford Ballet School
- Burger King
- Ramsey House
- Papadakis House
- Kishi House
- Burger King
- Korman House
Pop Culture and Real-Life References[]
- George Ballanchine (ballet choreographer)
- Fantasia, An American in Paris, It's a Wonderful Life - movies
- Rolls Royce
- Burger King
- Charlie Chaplin, Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison - dancers
- Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake (ballets)
- America’s Funniest Home Videos
- X-men
- Pete's Dragon
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Raggedy Ann
- Winnie the Pooh
- Julliard
- The Nutcracker Suite - dance of the sugar plum fairies
Continuity and Inconsistencies[]
Continuity
- All of the students in Jessi's dance class are the same as before.
- Stacey remembers when the BSC thought that she was anorexic before she told them about her diabetes.
- Tiffany is eleven in the book, which is the same age she was introduced as.
- Jessi remembers being a swan maiden in Swan Lake from Jessi and the Superbrat.
Inconsistencies
- On page 76 Kristy's mom is Mrs. Brewer. On Page 77 she's Mrs. Thomas.
Ann M. Martin's Dear Reader Letter[]
Dear Reader,
I’ve received many letters from kids who are concerned about their weight. Most of them were concerned that they were overweight and wanted to know about dieting or about eating more healthfully. Others were already dieting and wanted to know if they were going about it properly. Still others were concerned about friends who seemed to be taking their diets to an extreme. They wanted to know how they could help their friends. Dieting can be a complicated issue for anybody. It’s true that many Americans are overweight, which is not healthy. Being overweight can lead to heart disease and other serious problems. On the other hand, it is equally unhealthy to be underweight. A severe eating disorder is anorexia, which is what Jessi’s friend Mary Bramstedt develops.
One of the most important things to remember when you start a diet is to start a healthy one. The first thing you should do is talk to your parents and then, with your parents, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can help you find a diet that is just right for you, your exercise level, and your lifestyle. If you are concerned about a friend who seems to be taking a diet to an extreme, talk to an adult immediately. A parent, the school nurse or guidance counselor, a teacher, anyone you think can help — because your friend does need help.
Happy reading — and be healthy!
Trivia[]
- Aunt Cecelia is now described as fat.
- Mal and Jessi hate horror stories.
- Shannon is said to have "short curly blonde hair."
- Watson's accountant is named Stewart.
- Dawn would consider eating fast food inhuman torture.
- Hannie always plays Mrs. Noswimple during "Let's All Come In."
- Janine is studying psychology in school and lends the BSC her books.
- Kristy was going to a basketball game at Bart’s school one night
- Shannon is good at imitations.
- Charlie is very punctual.
- David Michael is a few months older then Karen and Hannie and Nancy are almost a year older then her.
- Jessi gets letters from Quint Walter, and it was his idea to consider the scholarship.
- Jessi doesn't agree with Madame Dupree's teaching methods at first.
- Kristy goes to a planning meeting at school for the spring dance.
- Jessi goes to Aunt Cecelia for advice.
- Claudia stress eats
- Jessi sometimes feels intimated by Madame Noelle
- Watson never makes a financial move without talking to his accountant first. He and Elizabeth set up a scholarship fund which gets name after them.
- Shannon starts to attend BSC meetings regularly