Kristy + Bart = ? is the 95th book in The Baby-Sitters Club series by Ann M. Martin.
Back cover Summary[]
Bart and Kristy are good friends. They go to dances or to the movies sometimes, but they're not really boyfriend and girlfriend.
Or are they? Lately, Bart seems a little more serious. Kristy doesn't mind, exactly, It isn't that she doesn't like Bart — she definitely does. But she's not sure she likes him like that. And what's going to happen to their friendship if they become a Couple?
Main Plot[]
Kristy gets in trouble because Watson and Elizabeth catch her kissing Bart on the couch. She gets grounded to her room for a weekend and reads all the books on her shelf, takes naps, and tries to coach from her bedroom window. Later when she sees Bart she breaks up with him.
Subplot[]
The BSC makes a book of zany world records with a talent show to showcase what they can do to their friends and neighbors.
Characters[]
Kristy's Family
- Kristy Thomas
- David Michael Thomas
- Sam Thomas
- Charlie Thomas
- Karen Brewer
- Andrew Brewer
- Emily Michelle Brewer
- Elizabeth Thomas-Brewer
- Watson Brewer
- Nannie
BSC Members
Kids
- Linny, Hannie, and Sari Papadakis
- Bill and Melody Korman
- Timmy and Scott Hsu
- Jordan, Adam, Byron, Vanessa, Nicky, Margo, and Claire Pike
- Matt and Haley Braddock
- Arnold Twins
- Jenny Prezzioso
- Jamie Newton
- Buddy Barrett
- Lindsey DeWitt
Teenagers
- Bart Taylor
- Sarah Green
- Seth & Kevin - Bart's friends
Adults
- Mrs. Pinelli - orchestra teacher (mentioned)
- Henrietta Hayes (mentioned)
- John Pike
- Dee Pike (mentioned)
- Mrs. Braddock
Locations[]
- Stoneybrook Middle School
- Kishi House
- Brewer/Thomas House
- Stoneybrook Cinema
- Pizza Express
- Pike House
- Braddock House
Pop Culture and Real-Life References[]
- Shiloh, Jane Eyre, The Infinite Variety of Music, Guinness Book Of World Records, The Grinch (books)
- It's a Wonderful Life, E.T., Mary Poppins, The Wizard of Oz (films)
- Ebenezer Scrooge
- Rapunzel
- Barney
- Thomas the Tank Engine
- Cookie Monster
Continuity and Inconsistencies[]
Continuity
- Kristy recalls Mallory working with Henrietta Hayes from Mallory Pike, No. 1 Fan and Claudia meeting Ted Garber from Claudia Kishi, Live From WSTO!.
- Andrea being a baby model is brought up from Mary Anne and Miss Priss.
- Karen tries to teach Andrew how to ride a two-wheeler. This was part of the plot in Karen's Unicorn
- Elizabeth removes Kristy’s TV from her bedroom when she’s grounded. This may be the portable TV that Watson gave her, and it was first mentioned in Logan Likes Mary Anne!
Inconsistencies
- Mary Anne says she learned to walk when she was fifteen months old. However in Mary Anne's Book, which was published in the same month, she reads a letter from her grandmother that says she took her first step before her first birthday.
- Kristy says that Bart is graceful, but in Karen's Baby-sitter, Lisa Engel says he’s gangly.
Ann M. Martin's Dear Reader Letter[]
Dear Reader,
Kristy + Bart = ? is about a confusing time in Kristy’s life, a time when she’s faced with decisions she’s not ready to make. A lot of kids have written to me to say that they feel pressured to have a boyfriend, or to be in a relationship they don’t feel ready for. I wanted to address this issue in a BSC book, and felt that Kristy was the most likely character to find herself in this situation. Eventually, Kristy is mature enough to realize that people are ready for different things at different times. And just because her friends have boyfriends doesn’t mean that she’s ready for such a relationship right now. Fortunately, Kristy can rely on her friends to support her — and that’s what friends are for.
Trivia[]
- Kristy and Bart officially break up, however he is mentioned and seen in some later books.
- On page 6 Kristy notes Abby and Anna's Bat Mitzvah.
- We see Nannie's handwriting for the first time on page 9.
- Shannon (the dog) likes to sit and watch the tennis players.
- The movie that Bart and Kristy see in chapter 4 is not a real movie.
- Mary Anne talks with her hands.
- Kristy is jealous of Mary Anne and Logan's relationship.
- Mrs. Newton and Mrs. Prezzioso are friends.
- Kristy called Jessi for advice.
- This is the last mention of the Ohdner Family in the series.
- Shannon was never seen but mentioned.
- The Barrett/DeWitt Family is mentioned in the book but only Lindsey and Buddy have spoken lines.
- Kristy has a bullhorn.
- Kristy has a phone in her room, but it’s not her own phone line.
Gallery[]
