Kristy and the Sister War is the 112th book in The Baby-Sitters Club series by Ann M. Martin.
Back Cover Summary[]
When Kristy gets a regular sitting job at the Kilbourne house, she has to wonder: Doesn't Shannon Kilbourne, associate member of the BSC, have time to take care of her own sisters? The answer, unfortunately, is "no." Shannon is too busy to deal with her sisters. But they will not be ignored.
First, Tiffany and Maria try to help Shannon — by "cleaning" her room and "correcting" her algebra homework. When this doesn't work, Tiffany and Maria decide to make Shannon's life harder. Can Kristy manage to forge a truce — or will the Sister War rage out of control?
Main Plot[]
Kristy finds herself in the middle of trouble between her friend and fellow baby-sitter, Shannon, and Shannon's two younger sisters, Tiffany and Maria. Kristy wants to help the sisters smooth out their problems so that everyone will be happy.
Subplot[]
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
- Claudia Kishi
- Stacey McGill
- Mary Anne Spier
- Jessi Ramsey
- Mallory Pike
- Abby Stevenson
- Shannon Kilbourne
Kids
- Maria Kilbourne
- Tiffany Kilbourne
- Charlotte Johanssen
- Jordan, Adam, Byron, Nicky
- Linny and Hannie Papadakis
- Bill, Melody, and Skylar Korman
- Becca Ramsey
Pre-Teens
- Steve - seventh grader that Mark sets up with Kristy and double dates with Claudia
- Mark Jaffe
Teenagers
- Alan Gray
- Greer Carson, Polly, Kevin, Lindsey, Sophie - students at SDS
- Al Hall, Amanda Kerner, Jacqueline Vecchio, Karl Schmauder - students at Kelsey Middle School
- Pete Black
- Cokie Mason
- Emily Bernstein
Adults
- Ted Kilbourne
- Kathy Kilbourne
- Lana - make up artist at the mall
- Rioko Kishi
- Mr. Johanssen (mentioned)
- Dee Pike (mentioned)
- Mrs. Korman (mentioned)
Locations[]
- Brewer/Thomas House
- Kishi House
- Kilbourne House
- Korman House
- Washington Mall
- Pizza Express
Pop Culture and Real-Life References[]
- Ritz Crackers
- Betty Crocker
- I Love Lucy
- Bewitched
- Macy's
- Star Trek
- NFL, AL, and NBA
- Mickey Mantle
- Barney
- The Beatles
- Grateful Dead
Continuity and Inconsistencies[]
Continuity
- Tiffany is still into gardening which is first picked up in Stacey and the Cheerleaders.
- Kristy recalls Project work from Stacey and the Mystery at the Mall.
Inconsistencies
- There's three elementary schools in Stoneybrook: Stoneybrook Elementary School, Stoneybrook Academy, Stoneybrook Day School. However, there is no mention of a Kelsey Elementary School that goes to Kelsey Middle School unless Stoneybrook Academy students go to that school.
Ann M. Martin's Dear Reader Letter[]
Dear Reader,
The idea for Kristy and the Sister War came first as a title — we liked the title so much that we decided to write a story to match! Kids often ask me where I get the ideas for my books and the answer is that they come from many different sources. Sometimes an idea is sparked by watching the news or reading the paper or a magazine. I read lots of magazines, everything from The New Yorker to People. The idea for BSC #84, Dawn and the School Spirit War, came from an article I read in a magazine.
Kids frequently send me plot ideas in their letters. I don’t use those specific ideas, but the letters are still helpful, because by reading them, I find out what issues are of concern to kids, or simply what they would like to read about in future BSC books. This was how the idea for BSC #93, Mary Anne and the Memory Garden, came about. Lots of books have been based on things that actually happened to me or to people I know. Some baby-sitting episodes are about things that happened to me when I was a sitter. My own baby-sitting memories gave me the idea for BSC #2, Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls. For me, the best story ideas come from real life. This is why when kids ask for writing tips, I always recommend that they keep a journal — not so much for writing practice, but as a source of ideas.
Trivia[]
- Kristy and Claudia go on a shopping trip and double date together. Kristy realizes that she and her date have nothing in common and Mark Jaffe doesn't treat Claudia well.
- Kristy and Alan dance together.
- This is the only book where the kids worry about getting a "date" to a dance.
- There are two dances in this book—one at SMS and the other at the Stoneybrook Community Center.
- Emily teaches Shannon how to sit.
- Mrs. Kilbourne starts going for her teaching degree.
- Maria Kilbourne is a better swimmer then Kristy.
- Astrid barks at Noodle whenever she's walked past the Papadakis house.
- Claudia tries to set up Kristy on a date.
- Kristy wears a skirt on her date. Her outfit consists of a flowered skirt, a soft fleecy vest, and a silky cream colored blouse.
- Adam Pike still thinks that girls have cooties.
- Tiffany and Maria both had a crush on Jordan Pike before dancing with the other Pike triplets.
- Kelsey Middle School donated centerpieces from their last dance to the one at the community center.
- There's a fake band called Happy Dogs and their hit is I Feel Like Dancing.
- Lindsey, one of Shannon's friends, hates the Grateful Dead.
- Kristy hears Mr. Kilbourne say something that she shouldn't quote at the beginning of chapter thirteen.
- Shannon has a notebook entry at the beginning of chapter fourteen.
- Mr. Kilbourne quit the rotary club.
- Shannon's date for the dance had the flu and she goes as friends with Kristy.