Stacey McGill... Matchmaker? is the 124th book in The Baby-Sitters Club series by Ann M. Martin.
Back Cover Summary[]
A new family has come to town—and Stacey's their new sitter! The Brooke kids are both cute and friendly. And their father—well, Stacey thinks their father would be a perfect match for her mom.
Stacey's mom isn't too sure. Plus, the Brooke kids hate Stacey for setting up their father! Stacey's got more than a parent trap on her hands. She has a matchmaking mess!
Main Plot[]
The BSC gets a new client—a single father with two children, Joni and Ewan Brooke. Stacey's mother gets involved with the father, John, and they start dating, and the children hate that.
Subplot[]
Mallory is still being teased in school after breaking a chalk in English class, so she and her parents are thinking about enrolling her in a different school. Since Stoneybrook Day School is expensive, a boarding school in Massachusetts is a strong possibility for Mallory.
Characters[]
Stacey's Family
BSC Members
- Kristy Thomas
- Mary Anne Spier
- Claudia Kishi
- Mallory Pike
- Jessi Ramsey
- Abby Stevenson
- Dawn Schafer (mentioned)
- Shannon Kilbourne (mentioned)
Kids
- Joni and Ewan Brooke
- Joe Peters - student in Ewan's class that made fun of his name (mentioned)
- Jackie, Shea, and Archie Rodowsky (mentioned)
Teenagers
Adults
- John Brooke
- Dee Pike (mentioned)
- Samantha Young (mentioned)
- Mrs. Rodowsky (mentioned)
Locations[]
- Pietros
- McGill House
- Brooke House
- Kishi House
- Manhattan, New York
- Stoneybrook Middle School
- Riverbend Hall Boarding School (mentioned)
Pop Culture and Real-Life References[]
- Hanson
- Teletubbies
- Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons
- Pride and Prejudice, Bridge to Terabithia, Jacob Have I Loved, The Great Gilly Hopkins, Nancy Drew Mystery Stories, The Wrong-Way Rabbit (books)
- Cinderella
- Hansel and Gretel
- Monopoly
- Genghis Khan
- The Indian in the Cupboard (movie)
Continuity and Inconsistencies[]
Continuity
- Mallory also mentions taking riding lessons again, referencing to Mallory and the Dream Horse.
- Kristy recalls hating Watson when he and her mother were dating, referencing back to Kristy's Great Idea.
- Stacey remembers the feelings she had during her parents’ divorce, which happened in Welcome Back, Stacey!.
- There is a reference that Mallory was given a class of 8th graders and she got teased from Kristy in Charge.
Inconsistencies
- Mallory said that Stoneybrook Day School was her only other school option in Stoneybrook. But she could’ve gone to Kelsey Middle School, or Stoneybrook Academy. Her parents would just have to pay out of district fees, but it's possible Malloty doesn't know those two schools besides SDS.
Ann M. Martin's Dear Reader Letter[]
Dear Reader,
In Stacey McGill … Matchmaker? Stacey’s personal life conflicts with her baby-sitting and puts her in a difficult position. Stacey feels caught between her troubled charges and their father, and has to decide if she can talk to Mr. Brooke without betraying the kids. Complicating matters further is the issue of Stacey’s mother, who has been dating Mr. Brooke.
Baby-sitting is full of surprises. You never know what kind of situation will arise. It’s important to be on your toes. Just remember that when you’re responsible for younger children, safety always comes first. Stacey knows that her mom’s feelings and her mom’s relationship with Mr. Brooke are important, but when Joni storms off, Stacey realizes that Joni’s safety comes first, no matter what. When you’re baby-sitting, be prepared to think on your feet — and be creative!
Trivia[]
- Mal mentions a boarding school in Massachusetts, foreshadowing her leaving in The All-New Mallory Pike.
- This is the only mention of Maureen McGill ever dating until Stacey's Problem.
- Stacey and her mom started a book club between the two of them and their first book is Pride & Prejudice.
- The BSC also starts reading Jacob I Have Loved Together as well.
- Most of Stacey's family lives too far away to visit.
- Maureen is not wrong when she says it's harder to make friends when you're an adult.
- Mrs. Pike suggested that Mr. Brooke use the BSC.
- Mallory has developed a negative attitude toward school.
- Mary Anne went home and cried after one of the classes Mallory tried to teach.
- Dawn starts a movie club with her friends in California.
- Kristy and Mallory thought Mr. Brooke was cute.
- Mr. McGill has a business meeting in Boston and briefly stays in Stoneybrook.
- Stacey likes the idea of having a stepparent.
- In chapter 7 Mary Anne mentioned that Richard dated when she was younger.
- Abby wishes her mother would date.
- Maureen and John break up because she didn't agree with some of his views of his mystery books.
- Something always breaks when the McGills hosts Thanksgiving, according to Stacey.
- Stacey hoped that her parents would get back together. This hope disappeared when she met Samantha Young.