A discarded chain letter augers a series of bad events for Mary Anne, who is plagued by bad luck and a threatening note demanding a midnight meeting on Old Man Hickory's grave.

At the urging of a very artistic new girl who encourages Claudia to practice art instead of caring for kids, Claudia considers leaving the club and the other members give her an ultimatum.

"Claudia's sister, Janine, is too busy being smart to be nice to anyone-- even their grandmother, Mimi. But Claudia doesn't have to see Janine too much this summer since the Baby-sitters Club is starting a new play group. It's going to be so much fun! But then Mimi has a stroke, and the whole summer changes. Now Claudia is "Mimi-sitting" and Janine is no help at all. How can the Kishi sisters get along when Janine is always so mean?"--P. [4] of cover....

Feeling isolated as the only African American in her sixth grade class, Jessi gains a sense of belonging by participating in the Baby-sitters Club, learning sign language in order to communicate with a deaf child, and dancing in a ballet.

"As the newest member of the BSC, Dawn is eager to prove herself. So when a big job comes along, she jumps at the chance to show everyone what she's made of. The Barretts are even more challenging than Dawn expected. The house is a mess. Mrs. Barrett is unreliable, and the kids are out of control. Dawn knows she's a great baby-sitter, but this is impossible! She only knows one thing for sure--a member of the BSC never gives up!"--Page 4 of cover

When a fight breaks out among the members of the Baby-sitters Club, timid Mary Anne finds herself becoming more assertive as a baby sitter and in her relationships with her father and friends.

Mary Anne is desperate to find her missing kitten, Tigger, so the Baby-Sitters help her with her search, but in the meantime the children for whom Mary Anne babysits develop inexplicable allergies.

Stacey McGill is moving back to New York, and her friends must face the sadness of saying good-bye, hunt down the perfect farewell gift, and take on the difficult task of filling Stacey's place in the Baby-sitters Club.

"Claudia and her sister, Janine, may as well be from two different planets. Claudia, who pays more attention to her artwork and The Baby-sitters Club than her homework, feels like she can't compete with her perfect sister. Janine studies nonstop, gets straight As, and even takes college-level courses! But when something unexpected happens to the most beloved person in their family, will the sisters be able to put aside their differences?"--

"Claudia has a sad goodbye to make. Her grandmother, Mimi, has just died. Claudia understands that Mimi was sick for a long time, but she's still mad at her grandmother for leaving her. Who will help Claudia with her homework . . . and share "special tea" with her? To keep from thinking about Mimi, Claudia spends all her free time painting and baby-sitting. She's even teaching an art class for some of the kids in the neighborhood. Claudia knows...