Claudia and the Mystery in the Painting Read online

Page 3


  “I’d like to buy it,” I said, realizing that I actually would like to hang it in my room, “but not for a hundred dollars.” I wondered how much it would really cost at the sale. I might have to come see if I could afford it. I also wondered exactly what Jimmy meant about his dad’s getting mad whenever his mom mentioned painting.

  I watched as Jimmy gathered up a collection of paintbrushes and rolled them off the edge of the table one by one. “Do you want to go outside for a while? Or show me the rest of the house?” I asked him.

  Before Jimmy could answer, I heard footsteps on the porch below. I went to the window. A man was standing on the porch steps, looking up. I couldn’t tell whether he saw me. He moved out of sight, toward the house.

  “There’s a man downstairs on the side porch,” I said. “We should probably go tell your mom.” I remembered what she’d said about people trying to see what was going to be in the sale.

  “Maybe it’s my dad!” Jimmy straightened up and ran out of the room before I could say anything. I followed him.

  “Dad!” Jimmy shouted as he opened the door. Immediately, his shoulders slumped.

  I was pretty sure that the man standing in the doorway wasn’t Jimmy’s dad. He was too young, for one thing. And he was Asian-American. “Hi,” he said to me. “You’re not … Where’s Rebecca Madden?” He looked surprised that someone had answered the door.

  “No, she’s upstairs. Jimmy, please go tell your mother there’s someone to see her.” I wanted to let the man know that Ms. Madden was at home, but I didn’t want to leave him downstairs alone or let him in until Ms. Madden said it was all right.

  “That’s okay. Don’t bother her. I work for the company that’s helping her with the sale,” he said, turning to leave.

  Jimmy trudged up the stairs, looking as sad as he’d looked happy a few minutes earlier.

  “Ms. Madden will be here in a minute,” I told him firmly. “Please, wait right here until she comes.”

  “Really, since Rebecca is busy, I’ll come back another time,” the young man said.

  As I watched him walk toward his car, I noticed that he looked up at the second floor a lot. I kept checking over my shoulder while I waited for Ms. Madden to come downstairs. When the man started to get into his car, I went upstairs to find Ms. Madden myself. She might need to talk to him.

  Ms. Madden was in a bedroom, lying on the floor, reaching underneath the bed.

  “Excuse me,” I said from the doorway. She twisted into what had to be an uncomfortable position, her head off the floor and looking over her shoulder.

  “Is Jimmy okay?” she asked.

  “He’s fine,” I answered, although her question made me realize I wasn’t sure where he was. “But there’s a man downstairs who says he works for the estate company. He’s leaving, but I thought you might want to talk to him.”

  Ms. Madden rolled out from under the bed and stood up, brushing dirt off her clothes. “Is it Mr. Ogura?”

  “He didn’t give his name, but he’s Asian-American,” I said, immediately feeling silly that I’d been so suspicious. “I didn’t know if you’d want him to come inside. You said that there were people trying to get in the house….”

  “You did exactly the right thing,” Ms. Madden assured me with a smile. “But it’s okay to let Mr. Ogura in when he comes by. He’s helping me decide how to price some of the pieces that may be valuable.”

  “Have you seen Jimmy?” I asked. “I sent him up here to find you.”

  “No, I haven’t. Maybe I’ll try to catch Mr. Ogura. There are a few things I want to ask him.”

  After Ms. Madden left, I went into the studio and then into each of the other rooms on the second floor, calling out Jimmy’s name. There wasn’t a sign of him anyplace.

  I ran into Ms. Madden on the front staircase, which was much wider and more open than the stairs leading from the back hallway.

  “Did you catch Mr. Ogura?” I asked. I wished I had tried harder to convince him to wait.

  Ms. Madden shook her head. “No, and I didn’t find Jimmy. But it’s not unusual for him to get distracted when you tell him to do something. Go check in the backyard,” she said. “There’s a tree house near the stream that runs along our property line. You’ll probably find him there. That’s where he’s spent most of his time since we came here.”

  I ran to the tree house. “Jimmy! Where are you? Jimmy!” I yelled. He didn’t answer me, but I heard something like a hiccup, so I climbed up to the tree house.

  There he was, in a corner, huddled into a tight little ball. His shoulders were shaking. I crawled to him (I couldn’t stand up, because the ceiling was so low) and put my hand on his back. “Hey, what’s the matter?” I asked in a soft voice.

  “I thought … hic … I thought it was going to be my daddy. And I miss him. I want to see him. It’s been days and days.” Jimmy threw himself into my lap and cried louder.

  I had no idea if he was going to see his dad anytime soon, so I patted him on the back until he quieted down. It’s a good way to comfort just about anybody, especially when you’re not sure what to say. Then I took a tissue out of my pocket (I always make sure I have extra tissues when I’m baby-sitting) and wiped his face dry. “Feeling better?” I asked. He nodded. “Let’s go tell your mom you’re found.” Jimmy climbed down and I followed him inside the house.

  “Jimmy, I don’t want you running off without telling Claudia where you’re going,” Ms. Madden greeted him. “I have to get this house in shape in one week, and if you frighten your baby-sitter away …”

  Jimmy looked as if he might start crying again, but then Ms. Madden hugged him. “It’s okay,” she said. “I just don’t know how I’m going to get everything done in time.”

  “I’ll help. We’ll help. The Baby-sitters Club, I mean.” I jumped in with the offer.

  “You will?”

  “It’ll be fun,” I said, starting to worry a little, now that I’d volunteered everybody else. At least I knew I’d enjoy it.

  “I can pay,” said Ms. Madden. “And you could still help me with Jimmy too. Won’t that be fun, Jimbo? To have some big girls around to play with?”

  Jimmy didn’t say anything. He started kicking the floor with his toe again.

  “Jimmy and I are going to New York tomorrow to see his dad.”

  “We are? Really truly?” Jimmy stood tall, almost smiling.

  “Really truly,” his mother answered. “And I think his dad is going to come back with us. We won’t be home until Monday, late in the day. Could I show you some things that need to be done? That way you could start after school and not have to wait until I return.”

  I followed her around while she explained what she wanted done in each room. We finally ended up in the studio. “This must be a great place to paint in,” I said, trying to work around to the subject of Grandmother Madden.

  “It’s too bad that my grandmother stopped using it for her studio,” Ms. Madden said. “Her students were the ones who painted in here after —”

  “Do you really think she destroyed her paintings?” I blurted out. I just could not believe that an artist could do that.

  “After her last show, when the reviews were so awful, she became terribly discouraged. I do think it’s possible to stop believing in yourself. In fact, I’ve been there.” Ms. Madden looked around the room, her eyes sad. “I wish she were around today to see how valuable the paintings she gave each of her grandchildren have become and how much people admire her paintings that are displayed in museums.”

  “But all her paintings? The ones she still had?” I pressed.

  “I’m very certain there aren’t any paintings left here. If there were, my cousins would be here helping me, making sure they didn’t miss out on the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. They were as surprised as I was when Granny left me the house. We had figured she would divide everything equally, even though as a kid I spent more time with her than any of them because I liked to paint as
much as she did. When we came to visit, they would run around outside, exploring or climbing up to the tree house, but Granny and I would come up here. I thought it must be like heaven.

  “Suzanne and Rob and Julie thought Granny was odd. She didn’t dress the way other grandmothers dressed and she gave us presents she’d made, not bought. Of course, those things are worth a lot of money now. And the paintings that she gave each of us are too. But I wouldn’t sell mine for the world.” Ms. Madden looked around the studio as if she could still see her grandmother there working. I could guess how she felt because it was the way I felt about Mimi.

  “There was a big court battle over the house and the will, but when no Grandmother Madden paintings turned up, my cousins decided that I could have the house. And here we are.” She spread her arms out. “Lots of paintings, but no Grandmother Maddens.”

  I followed her gaze around the room, thinking I might ask her about the Japanese portrait. When I looked at the spot where I’d left it, there was an empty space. The painting was gone!

  “Jimmy, what happened to that picture of the Japanese woman — the one you said was all gloppy?” I asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  “What are you talking about?” Ms. Madden asked.

  “There was a portrait of a woman wearing a kimono, and I put it over there.” I pointed. “It’s gone.”

  “Gone? You’re sure it’s gone?”

  I walked around, looking at the paintings, but didn’t see the portrait anyplace. It would have been easy to pick out because it was one of the few framed paintings.

  “I’d better check the rest of the house.” Ms. Madden left. I could hear her moving from room to room. I thought about helping, but since this was the first time I’d been in the house, how would I know if something else were missing?

  Jimmy and I still hadn’t had much of a chance to play, so I started a game of I Spy. I had just spied something yellow (a plastic banana) when Ms. Madden returned.

  “Nothing else seems to be missing,” Ms. Madden said. “I’m sure it’ll turn up. Maybe you forgot where you put it.”

  “Maybe,” I said. The phone rang, which struck me as odd. I didn’t expect phone service in a house that had been shut up for six years. But maybe since Ms. Madden and Jimmy were staying here, they’d had it turned on.

  “I’m about ready to finish up for today, Claudia, but let me answer the phone before you go.” Ms. Madden hurried out into the hall, followed by Jimmy.

  I took one more look around for the Japanese portrait, then went downstairs. Ms. Madden was in the kitchen, twisting the phone cord around her finger as she talked.

  “I know I promised I’d get the paintings to you this week, but there’s a problem.” As I walked into the room, she turned her back to me and said something I couldn’t hear, then hung up.

  Paintings? What paintings was she talking about? It couldn’t be Madden primitives. She’d insisted her grandmother had destroyed all the paintings that she’d still had after her last show.

  “Claudia, thanks so much for your help this morning. I enjoyed meeting you, and I know Jimmy enjoyed seeing someone besides me for a change. Let me show you where we keep the key before you leave.” Ms. Madden went outside and lifted one of the stones at the edge of the drive. “I keep meaning to have another one made, but I haven’t had time yet. I’ll leave this one here for you to use Monday, in case we aren’t back by the time you arrive.”

  “I’ll see you then,” I said.

  Jimmy stood behind his mother and waved as I walked away.

  So much had happened in the short time I’d been at the house. I couldn’t wait until Monday to come back again.

  Since Mrs. O’Neal had said she was in charge of the Kaleidoscope Room, it hadn’t occurred to me that she wouldn’t know anything about how to set up projects for kids — fun, creative projects, anyway.

  Abby arrived at the museum just as Corrie Addison’s and Jamie Newton’s parents dropped them off. She would have liked to have had a little time to look around the room without the kids, but it was too late.

  “Hi, Abby,” Corrie said. “Is Claudia coming?” Corrie’s nine years old and she likes art as much as I do. She’s good at it too.

  “Not today. It’s just me,” Abby replied.

  Corrie looked a little disappointed. “Will any other kids be here?” she asked, twisting her brownish-blonde hair around her finger.

  “Marilyn and Carolyn Arnold are supposed to come,” Abby said.

  Jamie reached up and took Abby’s hand. He had a Band-Aid across the back of each of his hands. Jamie is four. He’s one of our all-time favorite baby-sitting charges.

  “What happened?” Abby asked, touching each Band-Aid lightly. They were decorated with balloons.

  “Scratches,” he said.

  Abby led the kids through the side entrance of the museum. In a cheerful room, a woman wearing a gray silk suit was placing sheets of paper on the table. Her hair was in a perfect French twist and she would have fit in any office in the city, Abby told me later. But she didn’t exactly look dressed for art projects.

  “Hi, I’m Abby Stevenson from the Baby-sitters Club. We’re here to try out your new room.”

  The woman turned around quickly. Her hand went to her throat, rubbing the string of pearls she wore around her neck. She smiled stiffly. “How nice of you to come. Abby? I thought Claudia Kishi was coming.”

  “Claudia had another job this morning, so she asked me to come in her place,” said Abby, trying to sound happy about it. She heard Corrie sigh.

  “Where is Claudee?” Jamie asked.

  “She’s baby-sitting for someone else,” Abby said.

  Corrie pulled out a chair and sat down at the table where the woman had set out some paper. Jamie went around to the other side and sat down across from her.

  “Paint aprons first, boys and girls,” the woman said. She pulled out bright red aprons and dropped one over Corrie’s head.

  Corrie pulled it down quickly.

  “I can do it myself,” Jamie said before she could put his on him. He stuck his head through the hole, and twisted the apron around until it was in the right place.

  Marilyn Arnold rushed into the room, followed by her twin sister, Carolyn. The twins, who are eight, are identical, like Abby and Anna. And, like Abby and Anna, they’re also as different as they are alike. Their mom used to dress them in matching outfits, but lately each girl has developed her own individual style.

  Mrs. O’Neal grabbed two more aprons and approached the girls. “Aren’t you too cute? Twins,” she said. “How does your mother tell you apart?”

  “Hi, Marilyn. Hi, Carolyn,” Abby greeted them. Actually, it’s easy to tell the Arnold twins apart, just by their clothes. They like very different styles. Carolyn was dressed in leggings and a loose top, and Marilyn wore jeans and a T-shirt.

  “Where’s Claudia?” Carolyn asked. “I thought she’d be here and I wanted her to see this outfit.”

  “She’s baby-sitting,” Abby said for the third time.

  The girls put on their aprons, then started to wander around the room.

  They checked out the tables. On one, some clay was set out, on another, sheets of paper. The others were clear. Easels were set up near the windows, and unopened jars of paint were lined up on the shelves.

  “What are we supposed to do with these?” Corrie asked, holding up one of the sheets of paper that Mrs. O’Neal had laid out. The outline of a bear was drawn on one side.

  “That’s your painting project for today,” Mrs. O’Neal said. “Girls, come over here and join us.” She rounded up Marilyn and Carolyn, who were sticking their fingers in the clay, and guided them to the paint table.

  “Where’s the paint?” Jamie asked.

  At the mention of paint, Abby’s nose started to twitch as if she were going to sneeze. She headed toward the windows and opened each one a little to keep her paint allergy from taking hold.

  Mrs. O’Neal put a
jar of brown paint in the middle of the table. She had stuck four brushes in it.

  “Brown? That’s all the paint you have? Brown?” asked Marilyn.

  “It’s a bear,” said Mrs. O’Neal. “And after you’re finished, you’ll be the first artists to display your work in our special Kaleidoscope Gallery.” Mrs. O’Neal walked to the door and pointed at a blank wall in the hall across from the room.

  “But what if we want to decorate it?” asked Corrie. Her hands were folded in her lap and she was chewing on her lower lip. “If everyone uses brown paint, they’ll all look alike. How will my mom and dad know which one I painted?”

  “You’ll sign it, of course,” said Mrs. O’Neal.

  “There are lots of paints here,” said Abby, taking down a jar of red, one of purple, another of blue. “How about if we open these?” she asked Mrs. O’Neal. She wondered why Mrs. O’Neal didn’t give the kids a sheet of paper and let them make their own bears. And why didn’t they use the easels. Abby wanted to say something, but she felt so out of place in the art room that she didn’t dare.

  Mrs. O’Neal looked at the jar of brown paint already sitting on the table, then at Abby holding the three other jars. “I suppose. I mean, if you’re careful not to mix up the colors.”

  Abby poured paint into some baby food jars she found under the sink and set out more brushes. She sneezed once, but the open windows ventilated the room and she didn’t feel too stuffy. Jamie was already painting his bear brown, but the girls waited.

  “I think I’ll make my bear quilted,” said Corrie.

  Mrs. O’Neal stood behind her chair and watched, tapping a manicured nail on her front tooth, as Corrie painted a blue square on the bear’s stomach.

  Carolyn dipped a brush in the purple paint and splashed a thick line directly down the middle of her bear.

  “That’s an interesting look for a bear,” Mrs. O’Neal said, but Abby could tell that she didn’t really approve.

  Jamie finished painting his bear and moved to the table where the clay waited. He took a lump and rolled it around on the table, making a long, snakelike cylinder. Mrs. O’Neal followed him, pointing out the molds he could use to make different shapes.

 

    Karen's Tea Party Read onlineKaren's Tea PartyKristy and the Snobs Read onlineKristy and the SnobsBest Kept Secret Read onlineBest Kept SecretKaren's Kittens Read onlineKaren's KittensKaren's Big Job Read onlineKaren's Big JobClaudia and the Genius of Elm Street Read onlineClaudia and the Genius of Elm StreetThe Fire at Mary Anne's House Read onlineThe Fire at Mary Anne's HouseScience Fair Read onlineScience FairMe and Katie (The Pest) Read onlineMe and Katie (The Pest)Karen's Plane Trip Read onlineKaren's Plane TripJessi's Wish Read onlineJessi's WishDawn and Too Many Sitters Read onlineDawn and Too Many SittersJessi and the Jewel Thieves Read onlineJessi and the Jewel ThievesEleven Kids, One Summer Read onlineEleven Kids, One SummerKaren's Goldfish Read onlineKaren's GoldfishSnow War Read onlineSnow WarAbby and the Secret Society Read onlineAbby and the Secret SocietyKeeping Secrets Read onlineKeeping SecretsGood-Bye Stacey, Good-Bye Read onlineGood-Bye Stacey, Good-ByeKaren's Sleepover Read onlineKaren's SleepoverClaudia and the World's Cutest Baby Read onlineClaudia and the World's Cutest BabyMary Anne Saves the Day Read onlineMary Anne Saves the DayMallory and the Dream Horse Read onlineMallory and the Dream HorseKristy and the Mystery Train Read onlineKristy and the Mystery TrainDawn's Family Feud Read onlineDawn's Family FeudKaren's Twin Read onlineKaren's TwinLittle Miss Stoneybrook... And Dawn Read onlineLittle Miss Stoneybrook... And DawnKaren's Mistake Read onlineKaren's MistakeKaren's Movie Star Read onlineKaren's Movie StarMallory and the Mystery Diary Read onlineMallory and the Mystery DiaryKaren's Monsters Read onlineKaren's MonstersKristy + Bart = ? Read onlineKristy + Bart = ?Karen's Dinosaur Read onlineKaren's DinosaurHere Today Read onlineHere TodayKaren's Carnival Read onlineKaren's CarnivalHow to Look for a Lost Dog Read onlineHow to Look for a Lost DogStacey vs. Claudia Read onlineStacey vs. ClaudiaStacey's Ex-Boyfriend Read onlineStacey's Ex-BoyfriendHere Come the Bridesmaids! Read onlineHere Come the Bridesmaids!Graduation Day Read onlineGraduation DayKristy's Big News Read onlineKristy's Big NewsKaren's School Surprise Read onlineKaren's School SurpriseKristy Thomas, Dog Trainer Read onlineKristy Thomas, Dog TrainerBaby-Sitters' Christmas Chiller Read onlineBaby-Sitters' Christmas ChillerBaby-Sitters' Winter Vacation Read onlineBaby-Sitters' Winter VacationTen Good and Bad Things About My Life Read onlineTen Good and Bad Things About My LifeClaudia and the Bad Joke Read onlineClaudia and the Bad JokeMary Anne's Makeover Read onlineMary Anne's MakeoverStacey and the Fashion Victim Read onlineStacey and the Fashion VictimDawn Schafer, Undercover Baby-Sitter Read onlineDawn Schafer, Undercover Baby-SitterKaren's Tuba Read onlineKaren's TubaDawn's Wicked Stepsister Read onlineDawn's Wicked StepsisterDiary Three: Dawn, Sunny, Maggie, Amalia, and Ducky Read onlineDiary Three: Dawn, Sunny, Maggie, Amalia, and DuckyKaren's Nanny Read onlineKaren's NannyJessi and the Awful Secret Read onlineJessi and the Awful SecretKaren's New Year Read onlineKaren's New YearKaren's Candy Read onlineKaren's CandyKaren's President Read onlineKaren's PresidentMary Anne and the Great Romance Read onlineMary Anne and the Great RomanceMary Anne + 2 Many Babies Read onlineMary Anne + 2 Many BabiesKristy and the Copycat Read onlineKristy and the CopycatJessi and the Bad Baby-Sitter Read onlineJessi and the Bad Baby-SitterClaudia, Queen of the Seventh Grade Read onlineClaudia, Queen of the Seventh GradeClaudia and the Lighthouse Ghost Read onlineClaudia and the Lighthouse GhostKaren's New Puppy Read onlineKaren's New PuppyKaren's Home Run Read onlineKaren's Home RunKaren's Chain Letter Read onlineKaren's Chain LetterKristy in Charge Read onlineKristy in ChargeKaren's Angel Read onlineKaren's AngelMary Anne and Too Many Boys Read onlineMary Anne and Too Many BoysKaren's Big Fight Read onlineKaren's Big FightKaren's Spy Mystery Read onlineKaren's Spy MysteryStacey's Big Crush Read onlineStacey's Big CrushKaren's School Read onlineKaren's SchoolClaudia and the Terrible Truth Read onlineClaudia and the Terrible TruthKaren's Cowboy Read onlineKaren's CowboyThe Summer Before Read onlineThe Summer BeforeBeware, Dawn! Read onlineBeware, Dawn!Belle Teale Read onlineBelle TealeClaudia's Big Party Read onlineClaudia's Big PartyThe Secret Life of Mary Anne Spier Read onlineThe Secret Life of Mary Anne SpierKaren's Book Read onlineKaren's BookTeacher's Pet Read onlineTeacher's PetBoy-Crazy Stacey Read onlineBoy-Crazy StaceyClaudia and the Disaster Date Read onlineClaudia and the Disaster DateAuthor Day Read onlineAuthor DayClaudia and the Sad Good-Bye Read onlineClaudia and the Sad Good-ByeKristy and the Worst Kid Ever Read onlineKristy and the Worst Kid EverYours Turly, Shirley Read onlineYours Turly, ShirleyClass Play Read onlineClass PlayKristy and the Vampires Read onlineKristy and the VampiresKristy and the Cat Burglar Read onlineKristy and the Cat BurglarKaren's Pumpkin Patch Read onlineKaren's Pumpkin PatchStacey and the Mystery at the Empty House Read onlineStacey and the Mystery at the Empty HouseKaren's Chicken Pox Read onlineKaren's Chicken PoxMary Anne and the Playground Fight Read onlineMary Anne and the Playground FightStacey's Mistake Read onlineStacey's MistakeComing Apart Read onlineComing ApartMary Anne and the Little Princess Read onlineMary Anne and the Little PrincessKaren, Hannie and Nancy: The Three Musketeers Read onlineKaren, Hannie and Nancy: The Three Musketeers'Tis the Season Read online'Tis the SeasonClaudia and Mean Janine Read onlineClaudia and Mean JanineKaren's School Bus Read onlineKaren's School BusMary Anne's Big Breakup Read onlineMary Anne's Big BreakupRain Reign Read onlineRain ReignClaudia and the Mystery at the Museum Read onlineClaudia and the Mystery at the MuseumClaudia and the Great Search Read onlineClaudia and the Great SearchKaren's Doll Read onlineKaren's DollShannon's Story Read onlineShannon's StorySea City, Here We Come! Read onlineSea City, Here We Come!Stacey and the Mystery of Stoneybrook Read onlineStacey and the Mystery of StoneybrookKaren's Treasure Read onlineKaren's TreasureTen Rules for Living With My Sister Read onlineTen Rules for Living With My SisterWith You and Without You Read onlineWith You and Without YouBaby-Sitters' Island Adventure Read onlineBaby-Sitters' Island AdventureKaren's Fishing Trip Read onlineKaren's Fishing TripDawn and the Big Sleepover Read onlineDawn and the Big SleepoverNew York, New York! Read onlineNew York, New York!Ten Kids, No Pets Read onlineTen Kids, No PetsHappy Holidays, Jessi Read onlineHappy Holidays, JessiHalloween Parade Read onlineHalloween ParadeKaren's New Holiday Read onlineKaren's New HolidayKristy Power! Read onlineKristy Power!Karen's Wish Read onlineKaren's WishClaudia and the Mystery in the Painting Read onlineClaudia and the Mystery in the PaintingKaren's Stepmother Read onlineKaren's StepmotherAbby in Wonderland Read onlineAbby in WonderlandKaren's Snow Day Read onlineKaren's Snow DayKristy and the Secret of Susan Read onlineKristy and the Secret of SusanKaren's Pony Camp Read onlineKaren's Pony CampKaren's School Trip Read onlineKaren's School TripMary Anne to the Rescue Read onlineMary Anne to the RescueKaren's Unicorn Read onlineKaren's UnicornAbby and the Notorious Neighbor Read onlineAbby and the Notorious NeighborStacey and the Haunted Masquerade Read onlineStacey and the Haunted MasqueradeClaudia Gets Her Guy Read onlineClaudia Gets Her GuyMissing Since Monday Read onlineMissing Since MondayStacey's Choice Read onlineStacey's ChoiceStacey's Ex-Best Friend Read onlineStacey's Ex-Best FriendKaren's New Teacher Read onlineKaren's New TeacherKaren's Accident Read onlineKaren's AccidentKaren's Lucky Penny Read onlineKaren's Lucky PennyKaren's Cartwheel Read onlineKaren's CartwheelKaren's Puppet Show Read onlineKaren's Puppet ShowSpelling Bee Read onlineSpelling BeeStacey's Problem Read onlineStacey's ProblemStacey and the Stolen Hearts Read onlineStacey and the Stolen HeartsKaren's Surprise Read onlineKaren's SurpriseKaren's Worst Day Read onlineKaren's Worst DayThe Ghost at Dawn's House Read onlineThe Ghost at Dawn's HouseKaren's Big Sister Read onlineKaren's Big SisterKaren's Easter Parade Read onlineKaren's Easter ParadeMary Anne and the Silent Witness Read onlineMary Anne and the Silent WitnessKaren's Swim Meet Read onlineKaren's Swim MeetMary Anne's Revenge Read onlineMary Anne's RevengeKaren's Mystery Read onlineKaren's MysteryStacey and the Mystery Money Read onlineStacey and the Mystery MoneyDawn and the Disappearing Dogs Read onlineDawn and the Disappearing DogsKaren's Christmas Tree Read onlineKaren's Christmas TreeWelcome to Camden Falls Read onlineWelcome to Camden FallsKaren's Pilgrim Read onlineKaren's PilgrimDawn and the Halloween Mystery Read onlineDawn and the Halloween MysteryMary Anne in the Middle Read onlineMary Anne in the MiddleKaren's Toys Read onlineKaren's ToysKristy's Great Idea Read onlineKristy's Great IdeaClaudia and the Middle School Mystery Read onlineClaudia and the Middle School MysteryKaren's Big Weekend Read onlineKaren's Big WeekendLogan's Story Read onlineLogan's StoryKaren's Yo-Yo Read onlineKaren's Yo-YoKristy's Book Read onlineKristy's BookMallory and the Ghost Cat Read onlineMallory and the Ghost CatMary Anne and the Music Read onlineMary Anne and the MusicKaren's Tattletale Read onlineKaren's TattletaleKaren's County Fair Read onlineKaren's County FairKaren's Mermaid Read onlineKaren's MermaidSnowbound Read onlineSnowboundKaren's Movie Read onlineKaren's MovieJessi and the Troublemaker Read onlineJessi and the TroublemakerBaby-Sitters at Shadow Lake Read onlineBaby-Sitters at Shadow LakeMallory on Strike Read onlineMallory on StrikeJessi's Baby-Sitter Read onlineJessi's Baby-SitterKaren's Leprechaun Read onlineKaren's LeprechaunClaudia and the Phantom Phone Calls Read onlineClaudia and the Phantom Phone CallsKaren's Good-Bye Read onlineKaren's Good-ByeKaren's Figure Eight Read onlineKaren's Figure EightLogan Likes Mary Anne! Read onlineLogan Likes Mary Anne!Mary Anne and the Zoo Mystery Read onlineMary Anne and the Zoo MysteryMissy Piggle-Wiggle and the Whatever Cure Read onlineMissy Piggle-Wiggle and the Whatever CureDawn on the Coast Read onlineDawn on the CoastStacey and the Cheerleaders Read onlineStacey and the CheerleadersClaudia and the Clue in the Photograph Read onlineClaudia and the Clue in the PhotographKaren's New Friend Read onlineKaren's New FriendMallory and the Trouble With Twins Read onlineMallory and the Trouble With TwinsKaren's Roller Skates Read onlineKaren's Roller SkatesAbby and the Best Kid Ever Read onlineAbby and the Best Kid EverPoor Mallory! Read onlinePoor Mallory!Karen's Witch Read onlineKaren's WitchKaren's Grandmothers Read onlineKaren's GrandmothersSlam Book Read onlineSlam BookKaren's School Picture Read onlineKaren's School PictureKaren's Reindeer Read onlineKaren's ReindeerKristy's Big Day Read onlineKristy's Big DayThe Long Way Home Read onlineThe Long Way HomeKaren's Sleigh Ride Read onlineKaren's Sleigh RideOn Christmas Eve Read onlineOn Christmas EveKaren's Copycat Read onlineKaren's CopycatKaren's Ice Skates Read onlineKaren's Ice SkatesClaudia and the Little Liar Read onlineClaudia and the Little LiarAbby the Bad Sport Read onlineAbby the Bad SportThe Baby-Sitters Club #5: Dawn and the Impossible Three Read onlineThe Baby-Sitters Club #5: Dawn and the Impossible ThreeAbby's Book Read onlineAbby's BookKaren's Big Top Read onlineKaren's Big TopMain Street #8: Special Delivery Read onlineMain Street #8: Special DeliveryKristy and the Kidnapper Read onlineKristy and the KidnapperKaren's Ski Trip Read onlineKaren's Ski TripKaren's Hurricane Read onlineKaren's HurricaneStacey and the Mystery at the Mall Read onlineStacey and the Mystery at the MallJessi and the Superbrat Read onlineJessi and the SuperbratKristy and the Baby Parade Read onlineKristy and the Baby ParadeKaren's New Bike Read onlineKaren's New BikeKaren's Big City Mystery Read onlineKaren's Big City MysteryBaby-Sitters' European Vacation Read onlineBaby-Sitters' European VacationHello, Mallory Read onlineHello, MalloryDawn's Big Date Read onlineDawn's Big DateKaren's Christmas Carol Read onlineKaren's Christmas CarolJessi's Horrible Prank Read onlineJessi's Horrible PrankKristy and the Missing Fortune Read onlineKristy and the Missing FortuneKristy and the Haunted Mansion Read onlineKristy and the Haunted MansionJessi's Big Break Read onlineJessi's Big BreakKaren's Pony Read onlineKaren's PonyWelcome Home, Mary Anne Read onlineWelcome Home, Mary AnneStacey the Math Whiz Read onlineStacey the Math WhizSeptember Surprises Read onlineSeptember SurprisesBummer Summer Read onlineBummer SummerKaren's Secret Read onlineKaren's SecretAbby's Twin Read onlineAbby's TwinMain Street #4: Best Friends Read onlineMain Street #4: Best FriendsKaren's Big Move Read onlineKaren's Big MoveMary Anne Misses Logan Read onlineMary Anne Misses LoganStacey's Book Read onlineStacey's BookClaudia and the Perfect Boy Read onlineClaudia and the Perfect BoyHoliday Time Read onlineHoliday TimeStacey's Broken Heart Read onlineStacey's Broken HeartKaren's Field Day Read onlineKaren's Field DayKristy's Worst Idea Read onlineKristy's Worst IdeaDawn and the Older Boy Read onlineDawn and the Older BoyKaren's Brothers Read onlineKaren's BrothersClaudia's Friend Read onlineClaudia's FriendMary Anne and the Haunted Bookstore Read onlineMary Anne and the Haunted BookstoreDawn and Whitney, Friends Forever Read onlineDawn and Whitney, Friends ForeverSummer School Read onlineSummer SchoolKaren's Birthday Read onlineKaren's BirthdayKaren's Black Cat Read onlineKaren's Black CatStacey McGill... Matchmaker? Read onlineStacey McGill... Matchmaker?Claudia's Book Read onlineClaudia's BookMain Street #2: Needle and Thread Read onlineMain Street #2: Needle and ThreadKaren's Runaway Turkey Read onlineKaren's Runaway TurkeyKaren's Campout Read onlineKaren's CampoutKaren's Bunny Read onlineKaren's BunnyClaudia and the New Girl Read onlineClaudia and the New GirlKaren's Wedding Read onlineKaren's WeddingKaren's Promise Read onlineKaren's PromiseKaren's Snow Princess Read onlineKaren's Snow PrincessClaudia Kishi, Middle School Dropout Read onlineClaudia Kishi, Middle School DropoutStarring the Baby-Sitters Club! Read onlineStarring the Baby-Sitters Club!Kristy for President Read onlineKristy for PresidentCalifornia Girls! Read onlineCalifornia Girls!Maid Mary Anne Read onlineMaid Mary AnneAbby's Un-Valentine Read onlineAbby's Un-ValentineStacey's Secret Friend Read onlineStacey's Secret FriendKaren's Haunted House Read onlineKaren's Haunted HouseClaudia and Crazy Peaches Read onlineClaudia and Crazy PeachesKaren's Prize Read onlineKaren's PrizeGet Well Soon, Mallory! Read onlineGet Well Soon, Mallory!Karen's Doll Hospital Read onlineKaren's Doll HospitalKaren's Newspaper Read onlineKaren's NewspaperKaren's Toothache Read onlineKaren's ToothacheMary Anne and Miss Priss Read onlineMary Anne and Miss PrissAbby's Lucky Thirteen Read onlineAbby's Lucky ThirteenThe Secret Book Club Read onlineThe Secret Book ClubThe All-New Mallory Pike Read onlineThe All-New Mallory PikeKaren's Turkey Day Read onlineKaren's Turkey DayKaren's Magician Read onlineKaren's MagicianMary Anne and the Library Mystery Read onlineMary Anne and the Library MysteryDiary One: Dawn, Sunny, Maggie, Amalia, and Ducky Read onlineDiary One: Dawn, Sunny, Maggie, Amalia, and DuckyMary Anne and the Secret in the Attic Read onlineMary Anne and the Secret in the AtticKristy and the Mother's Day Surprise Read onlineKristy and the Mother's Day SurpriseKaren's in Love Read onlineKaren's in LoveWelcome to the BSC, Abby Read onlineWelcome to the BSC, AbbyKaren's Kittycat Club Read onlineKaren's Kittycat ClubThe Mystery at Claudia's House Read onlineThe Mystery at Claudia's HouseThe Truth About Stacey Read onlineThe Truth About StaceyKaren's Bully Read onlineKaren's BullyKaren's Gift Read onlineKaren's GiftBSC in the USA Read onlineBSC in the USAEverything for a Dog Read onlineEverything for a DogDawn and the We Love Kids Club Read onlineDawn and the We Love Kids ClubKaren's Ghost Read onlineKaren's GhostStacey's Lie Read onlineStacey's LieJessi's Secret Language Read onlineJessi's Secret LanguageKristy and the Missing Child Read onlineKristy and the Missing ChildBetter to Wish Read onlineBetter to WishBaby-Sitters on Board! Read onlineBaby-Sitters on Board!Kristy at Bat Read onlineKristy at BatEverything Changes Read onlineEverything ChangesDon't Give Up, Mallory Read onlineDon't Give Up, MalloryA Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray Read onlineA Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a StrayKaren's Big Lie Read onlineKaren's Big LieKaren's Show and Share Read onlineKaren's Show and ShareMallory Hates Boys (and Gym) Read onlineMallory Hates Boys (and Gym)Diary Two: Dawn, Sunny, Maggie, Amalia, and Ducky Read onlineDiary Two: Dawn, Sunny, Maggie, Amalia, and DuckyKaren's Pen Pal Read onlineKaren's Pen PalClaudia and the Friendship Feud Read onlineClaudia and the Friendship FeudKaren's Secret Valentine Read onlineKaren's Secret ValentineKeep Out, Claudia! Read onlineKeep Out, Claudia!Aloha, Baby-Sitters! Read onlineAloha, Baby-Sitters!Welcome Back, Stacey Read onlineWelcome Back, StaceyJessi Ramsey, Pet-Sitter Read onlineJessi Ramsey, Pet-SitterKaren's Pizza Party Read onlineKaren's Pizza PartyKristy and the Dirty Diapers Read onlineKristy and the Dirty DiapersStaying Together Read onlineStaying TogetherDawn and the Surfer Ghost Read onlineDawn and the Surfer GhostClaudia Makes Up Her Mind Read onlineClaudia Makes Up Her MindJessi's Gold Medal Read onlineJessi's Gold MedalKaren's Kite Read onlineKaren's KiteBaby Animal Zoo Read onlineBaby Animal ZooDawn's Big Move Read onlineDawn's Big MoveKaren's Big Joke Read onlineKaren's Big JokeKaren's Lemonade Stand Read onlineKaren's Lemonade StandMa and Pa Dracula Read onlineMa and Pa DraculaBaby-Sitters' Haunted House Read onlineBaby-Sitters' Haunted HouseAbby and the Mystery Baby Read onlineAbby and the Mystery BabyHome Is the Place Read onlineHome Is the PlaceKaren's Grandad Read onlineKaren's GrandadTwin Trouble Read onlineTwin TroubleTen Good and Bad Things About My Life (So Far) Read onlineTen Good and Bad Things About My Life (So Far)Diary Two Read onlineDiary TwoBaby-Sitters Club 027 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 027Claudia and the Mystery Painting Read onlineClaudia and the Mystery PaintingDiary One Read onlineDiary OneBaby-Sitters Club 037 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 037Baby-Sitters Club 028 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 028Baby-Sitters Club 085 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 085Dawn Schaffer Undercover Baby-Sitter Read onlineDawn Schaffer Undercover Baby-SitterJessi's Babysitter Read onlineJessi's BabysitterThe Baby-Sitters Club #110: Abby the Bad Sport (Baby-Sitters Club, The) Read onlineThe Baby-Sitters Club #110: Abby the Bad Sport (Baby-Sitters Club, The)Karen's Little Sister Read onlineKaren's Little SisterBaby-Sitters Club 058 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 058Claudia And The Genius On Elm St. Read onlineClaudia And The Genius On Elm St.Missy Piggle-Wiggle and the Sticky-Fingers Cure Read onlineMissy Piggle-Wiggle and the Sticky-Fingers CureKristy and Kidnapper Read onlineKristy and KidnapperBaby-Sitters Club 041 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 041Karen's Bunny Trouble Read onlineKaren's Bunny TroubleBaby-Sitters Club 032 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 032Diary Three Read onlineDiary ThreeChristmas Chiller Read onlineChristmas ChillerKaren's Half-Birthday Read onlineKaren's Half-BirthdayNeedle and Thread Read onlineNeedle and ThreadSecret Life of Mary Anne Spier Read onlineSecret Life of Mary Anne SpierBaby-Sitters Beware Read onlineBaby-Sitters BewareClaudia Kishi, Middle School Drop-Out Read onlineClaudia Kishi, Middle School Drop-OutLogan Likes Mary Anne ! Read onlineLogan Likes Mary Anne !Baby-Sitters Club 061 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 061Best Friends Read onlineBest FriendsBaby-Sitters Club 031 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 031Karen's Little Witch Read onlineKaren's Little WitchJessi Ramsey, Petsitter Read onlineJessi Ramsey, PetsitterBaby-Sitters Club 123 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 123Baby-Sitters Club 059 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 059Baby-Sitters Club 033 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 033Baby-Sitters Club 060 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 060Baby-Sitters Club 094 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 094The Baby-Sitters Club #99: Stacey's Broken Heart Read onlineThe Baby-Sitters Club #99: Stacey's Broken HeartThe Baby-Sitters Club #109: Mary Anne to the Rescue (Baby-Sitters Club, The) Read onlineThe Baby-Sitters Club #109: Mary Anne to the Rescue (Baby-Sitters Club, The)Mystery At Claudia's House Read onlineMystery At Claudia's HouseClaudia And The Sad Goodbye Read onlineClaudia And The Sad GoodbyeMary Anne's Big Break-Up Read onlineMary Anne's Big Break-UpBaby-Sitters Club 025 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 025Baby-Sitters Club 042 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 042Stacey and the Mystery of the Empty House Read onlineStacey and the Mystery of the Empty HouseKaren's Baby-Sitter Read onlineKaren's Baby-SitterClaudia's Friendship Feud Read onlineClaudia's Friendship FeudBaby-Sitters Club 090 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 090Baby-Sitters Club 021 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 021Baby-Sitters Club 056 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 056Baby-Sitters Club 040 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 040The Baby-Sitters Club #108: Don't Give Up, Mallory (Baby-Sitters Club, The) Read onlineThe Baby-Sitters Club #108: Don't Give Up, Mallory (Baby-Sitters Club, The)Dawn and the Impossible Three Read onlineDawn and the Impossible ThreeThe Snow War Read onlineThe Snow WarSpecial Delivery Read onlineSpecial DeliveryBaby-Sitters Club 057 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 057Mary Anne And Too Many Babies Read onlineMary Anne And Too Many BabiesBaby-Sitters Club 030 Read onlineBaby-Sitters Club 030