Kristy and the Missing Fortune Read online

Page 5


  David Michael, for example. As soon as Matt looked up and saw him, David Michael started signing. Matt nodded enthusiastically in response, and pointed toward a nearby shed.

  “What did you ask him?” I asked David Michael.

  “Just if I could help,” he said. “I think he’s telling me that there are more rakes in the shed. Should I go get a few?”

  “Definitely,” I said, and David Michael ran off. It was a chilly day, and raking seemed like the perfect way to warm up, as long as we were going to be working outside. It didn’t look like a huge raking job, either. Just a quick cleanup.

  “I hate raking,” said Karen.

  “Maybe you’d like to work with Haley, then,” suggested Jessi. “She’s in the greenhouse with Mrs. Goldsmith, helping to catalog plants.”

  “All right!” said Karen. “I’ve been wanting to see that greenhouse. I hear it’s gigundoly cool, like a rain forest or something.”

  We laughed. “Go ahead,” I told Karen. “I’ll come and find you in a little while. I want to see the greenhouse, too.”

  By that time David Michael had come back with the rakes, and he started to work next to Matt, who gestured to show him which section of the lawn and gardens they were working on.

  Before I began raking, I asked Jessi to show me around a little. A few groups of BSC members and kids had already been hard at work that week, and I was curious about what they’d been doing.

  “See this stone wall?” asked Jessi, as we began to tour the grounds. “It was starting to fall down, but Dawn came here with the Hobart boys, and they fixed it up.”

  “It looks great,” I said.

  “And this section here,” Jessi said, showing me a path between two garden beds, “was overgrown with these viney weeds. Stacey and Charlotte Johanssen pulled them out and carted them away.”

  “Wow!” I said. By this time we’d moved far away from David Michael and Matt. I could barely hear the sound of their rakes.

  “Kristy,” whispered Jessi, “I have to tell you something.” She looked around, as if to see whether anyone had followed us. Then she pulled me over to a stone garden bench, and we sat down.

  “What is it?” I said. “You look upset.”

  “I am, a little,” Jessi confessed. “It’s just that some weird things have been happening here while we’ve been working.”

  “Such as?” I asked. I couldn’t imagine what she might be talking about.

  “Well, such as a bucket disappearing,” Jessi said. “I know, it sounds crazy. But the first day we came here to work it wasn’t so cold out, so I was scrubbing down that statue in the fountain. The one you passed on your way to find me today? And I took a break to help Becca with something, and when I came back my bucket was gone.”

  “Jessi, I don’t think —” I was about to say that bucket disappearances didn’t exactly rate up there with bizarre happenings, but Jessi interrupted me.

  “That’s not all,” she said. “There were also some footprints near the greenhouse on Tuesday. You know, the day it snowed? We didn’t see anybody walking around, but the footprints — they were man-sized ones — just appeared in the middle of the afternoon. And right near them was a big pile of weeds that Stacey and Charlotte swore they had put in the brush pile.”

  “Anything else?” I asked. I still wasn’t convinced.

  “Well, when I was raking leaves out of that summer house on Wednesday, I found an empty pack of matches. And Mrs. Goldsmith told me that nobody has been in there in months.”

  “Hmm,” I said. “When you put it all together, it does sound a little strange. But who would be hanging around here? And why?”

  “I don’t know,” said Jessi. “But I have a feeling whoever it is doesn’t like all the work we’re doing.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “Well, it just seems like someone is trying to ruin the work we’re doing. Or make it harder for us to get it done, anyway.”

  “By doing things like stealing your bucket,” I mused.

  “Right.”

  “Okay,” I said. “Well, I’m glad you let me know. I’ll keep my eyes open. Now, shouldn’t we start working?”

  I spent the next hour or so carting away the piles of leaves that David Michael, Jessi, and Matt had raked up. It felt good to be moving around outdoors, even though it was a chilly, gray day. I enjoyed the feeling of using my muscles for the first time in a while, and I even started to work up a little sweat. I didn’t notice anything strange happening.

  Until, that is, I found the card.

  It was a white business card, lying on the ground under a weeping willow tree. I went by it once with my garden cart, but the next time I passed it I bent to pick it up. “DT DEVELOPERS,” the card read. “Fine Quality Homes and Construction.”

  “DT Developers!” I said out loud. “Those must be the guys who want to buy this place.” I thought for a second, and then it all became crystal clear. Everything Jessi had told me fell into place. Naturally the developers wouldn’t want the arboretum cleaned up. They liked the fact that it looked terrible. For one thing, it might mean that nobody else — such as Mrs. VanderBellen — would want it. And for another thing, it would probably mean they could buy it for an even cheaper price.

  “Sabotage!” I whispered under my breath. I felt a chill, and it had nothing to do with the weather.

  “Lemon? Or milk?”

  I stared down at the fragile teacup in front of me. It was decorated with pink roses and gold swirls, so delicate I was afraid it might break if I looked at it the wrong way. “Um, milk, please,” I answered, finally, trying to sound sure of myself. I held out my cup, and Mrs. Abbott — Mrs. Mildred Abbott, great-grandniece of Christina Thomas — added milk to the tea she’d already poured from a silver teapot.

  “Sugar?” she asked.

  “Please,” I answered. I watched with fascination as Mrs. Abbott used a pair of silver tongs to drop one lump of sugar into my cup.

  “Another lump?”

  “No, thank you,” I said. “One is fine. Thank you.”

  As you can tell by all the pleases and thank yous, I was on my best behavior, and trying hard to mind my manners. Mrs. Abbott, it turned out, was very much as I’d imagined her to be, but not entirely.

  I knew from my research that Mrs. Abbott was about the same age as Nannie, but at first it seemed as if she and my grandmother were as different as night and day. Nannie dresses very casually, even when she has company. Mrs. Abbott was wearing a pretty green-and-white striped dress that looked as if it had been starched. (I sure was glad I’d worn my skirt!) Nannie loves to watch the Knicks play basketball. I had the feeling Mrs. Abbott wouldn’t know a hoop if she were dunked through it. Nannie has been mentioned in the Stoneybrook News as one of the town’s best senior bowlers. Mrs. Abbott probably wouldn’t have been caught dead in bowling shoes.

  Mrs. Abbott lived in an apartment near downtown Stoneybrook. It was the nicest, most elegant apartment I’d ever seen, with gorgeous Oriental rugs on the floors, and paintings in gold frames on all the walls. She was tall and thin, with perfectly white hair that was perfectly arranged. Her face was stern, and while her blue eyes were piercing — here’s where I found the first surprise — they danced when she smiled. And she smiled (my second surprise) fairly often. Mrs. Abbott looked stern, but she really wasn’t. She was funny, and interesting, and interested: in me (and in the BSC), and in my questions about Christina Thomas. My nervousness had pretty much disappeared about two seconds after we’d met.

  The subject of the BSC came up when she asked me to tell her about myself. This was after my second lemon bar, but before my first piece of poppy-seed cake. (Another thing I learned about Mrs. Abbott is that she doesn’t kid around when she invites someone to tea. And she is a terrific baker.)

  I explained a little about the BSC. She nodded and smiled. “I’ve heard of your club,” she said. “It sounds just wonderful. You and your friends must be very resourceful young wom
en.”

  “Thank you,” I said. (I was tired of those two words, but I couldn’t think of anything else to say.) I figured she must have read about us in the paper, or seen one of our flyers. Most people in Stoneybrook have at least heard of the BSC, even if they’re not clients.

  “Another lemon bar?” she asked, passing the plate with a smile that told me she was keeping track of how many I’d had, and was pleased that I liked them.

  “Thank you,” I said, taking one. (Now I was really tired of those words.) I wanted to start asking her about Christina, but I wasn’t sure how to begin.

  “Now, about Christina,” Mrs. Abbott said suddenly, as if she had read my mind. She settled back into her wing chair and folded her hands in her lap. She gave me that piercing gaze. “Where did you say you first found out about her?”

  “In a book,” I said. I told her about that day in Watson’s study. “Her name caught my eye because it’s so much like mine,” I said.

  Mrs. Abbott nodded. “Isn’t that a coincidence?” she said. “Of course, Thomas is a fairly common name.”

  Suddenly, I felt silly for having thought I might be related to Christina. Mrs. Abbott was right. Thomas is a common name. But it didn’t matter. Something strange had happened to me in the last couple of days. The fact was, while I was doing my research in the library I’d realized something: The idea that I might have a fortune coming to me was less interesting than just finding out what had happened to Christina. I had begun to feel some connection to her, whether or not we were related, and — this may sound silly — I had also come to care about her. More than anything, I wanted to learn more about her mysterious story.

  I didn’t explain all of that to Mrs. Abbott. I just told her how Mary Anne, Claudia, and I had looked through the town records and old newspapers.

  “My, you have been working hard, haven’t you?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Well, it’s a fascinating story,” I said.

  “It is, isn’t it?” Mrs. Abbott smiled and leaned forward. “Unfortunately, I seem to be the only one of her relatives who’s interested in it. My cousin, Devon Thomas the fourth, used to be — but he’s too busy now that his contracting business has gotten so big. I suspect I’m the only one who ever thinks about Christina anymore.”

  “I’ve been thinking about Christina,” I said. “I can’t stop thinking about her, as a matter of fact. Ever since I read about her disappearance —”

  “Aah, the disappearance,” said Mrs. Abbott. “Now that’s a story.”

  “More like a mystery,” I said. “I can’t find out anything about where she went, or why. Except for one suggestion that she might have gone to Pennsylvania.”

  Mrs. Abbott nodded. “There were rumors about that,” she said. “But the family squelched them. Her brother didn’t want anyone to guess at the truth.”

  “The truth?” I asked. Suddenly, I felt my heart skip a beat. “Do you know the truth?”

  “I do,” she said. “Or, at least, I know as much of it as anyone does. Christina took some secrets to the grave with her.” Mrs. Abbott’s eyes were doing that dancing thing as she looked over at me. I knew she could tell how excited I was at the thought of learning more about Christina.

  “Will you tell me what you know?” I asked.

  “Of course I will. Why else would I have asked you here today?” She settled back into her chair and smoothed her dress. Then she began to tell Christina’s story, which, she explained, she’d pieced together from entries in a diary she’d discovered.

  “As you know, Christina’s parents died when she was only sixteen. I’ve always thought it must have been quite a blow for her, especially since she was the only daughter. Most women in those days didn’t have much say in the direction their lives took, you know.” She looked at me sharply, and I nodded. “Even though she was the eldest child in that family, Christina was a girl. According to society’s rules, that meant she had to listen to her brothers and do what they told her to do. She couldn’t even do what she wanted with her inheritance!”

  “That’s no fair,” I said. “I wouldn’t have put up with it.”

  “Hmm,” said Mrs. Abbott softly. “Maybe you are related to her.” She looked intently at me, and then gave her head a little shake and continued the story. “It gets worse,” she said. “You see, her brother Devon — that’s Devon the first, of course — had a business partner by the name of Simon Clock. Simon was also Devon’s best friend. The two of them hatched a plot together. Even though Christina had little or no romantic interest in Simon, Devon planned to force her to marry him. At that point, her inheritance would become Simon’s, and he would invest it in the business he shared with Devon. They seemed to think it worked out well for everyone.”

  I was shaking my head. “What about Christina?” I asked. “What about her feelings? Did she love Simon?”

  Mrs. Abbott frowned. “Hardly,” she said. “Christina was in love with a young Union soldier — this was during the time of the Civil War, of course — named Henry Gordon. They planned to elope, but before they could, he was shipped out to Pennsylvania.”

  “Pennsylvania!” I said.

  “That’s right,” said Mrs. Abbott. “And she may have ended up there. But we’ll never know for sure.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked, almost jumping out of my chair. “Don’t you know?” I didn’t mean to be rude, but I couldn’t believe the story was going to end here.

  Mrs. Abbott didn’t seem to notice how quickly I’d lost my manners. Instead, she picked up a leather-bound scrapbook that sat on a side table and pulled out a laminated page. “This is the last anyone ever heard of Christina,” she said. “It’s a letter she sent to Henry.” She passed the letter to me, and I looked at it carefully.

  The letter, which was in a beautiful script Mrs. Abbott told me was called “copperplate,” went like this:

  Dear Henry,

  I cannot marry Simon. I shall be your wife — or no one’s. I must leave Stoneybrooke today. I shall come to look for you in Pennsylvania. If for any reason I do not find my way to you, I ask you only this: Look in our special place, on this day, at ten o’clock p.m.

  Christina

  At the bottom was a date: February 14, 1863. The date was surrounded by a perfect circle, and around the circle, roses were drawn. Their twining stems were black, like the ink on the rest of the page, but their petals were painted brown.

  “Whoa!” I said. I let out a big sigh as I handed the letter back to Mrs. Abbott. “So she married Henry after all.”

  “I’m afraid not,” said Mrs. Abbott, with a sad shake of her head. “This letter was returned to Devon by Henry’s family. He was killed in battle before Christina arrived in Pennsylvania.”

  I gasped.

  “His family thought the letter might lend a clue to Christina’s disappearance, which they had been sorry to hear of. They had approved of their son’s choice.” Mrs. Abbott sighed. “But Devon never tried to find her. He was furious with her for humiliating him by refusing to marry his friend, and stated publicly that he was glad to be rid of her.”

  “But what about her fortune?” I asked. My head was spinning, but I hadn’t forgotten that Christina’s fortune had disappeared when she did.

  “I’ve always believed that this letter holds a clue to its whereabouts,” said Mrs. Abbott. “But I’m no detective, so I haven’t been able to prove it.”

  Before I could stop to think, the words were out of my mouth. “Mrs. Abbott?” I asked. “Would you — would you let me make a copy of that letter? More than anything, I would love to help you solve this mystery.”

  She gave me that piercing look again. Then her eyes began to dance. “Kristy Thomas,” she said. “I have a feeling about you. Solving this mystery won’t be easy, but if anyone can do it, I think you can. There’s a copy shop across the street.” She handed me the letter and I took it, but for a second I was so shocked I couldn’t move. “Go on, girl,” she said. “If you’re
quick about it, we’ll have time for one more cup of tea when you get back.”

  That was all the encouragement I needed. I did as she’d told me, and an hour later I was on my way to our BSC meeting, clutching the copied letter in my hand.

  That entry in the club notebook was written by Mallory, after a long afternoon at the arboretum. (“Long?” she said later. “It seemed endless!”)

  Mal had thought the afternoon would be a lot of fun. She had a sitting job with one of our regular charges, Jackie Rodowsky (he’s seven), and both Jessi and Mary Anne were sitting, too. The three of them decided ahead of time to take their charges to the arboretum.

  “We’ll only have a couple of hours, between school and our BSC meeting, but I bet we can get tons of work done with all those kids there,” Jessi had said when they were planning their day. But, as Mal told me later, there was one thing they’d all forgotten: Jackie’s nickname.

  We love Jackie. He’s a spunky little kid, with red hair and red cheeks (covered with freckles) to match. He’s friendly and fun and outgoing. He also happens to be just about the most accident-prone kid any of us has ever met.

  That’s why we call him the Walking Disaster.

  We don’t call him that to his face, and we don’t mean it in a bad way. As I said, we love Jackie. But it’s important to remember that when Jackie’s around, things are … well, never dull.

  Mal remembered it that day as soon as she reached the Rodowskys’ house. He must have been watching for her, because he appeared the moment she arrived. He ran out the front door, tripped and started to stumble, caught himself, tripped again, grabbed on to the porch railing (nearly pulling it out of its foundation), and fell anyway, into some bushes.

  “Oh, Jackie,” said Mal with a sigh. She could see that he was fine, since he was back on his feet and grinning within seconds.

  “Hi, Mallory,” said Jackie, waving. Then he stopped grinning and put his hand up to his mouth. “Uh-oh,” he said.

  “What?” asked Mal. “Are you all right?”

 

    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