Part of The Baby-Sitters Club, book 84
First published 1995
Dawn Schafer watches the Stoneybrook Middle School cheerleaders dominate yet another pep rally. Their aggressive school spirit campaign has taken over SMS, and Dawn thinks the whole thing has gone too far. When the cheerleaders start pressuring students to conform to their vision of school pride, Dawn decides to fight back. She organizes her own alternative spirit week that celebrates individuality instead of blind enthusiasm. The cheerleaders see this as a direct challenge to their authority. Soon the entire school splits into opposing camps. Dawn finds herself leading a rebellion she never intended to start. Her babysitting clients get caught in the crossfire when their older siblings pick sides. The Baby-sitters Club members struggle to stay united as the conflict spreads through their families and friendships. Dawn must decide how far she will go to defend her principles when the cost keeps rising.
Genres: fiction, school-stories, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, rebellion
Setting: Stoneybrook Middle School
134 pages · Paperback · Scholastic Inc.