Part of The Baby-Sitters Club, book 31
First published 1996
Dawn watches her comfortable world collapse when her mother marries Mary Ann's father. The two girls were friends before their parents tied the knot. Now they share the same house and the same last name. Mary Ann acts hostile toward Dawn at every turn. She criticizes Dawn's choices and picks fights over small things. Dawn feels confused and hurt by her former friend's behavior. The house becomes tense with constant arguments between the new stepsisters. Dawn tries to understand why Mary Ann has changed so much. She discovers that Mary Ann feels crowded and overwhelmed by all the sudden changes in her life. Mary Ann needs space to adjust to her new family situation. Dawn learns that giving her stepsister room to adapt helps heal their relationship.
Genres: fiction, contemporary, young-adult, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
146 pages · Paperback · Scholastic Paperbacks