HMH Books is partnering with me for a giveaway of the hilarious middle grade novel, BEST BABYSITTERS EVER!
By Caroline Cala *Published by HMH Books for Young Readers *In Stores February 5, 2019 *Recommended for ages 10-14
Best Babysitters Ever: Funny Middle Grade Book
I’m happy that my kids love to read. I take no credit- I think it’s genetic. My mom forever had a stack of books she was reading on her bedside table, the kitchen table, a stack on her shelves and probably some near her bathtub. I don’t think I read quite as much as my mom did, but I still love it and it’s fun watching my kids discover books they love to read- and often re read!
Lately, the kids have been re-discovering the The Babysitters Club books that I read as a kid. Now they are coming out in graphic novel format, and so that’s been cool to see these childhood favorites of mine in a new format. I mention this because they are all in the midst of waiting for the 7th in that series to be released and all three were pretty excited to hear that we had a new book to check out that was inspired BY the familiar babysitters club stories! Plus, 2/3 Martins are officially certified babysitters and so they love reading stories about babysitting and being tweens/teens.
Note: you can totally love this book with or without having read the Babysitters Club stories. It’s a stand alone book that you will enjoy with or without the familiarity of those characters and stories. It’ll also make you laugh!
Yes, my kids change position around a lot when reading. I don’t know how or why they read in the weird positions that they do, but my 44 year old neck cannot hang with these crazy positions. I prefer a nice pillow to cuddle with reading on my bed or in my tub!
Best Babysitters Ever features an authentic depiction of friendship with a diverse cast of characters from different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. The diversity is a natural part of the story, and doesn’t feel like one of those books where the differences are forced and deliberate. The characters are just friends- and they learn and grow from one another regardless of which economic or ethnic background they are from.
This is a funny book but it’s also the story of female entrepreneurship and a lesson for kids on how to make and spend money responsibly. What kids don’t need to learn about financial responsibility?
It’s quite timely for our oldest, as she’s been babysitting regularly after school the whole year and has, for the first time, got money of her own consistently that we’ve been working hard to teach her about spending, saving, and doing for others. It’s so convenient when things that entertain my kids tie in nicely with important lessons to reinforce what we parents are trying to teach them!
What’s it about?
A funny new middle grade series about three 12-year-old best friends who start a babysitting club in their small California town. Perfect for fans of series like Whatever After and the Dork Diaries.
Once upon a time, a girl named Kristy Thomas had a great idea: to form The Baby-Sitters Club with her best friends. And now twelve-year-old Malia Twiggs has had a great idea too. Technically, she had Kristy’s idea. (And technically, little kids seem gross and annoying, but a paycheck is a paycheck). After a little convincing, Malia and her friends Dot and Bree start a babysitting club to earn funds for an epic birthday bash. But babysitting definitely isn’t what they thought it would be.
Three friends. No parents. Unlimited snacks. And, okay, occasionally watching other people’s children. What could possibly go wrong?
About the Author
Caroline Cala is a writer and editor residing in Brooklyn. She has worked as a book editor and as a ghostwriter on a number of books by notable people. Her work has appeared in Vogue, ELLE, Refinery29 and others. Best Babysitters Ever is her middle grade debut.
Follow @CarolineCala on Instagram
REWARD THE HARD WORK and WIN!
A hard day’s work deserves a reward! One (1) winner receives:
- a copy of Best Babysitters Ever,
- and a $50 Visa gift card to let your young reader splurge on themselves – no babysitting job required!
TO ENTER: Leave a comment here about what YOUR favorite book genre is to read, and what your kid(s) faves are! Entries must be in complete sentences and be thoughtful responses to this question.
Giveaway open to US addresses only. Giveaway will be open until February 27, 2019 at 11:59 pm ET. Winner chosen randomly, and will have 48 hours from initial email sent to confirm prizing info or a new winner will be drawn.
Prizing and samples provided by HMH Books.
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Annmarie Weeks says
March 4, 2019 at 11:23 amI love nonfiction (mostly biographies) and contemporary fiction. My daughter likes YA, and my son (like his dad) is into sci-fi and fantasy. I know my niece would love this book!
Amanda Alvarado says
March 3, 2019 at 8:48 pmI really don’t have a favorite genre! I like and read everything from mystery, scifi and thriller to all kinds of romance! My daughter loves graphic novels especially the Wimpy Kids series.
Natalie says
March 2, 2019 at 8:01 amI love to read mystery novels, including murder mysteries. My niece loves to read any type of picture book that has animals in it!
latanya says
March 1, 2019 at 11:48 amI love contemporary adult romance and my son loves comic books
Rita M says
February 28, 2019 at 7:20 pmI like cozy mysteries and my granddaughter likes ghost stories.
Darla says
February 27, 2019 at 10:55 pmI love contemporary romance. I like the realistic aspect along with the good feelings. the young’un likes curious george type books, animals.
Brenda Haines says
February 27, 2019 at 3:26 pmI love true stories and mysteries and my child loves anything fun and exciting.
Kelly D says
February 27, 2019 at 11:52 amMy daughter and I both enjoy mysteries. She also likes books about animals and fantasy books.
Farrah Less says
February 27, 2019 at 9:59 amIm still an old fashion reader i like the hardcopy bound book than ebook. And this children book is so appealing to me. I bet kids will enjoy reading and learning at the same time.
Kim Henrichs says
February 27, 2019 at 9:07 amMy fave is definitely true crime. Kiddos are all fantasy – especially Harry Potter!
Susan Christy says
February 26, 2019 at 11:36 pmWe all like general fiction.Nothing scary or sci-fi.
Amy h says
February 26, 2019 at 9:50 pmI love mysteries as an adult, but As a young lady I use to love Nancy Drew and Baby Sitters Club books. My daughter is a little too young for these books, but I know my GodDaughter would love them!
Brett ThisMamaLoves says
March 6, 2019 at 3:33 pmAmy congrats! You won the giveaway!
Kasey says
February 26, 2019 at 9:49 pmI use to love the Baby Sitter Club books as a child. I bet my kiddo would love the Best Babysitters Ever books!
HS says
February 26, 2019 at 7:05 pmI like to read Memoir while my kids are into all things fiction.
Marysa says
February 26, 2019 at 6:04 pmI keep hearing good things about this book. It looks so cute and I think both of my kids would really like it. I’ll have to get them a copy 🙂
Lynndee says
February 26, 2019 at 10:00 amThat sounds like a fun book for kids. I love reading and I’m currently finishing a book. My son loves reading fantasy books. My nice would enjoy that book, I believe.
Terri Steffes says
February 26, 2019 at 9:22 amI remember the Babysitting Club books. They were very popular among my students. I was glad to have them reading!
Catalina says
February 26, 2019 at 6:41 amI love reading and so does my kid. He loves to discover new books and stories. Thanks for sharing this review. I should find this book for him!
Shoshana Sue says
February 26, 2019 at 5:04 amMy daughters are also readers and I am sure they will also enjoy this book. Pity I am not in the US, I would have loved to enter the giveaway for them
Ricci says
February 26, 2019 at 12:52 amI LOVE to read as well!! I do think it’s a genetic thing because my grandmother loves to read almost as much as I do. I remember reading the Babysitters Club books growing up and that reminds me that I need to get them for my nieces!!
Denay DeGuzman says
February 25, 2019 at 11:07 pmWhat fun books for preteens! I’m sharing this series with my sister who has a daughter that will really enjoy these!
Tasheena says
February 25, 2019 at 7:49 pmThis sounds like a wonderful read. I have to make sure to get a copy for my nieces.
Roch says
February 25, 2019 at 7:03 pmReading is a great habit since it hones creativity more than watching a movie. It also widens a kid’s vocabulary. I remember consulting the dictionary for words that I’m not familiar with as a child reading so many books.
Liz Mays says
February 25, 2019 at 3:45 pmThis sounds like a great one for kids to read together with their friends. I think they’ll be able to relate to the characters a lot.
Jeanna says
February 25, 2019 at 3:24 pmMy favorite genre is suspense/thrillers! My daughter loves the Dork Diaries and Diary of a Wimpy Kid books!
Patricia E says
February 25, 2019 at 1:36 pmMy daughters love a little of everything right now. My oldest started the School for Good and Evil series. My younger daughter likes Judy Moody Books. I enjoy reading mysteries.
candy says
February 25, 2019 at 11:29 amMy grandkids will have to wait a few years before reading this book. Sounds like a great book to read and enjoy for teens.
Alli Smith says
February 25, 2019 at 9:06 amThis sounds like a great book for middle schoolers. I love that it also teaches them about entrepreneurship. I often give books as gifts so I’ll keep this one in mind.
Kita Bryant says
February 25, 2019 at 9:04 amI use to love the babysitters club when I was little and my daughter loves it now too. I still have a few of my books. I will be getting her this one because she loves to read.
mami2jcn says
February 25, 2019 at 8:47 amI like to read biographies. My daughter loves The Little House series.
Amber Myers says
February 25, 2019 at 8:26 amMy daughter is in Middle School, so I bet she’d like this book. I’ll have to show it to her and see if she likes it. It sounds like one she’d enjoy.
Karen says
February 25, 2019 at 7:58 amThis looks like a super cute and awesome book! My niece would love to read it.
robin rue says
February 25, 2019 at 7:44 amThat sounds like a cute book for little girls. My niece has a birthday coming up and I bet she would love this book.
shelly peterson says
February 25, 2019 at 2:20 amI enjoy reading Romance books. My son loves to read Fantasy and mystery books.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
Katie Bellamy says
February 25, 2019 at 12:22 amMy daughter & I both like to read ghost stories! 🙂