Ann M. Martin

Kristy's Great Idea will be published as a graphic novel in 2006.

No, but I loved my 4-5 grade class. The kids were older than Karen, but they were all working at this level. Many of them had learning disabilities. Like Karen's, it was a private school.

The actress's name is Jena Malone. You may have seen her in the movie "Stepmom".

I'm not a huge sports fan, but I do enjoy watching gymnastics and figure skating during the Olympics.

I wanted to write a mystery and I was very interested in the issue of missing children.

The BSC movie "Friends Forever" was released in 1995.

While I don't know Lemony Snickett, some of my other author friends whose work you may have read are James Howe, Nikki Grimes, Brian Selznick, Karen Hess, Pam Ryan, and Virginia Euwer Wolff.

Every time I receive a book, I sign it and return it with a letter. Somehow, this book must not have gotten to me. If you would like me to sign a copy of your book, mail it to me along with a self-addressed return envelope and please include first-class postage on the envelope. Send to:
        Ann Martin
        c/o Scholastic Inc.
        555 Broadway
        New York, NY 10012-3999

I do read my fan mail because I've always enjoyed hearing what my readers have to say. I have help answering the letters since that can be quite time-consuming.

The only nickname I've ever had is "Annie."

I wrote about Shannon in a BSC Special Edition Readers' Request called Shannon's Story.

I wanted to write this story because my sister Jane has dealt with dyslexia since childhood.

I LOVED reading scary stories. I started with mystery series such as Nancy Drew and the Bobbsey Twins. By the time I was in fourth grade, I had moved onto Alfred Hitchcock and Edgar Allan Poe. I still enjoy reading scary books today.

1) I love Maine because of its beautiful coastline, forests and towns. 2) My dog Sadie is of mixed breed, although I believer her father was a golden retriever. My favorite thing about Sadie is that she is so loving and affectionate.

My parents' names are Henry and Edie.

Shannon's middle name is Louisa.

Gigundoly is one of Karen's favorite words. It means very as in a gigundoly happy day. Gigundo means big.

I come from a very creative family, and they have always supported me in my writing career. I very much appreciated this when I decided to become a freelance author and give up the security of a full-time job.

First of all, I'm SO sorry! I'm sure you're getting good advice from family and friends, so I'll just add that it's important to get the word out. Put flyers up on street corners, in stores (don't forget to ask first) and in veterinary offices. Call all the animal shelters and rescue groups and give them a description of your cat. I'd also put an ad in your community paper under "Lost Pets." And hang in there - I've heard of stories where cats have been returned to their owners after very long separations!

My parents are happily married and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year.

I don't write poetry, but two of my favorite poets are Robert Frost and Langston Hughes.

I'd say that your daughter is a little young for the BSC series right now, but there are definitely other series that would be more age-appropriate. You might want to try the Junie B. Jones books by Barbara Park, and the Amelia Bedelia books by Peggy Parish. Have you read the Mary Poppins or Paddington Bear books yet? I'm sure you would both enjoy these. Happy reading!

I honestly can't think of anything, so either nothing that embarrassing ever happened or I've successfully erased it from my memory!

Abby is first introduced in BSC#87: Kristy and the Dirty Diapers.

You should probably talk to your guidance counselor about this, and discuss what kind of writing you are interested in. For instance, a person who wants to be a journalist might select a college with an excellent journalism department, while a person interested in writing fiction might choose a college that offered a great selection of creative writing courses.

I don't receive as much fan mail now as I did when the BSC series was being published (when I'd get thousands and thousands of letters each year). The number is a lot more manageable now, and I love hearing what my readers have to say about my books.

I enjoyed writing, literature and English classes, and I also liked French and Spanish. Science and math were my least favorite subjects. I love arts and crafts and I've done needlework for most of my life. Although I don't play an instrument today, I listen to and appreciate many types of music. I don't think any of the kids in my gym classes would ever have called me an athlete!

When my mother was young, her family had a house on Oconomowoc Lake and she spent many of her childhood summers there. It was a very special place for her and she shared many happy memories of that time with us.

Laura Godwin was born in Alberta, Canada in 1956 and attended Calgary University. Her hobbies include photography and poetry. When she was an editor, she wrote some books under the name Nola Buck, but now she uses her real name for all her work. If you would like to contact her directly, write to her in care of the publisher of the specific book you have read.

No, I've never taken a long break from writing, but for many years now I've set up a schedule whereby I work for three months and then take one month off.

The best way for your son to research the themes in my father's work is to locate books of cartoon collections in your local library. Some suggestions are: Yak! Yak! Yak! Blah! Blah! Blah!; All Those in Favor; and Good News/Bad News. He might also want to look through cartoon compendiums, especially those featuring cartoons from The New Yorker, for more ideas.

While Smith College is an all-women's school, I chose to attend because of its incredible academic reputation. Smith is one of the Five Colleges (along with Mount Holyoke, Amherst, U-Mass, and Hampshire), and students - men and women - are free to attend classes at each of these campuses. The decision to attend a coed or all-female school is a personal one, and each student has to decide where she believes she will best thrive.

After a certain point, several related series were being published at once, which meant about thirty to forty books needed to be written each year. Since there wasn't any way that I could manage this, my editors and I chose a small group of other writers to help out. I continued to outline and edit each book, so I had a hand in writing all of them. I estimate that I probably wrote half the books myself and had help on the other half.

Stacey McGill, one of the members of the BSC, has diabetes, and many of the stories in the series discuss this. Check out any of the books that have Stacey's name in the title.

Unfortunately, as far as I know there isn't a list of discussion questions.

The Ann M. Martin Foundation is still in existence, The Foundation is currently not soliciting any new applications, but continues to support organizations benefiting children, literacy programs, and animal rescue groups.

Brian Selznick, the illustrator of The Doll People books, did an incredible job creating the products in the doll catalogues. They're very realistic, but they are imaginary.

I’m glad that you are interested in a career in writing. If you click on “More Letters from Ann” at the bottom of the current Ann Online entry, it will take you to many of the previous letters I’ve written. I think you’ll find “Ann’s Top Ten Writing Tips” (5/01) very useful. Good luck with your writing!

The BSC and LS books are only available in the traditional book form, but I imagine that some day we'll have the option of reading books online. (But I think I'm always going to prefer curling up with the real thing!)

As much as I loved working with Paula, we both felt that we had finished telling the story of Tara*Starr and Elizabeth. I'm glad you enjoyed them, and I'd love to have another opportunity to work with Paula again someday.

I'm forty-eight years old now, and I stopped writing the BSC books in 2000 when I was forty-four.

The Meanest Doll in the World, written with Laura Godwin and illustrated by Brian Selznick, was published last year. My new book, Here Today, will be published this fall.

In BSC #19, Claudia and the Bad Joke, Claudia breaks her leg when she falls off a swing with a broken chain.

I was born in Princeton, New Jersey, where I lived until I left for college when I was eighteen years old.

It's true that Kristy, Stacey, and Dawn come from divorced households, but Claudia, Mallory and Jessi do not. Mary Anne's father is a widower, and Abby's mother is a widow. I try to write about the different family situations that kids deal with, and having to split time between two parents and two houses is a reality for many of them today.

I can't say that I have a particular title or story in mind, but if you ask my readers, I'm pretty sure that they will all say, "The BSC: Together Again."

I was graduated from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts with a double major in education and psychology.

You can write to me at:
        Ann Martin
        c/o Scholastic Inc.
        555 Broadway
        New York, NY 10012-3999

As of now, there are no plans to write a book about a BSC reunion.

I'll pass along your request to the people who work on the website. Good luck with your collection!

I think my mother started taking my sister and me to the library as soon as we could walk! I got my first library card in kindergarten when I learned how to sign my name.

My mother's name is Edith Matthews Martin. She's always been called Edie.

Abby Stevenson was introduced in BSC #90: Welcome to the BSC, Abby.

The book you are referring to is called Just a Summer Romance, and it was published in 1987. In the story, Melanie Braderman is fourteen years old; she'd be thirty-one years old now!

I have a sister who is two years younger than I am (but several inches taller!).

There is some biographic information on this website. Also, you may want to try to find a copy of my biography, Ann M. Martin, by Margot Becker R. It was published in 1993, but it should still be helpful. If you have any specific questions, you can write to me in care of Scholastic, Inc., 555 Broadway, New York, New York, 10012.

I'm sorry, but the original BSC Fan Club is no longer in existence.

There are many online sites that sell books. You can try using Google or another search engine to type in the name of the book you want to buy. You'll probably get quite a few options.

I'm planning on doing some book signings this fall when my new novel is published, although I am not yet sure of when or where they will take place. In the past, however, I have usually included bookstores in the New York area.

People who have had their spleens removed are more prone to colds and infections, and they often tire easily. This certainly was the case with me for many years. However, as I get older I find that I'm actually less tired and less susceptible to illness than when I was younger. So that's good news!

My dog is named Sadie. She was six-years old in March.

My dog is named Sadie. She was six-years old in March.

Yes, Abby and Anna Stevenson are Jewish. Have you read BSC #96: Abby's Lucky Thirteen? In it, Abby and Anna celebrate their Bat Mitzvah. I hope you enjoy it!

These order forms in the Baby Sitters Club books are no longer valid. Many of these them are quite a few years old. It's possible that the books are no longer in print, and it's also very likely that the prices have changed. If you would like to inquire about a specific title, you can call 1-800-SCHOLASTIC and talk to a customer service representative.

I'm glad that you enjoyed the books. You'll be happy to know that Laura Godwin, Brian Selznick and I have decided that there will definitely be a third book.

Mary Anne's father and Dawn's mother get married in BSC #30: Mary Anne and the Great Romance.

I'm not really sure why I don't enjoy cooking because I like to eat! Growing up, I enjoyed sewing projects and reading more than experimenting in the kitchen. It's pretty much the same for me today!

BSC #24 is called Kristy and the Mother's Day Surprise.

I wish I'd written Cheaper by the Dozen, but the real author is one of the grown-up children, Frank B. Gilbreth. You should be able to find a copy in your local library, at a new or used bookstore, or from an online source.

Sadie came to live with me in April of 1998, when she was a few weeks old. She just turned six.

The picture is taken with my dog, Sadie. I'll pass along your compliment to her!

Abby Stevenson is introduced in BSC #90: Welcome to the BSC, Abby. She and her sister, Anna, move to Stoneybrook, where Abby soon becomes the newest member of the BSC.

I found out about the award when a woman from the American Library Association called me at home at 7:30 in the morning to tell me the good news. It marked the beginning of one of the best days I've ever had. I received flowers, candy, telephone calls and congratulatory e-mails from so many nice people. A couple of months later, I had a wonderful time when I attended the Newbery awards ceremony in Toronto. So I guess you could say that winning a Newbery Honor is pretty cool!

I knew that I wanted to write a story that took place in my own childhood (the late 1950's and early 1960's). I was also interested in further developing a character I had originated in a short story, a ten-year old girl named Belle Teal. Belle Teal was different from anyone I had ever written about before, and she very much intrigued me. It was an interesting challenge for me to step out of that familiar time period to create a new character in a new setting. Once I found Belle Teal's voice, however, the writing process was very similar to that of my other books.

I'm sorry that I don't know if the books are still being published in Belgium. An Internet search in Belgium would be the best way to research this. By the way, I've always liked the Dutch names for the BSC!

I was nine-years old, just a little younger than Hattie, when I learned that I had had an uncle who had died many years before I was born. Learning about his mental illness (which was very misunderstood at that time) and subsequent suicide inspired me to write this book.

You're correct when you say that writing is a solitary activity, but I think that's one of the reasons I've enjoyed those few times when I've had a chance to work with someone else. Collaborating offers a different set of challenges than individual writing, and I'd definitely want to do it again sometime.

I don't have any plans to write a sequel at this point, but I'm very flattered that you were caught up enough in the story to want to read more about the characters.

I remember being puzzled as to why the phone was sometimes off the hook in my office. Then one day I came upon my cat, Mouse (who died several years ago), happily traipsing across the desk and sending the receiver flying. Mystery solved!

My editor originally suggested the idea of a picture book about dolls. Then Laura Godwin (my co-author) and I started talking about a story with two different doll families, one old-fashioned and one new-fangled. That's how the Doll and Funcraft families came to be.

Jessi is the ballet dancer in the BSC books. I took ballet when I was about five-years old and again when I was about eleven. I liked it a lot, but I don't think I was especially gifted!

I loved all the Dr. Seuss books. My all-time favorite is Happy Birthday to You! It's a wonderful story about the joys of celebrating your birthday, and I still get a kick out of reading it today. In fact, it's one of my favorite gifts to give to my friends and relatives on their birthdays!

I read the set of Little House book that had belonged to my mother when she was a little girl. My mother had colored all the illustrations and put glasses on each of the characters!

Like you, I’ve based many of my characters on real people, especially on kids I used to know in school. But all of my characters, including the members of the BSC, are fictional.

My first book, Bummer Summer, was rejected at the first two publishing houses it was sent to. But I was very lucky to find a wonderful editor who believed in it. With her help (and a lot of rewriting!), I became a published author and a professional writer!

My best advice for anyone trying to find books is to check out your local libraries, the new and used-book stores in your area, and any online book selling sites. The school book clubs (Arrow for the BSC books and Lucky for the LS books) may also have the books you are looking for. Good luck!

Legally speaking, writers always own their characters and the stories that they have created. This means that other writers cannot take on these characters as their own. However, it’s possible that a creative writing teacher might give you an assignment to write about what you think will happen to a certain fictional character in the future. This can be a lot of fun because there are no wrong answers and lots of different ideas. But as an author, I think we have the most fun when we create our own characters out of our own imaginations.

Kristy was, and still is, my favorite baby-sitter. She is based on my childhood best friend, Beth.

I love all the BSC members! But I think you might be asking which baby-sitter is the least like me, and surprisingly, the answer is Kristy (my already-stated favorite baby-sitter!). Her personality is very different from mine, although I admire her. I based the character of Mary Anne on me.

That’s an interesting question. If Scholastic ever decided to publish a continuation of the series, I would definitely want to be involved. It would be great if the same group of writers who helped me with the BSC books could also participate. While there are no current plans to do this, never say never!

Now that I’ve finished the series, I’d have to say I have two favorites, the first (Kristy’s Great Idea) and the last (Graduation Day).

I’m sorry that I won’t be able to use these good ideas since no new BSC and LS books are being published.

You can write to me at:
        Ann Martin
        c/o Scholastic Inc.
        555 Broadway
        New York, NY 10012-3999

The BSC Fan Club ended shortly before the series ended. I’m sorry that you never got to be an “official” fan, but I certainly appreciate your support!

I’m glad that you are interested in a career in writing. I think you’ll find “Ann’s Top Ten Writing Tips” (5/01) very useful. Good luck with your writing!

I’m glad that you enjoyed these two series. I stopped writing the California Diaries and the LS books when I ended the BSC Series. I thought it was appropriate that their stories all end at the same time.

It was with mixed emotions that I realized that the time had come for the BSC members to graduate from middle school, and for me to explore new creative writing challenges. I love the projects I’ve taken on, but I admit that there are still times when I miss writing about the adventures of the baby-sitters!

Yes, #15 is the last book in the CA Diaries series. As of now, there are no plans for any future titles to be published.

I know it is difficult to find the books you want when you don’t live in the country where they are published. My suggestion would be to go online and search book selling sites such as amazon.co.uk. Good luck!

There are 145 BSC books and 122 LS books in print.

I doubt this is possible, since the original actors in the BSC videos and motion picture are much older now and living in many different parts of the country doing other projects. As for me, I make very few personal appearances these days, but it’s not out of the question that we could one day meet at a book signing!

I thought about your question a lot, and I honestly could not come up with a very good answer! The arts are very important to me, and a big part of my life. I enjoy all kinds of music, and my absolute favorite event is a Broadway musical. So I guess I have no idea why I didn’t create a musically-talented BSC member!

Wow! That’s a lot of books! I’m afraid I don’t keep any extra copies of my books, but you may be able to find some in new and used-book stores. Good luck.

Like everyone, I was deeply affected by the events of September 11th. At the moment, I have no plans to write about this tragic day. My most recent books (including the one I am working on now) are set in the 1960’s, with characters who are the age I was at that time.

My favorite subject in school was English because I loved to write. I just didn’t know at the time that it would become my profession! Though math was never a favorite subject of mine, I wanted to be good at it because life is easier when you know the basics and you don’t have to whip out a calculator every time a problem comes up. My favorite hobby is sewing, and you wouldn’t believe how much math comes into play with patterns and alterations. I also love making greeting cards for friends and family, which involves lots of measuring and calculating.

First of all, thanks so much for all your great ideas. For now, at least, there are no plans for a reunion book or a series that follows the baby-sitters through high school and college and adult life. But I understand your curiosity. Even I find myself wondering what the BSC members might be doing right now!

We would have been good friends, because I started lots of clubs that didn’t stick, too! I think my friend, Beth, and I mostly loved thinking up ideas and making plans for our next “great” club. Even if the club didn’t actually happen, we had tons of fun. I recommend that you find friends who share a common interest or hobby (sewing, knitting, reading, gardening, drawing, acting, or exercising are some examples) and take it from there. Good luck!

Since I don’t have your address, you can write to me via snail mail at:
        Ann Martin
         c/o Scholastic Inc.
         555 Broadway
         New York, NY 10012-3999
There’s also some information on my webpage that may be helpful to you in the meantime.

I’m not sure, but maybe the book you are referring to is Music of the Dolphins, by Karen Hesse. It’s about a young girl who is raised by dolphins after surviving a plane crash that kills her mother and brother. I hope your sister enjoys the book.

I’ve written a children’s book, Leo the Magnificat, that tells the story of a cat who lived in a church in Kentucky. I love cats and dogs, and you’ll generally find that my characters are almost always pet owners. I live with my dog, Sadie, and my three cats, Woody, Gussie, and Willy.

The Baby-sitters Club movie was released in 1995. I got to visit the set and consult on the script. It was so much fun! (In the movie, you get a chance to meet Kristy’s dad!) You can also go to your local video stores and check out the BSC TV series that has been shown on HBO and The Disney Channel.

I began working on my first book, Bummer Summer, when I was twenty-five years old. I didn’t finish it for almost three years!

My editor, Jean Feiwel, came up with the idea for a book series about a group of girls who loved to baby-sit.

The BSC merchandise has been discontinued, although I occasionally hear of fans who have been lucky to find a game or a doll at a toy store. Also, I know that eBay (the online auction site) is a good source for many hard-to-find items like these.

The BSC readers tend to range in age from about eight to twelve. But I know of six-year olds and even eighteen-year olds who enjoy the series!

I loved writing the BSC series because it’s always fun to write with continuing characters. With the right idea, and a less grueling schedule than I had with the BSC books, I’d definitely consider doing a series again.

Since the series ended, I’ve written Belle Teal, The Doll People, and A Corner of the Universe. The sequel to The Doll People will published this fall, and I’m already at work on my newest book. (More about that in an upcoming Ann Online!)

Paula and I don’t have plans for another book about Tara*Starr and Elizabeth because we both feel that we’ve finished telling their story. However, I loved working with Paula and we’d be happy to do another project together.

Shannon first appears in book #11: Kristy and the Snobs, and is an alternate officer in the BSC. If you want to find out more about Shannon, she appears in her own special edition called Shannon’s Story.

I think it’s a good idea to have someone critique your work. My writing schedule keeps me too busy to do this for my readers, but I suggest that you ask a favorite English teacher, a parent or a good friend to read what you have written and offer any suggestions.

My writing schedule keeps me very busy. Unfortunately, I very rarely visit schools, but occasionally I go on bookstore signings and sometimes I do readings then.

I can’t answer that question for you because it varies depending on where you live and what your responsibilities are. I suggest you ask your friends what they charge, and perhaps a parent can ask other adults for you. Your clients should also tell you what they expect to pay.

The last book is called Graduation Day. I hope you get a chance to read it.

Start by telling everyone you know that you are available. Your parents’ friends, your neighbors, and your teachers are good sources. You should also create a flyer to put up in appropriate places (libraries, doctors’ and dentists’ offices, health clubs). Be sure to get permission first.

As far as I know, the movie has only been released on VHS.

I turned thirty-one when the first BSC book was published.

I'm afraid that won't be possible (as you probably already know if you've been reading all these questions) since the final book in the series has already been published.