Karen's New Friend is the 36th book in the Baby-Sitters Little Sister series.
Back Cover Summary[]
There is a new student in Karen's class. Her name is Addie. She is funny and very talkative. And she has cerebral palsy.
Karen feels sorry for Addie. She thinks Addie has no friends just because she sits in a wheelchair. So Karen decides to make Addie be her best friend. But Karen won't leave Addie alone. And now Karen might not be Addie's friend at all!
Summary[]
A new girl is coming to Karen's class, and her name is Adelaide Sidney, and she goes by the nickname, Addie. She has cerebral palsy, which means she has to use a wheelchair. Karen feels bad for her. She thinks that Addie will have no friends because of her cerebral palsy. So when Addie comes to the class, Karen decides to be her new friend. But later, Karen does everything for her, like get her something on a shelf, helping her collect stuff, etc. This makes Addie upset, so she gets mad at her. Then after Addie makes up with Karen, Karen learns that Addie can do some things for herself, even if she has cerebral palsy.
Subplot[]
The Miller family (cousins of Kristy's family on Elizabeth's side) moves into the big house for a while because of a fire at their house in Massachusetts. Ashley, and Grace, were told to be nice to Karen and Andrew because their parents are divorced. Karen, Ashley, and Grace have a fight when Ashley and Grace become too helpful for Karen. They later make up by putting on a show called the Super Girls from Mars and having a good-bye party before leaving. Karen then becomes pen pals with Ashley and Grace, and they are good friends and cousins again.
Characters in this book[]
Karen's Family
- Karen Brewer
- Andrew Brewer
- Big House - Watson Brewer, Elizabeth Thomas-Brewer, Charlie Thomas, Sam Thomas, Kristy Thomas, David Michael Thomas, Emily Michelle Brewer, Nannie
- Little House - Seth Engle, Lisa Engle
Extended Family
- Miller Family - Ashley Miller, Berk Miller, Grace Miller, Peter Miller, Colleen Miller and Wallace Miller
Kids
- Ms. Colman's Class: Hannie Papadakis, Nancy Dawes, Bobby Gianelli, Ricky Torres, Leslie Morris, Addie Sidney, Pamela Harding, Jannie Gilbert, Natalie Springer, Hank Reubens, Barkan Twins
Adults
- Ms. Colman
- Mr. Simmons - Ms. Colman's fiance
- Miss Penn - Addie's helper
- Mrs. Dawes and Daniel Dawes
- Mrs. Papadakis
Places in this book[]
- Stoneybrook Academy
- Big House
- Hannie's house
- Nancy's house
Trivia[]
- On the dedication page it says: "This book is for Leigh and Allison - Welcome!"
- Addie sits at the end of the front row of the class next to Ricky.
- The classes weekend plans include: Pamela, Leslie, and Jannie went skating one weekend. Tammy and Terri also invite Natalie over to make a spaghetti dinner. Bobby invites Ricky over to his cousins birthday party.
- Lisa and Seth go to Hawaii for two weeks.
- Grace and Ashley are pictured on pages 50, 54, and 101.
- Karen has breakfast over Hannie's house.
- The careers that the student suspect Ms. Colman's fiance having includes: spy, detective, pilot, horse trainer, explorer, astronaut, and a mail carrier.
- Mr. Simmons makes his first appearance in the series.
- Karen becomes pen pals with Ashley and Grace.
Gallery[]