David Levithan and Ann M. Martin

For weeks now, we’ve been going gaga (more than ever) for the BSC! First we announced that The Baby-sitters Club will be released as ebooks (with their classic cover look!); then Scholastic employees (and huge BSC fans) have been sharing their own BSC stories (and more are coming soon!). But today we have something very special: an exclusive Q&A between Ann M. Martin and David Levithan!

You may or may not know that David worked on the BSC series years ago as an intern at Scholastic. Now, of course, he’s an Editorial Director here, and he guides the beloved Ann through a brief look at her favorite — and least favorite — BSC moments.

David Levithan: I know that, like me, you get asked all the time which baby-sitter you are most like. But ha!  I am going to invert that tried-and-true question and ask …which of the baby-sitters are you LEAST like?

Ann M Martin: Mary Anne is the only character I’m truly like, but of the others I am definitely the least like Kristy, which may be why she’s my favorite. She’s my alter ego. Kristy is outgoing, athletic, not afraid to speak her mind, likes being in charge, and is good at it – all things I envy!

DL: Over the years, many people from your life (and their children) made appearances in the BSC books.  Was there anyone who refused to be in a book?

AMM: I don’t remember that anyone refused, or asked not to appear in a book. In fact, people often asked me (they still do) if I would name a character after them.

DL: I’ve found that there is a special place in BSC fans’ hearts for the Super Specials.  Which of the Super Specials is the most super special to you?

AMM: My favorite Super Special is the first one, Baby-sitters on Board, for the simple reason that the characters get to go to Disney World, and since I’d never been there, I took a trip there with my sister and a friend so that I could research the book. This started my love affair with Disney World. I’ve been back many times, and am always looking for another excuse to pay a visit.

DL: The BSC members started in seventh grade, then stayed in eighth grade for a very, very, VERY long time.  If you had to pick a grade to be in for, say, fifteen years, which would it be? 

AMM: No question, I’d want to go back to third grade so that I could spend fifteen years with the fabulous Miss Kushel, the teacher who introduced our class to Pearl Buck, and made every day fun.

DL: Do you have a favorite item of BSC paraphernalia, besides the books?

AMM: I love the board games, especially the mystery game.

DL: Who was your favorite baby-sitting charge to write about?

AMM: Kristy’s sister Karen was my favorite, which is how the Little Sister books came into being. Apart from Karen, I like writing about Charlotte Johanssen, and Jackie Rodowsky, the walking disaster.

DL: How did you feel about Raina Telgemeier’s adaptations of the BSC into graphic novel form?

AMM: I think Raina did a marvelous job of visually capturing the spirit of the BSC as well as the characters. I’m a fan of graphic novels – I find them very compelling – and was honored that Raina wanted to adapt the BSC.

Thanks, Ann and David!

Be sure to check out more amazing BSC goodies on our Pinterest Board, and Like The Baby-sitters Club on Facebook for some trivia, giveaways, and more!