Kristy decides to form a babysitters club with her friends, Claudia, Mary Anne, and Stacy, but they run into unexpected problems which threaten to break up the club.

Stacey, a member of the Baby-sitters Club, struggles with her parents who refuse to believe that she has diabetes.

As the newest member of the BSC, Dawn is eager to prove herself. So when a big job comes along, she jumps at the chance to show everyone what she's made of. The Barretts are even more challenging than Dawn expected. The house is a mess. Mrs. Barrett is unreliable, and the kids are out of control.

"Claudia's sister, Janine, is too busy being smart to be nice to anyone-- even their grandmother, Mimi. But Claudia doesn't have to see Janine too much this summer since the Baby-sitters Club is starting a new play group. It's going to be so much fun! But then Mimi has a stroke, and the whole summer changes. Now Claudia is "Mimi-sitting" and Janine is no help at all. How can the Kishi sisters get along when Janine is always so mean?"--P. [4] of cover....

During the summer before their seventh-grade year, Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacey tackle difficulties, including family problems, crushes, moving, and making new friends.