Baby-Sitters Club explained at SCS

SALISBURY — Middle-school students quizzed author Ann M. Martin about her work at Salisbury Central School on Friday, Sept. 7.

Martin is best known for her series, “The Baby-Sitters’ Club.”  She wrote 35 books in the series before turning it over to other writers. 

She said, in response to a question, that the original idea was for four books in the series.

Including her 35 books entries, there are now 132 novels — more than 300 if titles in spin-off series are added to the total.

“Rain Reign” is the book the students were assigned to read over the summer. (And most of them did.)

The book is about a girl named Rose, who is on the autism spectrum. She has a dog named Rain and a father who is somewhat less than ideal.

Asked about the Rose character, Martin said she had been thinking about a “quirky” girl  who has a fascination with homonyms.

Martin had worked with autistic children earlier in her career. She also spent time at a school for such children while developing the character.

Martin added she had a personal connection: an uncle born in the 1930s who, she believes, would have been considered as being on the spectrum today.

Asked if she writes longhand or on a computer, Martin said she used to write everything longhand and then type it up.

Now, “I compose on the computer,” but she prints out her copy and edits by hand.

A student asked about the inspiration for “The Baby-Sitters’ Club” series.

Martin said the idea — the title, really — was suggested by her editor, who “wanted a book about friendship.”

“It was up to me after that,” she continued. “I did a lot of babysitting.”

After the assembly, the children got a treat: ice cream.