I have been known to be pretty outspoken when it comes to environmental issues....BSC # 57: Dawn Saves the Planet

I was about to read another BSC book last weekend when I realized that today was Earth Day and I had Dawn Saves the Planet just sitting on my shelf, waiting to be mocked. It seemed to make much more sense to post today.

Memory Reaction

I remember reading this book, and not getting why everyone thought recycling was some new/weird thing. My town had curbside recycling for as long as I can remember. I know this because it was my job to talk the recycle cans/papers to the street on Sunday nights, and I was always forgetting. So, anyway, I didn’t believe the set up of the book, which is that everyone is ignorant about recycling and our planet.

Revisited Reaction

Dawn is a bitch. Really. They should rename this book, “Dawn is a Bitch.” The set-up is, she is learning about the environment in science, and as part of a class project, she and Stacey (also in the class) teach a class to kids about saving the earth. Cause if it is possible to involve kids, these girls will. Unfortunately, Dawn takes everything WAY to seriously, and starts lecturing people every time they use a paper napkin, throw out an aluminum can, etc.

She also gets a “brilliant” idea to start a recycle center at school for Stoneybrook. The kids in school vote to set it up, but because she has been so obnoxious about the environment, they don't pick Dawn to be in charge. She, of course, acts like a bitch about it, and refuses to volunteer at the center. Then she is upset about not getting recognition at the ceremony about it. She also starts bossing around the rest of the BSC and just assumes they will help her with this stupid “green fair” the kids are putting on as part of their class. Finally, the other girls call her out on being a bitch and she promises to lighten up. Of course, I have read later books and know this doesn’t really happen. But we need to have those happy endings, right?

High/Lowlights

• Dawn is a total dork in the science class, raising her hand for every question and practically shouting out answers, and just being overly excited about everything. Then she is surprised when Alan Gray makes fun of her.

• In this book, Kristy is described as having chin length hair. I always pictured her with long hair that she pulled into ponytails.

• Stacey outfit: “Today she was wearing floral leggings, a pink shirt with big sleeves, and a long vest covered in antique pins. A black fedora with a red cloth rose was perched on the top of her head.”

• Heh, I totally still cut up six-pack rings before I throw them out. I don’t think it is from this book, I think it was from elementary school science.

• According to this book, Styrofoam=the devil. That cracks me up because yesterday my company sent out a memo that they are going to stop stocking the kitchen with Styrofoam cups. Maybe Dawn got to an executive where I work.

• The Rodowsky’s dog can bark along with “Home on the Range.” We don’t get to see it, though. Too bad. It would have been the highlight of the book.

• Dawn bitches at Mary Anne for only writing on one side of the club record book, and Mary Anne almost cries. Nice way to treat your sister/best friend.
  

• All the kids in Dawn and Stacey’s class turn into environment-nazis like Dawn. I bet the parents love that.

• I don’t know, is it really better for a family with eight kids to use cloth napkins? Cause, that is at least ten extra napkins, three times a day, which adds up to a lot of extra laundry. And extra laundry uses more energy, which is also bad for the environment.

• Dawn yells at everyone while trying to promote her recycle center idea, because they dare to throw out a can or use Styrofoam. Then she gets upset that Mary Anne finds her annoying, because it means Mary Anne doesn’t care about the planet.

• Ha, ha, ha. Dawn tries yelling at Shawna Riverson about using Styrofoam, and Shawna just rolls her eyes. Dawn follows her down the hall lecturing her like a maniac, but Shawna still just rolls her eyes, and other kids laugh. I think I love Shawna. Even if she is a cheater….
  

• Two 8^th grade guys bring brie, pate, and sparkling cider into lunch at school. Then they spread out a tablecloth and drink from wine glasses. The idea was to piss off the teachers, but I can’t picture two guys pretending to have a romantic meal without getting picked on.

• Stacey relates some gossip to Claudia that Claud missed because she was eating lunch at another table. Um….since when does the BSC eat at other tables without getting yelled at by the other girls?

• 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth. I had that book when I was little. Guess I didn't save the earth.
  

• Nicky Pike writes a letter to the president telling him how important it is to protect the environment. Don’t worry Nicky. I am sure anyone smart enough to be elected president, would totally understand the issues affecting the environment and would want to stop global warming and recycle.

• Wow, Dawn gets an A on her project. Shocking.

• Hey, Dawn you know what is probably bad for the environment? Flying on large jet planes across the country every other month.

• At the end, Dawn gets to be co-chair of the recycling committee. You know, the one that is a huge deal in this book and is never mention again?