Ann M. Martin Books

I wanted Jessi’s story to begin with excitement—a surge of optimism that feels completely natural to her. When her neighbor Mrs. Braddock needs someone to care for her many pets, Jessi’s instinct is to raise her hand. After all, she’s responsible, organized, and she loves animals. For Jessi, this jo...

From Jessi Ramsey, Pet-Sitter

As the days pass, the perfection Jessi envisioned begins to unravel. There are small mishaps at first—a spilled water dish, a parakeet that refuses to sing, a dog that barks all night. They pile up gradually, much like real pressure in a young person’s life. I wanted readers to feel Jessi’s fatigue ...

From Jessi Ramsey, Pet-Sitter

When Jessi first hears that the Braddocks are moving to Stoneybrook, she is intrigued. Their son, Matt, is deaf. For someone like Jessi—who prides herself on being observant and responsible—this fact sparks curiosity more than fear. She immediately wonders what it must be like to live in a world wit...

From Jessi's Secret Language

The Baby-Sitters Club has always been a tapestry of personalities—each girl bringing her strengths, quirks, and perspectives. When Jessi begins talking about Matt and sign language, her enthusiasm spreads. Soon, the other members want to learn a few signs too. Claudia, whose artistic flair always lo...

From Jessi's Secret Language

It all starts with small, ordinary sounds that suddenly seem extraordinary. One night in the Brewer house, a door groans open by itself. Another evening, the hallway light flickers, just once—a tiny thing—but enough to make Karen’s imagination leap. As the days pass, she begins to hear faint thuds a...

From Karen's Ghost

When Karen finally decides to share her suspicions, she doesn’t whisper them into the void. She tells her closest friends, stamping her fear with a kind of excitement. Annie and Nancy, her confidantes, react just as any good friends would—half thrilled, half skeptical—yet they stand beside her. Toge...

From Karen's Ghost