Book #155: Adventures In Babysitting by Elizabeth Faucher

 


Adventures in Babysitting

Elizabeth Faucher

 Released: January 1st, 1987

My 21st book for 2026 was Elizabeth Faucher's Adventures in Babysitting.

Another classic 1980's novelization.  Nothing too different or special here.  Essentially follows the plot of the classic movie to a T.  

I always loved this story...but then again, maybe that's because growing up I had a celebrity crush on Elisabeth Shue (I totally understand Brad's love of Chris).  I'm not sure if it's her smile, her long gorgeous hair, or her name being spelled the alternate way.  I'm glad they had the rendition of "Then He Kissed Me" by the Crystals.  I could hear the song playing out in my head as Shue dances around her room getting ready for her date.  Classic Movie/Book Moments.  I always wished I could jump through my TV and dance with her...

Alright, back on track, and putting my Elisabeth Shue crush on hold for a moment.

Chris Parker has her anniversary date cancelled, and she is asked to babysit he Anderson children on short notice.  While this happens, her best friend Brenda decides to run away from home and uses all her money to take a cab into the city.  Chris must now go into the city, with kids in tow, rescue Brenda, and then make it back before the Andersons get home at 1:00am.  As usual, nothing goes write.  First a tire blows, then they are kidnapped, and brought into an illegal chop shop.  This ends with random situations occurring around the city.  They sing the blues.  They crash the Anderson's party undetected.  They catch Chris' boyfriend cheating and seek revenge.  All before making it home safely.

Good story, and even better movie.  Def go check it out if you haven't, and bring the kids too.  Oh, and in case I haven't mentioned it before, Elisabeth Shue stars in it.

Here is what I learned:

—————

  • Chris Parker has a big date.
  • She likes the Crystals song “Then He Kissed Me”.
  • Mike Toddwell is her boyfriend.
  • They are going to Le Ciel Bleu, the best French restaurant in the city.
  • Mike drives a red Firebird.
  • His license plate says “So Cool”.
  • Brenda Pidgjocki is Chris’ best friend.
  • Brenda’s stepmom drinks Tab soda.
  • Brad Anderson is 14.
  • Sarah Anderson is his younger sister.
  • Sarah’s favorite cartoon hero is Thor.
  • Sarah likes to roller skate around the house.
  • Brads has a crush on Chris.
  • Chris’ grandfather passed away.
  • Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are going to the Associates Building.
  • Brad has acne.
  • Daryl Coopersmith is Brad’s best friend.
  • Daryl reads Playboy.
  • Brenda runs away from home.
  • Chris has to drive the kids into the city to pick up Brenda.
  • The car gets a flat tire.
  • The spare tire is already in use.
  • Chris left her checkbook at the Anderson’s house.
  • Pruitt has a hook for a hand.
  • He works for Dawson’s Garage.
  • Pruitt keeps a gun in his glove compartment.
  • A man cheating with Pruitt’s girlfriend drives a Cadillac.
  • The group is abandon by a car thief.
  • Joe Gipp is the car thief.
  • Joe takes everyone to a chop shop.
  • The men in the chop shop smoke cigars.
  • The Associates Building is in downtown Chicago.
  • Bleak and Graydon are some of the men in the chop shop.
  • The group enter a Blue lounge.
  • The Teardrop Lounge is the meanest toughest blues lounge in Chicago.
  • “Nobody gets off this stage without singing the Blues.”
  • The Street Kings are a gang.
  • The Black Lords are another gang.
  • Dawson’s Garage is on Lower Wacker Drive.
  • The group crashes a Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes performance.
  • Dan Lynch is a member of Delta Lambda Chi.
  • Dan drives a very nice Jeep.
  • “This is the city, kid.  I don’t help anybody but myself.”
  • Mike cheats on Chris with Sesame Plexar.
  • Chris and Dan have their first kiss.

—————

Overall, good read, and would do well with younger readers

Recommended.

On to Book #156: Against The World by Kerry Eggers and Dwight Jaynes.

-----

Need to catch up?  See previous blog post: Midnight Graffiti.

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