They were allowed to get their ears pierced recently, but Mal has to wear glasses and braces, so she doesn't feel particularly pretty, and both girls feel that their parents treat them like babies sometimes. Plus, Jessi's mother just got a job, so with both Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey working, Jessi's Aunt Ce-celia moved in. Sometimes Jessi feels like Aunt Cecelia is her baby-sitter. A few more similarities: Mal and Jessi both like to read, especially horse stories, and to write. (Well, Mal likes writing more than Jessi does, but she did convince Jessi to keep a journal, which Jessi has been doing faithfully.)

Now for the differences. Mal, the great writer, would like to be an author and illustrator of children's books one day, while Jessi thinks she'd like to be a professional dancer. She's been taking ballet classes for years, dances en pointe (that means on toe), and has even had leading roles in several ballets, danc-

ing in front of big audiences. She takes lessons a couple of times a week at a special school in Stamford, Connecticut. She had to audition just to be able to take lessons there.

Furthermore, Jessi and Mal couldn't look less alike if they tried. Jessi is black and Mal is white. Jessi has the long, graceful legs of a dancer, is thin, and has these huge, dark eyes with lashes that I'd like to have as much as I'd like Claudia's complexion. Mal, on the other hand, has unruly red hair, and (as I mentioned before) wears glasses and braces, so she's not too pleased with her appearance right now. Also, she has freckles, which she can't stand.

Let's see, I might as well finish telling you about me, as long as I'm on the subject of the members of the Baby-sitters Club. I am active, always on the go and coming up with new ideas. (Some people think I'm bossy.) Can you believe it? I'm the only club member who still doesn't wear a bra because I don't need one. I don't care too much about clothes, though, anyway. I am not trendy and distant like some of my friends. I'm more of a slob. Almost every day I wear jeans, running shoes, a turtleneck, and a sweater. Those clothes are comfortable.