I don't know if any of these counts as novels, lol. I don't remember anything about this book, except that it was my very first "English" book purchase ever, after I arrived in the United States. I bought it from a Scholastic Christmas book order (i LOVED THOSE SCHOLASTIC BOOK CATALOGS SO MUCH), and was so proud of owning my very first book in America, lol.
With certainty, the Baby Sitters' Club book was a gateway drug to my addiction of middle grade series. It led onto Sweet Valley Kids, Sweet Valley Twins, Sweet Valley High, Goosebumps, Baby Sitters' Mysteries, Baby Sitters' Little Sister. Nancy Drew. The Boxcar Children, Hardy Boys, etc.
But my love for reading after I arrived in the US all started with Kristy's Great Idea.