In Case you Missed it: A friend and I are rereading Sweet Valley High by Francine Pascal. Double Love, Book 1, was reviewed in this blog post.
Jami from Jami’s Words and I have decided to not just review the books but to interview each other about the books. Go to her website to see her answers to the same questions that I’ve answered below! THEN, feel free to answer them yourself in the comments if you’ve recently read it!
Warning: This post may contain spoilers about Double Love (Sweet Valley High #1) by Francine Pascal
Describe how you feel about Jessica’s and Elizabeth’s personalities.
Jessica and Elizabeth are twins but they’re very different. Jessica is a typical “mean girl” and I have a hard time connecting with her. I like Elizabeth—she’s levelheaded and mature. However, she’s also a bit of a pushover. I wish she’d learn to stand up for herself.
Jessica was pretty catty in Double Love. Name the scene that sticks out in your memory that showed this.
Jessica tells Elizabeth how Todd assaulted her so that she won’t go out with him. She no longer wants Todd but she doesn’t want Elizabeth to have him either. She also tried to convince Todd that Elizabeth was dating a lot of other guys.
Truthfully, Jessica is a nutcase. She’s manipulative and I kind of hate her.
“Within seconds, he had jumped into his Datsun and was speeding after them.” What vehicle would Todd’s current-day “Datsun” be, in your opinion?
I’m not much of a car person so I googled and I’m guessing that if Todd lived in 2017, he’d drive a mom car. I mean, the Nissan Altima is nice, I like it.
What one thing would you change about Double Love?
He has got to be the most wonderful boy in a hundred and thirty-seven states!
Need I say more?
Rick Andover was a 17-year-old dropout who smoke, drank, and frequented a bar (i.e. no carding of minors?!). Did you find this a realistic possibility in 1984?
Yes, I do! I know someone who talks about how easy it was to buy booze and go to the bar when he was 16 because he was 6’4″ with a full beard. No one ever thought a thing. Granted, I was only two years old in the 1984 so I don’t know for sure—but I’ve heard stories!
Two rich families were battling over purchasing the football field. If you had to choose: Are you on Team Fowler or Team Patman? Why?
Team Fowler! Patman is a total creep. Lila is a poor little rich girl to me. I’ll zip my lips there because…spoilers. I may have read the next book already.
Who was your favorite secondary character in Double Love? Explain why.
I like Winston. I never really fit in and was picked on a lot. I feel like I understand him because I didn’t really fit in either. But, just like he has Elizabeth and Enid, I had a few close friends that looked out for me.
General Questions
What would your 12-year-old self have rated this book?
Would you want your 13 year old to read this?
I wouldn’t mind if my daughter read this book but she would hate it. My sixteen-year-old is reading the series with me. She says she has never hated a character as much as Jessica.
How do you think adolescents today would feel about this book?
I think they would be thrown for a loop that these girls had such a social life without cell phones. Otherwise, kids are still the same in a lot of ways. Bullying is just as strong now as it was in 1984—maybe worse. Can you imagine Jessica on social media? *shudder*
What’s different about life in this story compared to today’s life? (i.e. social, technological advances)
As I already mentioned, cell phones and social media! It is nice to read a book without the technological distractions! I find that I get weary of that whole mess at times.
There is much more awareness about bullying and body shaming but despite all that—these issues are still prevalent.
Would you read this book again?
Not anytime soon but yes, I would! It is a train wreck that I can’t look away from.
Check back next week for a review of book #2, Secrets!
Secrets (Sweet Valley High, #2) by Francine Pascal, Kate WilliamPages: 118
Beautiful and ruthless, Jessica Wakefield is determined to be chosen queen of the fall dance at Sweet Valley High. If she can win the contest, she’s sure to win Bruce Patman, the most sought after boy in school.
The only person standing in Jessica’s way is Enid Rollins. When Jessica discovers the truth about Enid’s past, she knows the crown is within her grasp. She doesn’t care that Enid is her twin sister Elizabeth’s best friend or that revealing the secret may cost Enid both her reputation and the boy she loves. Only Elizabeth can save Enid from Jessica’s vicious gossip but can she stop her scheming twin in time?
Would you like to join us in delving into the Sweet Valley High books? We’d love to have you join in!
What a fun way to revisit an old favourite.
Definitely a fun way to see how much our perspectives changed from that of a teen!
Oh yes. lol
It’s a blast doing this with you! I love your comments on the bullying and body shaming. Definitely not much different nowadays except for regard to social media. Jessica certainly be ruthless in today’s world!
I am having so much fun!!! I need to figure out where to get book #4 soon…
I remember these – fun post!
It is fun to revisit my childhood! :)
I want to but I didn’t really read this one when I was younger I vaguely remember reading one and not caring for it…if I come across one at the thrift store I might by it to try :)