Secrets (Sweet Valley High, #2) by Francine Pascal, Kate William
Series: Sweet Valley High #2
Published by Bantam Books on December 31st, 1983
Pages: 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?
We are back in Sweet Valley High with all new drama in “Secrets.” In this book, we find out that Jessica learned absolutely nothing from her shenanigans in the first book. She’s still the same old narcissistic…well, to quote a classic, “For twenty-three years I’ve been dying to tell you what I thought of you! And now, well, being a Christian woman, I can’t say it!” -Aunt Em; The Wizard of Oz.
Jessica stooped to an all new low in this book when she deliberately exposed Enid’s secret to the school. She allows Enid to think that Elizabeth betrayed her confidence. Why? Because she wants to ruin Enid’s chance of being homecoming queen and she doesn’t like for Elizabeth to have friends. I thought I couldn’t hate Jessica any more than I already did but I was wrong.
This book also tackles the subject of inappropriate student/teacher relationships. In this instance, it is nothing more than a rumor but I’m still puzzled by the lack of investigation into the matter. Were these things only mildly inappropriate in the eighties? I’d appreciate some insight from those that were in high school in 1984.
I liked this book more than the first. Jessica is still Jessica and Elizabeth is still a pushover. But, I thought that the book did a good job of exploring topics that are still relevant to today’s teens. There was a lot going on in this book; topics ranging from drug abuse to domestic violence. I would like to see more negative consequences for those who choose to do wrong. But, I have to remember that this is cheesy high school chicklit from 1984. I can’t expect too much.
Overall, it’s been a blast to revisit my childhood. I can’t wait to see what kind of ridiculous drama I’m drawn into next!
What I rate this book now: 3 stars
What I would have rated this book in 1995: 5 stars
Check back next week for a fun post about Secrets!
About Francine Pascal
Francine Pascal is the creator of the Sweet Valley High series and one of the world’s most popular fiction writers for teenagers and the author of several bestselling novels, My Mother Was Never A Kid (Hanging out with Cici), My First Love and Other Disasters, as well as the series Fearless. Her adult novels include, Save Johanna! and If Wishes Were Horses (La Villa) and the non-fiction, The Strange Case of Patty Hearst. Pascal is on the Advisory Board of The American Theatre Wing. Her favorite sport is a monthly poker game. She lives in New York City and France
I think I still have this one! : )
Yep, I remember reading this one :D