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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
I was an avid Sweet Valley fan growing up and followed the twins from elementary school to college. The fact that they are still popular and being featured in graphic novels makes me happy knowing new fans are reading them.
Jessica and Elizabeth are twins but vastly different. Elizabeth is studious, sweet, quiet, and has a solid ground of friends. Jessica is flaky, mean, popular, and will do anything to ensure she stays in the chosen group. (I remember this being VERY evident in the college books). In the Haunted House, Jessica and her friends terrorize new student Nora because.....???? Actually it does not matter why.
Elizabeth and her friends try to help Nora and get others to leave her alone with little success. When Halloween roles around we get a resolution to the bullying and a hopeful ending. However, I did not feel that the viciousness of the Unicorn club was handled correctly and it was too easily forgotten. This was a severe case of bullying and there were no repercussions. I would be hesitant to have this in my classroom, as I am not sure what the message is in this book. I recommend the series but not this one.
This was a gifted copy from Random House Graphic. All opinions are my own.
Jessica and Elizabeth are twins but vastly different. Elizabeth is studious, sweet, quiet, and has a solid ground of friends. Jessica is flaky, mean, popular, and will do anything to ensure she stays in the chosen group. (I remember this being VERY evident in the college books). In the Haunted House, Jessica and her friends terrorize new student Nora because.....???? Actually it does not matter why.
Elizabeth and her friends try to help Nora and get others to leave her alone with little success. When Halloween roles around we get a resolution to the bullying and a hopeful ending. However, I did not feel that the viciousness of the Unicorn club was handled correctly and it was too easily forgotten. This was a severe case of bullying and there were no repercussions. I would be hesitant to have this in my classroom, as I am not sure what the message is in this book. I recommend the series but not this one.
This was a gifted copy from Random House Graphic. All opinions are my own.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia
Minor: Violence, Toxic friendship
The Sweet Valley Twins graphic novels are getting better. I wasn’t a big fan of the first few because I felt like Jessica (true to her 90s self) never learned a lesson and the parents had zero clue what she was up to. In The Haunted House, Jessica and the Unicorns are still terrible but at least there are hints that Jessica (and some of her friends) feel bad about how they treat Nora.
There is a new girl at SWM, Nora Mercandy and the school all thinks the Mercandy are witches and the house is haunted. Elizabeth befriends Nora and tries to insist she isn’t a witch or weird but when Nora beats Lily at tennis, the Unicorns have it out for her. They hatch up an elaborate plan to embarrass her and toilet paper her house for Halloween.
This one would have been perfect for a Fall read! I loved that it had a little bit of a spooky mystery (what’s really going on with Nora and her family)?
As an adult, I still think Jess and the Unicorns are horrible and the parents clueless but I liked that Jessica’s sweeter side starts to peek out. You really feel for new girl, Nora and what she’s put through. The reveal is satisfying.
All in all, the next book is on our reading list.
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
The art definitely took a dive in this volume. It's not bad, but it's far from as good as other volumes and the moms hair has completely lost its unique big, curly, and messy look, traded in for more 'traditional' straight hair, which is annoying because her hair looked great before and was good representation for women and girls with big Irish style locks.
Jessica is still horrible. I can't imagine having such a cruel sister or daughter, especially given that Elizabeth is extra nice and good. Jessica is everything every kid should strive not to be. I am rooting for her and the other unicorns' downfall...
Plot-wise, aren't these kids a little old to be believing in witches and curses and stuff? This was the first volume that I felt wasn't very realistic in its depiction of the kids, at least as far as the entire Halloween plot goes.
Jessica is still horrible. I can't imagine having such a cruel sister or daughter, especially given that Elizabeth is extra nice and good. Jessica is everything every kid should strive not to be. I am rooting for her and the other unicorns' downfall...
Plot-wise, aren't these kids a little old to be believing in witches and curses and stuff? This was the first volume that I felt wasn't very realistic in its depiction of the kids, at least as far as the entire Halloween plot goes.
When a new girl moves to town, she becomes the talk of the middle school. After all, everyone knows that her house is haunted and inhabited by a witch ! But rapidly rumors are spread and bullying starts and the twins have to choose if they want to help the new girl or follow the other middle graders.
This graphic novel is a sweet and fun read, but sharing a difficult theme : bullying. From the difficulty to adapt to a new place and a new school , to the spread of rumors, this story gives an interesting input on the emotions and difficulties met by a newcomer. I also found it interesting how the book explores what popularity and the fear of rejection can lead people to do.
This graphic novel is a sweet and fun read, but sharing a difficult theme : bullying. From the difficulty to adapt to a new place and a new school , to the spread of rumors, this story gives an interesting input on the emotions and difficulties met by a newcomer. I also found it interesting how the book explores what popularity and the fear of rejection can lead people to do.