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corky12's review
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
keepingyouonread's review
4.0
It’s been awhile since I did a #snuggleupsunday post but we just finished the latest Sweet Valley Twins graphic novel, Choosing Sides.
Jessica and the unicorns are hosting cheer tryouts and are determined that only the pretty popular girls make it. Meanwhile, the boys are doing basketball tryouts and Ken wants to make the team but he’s short and not in the “in crowd”. Elizabeth is covering the events for the newspaper, discouraging friend Amy from trying out for cheerleading, and helping Ken improve his game.
What I liked: I liked both twins learned a lesson. Elizabeth needed to support her friend even if she didn’t agree with her joining the club and Jessica needed to realize being popular isn’t the end all.
I liked it showed Elizabeth helping Ken. The underlying theme of going for things you want even if it’s scary or you might not be included at first was a good one.
What didn’t work for me: look I loved Sweet Valley as a kid and teen but as an adult, Lila, Jessica and the unicorns behavior is cringe. Jessica is so concerned with being popular and yeah at the end she admitted she made a mistake but I just didn’t love that throughout the book it was clear Jessica and pals were popular and smart nice Elizabeth and friends were nerds. It rubbed me wrong as a parent.
Who should read it: Parents will love the nostalgia and kids will like the twins antics and freedom from parents (most of the plot is at school with little to know adult interaction).
annym14's review
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
longliveswiftie_13's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
It was ok, plot was intriguing, but a little bland the bulling could be seen as a way to get popular, such as when Jessica wrote the letters Overall, it was an ok book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
iheartpuns's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
3.0
stophie12's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
neffcannon's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
narflet's review against another edition
3.0
Massive improvement on the original. A very reworked story this time. It’s mostly Elizabeth who benefits the most from the adaptation but there’s some suggestion that Jessica at least thinks about her actions slightly. Absent parents are mildly improved to lightly disappointed parent (Ned remains absent). I love the design of Nora at the end of this book, it’s a bit a shame that the next one has a different artist do we don’t get the same look but never mind! Lots of hints in this one that we will get a fifth book (Sneaking Out) so I’ll keep an eye out for that news. As much as I wouldn’t recommend anyone read these unless they’ve got the nostalgia factor like I do, I am enjoying myself.