Reviews

Sweet Valley Twins: Choosing Sides: by Francine Pascal

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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.

mals_reads's review

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

while i really enjoy this series, i think this is the weakest of the Sweet Valley Twins books so far. it feels like a lot of Jessica’s character development really regressed — she was outright awful in this story, and while she is a character who does struggle with what’s right and wrong given her friend group, it just seemed a little out of character

of Jessica to write the letters herself given her development in the previous books. i would have been more forgiving if Lila took control of the situation and Jessica didn’t say no.

still great development and clearly does a great job showing kids how to support your friends and deal with rumors. i do see potential for a reckoning with the Unicorns and Lila in the future! Jessica redemption arc soon???

mbrandmaier's review

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3.0

Jessica and the Unicorns hold auditions for the newly formed Booster Club, from which they plan to exclude the less popular folks by whatever means necessary. It's not that Elizabeth doesn't want Amy to make the Booster Club (though she herself has zero interest in it); it's that Elizabeth is afraid the Unicorns will do something to humiliate her unpopular bff Amy while she is auditioning. Older brother Stephen is bribed with doughnuts to help Elizabeth's friend Ken work on his basketball moves before tryouts, as rich popular dudebro Bruce attempts to bully Ken out of trying out.

destdest's review

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

I promise you, Jessica is the vainest middle school girl ever. I don't know how Elizabeth puts up with her. Hopefully, the little character development here sticks until the next volume.

I love Amy’s spunk! And little Ken is drawn so cutely.

I enjoy Aguirre’s artwork. The style works wonderfully here! I love every panel.