The Amazing Jessica

Sweet Valley Kids #60

by Francine Pascal (Creator)

Under The Big Top!

The circus has come to Sweet Valley! Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield love watching the shows and eating lots of cotton candy. But the most exciting part for Jessica is finding out that their great-great-grandmother Jessamyn was a bareback rider in the circus! Jessica imagines herself in Jessamyn's place -- on a beautiful pony,wearing a fancy costume and showing off in the spotlight.

Now Jessica knows for sure that performing is in her blood! Will she dare run away with the circus?

The Amazing Jessica

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Francine Paula Pascal was an American author best known for her Sweet Valley series of young adult novels. Sweet Valley High, the backbone of the collection, was made into a television series, which led to several spin-offs, including The Unicorn Club and Sweet Valley University. Although most of these books were published in the 1980s and 1990s, they remained so popular that several titles were re-released decades later.

Reviews

[Tara Calaby]

Jessica sets her sights on becoming a circus rider, just like her great great grandmother Jessamyn, but Liz feels left out and gets Jessica in trouble with their parents.

One of the less believable tales, but I can see kids being as excited by the thought of becoming a circus performer as Jessica is.

[Ruvi Perera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't like Jessica's attitude in this one...

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

AKA - one of the last books I added to my collection - and it was worth the wait!
The circus is in town, and Jess is in awe of the show riders, especially when she sees a girl her own age. Alice tells the twins the story of Elisabeth and Jessamyn (yay!) and how Jessamyn (their great great grandmother) ran away from home and her twin to join the circus. Jess announces she’s now to be known as Jessamyn, and starts doing ‘tricks’ on her bike, in the house, anywhere, and Liz gets more and more annoyed, especially because Jess refuses to take riding lessons with her. Jess decides she hates Liz and runs away to the circus - where she meets Daria. Daria (the girl in the show their age) has the opposite problem and is sick of the circus. Anyway, Jessamyn tries to be a show rider but can’t stand the horse, and can’t stand on the horse (haha), and then Liz runs in. She figured it out and they make up, and hatch a plan with Daria for Jess to be in one show. After ONE practice, Jess is ready and their friends and family go back to the circus, and of course Jess is in it - holding the ring standing on her pony while the others jump through it. Very impressive for a 7 year old with an hour of practice 🤔 Anyway, Jess is over the circus, Darias family is quitting, and Jess is happy being the centre of attention. Bravo!
My rating - 6/10 - my highest rating yet - I just loved all the references to the SV family sagas 🙌🏻.

[patricia clare]

READ WHEN I WAS IN ELEMENTARY BETWEEN AGES 6-10.
REVIEW INTENDED FOR THE FOLLOWING:
1. For parents looking for something to give their elementary grade kids
2. For myself to look back to if I will ever be in need of Sweet Valley recommendations for kids these days who might choose a book over their Ipads or who knows, my future kid might be a reader too
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This is Jessica's story and attempt to claim circus fame. After knowing about their ancestors' roots and history, Jessica suddenly had the urge to follow in her ancestor, Jessamyn's footsteps. All of a sudden, she wanted to be like her then TO BE HER. Elizabeth was feeling down because she felt that Jessica was slipping away and suddenly wanted a new persona.

Moral lesson: Accept individuality. We are our own selves and kids may idolize certain persons growing up but it is always important to remind them that their OWN version of themselves is still the best.

[Sheila Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember the cover just not the story.