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Sweet Valley Kids #59
Jessica + Jessica = Trouble
There's a new girl in Mrs. Otis's class -- and her name is Jessica! At first Jessica Wakefield thinks it will be fun to share her name with a friend. But soon Jessica realizes that the new girl doesn't want to be friends -- she just wants to be better than the old Jessica at everything. She even tries to steal Jessica's own sister, Elizabeth! Is Sweet Valley Elementary big enough for two Jessicas?
- GenresMiddle GradeChildrens
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
About the author
Francine Pascal
1,149 books1,885 followersFrancine 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.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 6, 2026
Jessica + Jessica = Trouble
We learn about the Student of the Week contest from Jessica in the first chapter. Every Friday morning everyone in class writes a paper about why another kid has been great that week. They choose who they want to write about. The student described in the best paper gets his or her picture put up on the bulletin board. So does the person who wrote the best paper.
Lila, Ellen, and Jessica go to play hopscotch at recess but Ellen is dragging behind. They find out she’s in a bad mood because her cousin is coming to visit. Her mom and dad are making her bring her to school the rest of the week. She can’t stand Jessica. That’s her cousin’s name (Jessica Farrell).
Jessica thinks they’ll probably have a lot in common but doesn’t say so because Ellen’s already mad. Lila wants to know why Ellen doesn’t like her and she says when she last came she got her whole family mad at her and she’ll get all the other kids mad at her too. Jessica tells her don’t think about and says let’s just play. So, they do.
But Jessica has a thought. Maybe if she cheers Ellen up, she’ll write about her on Friday. She knows Ellen likes double dutch so she brings up the double dutch match she saw on tv. Then she asks if she wants to try it. Lila says she doesn’t want to so Jessica walk off and leave her. Jessica gets Elizabeth to play. Neither of them are very good at first and keep tripping. Then Jessica gets the hang of it and she’s good. Liz says she’ll try again the next day, but with different shows. Eva says she wants to write about Jessica on Friday because she jumps rope better than anyone she’s seen.
Jessica meets Jessica Farrell. She has red-hair and freckles. Jessica W is happy that Jessica F gets to sit by her in class. They pass notes all day. It seems like they do have a lot in common. They like tuna-fish sandwiches and hopscotch. They also agree that Winston’s ears are the ugliest of all. At art, they find out that purple is their favorite color. Ellen gets up and leave (Lila does too). She tells Jessica when she asks if she’s mad at her that she shouldn’t get close to Jessica. She’s not as nice as she thinks she is. Jessica tells her she’ll watch out, but secretly she thinks Ellen is being silly and that she might be jealous.
They talk about friends and fights. Jessica F confesses she has a bf named Molly but sometimes they fight. Jessica W tells her about fights she’s had with Ellen (about beating her at hopscotch because she messes up on the number eight) and Lila. She’s hesitant but then tells her a secret she found out about Lila.
Jessica F asks Jessica W if she wants to play tag and Jessica W says she hates tag. Jessica F says she does too. Jessica W thinks this is strange but dismisses it. Jessica F asks whose the most popular and Jessica W says Elizabeth and then sees Eva wrote about her for Student of the Week because Eva’s dad broke his back and Liz cheered her up. (Jessica isn’t sure if she should tell this but does anyway figuring it’s ok). They run off to watch some of the girls jump rope. Liz tries again in her “lucky” pink shoes and trips. Todd asks her to play tag and she’s over jumping rope and runs off.
Jessica turns to ask Jessica F if she wants a turn but she’s run off to play tag with Liz and the boys. Ellen tells Jessica “I told you she’s not who you think she is.” But again, Jessica brushes it off. In school, they have a spelling test. Jessica F tells Jessica W she hopes it’s not hard, but Jessica W says she’s not worried she’s a champion speller. When the gold stars are given out for perfect papers Andy, Liz, and Jessica get one. Jessica W hops up but it’s Jessica F. Jessica missed the word accomplish. Jessica F brags to Lila she bet a champion speller. Lila laughs. Jessica doesn’t see the humor.
At the park, Jessica W tells Lila she wishes Jessica F didn’t have the same name as her. Lila suggests she change it to something like Alexandria. Jessica W says the other Jessica should change *her* name. They argue. Jessica says Jessica is just a glamourous a name and it’s a better name than Lila -which is an ugly name-. Lila stamps off.
Ellen and Jessica F come over. Jessica F says she’ll go talk to Lila. Ellen says Jessica F told her that she (Jessica W) said she was bad at hopscotch. Jessica W explains that she didn’t say that. She said she had problems with the 8 square. Ellen says that’s what Jessica F does. She twists the truth.
Jessica F and Lila haven’t come back so Jessica W goes to look for them (without Ellen). Lila has told Jessica F that Jessica W thought Caroline was a witch. After Jessica F leaves, Jessica asks Lila how could she do that. Lila says because she told Jessica F she slept with her baby blanket and they’re no longer friends.
In class, Jessica F says she wants to sit by Eva. So, Mrs. Otis lets her. Jessica W asks Eva if she’s still going to write about her. She says no. She can’t keep a secret. She told Jessica F about her dad. In class, Lila asks if they can write about Jessica F and Mrs. Otis says they can. Jessica asks her why she asked. What could she possibly write about *her? * Lila says she can write she’s the most popular Jessica in class. This upsets Jessica and she runs to tell Elizabeth but she’s talking to Jessica F.
Jessica decides she and Ellen should confront Jessica F about why she’s so mean. She tells her she better stop, but Jessica F says that if they don’t leave her alone, she’ll tell the others what she told her and they won’t have any friends at all. She makes them promise. While playing hopscotch, Liz decides she might can jump better if she takes off her shoes, but she steps on glass. Liz is picked up and taken to the nurse’s office but she says she wants Jessica (her sister) to go with her. Instead, Jessica F goes. Liz tells her sister don’t be mad. Jessica F was just concerned and because she was so nice, she’s going to write about her on Friday.
After school, Jessica sits by Ellen on the bus. She’s mad because ever since she hurt her foot, Liz has been spending more and more time with Jessica F. Liz never gets on the bus. When she gets home Jessica is frantic but Alice tells her she went over to the Riteman’s with Jessica F (which makes Jessica MAD!).
Liz tells Jessica when she comes home that Jessica F told her that she invited her but she said she didn’t want to come. Jessica says that’s a lie! Liz says she wouldn’t do that. Jessica says either she’s lying (Jessica F) or she is and asks who does she believe. Liz just shrugs. Liz asks if she can prove it. Jessica tells her to forgot it and calls Ellen. She tells her it’s time they taught he cousin a lesson.
Jessica apologizes to Liz and gets her to dress in the same outfit the next day (pink sweatshirt, blue shorts). Then Jessica has Ellen distract Liz with a horse book. Jessica pretends to be Liz and starts talking to Jessica F about how much fun she had the other day and how she’s going to hate to see her go. Then she says she has to go talk to Mrs. Otis. Jessica F is nasty to Liz thinking she’s Jessica W. Then Jessica W comes up and says she’s Jessica W and Liz says she’s Liz. Jessica F says she was joking but Liz says she wasn’t and she didn’t think it was funny.
Jessica F says that she had to. If she didn’t Lila, Eva, and Liz wouldn’t have played with her. Liz says she has time for lots of friends but not liars. Jessica F promises she won’t lie again. Liz apologizes to her sister. Liz says they should give Jessica F another chance. Jessica W says maybe. Lila says she’s not mad at Jessica W anymore for telling her secret.
Jessica F asks Jessica W can they be friends again and she says ok. She even writes her paper about her because she learned not to lie and to be herself. Jessica’s paper gets picked. So both their pictures go up on the bulletin board.
Rating: 5 This book just goes to show that when people try to tell you about someone they know *well* then maybe you should *listen*. This happened to me some years back. There was someone in my family who people couldn’t see clearly. But sometimes it just takes time for them to show who they are (just like Jessica F) did in the book. And then sometimes some people *still* refuse to be blind but you just have to watch out for people like Jessica F!
We learn about the Student of the Week contest from Jessica in the first chapter. Every Friday morning everyone in class writes a paper about why another kid has been great that week. They choose who they want to write about. The student described in the best paper gets his or her picture put up on the bulletin board. So does the person who wrote the best paper.
Lila, Ellen, and Jessica go to play hopscotch at recess but Ellen is dragging behind. They find out she’s in a bad mood because her cousin is coming to visit. Her mom and dad are making her bring her to school the rest of the week. She can’t stand Jessica. That’s her cousin’s name (Jessica Farrell).
Jessica thinks they’ll probably have a lot in common but doesn’t say so because Ellen’s already mad. Lila wants to know why Ellen doesn’t like her and she says when she last came she got her whole family mad at her and she’ll get all the other kids mad at her too. Jessica tells her don’t think about and says let’s just play. So, they do.
But Jessica has a thought. Maybe if she cheers Ellen up, she’ll write about her on Friday. She knows Ellen likes double dutch so she brings up the double dutch match she saw on tv. Then she asks if she wants to try it. Lila says she doesn’t want to so Jessica walk off and leave her. Jessica gets Elizabeth to play. Neither of them are very good at first and keep tripping. Then Jessica gets the hang of it and she’s good. Liz says she’ll try again the next day, but with different shows. Eva says she wants to write about Jessica on Friday because she jumps rope better than anyone she’s seen.
Jessica meets Jessica Farrell. She has red-hair and freckles. Jessica W is happy that Jessica F gets to sit by her in class. They pass notes all day. It seems like they do have a lot in common. They like tuna-fish sandwiches and hopscotch. They also agree that Winston’s ears are the ugliest of all. At art, they find out that purple is their favorite color. Ellen gets up and leave (Lila does too). She tells Jessica when she asks if she’s mad at her that she shouldn’t get close to Jessica. She’s not as nice as she thinks she is. Jessica tells her she’ll watch out, but secretly she thinks Ellen is being silly and that she might be jealous.
They talk about friends and fights. Jessica F confesses she has a bf named Molly but sometimes they fight. Jessica W tells her about fights she’s had with Ellen (about beating her at hopscotch because she messes up on the number eight) and Lila. She’s hesitant but then tells her a secret she found out about Lila.
Jessica F asks Jessica W if she wants to play tag and Jessica W says she hates tag. Jessica F says she does too. Jessica W thinks this is strange but dismisses it. Jessica F asks whose the most popular and Jessica W says Elizabeth and then sees Eva wrote about her for Student of the Week because Eva’s dad broke his back and Liz cheered her up. (Jessica isn’t sure if she should tell this but does anyway figuring it’s ok). They run off to watch some of the girls jump rope. Liz tries again in her “lucky” pink shoes and trips. Todd asks her to play tag and she’s over jumping rope and runs off.
Jessica turns to ask Jessica F if she wants a turn but she’s run off to play tag with Liz and the boys. Ellen tells Jessica “I told you she’s not who you think she is.” But again, Jessica brushes it off. In school, they have a spelling test. Jessica F tells Jessica W she hopes it’s not hard, but Jessica W says she’s not worried she’s a champion speller. When the gold stars are given out for perfect papers Andy, Liz, and Jessica get one. Jessica W hops up but it’s Jessica F. Jessica missed the word accomplish. Jessica F brags to Lila she bet a champion speller. Lila laughs. Jessica doesn’t see the humor.
At the park, Jessica W tells Lila she wishes Jessica F didn’t have the same name as her. Lila suggests she change it to something like Alexandria. Jessica W says the other Jessica should change *her* name. They argue. Jessica says Jessica is just a glamourous a name and it’s a better name than Lila -which is an ugly name-. Lila stamps off.
Ellen and Jessica F come over. Jessica F says she’ll go talk to Lila. Ellen says Jessica F told her that she (Jessica W) said she was bad at hopscotch. Jessica W explains that she didn’t say that. She said she had problems with the 8 square. Ellen says that’s what Jessica F does. She twists the truth.
Jessica F and Lila haven’t come back so Jessica W goes to look for them (without Ellen). Lila has told Jessica F that Jessica W thought Caroline was a witch. After Jessica F leaves, Jessica asks Lila how could she do that. Lila says because she told Jessica F she slept with her baby blanket and they’re no longer friends.
In class, Jessica F says she wants to sit by Eva. So, Mrs. Otis lets her. Jessica W asks Eva if she’s still going to write about her. She says no. She can’t keep a secret. She told Jessica F about her dad. In class, Lila asks if they can write about Jessica F and Mrs. Otis says they can. Jessica asks her why she asked. What could she possibly write about *her? * Lila says she can write she’s the most popular Jessica in class. This upsets Jessica and she runs to tell Elizabeth but she’s talking to Jessica F.
Jessica decides she and Ellen should confront Jessica F about why she’s so mean. She tells her she better stop, but Jessica F says that if they don’t leave her alone, she’ll tell the others what she told her and they won’t have any friends at all. She makes them promise. While playing hopscotch, Liz decides she might can jump better if she takes off her shoes, but she steps on glass. Liz is picked up and taken to the nurse’s office but she says she wants Jessica (her sister) to go with her. Instead, Jessica F goes. Liz tells her sister don’t be mad. Jessica F was just concerned and because she was so nice, she’s going to write about her on Friday.
After school, Jessica sits by Ellen on the bus. She’s mad because ever since she hurt her foot, Liz has been spending more and more time with Jessica F. Liz never gets on the bus. When she gets home Jessica is frantic but Alice tells her she went over to the Riteman’s with Jessica F (which makes Jessica MAD!).
Liz tells Jessica when she comes home that Jessica F told her that she invited her but she said she didn’t want to come. Jessica says that’s a lie! Liz says she wouldn’t do that. Jessica says either she’s lying (Jessica F) or she is and asks who does she believe. Liz just shrugs. Liz asks if she can prove it. Jessica tells her to forgot it and calls Ellen. She tells her it’s time they taught he cousin a lesson.
Jessica apologizes to Liz and gets her to dress in the same outfit the next day (pink sweatshirt, blue shorts). Then Jessica has Ellen distract Liz with a horse book. Jessica pretends to be Liz and starts talking to Jessica F about how much fun she had the other day and how she’s going to hate to see her go. Then she says she has to go talk to Mrs. Otis. Jessica F is nasty to Liz thinking she’s Jessica W. Then Jessica W comes up and says she’s Jessica W and Liz says she’s Liz. Jessica F says she was joking but Liz says she wasn’t and she didn’t think it was funny.
Jessica F says that she had to. If she didn’t Lila, Eva, and Liz wouldn’t have played with her. Liz says she has time for lots of friends but not liars. Jessica F promises she won’t lie again. Liz apologizes to her sister. Liz says they should give Jessica F another chance. Jessica W says maybe. Lila says she’s not mad at Jessica W anymore for telling her secret.
Jessica F asks Jessica W can they be friends again and she says ok. She even writes her paper about her because she learned not to lie and to be herself. Jessica’s paper gets picked. So both their pictures go up on the bulletin board.
Rating: 5 This book just goes to show that when people try to tell you about someone they know *well* then maybe you should *listen*. This happened to me some years back. There was someone in my family who people couldn’t see clearly. But sometimes it just takes time for them to show who they are (just like Jessica F) did in the book. And then sometimes some people *still* refuse to be blind but you just have to watch out for people like Jessica F!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 30, 2024Ellen's cousin is visiting for a week and she's also called Jessica. Despite Ellen's warnings, Jessica Two seems nice at first, but then it turns out she's manipulating everyone and causing rifts between friends. A good story and one that really makes the reader feel the original Jessica's confusion, frustration and sadness. it's all a little TOO perfect in the end, but that's to be expected for this age group.
November 1, 2024
It was a fun read! A cousin of Jessica's friend visits them and this girl is also called Jessica.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2024
Jessica meets her match!
May 13, 2013
Ellen’s cousin Jessica Farrell is coming to visit (and attend school for a week - is this a thing anywhere other than Sweet Valley?) and Ellen can’t stand her. Jess thinks it’s cool they have the same name and thinks they’ll be best friends. Sure enough, the Jessica’s hit it off. But Jessica F convinces Jess to tell her secrets about Ellen, Lila and Eva and I smell a rat. Surprise! Jessica F turns the girls against Jess, wins a spelling contest (beating out the champ), teases Jessica and Ellen and then threatens them to stay quiet. But the real nail in the coffin is when she goes for Liz. Liz hurts herself playing double Dutch, and Jessica F goes to the nurse with her. Then, Ellen is coming over to play with the twins but Liz doesn’t get on the bus and it leaves. Even Steven is worried, but Liz went to play with her bestie Jessica F. Jess tries to tell Liz how much Jessica F lies, but Liz thinks Jess is lying 😱😱 So Jess and Ellen hatch a plan. A twin swap! Sure enough, Jessica F is nasty to ‘Jess’ exposing who she really is, and breaks down saying she just wanted everyone to like her…? 🤔 Anyway they all forgive her, and even though Jess led the charge, she choices to nominate Jessica F as student of the week (and she wins) 🤷🏼♀️ I guess 7 yo Jess can’t hold a grudge yet. Give me 16 yo Jess any day 😈
My rating - 4/10 - I enjoyed Jessica Fs manipulation... but it was all for naught as they all just forgave her too quickly dammit!
My rating - 4/10 - I enjoyed Jessica Fs manipulation... but it was all for naught as they all just forgave her too quickly dammit!
June 22, 2013
I remember the cover just not the story.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews