Jessica + Jessica = Trouble

Sweet Valley Kids #59

by Francine Pascal

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?

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens

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]

Ellen'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.

[Ruvi Perera · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun read! A cousin of Jessica's friend visits them and this girl is also called Jessica.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jessica meets her match!

[Kylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Sheila Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember the cover just not the story.