Surprise! Surprise!

Sweet Valley Kids #1

by Francine Pascal (Creator), Molly Mia Stewart, Ying-Hwa Hu (Illustrator)

Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield love being identical twins.  They look and dress alike, and they do everything together.

Now the twins are about to celebrate their seventh birthday, and they are going to plan their own party.  First they invite their whole second-grade class.  Then they decide on the food and decorations.  Jessica and Elizabeth also buy each other surprise presents.  And when they see what they've bought each other, they get the biggest surprise of all!

Don't miss any of the books in this exciting series!

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Young Adult

73 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1989

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

[Shanessa (Children Books)]

I haven't read this books in years, but this series (along with the Babysitter's club) turned me into a reader. I grew along with Jessica and Elizabeth and read every Sweet Valley Kids, Twins, and High Book. Looking back now, they weren't the best written books and had very little continuity but that didn't matter to me then. Books that make kids read are the best books of all. As Neil Gaiman said "There are no bad books for children. Well-meaning adults can easily destroy a child’s love of reading: stop them reading what they enjoy, or give them worthy-but-dull books that you like, the 21st Century equivalents of Victorian ‘improving’ literature. You’ll wind up with a generation convinced that reading is uncool and worse, unpleasant."

[Shannon]

Awwwwwwwwww, I got this book from my parents on my seventh birthday and it's about the twins' seventh birthday. I was sad that these books were so short, and once I was "old enough to handle the themes in Sweet Valley Twins," I moved on to that series instead.

[Nader Nate]

I consider this book the first in the series, I liked the usual introduction for the characters in every book ,the atmosphere the writing as well and the funny ending , a cozy book to read for sweet valley fans

(Verdict: 7/10)

[Cheyanne]

I bought this book at a flea market. It is an amazing book. As you get older you may think book series is too old for you but, Francine pascal made Sweet Valley kids where Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield are in elementary school, she also made Sweet Valley Twins where Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield are in middle school and the last series she made was called Sweet Valley High where Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield are in high school. I really liked this book because it was funny and it was about twin girls, I am a twin sister to my sister and I am a lot like Elizabeth Wakefield while my twin sister is more like Jessica Wakefield. Best book and series Ever.

[Michelle Madow]

Read this series in kindergarten and loooved it :)

[Robyn]

I'm impressed they could fit their entire class in the bathtub! After reading these series, I had fun playing Sardines with my friends.

[Danielle]

I still remember the first time I read this book, my aunt had gotten the first four of them for me to read...I was hooked! *laughs*

[Sarah Babar]

it is best book

[Liralen]

Sometimes I just can't help myself: I read the most recent graphic novel adaptation instalment of the Sweet Valley Twins series, and I knew I had to give the originals a quick whirl. Sweet Valley Kids was the elementary-school version of the series, and in Surprise! Surprise!, the first book of the series, Elizabeth and Jessica are on the cusp of turning 7. The big dilemma: what on earth to get each other?

I didn't read a tonne of the SVK books—I think I moved on pretty quickly to Sweet Valley Twins—but I remember this one pretty well, and the dresses on the cover give me instant nostalgia, so it must have been on the shelves. I didn't remember the illustrations, though! They'd be largely at home in a 1950s children's book, but they're very sweet. It's nice to see that Jessica was not actually born a sociopath; she's already her giggly, gossipy self, but she's at least invested in Elizabeth's happiness as well as her own, and generally a pretty happy-go-lucky kid. (Also, matching yellow sweatsuits!) I don't think I'll read more of this particular series (except Trapped in Toyland, because I also have some vague memories of that), but it'll be interesting to see in the SV Twins and SV High versions just how quickly Jessica lets her true sociopathic colors fly and just how quickly Elizabeth becomes Little Miss Priss. I am so very looking forward to this.

[Alex]

Considering my love for all things Sweet Valley, it’s kinda crazy to me that I’ve never read a single book from this “Kids” series. When I saw my library had a handful of these books, I just couldn’t resist finally reading a few of them.

This was actually super cute, and now I’m wishing my library had even more of these!

But - isn’t it established in SVH that the twin’s birthday is in the summer? Here it is in the school year. Plus they are already in the second grade here but just turning 7, yet they are somehow 12 at the beginning of the sixth grade and 16 in eleventh grade. I know, I know - why bother trying to make sense of Sweet Valley “continuity”?

[Karol]

Great start to chapter books series for early readers.
I enjoyed the Sweet Valley High series. I recently read a few Sweet Valley Twins and Friends books and thought I would try the very young set.
Jessica and Elizabeth are fabulous sisters and friends. Reading level and stories are age appropriate and engaging.

[Ruvi Perera]

This is the very first book of The Sweet valley kids series. In this book Elizabeth and Jessica are going to have their birthday party and they're planning it. And they get presents for each other but in the end they like the person they choose for the other person so they decide to keep it as they present that year.

[Jamie]

What unholy precociousness did I just read.

[Jessica Gray]

It is fun to see the Wakefields and all their friends as kids.

[Rosario]

I love the book, especially the copy that I got which is the first print of its first edition! Looking forward to completing my Sweet Valley collection someday

[Reading with Cats]

This was adorable. But you cannot tell me that Jess would ever wear a “yellow sweatsuit with tiny white flowers painted on it.” Lies, malicious lies!
3.5 stars

[Justine]

Please republish these books!!

[Akhilessh Sridass]

Positives:
-cute
-characters
-some relatable moments

Negatives:
-basic plot
-cliched moments
-too short

[Tiffany Spencer]

Surprise Surprise
The twins have six days until they turn 7. The party is on Saturday. When they get to school, Lila tells Jessica she got her something really good, but she refuses to tell her what it is. Jessica wonders that it is. Her birthday list is 2 pages long and includes a guitar (like Lila's) and a pony. Lila wants to know what she’s getting Elizabeth but Jessica has forgotten it’s: it's birthday to.

The twins can’t agree on what to eat. Liz suggests (hot dogs, tacos, and hamburgers), None of these are special enough in Jess’s opinion. Jessica suggests corn on the cob, but Liz can’t eat it because she has a loose tooth. They finally agree on mini pizzas. Jessica finally decides the perfect present for Liz (a velvet blue bow).

Liz looks for Jessica to come down to breakfast but her Dad tells her she went out shopping with their mom. Even though their mom asks Jessica is she sure the bow is something Liz would want and Jess insists it is because it’s something SHE’D want. Their mom takes them both shopping to buy party dresses and they end up loving the same red dress with pin and green flowers. Elizabeth picks out Jessica’s present (a matchbox car).

On Friday, they have a three-legged race. Jessica and Elizabeth are partners and win the race. The teacher (Mrs. Becker) passes out brownies (with candles in the twins) in honor of Liz and Jess’s birthday.

The twins have blueberry pancakes for breakfast on their birthdays. Everyone arrives and they play a game called “Sardines” which is hide and seek but when you found Elizabeth and Jessica you hide with them. The twins hide in their parent's bathtub. The last person is the new hider but before a new game starts its announced its time to open the presents. Winston gets them a stuffed dinosaur. Lila gets them a doll house and furniture. Todd gets Jessica a necklace and Liz a notebook. They open the ones from each other and surprise (surprise) neither likes the gift. Jessica tells Liz that was her secret. Then they all sing Happy Birthday and have cake.

My Thoughts: This was my first Sweet Valley Kids book. It was interesting slightly that they’ve lived with each other now for SEVEN YEARS and each one is as clueless as the other one. In Jessica’s cas e tho she was probably hoping Liz wouldn’t want it so she could “borrow” it. Or just say “If you don’t want it I’ll wear it. Also, interesting that Todd was the only one that really got it right. The notebook fits Liz (although not that great of a present. I would have preferred if he’d given her a journal) and the necklace fit Jessica perfectly (I’m thinking a junk necklace). Lila probably gave them the Barbie Dream House ( it had furniture) and it was something I would have wanted. I think a girl had one when I went to her sleepover. It’s hazy but I remember in my head that someone I knew had this and I wasn’t just remembering pictures. Pizza was a good choice for fodd. Do little kids really like corn on the cob?

Rating: 5 For a seven-year-old this was a pretty good party. It wasn’t Showbiz but it for a Sweet Valley Kids first book starting off a series (and for younger kids) it will do.

[Tara Calaby]

Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield are about to turn seven. Like all small children, they believe that everyone else should be as excited about this as they are and, luckily, this is Sweet Valley, so everyone actually is. Lila teases Jess about having bought her the best present ever, while the boys in the class suggest all kinds of 'boy' presents that utterly horrify her. Elizabeth quite likes Ken's idea of a catcher's mitt, though.

Jess realises that she hasn't bought Elizabeth a present (because apparently even at six years old, Jess is still Jess), so arranges for her mother to take her into town by herself, although the twins usually do absolutely everything together. When Elizabeth finds out, she's hurt and wants to know what the big secret is.

Their birthday comes around and the entire class arrives, all bearing gifts. Lila's amazing present is a doll house and Todd gets Jess a ballerina necklace and Liz a notebook. (There are already hints of Liz/Todd, which is a little weird when they're so tiny. But in his very first introduction he pretends to punch Elizabeth, so at least he is Todd levels of Anger Management Issues from the beginning.) The twins then exchange their own presents, which are complete flops, because they both bought what they would want to receive: a blue velvet hair bow from Jessica to Elizabeth and a wind-up car from Liz to Jess. All ends well, however, because they just swap presents and get what they wanted all along.

The first book in the series sets Jessica up as a girly-girl who passes notes in class and Elizabeth as a tomboy who writes poetry. They're recognisable as the Wakefield twins, but not completely formed yet, and it works

[Kylie]

As copied from my IG account - Sweetvalleyrecaps - Sweet Valley Kids 1 - Surprise, Surprise! Starting at the beginning! It’s Jess and Liz’s seventh birthday, and they are super excited about their party on Saturday 👯‍♀️ This book is definitely a spin off of Sweet Valley Twins rather than High, as they still share a room and dress alike, and it features the same characters and friendships that change in High School. Winston is a clown, Todd punches Liz (I.e. code for he likes her), Lila is bossy, Jess is into girly stuff and Liz is a tomboy. Which leads to the main plot - they each buy each other presents they themselves would like. At least they both do it and not just Jess - Liz isn’t quite a saint yet 🙌🏻 My rating - 4/10 - enjoyable enough for a book aimed at 7 year olds 😂

[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 basically the start of the Sweet Valley Kids ~ the adventures and misadventures of Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield as well as their differences in thoughts, actions and personality. This is a fun read and I am looking back at the Sweet Valley books two decades later and I know that my mum did the right thing starting me on the Sweet Valley collection when I was young.

[Gorrion Konerikut]

is beautifull

[Carrie]

My own twins just turned seven so I thought it would be perfect to introduce them to Jessica and Elizabeth as they turn seven in this book. I tracked this book down in a used bookstore in all its yellow paged glory.

All I can say after finishing this book is that Jessica and Elizabeth don't act like they are 6 about to turn 7. I felt like I was reading about 6th or 7th graders. My daughters didn't connect at all and think I'm nuts for reading this to them.

Hopefully I didn't scare them away from Sweet Valley because I have boxes of Sweet Valley Twins and Sweet Valley High in the basement. Just waiting for my daughter to read when they are ready.

[Ismail Gurguri]

i think all the book of this series is so well but this book much better i like it so much

[Sheila Read]

I remember the cover but just not the story.

[Courtney]

Reread one of my old favorites tonight. So cute!

[Sabin Shafiq]

This book would be blasting

[Michaela Branum]

I love this book. Although I read it about 2 years ago, I still remember it. I love it! Please tell me how you rate it

[Amy]

It's the twins' 7th birthday and they've both picked out the perfect present... for themselves. Surprise! Surprise!