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Sweet Valley Twins #4
Choosing Sides
No matter what Elizabeth does, she can't stop her best friend, Amy Sutton, from trying out for the Unicorn Club's cheering squad. Elizabeth is sure that the Unicorns are going to steal Amy away from her. Then Elizabeth learns that Jessica and the rest of the Unicorns don't even want Amy. In fact they'll do anything to keep her off the squad!
What should Elizabeth do? Can she stand by and watch Amy get hurt? But if she fights at Amy's side against the Unicorns, she'll be taking a stand against her own twin sister!
What should Elizabeth do? Can she stand by and watch Amy get hurt? But if she fights at Amy's side against the Unicorns, she'll be taking a stand against her own twin sister!
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
11 people are currently reading
525 people want to read
About the author
Francine Pascal
1,139 books1,844 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 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 4, 2015
This is a scholarly peer reviewed article on how junior high kids are pure and unadulterated evil
July 11, 2022
Another installment of “Jessica is the freaking worst”.
It has been so long since I read these books so I don’t remember but does Jessica have any redeeming qualities? Even one? I’m confused why one of the protagonists of a kid’s series is such a little piece of 💩. What exactly is the message here? Actually. Never mind. The 80s was before books needed messages. I’m just gonna roll with it and enjoy Jessica for the terrible human being she is.
It has been so long since I read these books so I don’t remember but does Jessica have any redeeming qualities? Even one? I’m confused why one of the protagonists of a kid’s series is such a little piece of 💩. What exactly is the message here? Actually. Never mind. The 80s was before books needed messages. I’m just gonna roll with it and enjoy Jessica for the terrible human being she is.
February 2, 2018
Wow, Elizabeth, way to not believe in your best friend...
Here's the thing about these books. We have what's supposed to be the 'good sister' and 'bad sister' trope, except Elizabeth is wishy washy, and frequently her 'good sister' thing shows itself in turning a blind eye to anything her sister does, and in totally betraying those around here. This book is a great example.
Here you have tryouts for fall. Amy wants to become a cheerleader for the Boosters, Ken wants to try out for basketball. But while Elizabeth encourages Ken to really go for it, she keeps trying to convince Amy to quit. Way to let your own insecurities (if Amy is in cheerleaders she won't have time for Elizabeth?) get in the way of what's best for someone you love? And why is Amy's hair constantly stringy - does she never wash it?
I'm ready to give up. But my goal was to re-read this series this year, so let's plow onwards. I liked that Ken storyline. It's funny how I liked Elizabeth back in the day because now as an adult I just get annoyed with her more often than now.
Here's the thing about these books. We have what's supposed to be the 'good sister' and 'bad sister' trope, except Elizabeth is wishy washy, and frequently her 'good sister' thing shows itself in turning a blind eye to anything her sister does, and in totally betraying those around here. This book is a great example.
Here you have tryouts for fall. Amy wants to become a cheerleader for the Boosters, Ken wants to try out for basketball. But while Elizabeth encourages Ken to really go for it, she keeps trying to convince Amy to quit. Way to let your own insecurities (if Amy is in cheerleaders she won't have time for Elizabeth?) get in the way of what's best for someone you love? And why is Amy's hair constantly stringy - does she never wash it?
I'm ready to give up. But my goal was to re-read this series this year, so let's plow onwards. I liked that Ken storyline. It's funny how I liked Elizabeth back in the day because now as an adult I just get annoyed with her more often than now.
October 24, 2010
I am honestly convinced that this is a right of passage. Much like your first beer or going to your first concert. I give you the Wakefields, America's pre-teen girly right of passage!
March 26, 2022
Been meaning to read this for a while and this was the perfect opportunity to get my goal closer to 100.
Absolutely enjoyed it.
Absolutely enjoyed it.
Read
October 26, 2025I wonder if this was supposed to be a study on bullying, because it definitely reads like it! In this one, Amy wants to join new cheerleading team the Boosters, but The Unicorns don't think she's worthy. Lila tells Jessica she'll get fat by eating one "pizzaburger" (never heard of these, are they good?) while snacking on raw carrot sticks. The fat shaming continues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 17, 2022It says something about the last book that I tend to get through this one and think “oh well, the bullying could've been worse”. I guess it helps that this time it's Amy Sutton and Ken Matthews being bullied, instead of, yanno, an orphan and her disabled grandfather.
This time, the Unicorns have a bee in their collective bonnets because Amy has the gall to consider trying out for the Boosters, the cheerleading team that the Unicorns have decided to start. Because teachers are utterly unfair (cough), they're forced to hold open try-outs, which means that undesirable characters like Amy get to launch an attack on Unicorn territory. Or something.
Sweet Valley Middle School also happens to be holding try-outs for the basketball team right when the Unicorns are holding their cheer auditions. Ken Matthews (who is the shortest boy in school at this point, not the buff football captain he'll end up being) is eager to follow in his father's footsteps and be on the team, but Bruce Patman finds the idea hilarious. To be fair, Ken doesn't exactly demonstrate any talent for the game, even putting his height aside.
Elizabeth being Elizabeth, she has to interfere, so
This is quite a fun book, with parallel plots that offset each other quite nicely. Although there's still no real punishment for the bullies in this one, at least they're made to see the error of their pre-expectations about Amy and Ken, if not the error of their nasty behaviour. On another level, it's also a sporting underdog story, and boy am I a sucker for those.
I wish Elizabeth would stop whining about how she's losing Jessica, though. They live together. Can't Jess spend five minutes with the unicorns without Liz freaking out?
Moral of the Story? Don't let bullies stop you going after what you want.
[re-read. previously read a couple of times]
This time, the Unicorns have a bee in their collective bonnets because Amy has the gall to consider trying out for the Boosters, the cheerleading team that the Unicorns have decided to start. Because teachers are utterly unfair (cough), they're forced to hold open try-outs, which means that undesirable characters like Amy get to launch an attack on Unicorn territory. Or something.
Sweet Valley Middle School also happens to be holding try-outs for the basketball team right when the Unicorns are holding their cheer auditions. Ken Matthews (who is the shortest boy in school at this point, not the buff football captain he'll end up being) is eager to follow in his father's footsteps and be on the team, but Bruce Patman finds the idea hilarious. To be fair, Ken doesn't exactly demonstrate any talent for the game, even putting his height aside.
Elizabeth being Elizabeth, she has to interfere, so
This is quite a fun book, with parallel plots that offset each other quite nicely. Although there's still no real punishment for the bullies in this one, at least they're made to see the error of their pre-expectations about Amy and Ken, if not the error of their nasty behaviour. On another level, it's also a sporting underdog story, and boy am I a sucker for those.
I wish Elizabeth would stop whining about how she's losing Jessica, though. They live together. Can't Jess spend five minutes with the unicorns without Liz freaking out?
Moral of the Story? Don't let bullies stop you going after what you want.
[re-read. previously read a couple of times]
July 15, 2017
I really want to know if Amy's reappearance in SVH was published before or after she was introduced in these books, because I just can't wrap my head around that this is the same Amy Sutton we all know and hate in high school. Which version of her came first?
I also completely forgot that Ken was the shortest boy in school here! I had to laugh when Jessica is disgusted by him since he turns out to be one of her longest relationships in SVH. The (lack of) continuity in these books hurts my head sometimes.
I also completely forgot that Ken was the shortest boy in school here! I had to laugh when Jessica is disgusted by him since he turns out to be one of her longest relationships in SVH. The (lack of) continuity in these books hurts my head sometimes.
December 19, 2012
One of my favourite volumes of this series. The ending always makes me smile.
June 22, 2013
none of the twins can choose sides.
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August 1, 2013Graded By: Erin
Read the drinking game and review here.
Read the drinking game and review here.
December 21, 2013
i read this when i was in grade 6... It is nice, beautiful and enjoyable. it inspire me also to choose sides between good and bad... :) ;)
August 31, 2017
I couldn't stand Jessica because of the way she acted. She was so snobby and spoiled like. She wanted to get her way so badly, but didn't in the end. If not for Elizabeth, Amy and Ken would have gotten a 1 star rating. Because of them three it was a 4 star.
Amy wants to try out for the cheer leading squad. Jessica and her friends on the Unicorns don't want Amy they think she's awful and a klutz. What they don't know is Amy's been practicing hard and she had help from her Aunt.
There is also the basketball team tryouts and Ken wants on the team like his dad was. He isn't as tall as his dad and the coach seems so shocked. He tells him right off if can't be better then he can't play. He is being called names because of his height too.
Elizabeth helps Ken by teaching how Jessica and her used to dribble and throw a tennis ball before they could use a basketball themselves. He used that tennis ball and he got good. I knew he could do it if he worked hard at it, which he did. He proved to the others that he could be on the team. He put his mind to it and got on the team like Elizabeth and Amy told him he could.
Elizabeth's trying to look out for Amy not wanting her to get hurt by what Jessica and her friends are planning during the try outs. The letters that Jessica wrote acting like was from Amy to Ken then vise versa was awful. Amy knew right off so did Elizabeth that wasn't Ken writing but Ken didn't.
Jessica hated that Ken was going to their house only thought about her self. I was so happy at the ending when the Unicorns and Jessica plus basketball team had to eat crow because Amy and Ken where that good.
Ken and Amy were both great. It was Elizabeth and Amy's talk to Ken that kept him from leaving when he tried. The three of them were defiantly worth the read even if I couldn't stand Jessica and her snobby friends.
Amy wants to try out for the cheer leading squad. Jessica and her friends on the Unicorns don't want Amy they think she's awful and a klutz. What they don't know is Amy's been practicing hard and she had help from her Aunt.
There is also the basketball team tryouts and Ken wants on the team like his dad was. He isn't as tall as his dad and the coach seems so shocked. He tells him right off if can't be better then he can't play. He is being called names because of his height too.
Elizabeth helps Ken by teaching how Jessica and her used to dribble and throw a tennis ball before they could use a basketball themselves. He used that tennis ball and he got good. I knew he could do it if he worked hard at it, which he did. He proved to the others that he could be on the team. He put his mind to it and got on the team like Elizabeth and Amy told him he could.
Elizabeth's trying to look out for Amy not wanting her to get hurt by what Jessica and her friends are planning during the try outs. The letters that Jessica wrote acting like was from Amy to Ken then vise versa was awful. Amy knew right off so did Elizabeth that wasn't Ken writing but Ken didn't.
Jessica hated that Ken was going to their house only thought about her self. I was so happy at the ending when the Unicorns and Jessica plus basketball team had to eat crow because Amy and Ken where that good.
Ken and Amy were both great. It was Elizabeth and Amy's talk to Ken that kept him from leaving when he tried. The three of them were defiantly worth the read even if I couldn't stand Jessica and her snobby friends.
June 20, 2024
The graphic novel version I apparently tagged as having a cat, so I'm a little disappointed one doesn't show up in the original version. The romance is a little more subdued, also, where in the GN they must've really want to spell out .
On the whole, I think I prefer the GN, not only because the characters look distinguishable from each other ("Amy" looks practically identical to the "Unicorns" on this cover—which makes me wonder why they wouldn't like her even if she's a "klutz," but it's not the first time there's been a disconnect between writer and artist), but also because the GN takes sensitivity cues from the times to remove things like the bullies using the pejorative for very short people.
It's not a BAD story as such, but the GN goes a lot way to make it more approachable for current young readers. (Also, the GN will probably last longer, since books printed from this age aren't exactly archival quality.)
Edit: Oh. The cat in the GN is the lead-in to the GN's next volume, where this ends with a lead-in to a completely different story. THAT'S why.
On the whole, I think I prefer the GN, not only because the characters look distinguishable from each other ("Amy" looks practically identical to the "Unicorns" on this cover—which makes me wonder why they wouldn't like her even if she's a "klutz," but it's not the first time there's been a disconnect between writer and artist), but also because the GN takes sensitivity cues from the times to remove things like the bullies using the pejorative for very short people.
It's not a BAD story as such, but the GN goes a lot way to make it more approachable for current young readers. (Also, the GN will probably last longer, since books printed from this age aren't exactly archival quality.)
Edit: Oh. The cat in the GN is the lead-in to the GN's next volume, where this ends with a lead-in to a completely different story. THAT'S why.
February 19, 2025
Choosing Sides
Elizabeth goes upstairs to get Jessica for dinner whose practicing cheers. At dinner, she excitedly tells her family about the new cheering squad. Then she bitches about some of the girl’s trying out like Louis Waller and Amy Sutton. Elizabeth listens to her sister. Amy’s already expressed her interest to her and she’s been worried that her friend will end up rejected and hurt. She tries to stand up for her friend and say maybe Amy doesn’t want to be a Unicorn. Maybe she just wants to be a cheerleader. Jessica says Amy will make the squad over her dead body and the parents just sit there and say absolutely nothing. Jess sees that she’s upset her sister and offers to do the dishes to make up for it. This smoothes things over with Liz, but five minutes later Jess is on the phone with Lila and the bitch feast continues. It’s just SO HARD to start a new club and keep the unworthy out.
The next day. Nora and Liz talk about the tryouts for both the Booster’s and the SVMS boys’ basketball team. The final auditions will be held in a week. Later at the tryouts The Unicorns (Lila, Jessica, and Ellen) come in the gym and Immediately some of the potentials are intimidated by the loss of Lila’s luxurious brown hair and leave. Jessica demonstrates the tryout cheer that the other girls have to perform. They then get in groups of five to practice the cheer and learn a baton routine. The girls trying out stumble through it as Jessica gloats.
Liz sits on the sidelines writing notes for the Sixers. She looks at Amy still concerned because she’s just as bad as the others. Liz thinks this is a good thing because Amy will drop out before they cut her. The boys team burst into the gym (lead by Bruce Patman) who starts to rip on Ken and he and the other boys start calling him a midget (He’s the shortest guy at tryouts). This makes Ken run out, but Liz encourages him to try.
He goes back in and gets back in line. The Coach sees the name “Matthews” and brags about Ken’s dad (who was the star of the team way back). Then he mistakes the tallest guy in line for Ken. Bruce and the other boys crack up and point out his mistake. Ken fumbles through practice, but the Coach tells him he doesn’t care whose son he is, if he doesn’t show improvement, he won’t make the team.
Liz tries to help Ken. She gets Steven to give him a lesson. This doesn’t work. Then she shows him a trick practicing with a tennis ball). So Liz and Ken are practicing when Bruce rolls up and teases them. Ken storms off just as Jessica rolls up. Jess hopes Bruce didn’t think it was *her* practicing with Ken. Then she moans some more about how pathetic the Booster hopefuls are. Amy calls Liz and says she saw her with Ken, but she says they’re just friends.
The next day Bruce starts teasing Liz and Ken again and calls them “Love Birds”. Liz catches Ken punching his locker and Liz tells him to just ignore them. By the end of the day everyone’s talking about Ken and Liz. Jess is horrified. But Liz isn’t concerned. Later Amy tells Ken he shouldn’t quit his dream and he looks at her adoringly. Jessica wants Liz to put an end to the rumors, but she refuses because she knows what she and Ken are. FRIENDS!
Lila and Ellen try to get Amy to drop out. She slams the phone down in their faces! Ken and Amy both practice hard. Queen Janet (8th grade Unicorn president) isn’t pleased and pressures Jess to “cut the dead weight”. So she writes two love letters one to Amy (encouraging her from “Ken” to drop out because he doesn’t want her hurt) and one to Ken “from Amy” that’s a cheesy love letter. She also mentions Liz (so they’ll both drop her as a friend). Only Liz over hears Lila and Ellen reciting parts of the letter in a stall in the girl’s room. She tells Ken and then Amy (all the while trying to convince her to not go through with tryouts). But Amy is like Screw the Unicorns! I’m doing this!
At the finals, Lila announces that if any of the girl’s makes one mistake they’re OUT! Amy shows OUT! She does a original baton routine that ends with a spin and a flourish catch of her baton. The other Unicorns all step back and leave Amy to cheer for Ken ..alone. Bruce loses it at the sight of Amy cheering the midget on, and Ken uses this to his advantage and steals the ball from him. He shoots. He scores! Amy and Ken are running the show! All eyes on them. (Even the Coach who just gapes at Ken). So Amy makes the Boosters and Jessica, Lila, Ellen, and Janet all apologize to her. And Ken, of course makes the team. Everyone is invited to Liz’s for celebration milk shakes.
My Thoughts:
This book gave me a GREAT feeling and a high school flashback. Actually, it gave me a couple. I once tried out for my cheerleading squad and they tried the same mean tricks to make me drop. That’s why I was so proud of both Amy and Ken for not bowing down to the girls on the squad and the guys on the team. But what gave me the satisfied feeling was I had a history teacher that use to love to stay on my case (kinda like the guys on the team stayed on Ken for being a midget). This (history) teacher just always seemed to be on my *** about SOME thing. She’s picked with me if I left something on the table in the lunch room. I do NOT know what her problem was. Until one day.. It was my “Amy” moment. I studied and studied and studied. Till the next class quiz and she was shooting out questions, you should have seen how fast I was answering those questions. I still remember to this day she leaned back in her seat with this look on her face and she said “Alright Spencer!” And I don’t think she EVER picked on me again. THAT’S RIGHT! So while I was reading this I was thinking “THAT’S THE WAY YOU SHOW EM KEN AND AMY!” There is NOTHING and I mean NOTHING in the world more satisfying than to get someone off your back by showing up and OUT on them!
Elizabeth goes upstairs to get Jessica for dinner whose practicing cheers. At dinner, she excitedly tells her family about the new cheering squad. Then she bitches about some of the girl’s trying out like Louis Waller and Amy Sutton. Elizabeth listens to her sister. Amy’s already expressed her interest to her and she’s been worried that her friend will end up rejected and hurt. She tries to stand up for her friend and say maybe Amy doesn’t want to be a Unicorn. Maybe she just wants to be a cheerleader. Jessica says Amy will make the squad over her dead body and the parents just sit there and say absolutely nothing. Jess sees that she’s upset her sister and offers to do the dishes to make up for it. This smoothes things over with Liz, but five minutes later Jess is on the phone with Lila and the bitch feast continues. It’s just SO HARD to start a new club and keep the unworthy out.
The next day. Nora and Liz talk about the tryouts for both the Booster’s and the SVMS boys’ basketball team. The final auditions will be held in a week. Later at the tryouts The Unicorns (Lila, Jessica, and Ellen) come in the gym and Immediately some of the potentials are intimidated by the loss of Lila’s luxurious brown hair and leave. Jessica demonstrates the tryout cheer that the other girls have to perform. They then get in groups of five to practice the cheer and learn a baton routine. The girls trying out stumble through it as Jessica gloats.
Liz sits on the sidelines writing notes for the Sixers. She looks at Amy still concerned because she’s just as bad as the others. Liz thinks this is a good thing because Amy will drop out before they cut her. The boys team burst into the gym (lead by Bruce Patman) who starts to rip on Ken and he and the other boys start calling him a midget (He’s the shortest guy at tryouts). This makes Ken run out, but Liz encourages him to try.
He goes back in and gets back in line. The Coach sees the name “Matthews” and brags about Ken’s dad (who was the star of the team way back). Then he mistakes the tallest guy in line for Ken. Bruce and the other boys crack up and point out his mistake. Ken fumbles through practice, but the Coach tells him he doesn’t care whose son he is, if he doesn’t show improvement, he won’t make the team.
Liz tries to help Ken. She gets Steven to give him a lesson. This doesn’t work. Then she shows him a trick practicing with a tennis ball). So Liz and Ken are practicing when Bruce rolls up and teases them. Ken storms off just as Jessica rolls up. Jess hopes Bruce didn’t think it was *her* practicing with Ken. Then she moans some more about how pathetic the Booster hopefuls are. Amy calls Liz and says she saw her with Ken, but she says they’re just friends.
The next day Bruce starts teasing Liz and Ken again and calls them “Love Birds”. Liz catches Ken punching his locker and Liz tells him to just ignore them. By the end of the day everyone’s talking about Ken and Liz. Jess is horrified. But Liz isn’t concerned. Later Amy tells Ken he shouldn’t quit his dream and he looks at her adoringly. Jessica wants Liz to put an end to the rumors, but she refuses because she knows what she and Ken are. FRIENDS!
Lila and Ellen try to get Amy to drop out. She slams the phone down in their faces! Ken and Amy both practice hard. Queen Janet (8th grade Unicorn president) isn’t pleased and pressures Jess to “cut the dead weight”. So she writes two love letters one to Amy (encouraging her from “Ken” to drop out because he doesn’t want her hurt) and one to Ken “from Amy” that’s a cheesy love letter. She also mentions Liz (so they’ll both drop her as a friend). Only Liz over hears Lila and Ellen reciting parts of the letter in a stall in the girl’s room. She tells Ken and then Amy (all the while trying to convince her to not go through with tryouts). But Amy is like Screw the Unicorns! I’m doing this!
At the finals, Lila announces that if any of the girl’s makes one mistake they’re OUT! Amy shows OUT! She does a original baton routine that ends with a spin and a flourish catch of her baton. The other Unicorns all step back and leave Amy to cheer for Ken ..alone. Bruce loses it at the sight of Amy cheering the midget on, and Ken uses this to his advantage and steals the ball from him. He shoots. He scores! Amy and Ken are running the show! All eyes on them. (Even the Coach who just gapes at Ken). So Amy makes the Boosters and Jessica, Lila, Ellen, and Janet all apologize to her. And Ken, of course makes the team. Everyone is invited to Liz’s for celebration milk shakes.
My Thoughts:
This book gave me a GREAT feeling and a high school flashback. Actually, it gave me a couple. I once tried out for my cheerleading squad and they tried the same mean tricks to make me drop. That’s why I was so proud of both Amy and Ken for not bowing down to the girls on the squad and the guys on the team. But what gave me the satisfied feeling was I had a history teacher that use to love to stay on my case (kinda like the guys on the team stayed on Ken for being a midget). This (history) teacher just always seemed to be on my *** about SOME thing. She’s picked with me if I left something on the table in the lunch room. I do NOT know what her problem was. Until one day.. It was my “Amy” moment. I studied and studied and studied. Till the next class quiz and she was shooting out questions, you should have seen how fast I was answering those questions. I still remember to this day she leaned back in her seat with this look on her face and she said “Alright Spencer!” And I don’t think she EVER picked on me again. THAT’S RIGHT! So while I was reading this I was thinking “THAT’S THE WAY YOU SHOW EM KEN AND AMY!” There is NOTHING and I mean NOTHING in the world more satisfying than to get someone off your back by showing up and OUT on them!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
January 15, 2024In this installment Jessica continues to be relentlessly awful and faces no consequences for her bullying and Elizabeth demonstrates internalised misogyny by supporting Ken to pursue his basketball hopes while not giving the same support to Amy, who just wants to twirl her batton.
It also manages to include a scene that illustrates how eating disorders start when Lila tells Jessica she'll get fat if she eats anything more than a small bag of raw vegetables for her lunch. I don't know what a pizzaburger is but I'm confident that something with carbs, protein and (presumably) *some* vegetables is nutritionally much better for a preteen than a few carrot and celery sticks. At least two of the Unicorns demonstrate disordered eating.
Rereading these as a comparison for the graphic novel adaptations. As always, I'm really curious how it'll be done! I do not rate these books.
It also manages to include a scene that illustrates how eating disorders start when Lila tells Jessica she'll get fat if she eats anything more than a small bag of raw vegetables for her lunch. I don't know what a pizzaburger is but I'm confident that something with carbs, protein and (presumably) *some* vegetables is nutritionally much better for a preteen than a few carrot and celery sticks. At least two of the Unicorns demonstrate disordered eating.
Rereading these as a comparison for the graphic novel adaptations. As always, I'm really curious how it'll be done! I do not rate these books.
December 31, 2020
UGH. The last few books Jessica was my least fave twin, but Elizabeth just took a big ‘ol hurdle forward.
Scared to lose time with her friend Amy, Elizabeth actively tried to dissuade her from trying out for another gross unicorn sanctioned team. She’s kinda like that fake friend ya know? She seems sweet and supportive but really she’s just working her own agenda. I just hated this one.
Scared to lose time with her friend Amy, Elizabeth actively tried to dissuade her from trying out for another gross unicorn sanctioned team. She’s kinda like that fake friend ya know? She seems sweet and supportive but really she’s just working her own agenda. I just hated this one.
January 15, 2019
This was the first Sweet Valley book I ever bought, when I was in 4th grade. I loved them. I still have dozens upon dozens of them. They now grace the shelves of my own classroom for my students to read!
September 29, 2025
Cannot believe how mean some of these characters are, and how no one makes them accountable for their behaviour! Not their peers, their parents, or their teachers. Bullies get away scot-free, and the burden rests on the victim to suffer in silence.
October 27, 2019
Jesus Christ...those fecking unicorns are evil incarnate.
June 10, 2020
Realistic difficult situation. Elizabeth is fantastic as she stays true to herself and supports her friends.
July 19, 2021
i hate you jess.
August 8, 2022
Lo leí hace mucho tiempo cuando era adolescente y recuerdo que me gustó bastante
February 3, 2022
Sweet Valley Twins 4 - Choosing Sides
The Unicorns are starting a Booster Club! (Just call it Cheerleading 🤦🏼♀️). Well, half the Booster Club are Unicorns, but 4 spots are open. It’s super unfair that unpopular ‘gross’ girls like Amy Sutton are even given a chance to try out! Liz is apprehensive about Amy trying out, but Amy is certain she wants to be a Booster! She’s super klutzy in the first audition though 😔 Ken is also having trouble. He wants to audition for basketball but he’s so short! He gets teased mercilessly by Bruce and the coach just talks about how great (and tall) his Dad was! Liz teaches him a trick, to practice basketball with a tennis ball…? 🤷🏼♀️ Bruce sees them and spread a rumour that they’re dating (Todd hasn’t been mentioned once yet in SVT), and Jess is horrified for her reputation (😭 I love Jess and Ken!). Amy is pretty upset too… But she believes Liz. Meanwhile, Lila and Ellen call Amy to convince her not to try out?? Are they threatened by her klutziness? They decide to write Amy a letter from Ken convincing her to drop out. Then for ‘insurance’ one from Amy to Ken which is ridiculously gushy. Jess also wants them to both stay away from Liz, and Amy sees right through hers, but Ken doesn’t. Liz overhears Lila and Ellen and works it all out, clears it all up, but is baffled Amy still wants to try out. Liz talks an angry Ken into trying out AGAIN, but it’s Amy who inspires him, aww. Amy’s tryout cheer is ‘Ken, Ken, he’s our man’ - left to do all alone when the boosters prank her, which causes Bruce to laugh and Ken to steal the ball and score! They both make their teams and it’s milkshakes all around!
My rating - 5/10 - some twists weren’t necessary, and there was the usual nastiness but still great!
#sweetvalley #sweetvalleykids #sweetvalleytwins #unicornclub #sweetvalleyjnrhigh #sweetvalleyhigh #sweetvalleysenioryear #sweetvalleyuniversity #sweetvalleyseries #bookreview
The Unicorns are starting a Booster Club! (Just call it Cheerleading 🤦🏼♀️). Well, half the Booster Club are Unicorns, but 4 spots are open. It’s super unfair that unpopular ‘gross’ girls like Amy Sutton are even given a chance to try out! Liz is apprehensive about Amy trying out, but Amy is certain she wants to be a Booster! She’s super klutzy in the first audition though 😔 Ken is also having trouble. He wants to audition for basketball but he’s so short! He gets teased mercilessly by Bruce and the coach just talks about how great (and tall) his Dad was! Liz teaches him a trick, to practice basketball with a tennis ball…? 🤷🏼♀️ Bruce sees them and spread a rumour that they’re dating (Todd hasn’t been mentioned once yet in SVT), and Jess is horrified for her reputation (😭 I love Jess and Ken!). Amy is pretty upset too… But she believes Liz. Meanwhile, Lila and Ellen call Amy to convince her not to try out?? Are they threatened by her klutziness? They decide to write Amy a letter from Ken convincing her to drop out. Then for ‘insurance’ one from Amy to Ken which is ridiculously gushy. Jess also wants them to both stay away from Liz, and Amy sees right through hers, but Ken doesn’t. Liz overhears Lila and Ellen and works it all out, clears it all up, but is baffled Amy still wants to try out. Liz talks an angry Ken into trying out AGAIN, but it’s Amy who inspires him, aww. Amy’s tryout cheer is ‘Ken, Ken, he’s our man’ - left to do all alone when the boosters prank her, which causes Bruce to laugh and Ken to steal the ball and score! They both make their teams and it’s milkshakes all around!
My rating - 5/10 - some twists weren’t necessary, and there was the usual nastiness but still great!
#sweetvalley #sweetvalleykids #sweetvalleytwins #unicornclub #sweetvalleyjnrhigh #sweetvalleyhigh #sweetvalleysenioryear #sweetvalleyuniversity #sweetvalleyseries #bookreview
August 8, 2019
RATING: 4 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)
I picked up one of the Sweet Valley Twins novel at the library (before my strict read in order only rule) and fell in love with the California twins and their friends and family. I had just started reading thicker chapter books, and joining the library summer reading club, I went through these books pretty quick. I was excited that I could read and really fell in love with books and reading. I believe I was about 7-9 when I read these books so it was exciting to read about 12 year old popular preteens. I could relate to both Elizabeth and Jessica, and really could not pick which twin I liked better. I would not finish this series as I would quickly move on to Sweet Valley High (Double Love). These are very tame books, and any age could read them. First crushes and bullying were the big issues that I can remember. This is very Full House (TV series) kind of books.
***This is a series review***
(Review Not on Blog)
I picked up one of the Sweet Valley Twins novel at the library (before my strict read in order only rule) and fell in love with the California twins and their friends and family. I had just started reading thicker chapter books, and joining the library summer reading club, I went through these books pretty quick. I was excited that I could read and really fell in love with books and reading. I believe I was about 7-9 when I read these books so it was exciting to read about 12 year old popular preteens. I could relate to both Elizabeth and Jessica, and really could not pick which twin I liked better. I would not finish this series as I would quickly move on to Sweet Valley High (Double Love). These are very tame books, and any age could read them. First crushes and bullying were the big issues that I can remember. This is very Full House (TV series) kind of books.
***This is a series review***
January 14, 2016
Amy wants to try out to be a cheerleader, but the ones running the show are the Unicorns and don't want Amy to make the team. Ken is a short boy whose father was tall and basketball hero and he wants to make the team but He lacks skill. Elizabeth feels a little abandoned by Jessica and Amy, both
There's the usual bullying that goes on courtesy of Bruce and the Unicorns who try to get Amy to drop out of the tryouts. It's a difficult situation, especially with Ken and Amy both having some doubts about their abilities. Still, things do work out. Another nice book in the series.
There's the usual bullying that goes on courtesy of Bruce and the Unicorns who try to get Amy to drop out of the tryouts. It's a difficult situation, especially with Ken and Amy both having some doubts about their abilities. Still, things do work out. Another nice book in the series.
September 6, 2016
In this book, Elisabeth, Jessica's twin, has a choice to make. Elisabeth has a friend named Amy. No matter what she does, Elisabeth can't talk Amy out of trying out for the cheer team. All the people who are holding the tryout's are members of the unicorn club(A group of girls who are obsessed with the color purple, and also love unicorns(Jessica is one of the members)... and they have already decided who gets on the team, and Amy isn't one of them. So Elisabeth has to choose to stand up for her friend, or let Jessica and her friends be mean to Amy and keep Amy from the team.
October 12, 2025
I read the series over 30 years ago and my daughter is now reading them and I thought it would be fun to read them together. This book dealt with popularity and friendship and rooting for the underdog.
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February 5, 2009JAR4-Pas
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