Name: Mandy Miller Fights Back (Sweet Valley Twins, #48)
Rating: 3.61 (7 reviews)
ISBN: 9780553158809

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January 20, 2025

Mandy Miller Fights Back
At school, Jessica has lost one of her school books, and says she could have sworn she saw it that morning. Liz says it’s probably in her back pack and her glasses are in her pocket. Jessica thanks Liz and admits that she does sometimes need help and is grateful for Liz. Mandy Miller (Jessica and the Unicorn’s personal “do girl”) overhears and starts ratting off ways *she* can help Jessica. Mandy is a little pushy but she has a good sense of humor and personality. It’s just she has a thrift store sense of style and for Jessica that just doesn’t work for getting into the Unicorns.

This day she has on a purple sweat shirt and sneakers. That alone probably is working against her. I’m sure the Unicorns have secretly black balled her for wearing their colors. Liz says what Jessica needs is to be on time for Mrs. Arnette’s class. On the way to class, Janet appears and tells Jessica they’re having an emergency Unicorn meeting in the girls room. The meeting turns out to be about what their going to do about Mandy (whose asked Janet can she join). Ellen brings up what I just brought up about her having the nerve to wear purple. Mary says tho that they have been encouraging her. Janet says someone (Jessica) will have tell her she can’t be a Unicorn.

She tells her she doesn’t have to do it in a mean way. Just tell her they can’t let anyone else in right now and they’ll back her up. They tell her the sooner the better. It’s only “fair”. Because she’s late for class, Mrs. Arnette says she’s not repeating the instructions for their new project. She’s just gonna have to be told by her new partner… Mandy. Mandy asks if the Unicorns were taking about her (if she’s made the cut) but Jessica says it was “other Unicorn business” (deciding not to hurt her just then). Mandy tells he she refused to work with anyone else (which is how Mrs. Arnette made them partners). The project is coming up with something to do with how it was in 1920.

The book explains a little more detail and says *a museum in Hollywood is putting on a big 1920s festival, and they've asked all the middle schools and high schools statewide to submit projects for a special exhibition. A jury will choose winners and award prizes. * It’s due Friday. Now Jessica has two things to think about. What’s worse is Mrs. Arnette has decided to give out progress reports to the ones who aren’t doing well and they have to be signed by the parents. Jessica’s is for tardiness and inattention. Jessica starts to vent to Liz about not just getting the report but about working with Mandy (although she doesn’t want to tell her why she doesn’t want to and just calls her a clown). Liz sets her straight and says she owes Mandy. Because she’s such a bad student no one else wanted to work with her and she couldn’t because she’s her sister.

At school, the Unicorns press Jessica about having told Mandy but she says she hasn’t gotten a chance. Mandy comes up to her then and says she has a great idea for the project. So, she agrees to go with her to her house after school. Jessica finds out they have a lot in common. They both have brothers (Mandy’s younger) that like to raid the refrigerator and sisters that are “perfect” (Mandy’s is older). Mandy shows Jessica an old photo of her grandparents and explains that they came to California back in thr 20s to break into the movies. They never made it tho.

Her idea is to do a vaudeville act complete with authentic costumes. They can write the comedy routines and some of her grandparents old costumes are still in the basement. With Mandy being a natural comedian and Jessica’s love of acting they can’t lose. Jessica laughs along with Mandy’s over the top intro until she calls them “The Unicorn sisters” Mandy continues to be WAY to comfortable and says she’ll be a Unicorn by Friday and they should throw in some Uni “corny” jokes into their skit. (As much as I hate to agree, no Mandy doesn’t need to be a Unicorn. Not because of her appearance but she doesn’t know how to be SUBTLE!). Again, Jessica puts off telling her and actually thinks the Unicorns have made a mistake.

Later, Mandy calls and suggest they go to the library after school and write a report on vaudeville. Jessica agrees even tho she doesn’t want the Unicorns or Aaron to see her with Mandy. She tries to suggest that Mandy would look good in her green and white striped top, but Mandy quickly lets her know she’s not interested in being made over. She has her own style and even tho they think it’s weird she’s comfortable with it because it’s “unique”. They wouldn’t want her otherwise. Jessica tries to tell her they don’t but doesn’t quite get it out. They end up trading other clothes. Mandy says she *will* accept Jessica’s denim jacket and Jessica she will in turn like to borrow her vest made out of old neckties. (Mandy’s mom we learn is an excellent seamstress and makes her clothes). The next day the Unicorns pressure Jessica again about telling Mandy.

Jessica says she didn’t get a chance. She only has one class with Mandy and the “Hairnet was in a bad mood. Lila backs her up but what they don’t know is she met with Mandy in the bathroom before class to trade clothes. She was gonna tell her then but Caroline walked in and she didn’t want her to overhear or it’d be all over school. What *she* didn’t know was that the Unicorns recognized Jessica’s jacked on Mandy. Ellen even suggest maybe she stole it out of Jessica’s locker. This makes Jessica mad but she covers and says Liz probably let her borrow it. Then she adds she told her not to let people borrow her clothes without her permission. Lila says if Jessica doesn’t tell her today either she or Ellen will.

Liz finds Jessica and shows her something Caroline wrote about the Unicorns rejecting Mandy. She talked her out of putting it in the Sixers but she says Jessica should tell Mandy. On the way home from the library, Mandy tells her Ellen asked if she’d (Jessica) talked to her. Mandy asked her about what and Ellen just shrugged. It comes out tho when Mandy starts to make a joke about the Unicorns in their skit. (Mandy is really DUMB). Jessica tells her she’s not going to be a Unicorn then they start to fight.

Mandy can’t believe she knew for two days and didn’t tell her. Jessica says she tried but kept getting distracted. Mandy wants to know why she got turned down. BECAUSE YOU CAN’T BE DISCRET! Jessica is thinking what snobs her friends are and how dead wrong they are. She even tells her being a Unicorn isn’t really everything she thinks it is. Mandy intrepts this as she thinks she’s not good enough. Jessica says that’s not what she said. What she really said is *they* aren’t good enough to have someone like you and if you can’t see that. But Mandy says she’s not good enough to get in but she was good enough to run their errands. Jessica comes back with with she did that on her own, She was using *them to get in.

Mandy says all she was trying to do was get them to notice her. Half the time their noses are stuck so far up their asses (ok she said in the air) but they don’t notice anyone but themselves. And she offered to help because she was trying to be nice because she liked Jessica. Jessica accuses her of using *her* (which is why she picked her as a partner). Mandy says she picked her because no one else wanted her and because she’s, her friend. Jessica tells her a friend wouldn’t make a fuss because the Unicorns turned her down. Mandy says she wouldn’t know anything about being a friend because she (and the Unicorns) are just users.

Jessica says she’s leaving. Mandy says don’t come back. As she leaves, she starts to feel tears in her eyes. When she gets home, she tells Liz how she messed up and lost a friend. Liz says she’ll cool down. Jessica says at least Janet, Ellen, and Lila got what they wanted. Mandy said now you couldn’t *pay* her to be a Unicorn. At school, Ellen and Lila ask Jessica if she told Mandy and Jessica says yes. They want details. She says she just told her straight up. Then they start talking about their project and how great it is, but it’s a secret what their doing.

Mrs. Arnette tells each of them to come up and talk briefly about what their doing. Mandy hands Jessica a bag with her jacket in it and Jessica says she’ll give her (her) vest later. Mandy tells her she bet she didn’t even wear it. When their called up they decide to do the Abbot and Castello skit they praticed and they have Mrs. Arnette in tears they’re so funny. Mrs. Arnette tells Jessica if she’s that good Friday she might have to reconsider her grade. Mandy invites her to come by after school and try on their costumes (that her mother finished).

Jessica is hesitant about going over to Mandy’s. Lila and Ellen weren’t happy she turned down going to the Dairi Burger and she thinks it’ll be awkward being around Mandy’s family if she’s told them. But even tho Mandy isn’t discret she’s mature and says she thought about it and Jessica had a point. She was hanging around and kissing the Unicorn’s behinds because she wanted to get in. So, she sees no point in her continuing to be mad at Jessica. Besides she knows that one day the Unicorns will regret not letting her in. Jessica also apologizes and admits they were using Mandy until they got tired of her. Mandy takes it in stride.

While looking in the truck for wigs, they find a pink boa and both girls tug at it. Mandy stumbles and a bump forms under her arm. . Jessica’s and Mandy’s act is a success tho Jessica notices Mandy’s timing is off and she forgets a line. Jessica covers for her tho. Jessica asks afterwards if Mandy’s ok. She says she’s just been tired and the bump under her arm is bothering her. Jessica says she’s happy they teamed up and Mandy says so is she and who knows what’s next for them. Broad way? The big screen?

Mandy isn’t there at school, but Mrs. Anette picks her and Mandy’s skit and Amy and Liz’s silent film video to represent in the festival. Mandy wasn’t there over the weekend either. Mrs. Arnette says she needs them to video tape it to enter it by Friday. Mandy isn’t at school either Tuesday. So, she calls her. Mandy tells her she thinks she’s come down with the flu and had to stay in bed, but she’ll be able to come to school the next day. Jessica tells her about making the video tape. They plan to get together the next day, but Mandy doesn’t come to school the next day.

Caroline tells them she did come to school, but she fainted when she tried to play volley ball and Mrs. Lambert sent her home. Jessica says they only have 2 days. Liz says they can do it tomorrow. Mrs. Arnette asks Jessica to give her (her) assignments and reminds her of the deadline. The Unicorns say they hope it’s not contagious. Janet thanks her for taking care of the business with Mandy. Jessica just steams quietly and then excuses herself from the table and goes to get Mandy’s assignments. She and Liz are supposed to take it to her after school. When Lila catches up with her after school to walk with her to a Unicorn meeting, Jessica realizes she forgot. She tells Lila to tell Janet she’s sorry she can’t make it. Lila says she doesn’t know what Janet will say. Jessica tells her she doesn’t care. (They’re going to discuss a party).

When they get to Mandy’s her mother says the doctor says she can’t have company the rest of the week. She went to the hospital that afternoon and they’re waiting for the results. Mrs. Miller says shooting a video is out of the question. Mandy is on bed rest. Jessica tells her to tell her she misses her and hopes she gets well soon. Jessica tells Liz what happened at Mandy’s house and then wonders if she could have been the reason Mandy got sick. Mrs. Arnette suggest Jessica find someone else to make the tape with. Jessica says it wouldn’t be right. Still, Mrs. Arnette suggests Liz. She says she’ll talk to Mandy and Liz about it. Mandy’s ok with it (she passes the message through her mom).

The twins finish the tape and turn it in Monday. Mandy still isn’t back at school. Lila gets on her for being MIA and Jessica agrees to go over Lila’s for dinner. Mrs. Miller calls when she’s on the way out and invites her over. She says it’s important. Jessica asks if somethings wrong and Mrs. Miller says she wants to talk to her mother. Jessica asks Liz to go with her. Mandy tells Jessica the Unicorns will be so jealous of all the attention she’s going to get. She has cancer. Jessica is speechless. Mandy tells she’s still got things to do and it doesn’t mean she’s dying. Then she tells her there are treatments available. Jessica asks if she’ll lose her hair then regrets it. Mandy just laughs. Then she says she’s tired and worn out from all the tests. Then she’ll have to go back for surgery but in a few weeks she’ll be back. She also says it’s ok to tell people. If she doesn’t want to tell Caroline. On the ride back, she tells Liz and Mrs. Wakefield and starts to cry. She asks her mother if Mandy will die.

Mrs. Wakefield says the kind of cancer Mandy has is called he cancer Mandy has is called non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Jessica." If its just in that one gland she’s ok. If it spreads then… Depending on what they find when she has surgery, she might have to have radiation treatment or chemo. Jessica wants to know what if they don’t get it all. Mrs. Wakefield says there’s no guarantee but the chances she’ll make it are better today than they were 25 years ok. Her doctors are optimistic. The word gets around pretty quick about Mandy (thanks to Caroline). Noone asks her details. The Unicorns avoid the subject and go on to talk about an upcoming party which pisses Jessica off. She turns down going to the Dairi Burger with them. She doesn’t even give Ellen a reason. Instead, she asks Liz to go to the park with her to talk. Julie stops her in the hall and tells her it was nice of the Unicorns to send Mandy a card and flowers. Jessica had no idea about this and wondered why they didn’t tell her. Jessica wonders (to Liz) if it was just to steal some of the lime light like they did with Amy. Jessica admits they don’t know she and Mandy are good friends but that’s no reason to leave her out. Jessica also admits she has all these questions. Is it contagious? Can she catch it? But Brooke appears and answers that no she can’t. She knows because her cousin had it. Then she assures Jessica is wasn’t because of the fall that Mandy got cancer.

Then Jessica asks about her cousin’s hair. Brooke says she got a good wig but her hair did eventually grow back. Brooke says they shouldn’t treat her any different. Amy says the Unicorns are hypocrites for sending the flowers and this time Jessica doesn’t defend them. After Amy and Brooke leave, Jessica wonders why it had to be Mandy. Why not her or the Unicorns. Liz says it’s just one of those questions they’ll never know the answer to. The Unicorns send more gifts: perfume (Janet and Lila), Swiss chocolate (Ellen), a big glass of jelly beans (Kimberly and Betsy). Jessica avoids them all week, but they seem to be avoiding her too. Jess and Liz bake her chocolate chip cookies.

They get good news that Mandy came through her surgery. She has a good chance for recovery but she has to undergo chemo. But it’s likely she’ll lose her hair, their mother says. Janet comes up to Jessica and tells her she wants her to be in charge of the decorations their having. She’s flattered but she’s still angry. Still, she thanks Janet when she tells her she’s valuable to them and she doesn’t want anything coming in between them. Mrs. Arnette tells her she and Mandy (Liz) won first place and someone wants them to perform their act in Hollywood a week from Saturday. Jessica wants Mandy to do the routine with her but Mrs. Arnette says there won’t be time. The prize is a computer (for the school). Liz and Amy won second and their prize is a dictionary (for the school).
When Jessica gets to Mandy’s to tell her the news, all the Unicorns are there. She starts to go but Mandy asks her to stay. Janet says they didn’t think Mandy would want to see her because she was the one that told Mandy she didn’t want to be a Unicorn. She’s about to get mad, but then realizes they don’t know she’s friends. After they leave, Mandy thanks her because she wouldn’t have saw the lump if they haven’t been wrestling over the boa. She presents her with half the feather boa. The performace goes well. Jessica calls Mandy up to the stage with her and Liz. Mandy can come back in about a week to school. Her hair does all fall out. The wig she’s wearing is red and cheap. Before she goes back, her mother gets her an even uglier one. She says it looks like little Orphan Annie. At the end of the book, the Unicorns put all their money together and get Mandy a pixie style wig and Janet asks her to join. She says she’ll think about it, and Jessica thinks she’s planning to turn them down. Mandy tells her at first she thought it was about being popular but she learned that’s not what’s important. Still, the Unicorns are the coolest girls she knows so she accepts. Then there’s a party for her at school and everyone wears purple sneakers like hers,

My Thoughts:
Even tho this book is an example why I don’t like organizations like the Unicorns, I was actually touched by what the Unicorns did for Mandy in the end. Not particularly at first because like Jessica I was weary they were just doing it for attention but I guess even *they* can have their moments and it really did feel like they learned a lesson about judging people. Well for *this* book at least. All I can hope is that Mandy will be a good influence on *them* and kind of teach them what she was taught when they get a little too full of themselves. I think it was a great choice to add her to the Unicorns. Now Mary won’t be the only nice one. Although Belinda doesn’t really have their arrogance either. I actually wondered was this the one where Mandy got cancer. I vaguely remember some things about the books on other sites even tho this is my first time just reading though the series as a whole now that I can find the majority of the books (which I am grateful for). This one also shows the importance of having any lumps you find checked out. There was a lump discovered on me earlier last year and I had to have a biopsy done and I was extremely thankful to find out that it wasn’t cancerous. That’s why it’s EXTREMLY important like Mandy did to have any you find checked out IMMEDIATELY!

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

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Sweet Valley Twins #48

Mandy Miller Fights Back

Francine Pascal

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Francine Pascal

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