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Sweet Valley High #42

Caught in the Middle

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Off-limits...

Sandra Bacon has finally found a boy to love. Manuel Lopez is kind, sensitive, and handsome, and he cares about Sandra as much as she cares about him.

But there is one problem: Sandy's parents don't approve of Manuel. So the couple must keep their love and their precious moments together a secret.

Then eyewitnesses place Manuel at the scene of a life-threatening accident, and only Sandy can clear his name. If she tells the truth, she may lose her parents' trust and love; but if she doesn't, she will certainly lose Manuel forever.

144 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

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About the author

Francine Pascal

1,139 books1,843 followers
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.

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5 stars
89 (15%)
4 stars
104 (17%)
3 stars
271 (46%)
2 stars
95 (16%)
1 star
22 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Grace Chan.
208 reviews57 followers
November 7, 2021
"Caught in the Middle"?? More like "Caught Between Wanting to Throttle Sandy OR Her Paremts"!!

So good ol' Sandy Bacon has been dating--- GASP!!--- A MEXICAN BOY. Her fuddy duddy old school parents are racist AF about "those people" and Sandy can't bring herself to tell them about Manuel. She goes so far as to ask "hypothetical questions" to her mom about what were to happen if she fell in love with a Mexican boy and dear old momma is SO perturbed she can't sleep at night. I MEAN, mom straight up says "I just think Mexicans are hot-tempered and start riots." WHAT IN THE ACTUAL EFF?? 😵😵😵

So poor Manuel has introduced Sandy to his welcoming family already, and is rightly fed up with Sandy's shit of sneaking around and not telling her parents about him. This goes on for like, most of the book. Sandy just cries and pleads for more time, exclaiming pitifully,"You just dont understand how my parents are!" GIRL. Your folks are racist bigots and you need to stand up and fight for your man already!! 😡😡😡

Things really take a turn when Sandy invites Manuel out on her speedboat (!!), but also asks Elizabeth to tag along too, so she can use her as a cover for spending time with A MEXICAN BOY. Well, the speedboat ends up having some engine troubles and the boat gets BLOWED UP.
Manuel rescues Sandy from the burning boat and HOW does Sandy repay him? By telling him to get lost and asks Elizabeth to lie and say SHE rescued her, and that it was only the 2 girls on the boat. SERIOUSLY, SANDY?? 💀💀

So the police suspect Manuel of foul play and tampering with the boat due to witnesses claiming to have seen him at the boat before it took off. Sandy and her parents are brought to the police starion for questioning and they bring out Manuel and ask her if she knows him. She straight up says "I've never seen this guy in my life." SANDY, YOU SUCK. But finally she breaks and confesses all to her parents, proclaiming her love for Manuel, and admitting it was HIM that had saved her. And Manuel forgives her!! DUDE, I WOULD NEVER 🤣🤣🤣

3 out of 5 clumps of hair torn out while reading this book. This book made ME "hot tempered" and "wanting to start a riot".
Profile Image for Susan.
2,037 reviews61 followers
December 12, 2019
This book aged really poorly- the main plot is about how super-racist Sandra's family is, and how hard that makes HER life, because she's dating a boy who is Mexican-American. While the author goes out of the way to show how nice/kind/ good Manuel and his family is, there is little attention paid to how fucking awful it must be to live as a Mexican-American family in super-white Sweet Valley, where people feel totally free to be total bigots right out loud, especially at their country clubs. Of course, when Sandra is in an explosion, and is saved by "one of those people", they're more inclined to believe that Manueal caused the explosion than was a hero, but once Sandra stops lying about dating Manuel, they suddenly reconsider their views- at least her dad, who is less super-racist than her mom. Also, everyone pretends to forget Lila's birthday (16th? 17th? They don't say because people in Sweet Valley aren't allowed to age. They're all 16, all the time) while Jessica plans a huge party for the day after the party. Two stars.
Profile Image for gem.
756 reviews21 followers
June 13, 2019
This book should be called “The One with all the racism”.
Sandy Bacon is dating Manuel Lopez, who is shock horror, Mexican!
Her pearl clutching, country club going mother is horrified by Sandy even suggesting that she might date someone like Manuel. As it says in the Double Love podcast, whilst the word racist isn’t used outright it’s blatantly obvious that Sandy’s parents are bigoted jerks.
The whole story makes Sandy seem an idiot for not just telling her parents it’s her life and she’ll date who she wants, he’s a lovely boy, and treats her much better than she treats him! She does not come off great in this book.

The Jessica / Lila subplot is hilarious. Lila is the best.
Profile Image for Connie.
1,593 reviews25 followers
July 13, 2017
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Title: Caught in the Middle
Series: Sweet Valley High #42
Author: Francine Pascal // Kate William

This isn't the worst book in the SVH series by far, but it's also not the best, it's filled with white privilege and just straight up bitchy lies. Sandy Bacon (which sounds like a sandwich you'd eat at the beach) falls in love with a Mexican boy called Manuel Lopez, who will probably be the only Mexican character we'll meet in this series, but her parents are racist bigots who hate anyone who isn't a WASP. But Sandy insists that they are good people.

So she keeps him hidden. Lying to her parents about her whereabouts and all that. But it all meets a dramatic climax when Sandy, Manuel and Liz are all out on a boat, and OH NO, the engine explodes. Somebody didn't do their pre-engine checks is all I'm saying. And Manuel saves Sandy's life, yet she makes Liz take all the credit and doesn't tell the truth until Manuel is going to get arrested for attempted murder because he was seen around the boat, possibly tampering with it. And Liz was no help because she made a promise to her friend that she wouldn't tell anyone about them. Yeah, five years in jail is a total equal to a prison sentence.

There was also a subplot that it was Lila's birthday, another story filled with white privilege.
Profile Image for Erin.
3,897 reviews466 followers
October 27, 2024
At the center of the story are two SVH classmates-Sandra and Manuel. Sandra is worried about her parent's prejudice against Mexican-Americans like Manuel's family. But she goes all about it the wrong way, hurting Manuel and Elizabeth deeply. At the same time, we have Jessica who convinces all of their friends to be mean to Lila Fowler. All in the pursuit of planning a birthday party for her best friend.

They are Americans, Mom," she said weakly. Mrs. Bacon raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Why, Sandy," she said. "It isn't like you to be so stubborn. Remember, your father and I have lived in this community a lot longer than you have. It's nice to be idealistic, but you're still very young, honey. I'm afraid you haven't seen enough of the world yet to judge.

As usual storylines get dealt with quickly and wrap up to everything toxic being forgiven quickly. But I read it in one sitting and can admit these books are addictive.


Goodreads review published 27/10/24
Profile Image for K.L..
Author 2 books16 followers
December 15, 2021
Sandra's folks are racist and do t approve of Mexican Manny with whom she's in love. Cue Romeo and Juliet with Sandra actually behaving reprehensibly when Manny saves her life and she lies about it, initially allowing him to be arrested.
Profile Image for Reading with Cats.
2,120 reviews56 followers
March 14, 2022
I wish Sandra Bacon would just fall into the black hole that usually consumes these types of characters. Also, the next book appears to be about Enid’s grandmother so nothing to look forward to there.
Profile Image for Serena.
239 reviews
August 19, 2023
I was more interested in the subplot than the main, unfortunately.
It’s hard to root for Sandy when her actions are incredibly questionable.
I appreciate the intentions they had, but the execution wasn’t done well at all…
648 reviews
December 19, 2024
Every star is lost for the message that deeply embedded racism can be so utterly overturned in a minute.

And the next book is about Enid...dealing with her grandma moving in?? I didn't think it was possible to make Enid more boring, but it sure looks like they tried.
137 reviews
August 2, 2024
Don’t worry you guys, Liz solved racism by not wanting to lie.
Profile Image for Jenn N.
213 reviews
June 6, 2022
Sandy Bacon is a real tw*t in this book.
Profile Image for Tiffany Spencer.
1,971 reviews19 followers
March 1, 2025
Caught in the Middle
Sandra Beacon and Manuel Lopez fall in love and all of SVH is buzzing about the change in Sandy. Only already there’s trouble in paradise. Sandra’s mother and father are racist -blatantly- and hate Mexicans. They’d rather die than see their daughter with one of them.

Sandra attempts to bring it up a couple of times by pitching “in their face” scenarios at them if she were too fall in love with one, but they’re so blind they don’t get the “hint”. This starts to cause a strain. Manuel (stereotypically) is big on family. Sandra’s meet all his family. And of course, there are a ton of them (again stereotypical). Hes tired of sneaking around and not being able to pick her up.

Jeannie’s even getting fed up of covering for her. Sandra decides to make it up to Manuel and take him out on her boat. She lies to him that it’s ok with her parents. Jeannie turns her down and won’t come with her so she can’t use her as a scapegoat. So, she uses Elizabeth instead.

While they’re all out on the boat it malfunctions and there’s an explosion. Sandy’s trapped in the boat and Manuel swims back, rescues, her and saves her life. Only when they get to the shore and the press show up Sandy makes it clear that Elizabeth saved her life. So Manuel leaves.

Her parents dig further into things and the police find the suspect -Manuel- a dark haired boy who was by the boat and spotted. He’s called in. Sandy and her parents are called in. Sandra looks right at Miguel and lies that she doesn’t know him. Not once but twice. (Anyone getting a biblical de ja vu)? Then before they can arrest him she breaks down and tells her parents everything.

Manuel of course forgives her and they make up. The parents grudgingly accept him (more so the mother the father doesn’t seem as bothered). They invite him to the country club. He invites them to the Mexican festival.

Then there’s the B) plot which is about Lila hinting her birthday is coming up. Only Jessica decides to give her a surprise party the day after her party. They all act like they’re going to a concert the night of, Lila is pissed, then the get her to come to the Wakefield’s and SURPRISE! All is right again.

My Thoughts:
Sandra was wrong as hell in this and she shocked me because I couldn’t believe that she could look the guy she loved in the face in a police office and almost have him go to JAIL for her. I just really don’t know if I could have continued to have a relationship with her after that. But I guess love makes you dumb in Manuel’s case. It’s just not a good sign when someone you're in love with is willing to risk putting you in jail over a lie because there too scared to admit something. Even though she didn’t do it that just doesn’t sit right.

I think Manuel should have *at least* given Sandra a little space. She more than deserved it for that lil stunt. But it’s the magical world of SV. There has to be a new couple by the end of every book (sighing).

Yet I could easily put myself in Sandra’s shoes when it comes to dealing with a parent who has prejudices about their child dating someone from another race. I saw this exact scene in my head of how it could have gone down if things would have went the way I wanted them to. And it’s a very real thing when they grow up in another era and develop and form these prejudices.

But even though I’m a lot like Sandy (not wanting to ever cause conflict) I think that I’d have to find the courage somewhere. Yet I don’t EVER think I could do what Sandy did. So that’s where our similarities end.

Rating: 6
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for kylajaclyn.
705 reviews55 followers
August 31, 2011
Welcome to "Yeah Right, There Aren't Any Mexicans in Sweet Valley Besides the Lopezes" or SVH #42: Caught in the Middle.

It is said in this book that Sweet Valley is small and also that they have a substantial Mexican population. Both of these things are lies, because I'm quite certain we are never going to see Manuel again after this, and SV is populated with so many useless characters it is a GIGANTIC place. Otherwise, where would they go? So, basically, Sandra Bacon and Manuel Lopez are in love. Manuel Lopez is Mexican (though you couldn't tell it from the cover) and there is trouble in paradise since Sandy's parents are bigoted (of course they are - everyone in SV looks like Jess & Liz). So to get to spend time with him, she lies and lies and lies some more. Sandy is without doubt the most spineless person in all of SV. Come to think of it... yeah, no one in SV really has any backbone. The grand finale occurs when Sandy takes Manuel (and Liz, as her cover) out on her boat. But when the boat falters and explodes, Manuel heroically saves Sandy while Liz swims back to shore. Of course they have to pretend like Manuel wasn't there or else Sandy's parents will find out about him, so Liz acts as a foil and hero. No surprise that she REFUSES to clear Manuel's name because she "promised" Sandy she wouldn't. Eyewitnesses saw Manuel there, and they don't get away with it for long. Soon the police are accusing him of being the one to have caused the boating accident. Sandy is a horrible person who, with her parents close by, sits in the police station and denies even KNOWING Manuel. Then something snaps in her, and she finally admits the truth. Thankfully her mom's extreme prejudice isn't cleared up in 138 pages, but she does try hard to be okay with it once she realizes that Manuel is the true hero. It doesn't matter, because this book still reeks of After School Special and is so fucking offensive to like anyone who could read it.

The subplot involves Jessica wanting to truly surprise Lila for her birthday, so she tells all of their mutual friends to IGNORE Lila on her birthday, as they have a party planned for the NEXT night. Lila gets rightly furious, but Amy and Cara still manage to drag her to the Wakefield house the next night. Though it is Lila's birthday, Jess is happy to have ALL the credit for planning it, and, of course, Lila promptly forgives Jess when she sees everyone there for her party. Lila laments that she has such WONDERFUL friends (who made her feel like shit on purpose on the day of her actual birthday). Yep. Great friends, indeed.
Profile Image for PurplyCookie.
942 reviews205 followers
January 2, 2012
Features your run-of-the mill love story plot of a wealthy white female with bigoted parents who falls in love with a poor boy from a minority race and who's forbidden to ever date somebody not of their race and/or socio-economic status.

Never mind that Sandra Bacon claims that Manuel Lopez is truly the man she's very much in love with since she lies at every turn in this book. Liz was no help whatsoever since she refuses to clear Manuel's name since she has promised Sandra. Why does everyone think so highly of Elizabeth again? Oh yes, because this is Sweet Valley and Liz is its resident saint.


More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie


Book Details:

Title: Caught in the Middle (Sweet Valley High, #42)
Author: Francine Pascal
Reviewed By: Purplycookie
Profile Image for Hil.
489 reviews11 followers
November 17, 2016
3.5 stars. This was more interesting than some of the other svh books I've rated 3 stars, but not quite good enough for 4. The story revolves around the stupidity of minor character, Sandy Bacon, and the extreme circumstances it takes for her to come clean to her racist parents about her Mexican boyfriend. Quite a controversial topic for sweet valley, but nothing compared to the cocaine-related death I suppose. The exploding speedboat was a nice touch.
Profile Image for Jodie.
2,278 reviews
February 3, 2011
Francine Pascal was one of the few writers that I found relateable when I was a kid, and I loved every moment of this series.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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