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Sweet Valley High #10
Wrong Kind of Girl
Jessica's at it again!
Jessica Wakefield has sworn never to allow Annie Whitman onto the Sweet Valley High cheering squad. Annie may have the beauty, talent, and spirit to be a cheerleader, but she also has the worst reputation in school. She goes out with a different boy every night, and all the kids call her "Easy Annie" behind her back. Jessica's pulling every devilish trick to keep Annie from ruining the cheerleaders' image. Only Elizabeth, Jessica's twin, knows what Annie's really like. But can she change her sister's mind before Jessica shatters Annie's dreams?
Jessica Wakefield has sworn never to allow Annie Whitman onto the Sweet Valley High cheering squad. Annie may have the beauty, talent, and spirit to be a cheerleader, but she also has the worst reputation in school. She goes out with a different boy every night, and all the kids call her "Easy Annie" behind her back. Jessica's pulling every devilish trick to keep Annie from ruining the cheerleaders' image. Only Elizabeth, Jessica's twin, knows what Annie's really like. But can she change her sister's mind before Jessica shatters Annie's dreams?
137 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
20 people are currently reading
673 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 79 reviews
February 10, 2023
When tryouts for the cheerleading squad attract a certain sophomore who is shall we say a little too popular with the male population of SVH, Jessica wants nothing more than to make sure that the Sophomore Slut (her words, guys, not mine!) doesn’t get a spot on the squad. Will Jess use her position as (co-)captain to rig the vote against the younger girl?
I would say you’ll have to read this to find out, but this is Jessica Wakefield we’re talking about here. Come on.
But! Will Jessica ultimately learn a lesson about not being such a mega bitch and always having to get her own way, no matter who she might hurt along the way?
Erm, yeah, you’ll just have to read this to find out 😛
I would say you’ll have to read this to find out, but this is Jessica Wakefield we’re talking about here. Come on.
But! Will Jessica ultimately learn a lesson about not being such a mega bitch and always having to get her own way, no matter who she might hurt along the way?
Erm, yeah, you’ll just have to read this to find out 😛
September 11, 2023
Re-Read 2023
Annie Whitman wants to be on Sweet Valley High's cheerleading squad but Jessica Wakefield is determined that no matter what, "Easy"Annie won't make it past the first round of tryouts.
Enter a narrative laced with slut shaming and an attempted suicide. Jessica makes it all about her and Elizabeth continues to love her twin blindly.
It's honestly dawning on me that my mother didn't want me to read these books because these characters were toxic. This book ties with Power Play for my least favorites in the series.
Goodreads review published 09/09/23
Annie Whitman wants to be on Sweet Valley High's cheerleading squad but Jessica Wakefield is determined that no matter what, "Easy"Annie won't make it past the first round of tryouts.
Enter a narrative laced with slut shaming and an attempted suicide. Jessica makes it all about her and Elizabeth continues to love her twin blindly.
It's honestly dawning on me that my mother didn't want me to read these books because these characters were toxic. This book ties with Power Play for my least favorites in the series.
Goodreads review published 09/09/23
August 6, 2011
Annie, are you OK?
So, Annie are you OK?
Are you OK, Annie?
You've been hit by, you've been struck by a smooth criminal!
If you scratch through the cover of this book, 'Wrong Kind of Girl', you find that the actual title is 'Jessica Wakefield is Jesus Christ.'
Let's break this shit down:
Annie wants to be a cheerleader more than anything in the world.
There are rumors that Annie is an easy girl - just because she has boyfriends, mind you, not because she's actually had sex.
Annie isn't aware of these rumors at all.
Jessica claims that Annie would taint the whole squad if she were made cheerleader - truthfully, she's just competition for Jess. Because of that fact, Annie must die. And, in fact, she almost does.
When Annie doesn't make final cut of the squad because Jessica rigs the vote, Annie swallows a bottle of pills in an attempt to kill herself.
Jessica is pompous enough to assume that this attempt is all HER fault and promptly starts stealing sympathy away from Annie by constant self-flagellation. Jess knows that mostly Liz will talk her down and assure her how simply WONDERFUL she is and, of course, she does.
Elizabeth is sickeningly loyal to Jessica. And it truly is sick. She brought on Annie's suicide as much as Jessica did, for Liz ALWAYS knows of her sister's schemes but never breathes a word to anyone. It took a boy who liked Annie to tell her the truth about the rumors. Also par for the course, Liz doesn't get angry at Jessica at all and the trouble she has caused.
I still can't believe I actually liked either of these girls in my youth. They make me want to vomit violently and repeatedly. Shame on you, Francine Pascal.
So, Annie are you OK?
Are you OK, Annie?
You've been hit by, you've been struck by a smooth criminal!
If you scratch through the cover of this book, 'Wrong Kind of Girl', you find that the actual title is 'Jessica Wakefield is Jesus Christ.'
Let's break this shit down:
Annie wants to be a cheerleader more than anything in the world.
There are rumors that Annie is an easy girl - just because she has boyfriends, mind you, not because she's actually had sex.
Annie isn't aware of these rumors at all.
Jessica claims that Annie would taint the whole squad if she were made cheerleader - truthfully, she's just competition for Jess. Because of that fact, Annie must die. And, in fact, she almost does.
When Annie doesn't make final cut of the squad because Jessica rigs the vote, Annie swallows a bottle of pills in an attempt to kill herself.
Jessica is pompous enough to assume that this attempt is all HER fault and promptly starts stealing sympathy away from Annie by constant self-flagellation. Jess knows that mostly Liz will talk her down and assure her how simply WONDERFUL she is and, of course, she does.
Elizabeth is sickeningly loyal to Jessica. And it truly is sick. She brought on Annie's suicide as much as Jessica did, for Liz ALWAYS knows of her sister's schemes but never breathes a word to anyone. It took a boy who liked Annie to tell her the truth about the rumors. Also par for the course, Liz doesn't get angry at Jessica at all and the trouble she has caused.
I still can't believe I actually liked either of these girls in my youth. They make me want to vomit violently and repeatedly. Shame on you, Francine Pascal.
July 9, 2008
Simply camp-tastic! Damn those scheming, blonde cheerleaders and their no good ways! I hope you wreck that Fiat Spider of yours, Jessica Wakefield!
I read this in the 5th grade (about 100 years ago), and learned that it is in fact possible to be both easy and brunette and still be a cheerleader. Ah, values.
I read this in the 5th grade (about 100 years ago), and learned that it is in fact possible to be both easy and brunette and still be a cheerleader. Ah, values.
February 15, 2015
Wait. It's okay for PsychoJess to fling herself at everything with a penis, but if anyone else tries it they're immediately branded with a scarlet S? I call bullshit. And Liz is the most doormatty doormat ever.
February 22, 2008
This book starts off with a very... interesting quote:
"As she looked over the list of girls who had signed up to try out for the cheerleading squad, Jessica Wakefield purred like a satisfied cat."
Really? A satisfied cat? Am I the only one who thinks this is a weird simile? In my head "purring" and "satisfied cat" has definite sexual connotations. Not so to Ms. William I assume.
Anyway, the premise of the book is that the Sweet Valley High cheerleading squad needs two new members, and of course 75 people signed up to try out for those measly two spots. Not living in the US and never having attended a school that had a cheerleading squad, you'll have to enlighten me - is this realistic? Is being a cheerleader the end-all and be-all as it's made out to be here?
Or as Jessica herself muses:
"The cheerleaders at Sweet Valley High were the cream of the crop - the prettiest, most sought-after girls not only in the school but in the entire town of Sweet Valley."
Tough luck Liz, you're obviously not sought after.
As Jessica reads through the list she is offended that Annie Whitman - or 'Easy Annie' as she's called - DARES to put down her name. Obviously, she's the wrong kind of girl, and Jessica won't have her on the team at all! And why not? Well, allegedly because she'll give the squad a bad reputation (although how Annie's behaviour is worse than Jess' I'm not quite sure... they both 'play the field', no mention of sex at all, other than the connotations of 'easy'), but really I just think Jessica is on a power trip as usual.
Liz tries to talk sense to Jessica, reasoning that perhaps Annie is turning a new leaf. Liz has been tutoring her in math, and realizes that Annie is terribly lonely. Getting into the squad could be the best thing that ever happened to her. Of course Jessica will have nothing of it. Once she's made up her mind, her mind is MADE UP!
Elizabeth goes to Annie's place for another tutoring session. This is the first time she's actually been to Annie's house - until then all the tutoring has been done at school. While there she's told that Annie's parents were only 16 and 17 when they had her. They got married, but it didn't last long, and now Annie's mother has a 'special friend', Johnny. Annie is proud of her mother for having and keeping her, but wishes she had more time for her. Liz muses that though her mother is busy, she always has time for her and Jess. It also becomes apparent that Annie has no idea about the reputation she has. She's not consciously being a flirt, she just sees the guys as good friends, and enjoys the fact that while she doesn't have many close friends, at least she's popular with the boys. Poor, deluded Annie.
Just before Liz leaves, Annie's mother and Johnny arrive home. Johnny could NOT be more of a sleazebag. He's totally creepy, hitting on Liz in front of everybody. Ew! I felt unclean just *reading* about him.
Oh, and Liz RIDES THE BUS home!!! Apparently in this book it's no big deal. When she comes home she sees Jessica drilling Cara through the cheers, as Jessica really wants Cara to be one of the two people to become cheerleaders. I just think it's in order to let us see her pining for Steve, who at this time is actually going out with TRICIA and not just some girl who Looks Just Like Her(TM).
The first of three try-outs for the cheerleading squad take place, and Annie astounds everybody by being extremely talented and really perfect for the spot. She's the only person other than Maria who's able to do back-flips, which impresses everybody... everybody, that is, except for Jessica. Jessica basically takes it as a personal insult that Annie is so good. Even more so when there's a dance contest at the Beach Disco after finals, and it ends in a DRAW between Jessica and Annie! How DARE she show her up like that? Annie, on the other hand, just thinks that her chances of getting into the squad increased, now that Jessica saw how well she moved. She really is terribly naive.
I have to say, I love their cheer though *giggles* I guess Kate does have a sense of humour after all!
"We who are about to win, salute you. Go Gladiators!"
Between talking to Annie and trying to talk sense to Jessica, Elizabeth gets more and more frustrated about being put in the middle. She needs to talk it out, but will burden neither Enid nor Todd with 'problems nobody can solve'. I'm sorry, isn't that what best friends and boyfriends are for? To take half the burden so you won't have to carry it alone, even if there's nothing to be done? Her main reasons for not doing so, is that she doesn't want to put Jessica in a bad light, which I can kinda understand I guess, but it results in Todd thinking she's no longer in love with him (he really is secure, isn't he?!), and that she's so distracted because of another guy! They get into a fight about it, which Todd's mother overhears. I don't know about you, but that would really embarrass me (I tend to try to limit my fights to only me and the person I'm fighting with being around), but Todd just replies "Mom, we're having a discussion", and sends her out of the room!
It really means the world to Annie to get into the squad, but Jessica is equally determined that no matter how talented the girl is, Annie is just wrong for the team! Jessica really is terribly mean, getting everybody to vote for Cara as one of the people getting in (truth be told, Cara deserves to get in), but then voting against Annie as the other person, despite the alternative - Sandra - falling flat on her face during try-outs, just because of who Annie is, and bullying the other members of the squad into voting against her too, by giving them an ultimatum - that if they pick Annie, they'll need to hold new try-outs, because then she, Jessica, is leaving!
Right about here I'd be thinking, "Hmmm... is Jessica really that important for the team? She can't even do back-flips, like Annie!"
After the final try-out, Liz is at home, waiting for Jess to come home and tell her who got in. Jess just smiles slyly, but refuses to tell Liz anything. Really Liz, when Jess smiles like that, do you even doubt that she got her way as usual? Obviously, you're terribly naive too! It seemed totally contrived that so big a deal was made of Liz trying to get Jess to tell her, when it ought to be blatantly obvious to anybody who knows Jess, exactly what happened.
The chore of telling Annie that she didn't make it, is given to Ricky, the manager of the cheerleading squad, who just happens to be falling head over heels in love with Annie. She runs away from him after he tells her, and he chases her, wanting to give her any support she might need. Annie is devastated. She was so certain she'd get in, and knew she was the best person there, which the possible exception of Cara (even in her grief she's still fair! Oh, what a girl!). She pressures Ricky to tell her who voted against her, and why, and when he finally does (the poor guy! Imagine having to tell somebody you're in love with, that people think she's easy!), she cries out from the shock, and runs away.
Ricky gets really worried when Annie doesn't turn up for school the next couple of days, and finally skips the last lessons of a day to go to her place and check whether she's okay. The door is locked, but he intuitively knows that something is wrong, and breaks down the door, only to find her unconscious on the bathroom floor, with an empty bottle of pills in her hand. He rushes her to the hospital and calls Elizabeth (Elizabeth? Why HER?!) to tell her what happened. Elizabeth knows that this is Jessica's fault and is pissed. She drags Jessica along to the hospital, saying that even though Annie might not want her there, SHE does. Wow, never knew that Liz had a spine after all! What a time to show it.
At the hospital Ricky breaks down and cries over all the "cruel and heartless people" who caused Annie to do this. Jessica knows he's talking about her, and realizes that she deserves every word. For once Jessica actually gets to feel the consequences of her actions... if only she'd learn from them! Annie's mother arrives, crying over her 'kitten', and how this is all her fault, for not spending more time with Annie. How could she not even know that her daughter was so out of it? She breaks up with Creepy Johnny in order to spend more time with Annie. YAY for getting rid of Creepy Johnny, but I can't help but wonder what good he did in the first place. Introduce a character just for 1 page? Ah well.
The doctor comes out and tells them that Annie could be fine, but it is as if she has no will to live! Oh, the melodrama! Jessica approaches the doctor and tells him that it's all her fault, but that if it'll help Annie live, she can be on the cheerleading squad after all! Between the two of them, she and Ricky spend the entire night talking to Annie, explaining all that she has to live for, and finally Annie wakes up! Her first word being "Jessica". That would really bum me out if I were Ricky or her mother, but never mind.
After this near-death experience, Annie realizes that there's more to life than cheerleading, but that doesn't stop her from happily accepting the position as the 8th member of the squad and being touched to tears when the rest of the squad perform a cheer right outside her window: "Get well, Annie!"
No real B plot in this one, except the usual build up to book 11 - Suzanna coming to SV and one of the twins get to go to NY instead. Read the review to see what happens!
"As she looked over the list of girls who had signed up to try out for the cheerleading squad, Jessica Wakefield purred like a satisfied cat."
Really? A satisfied cat? Am I the only one who thinks this is a weird simile? In my head "purring" and "satisfied cat" has definite sexual connotations. Not so to Ms. William I assume.
Anyway, the premise of the book is that the Sweet Valley High cheerleading squad needs two new members, and of course 75 people signed up to try out for those measly two spots. Not living in the US and never having attended a school that had a cheerleading squad, you'll have to enlighten me - is this realistic? Is being a cheerleader the end-all and be-all as it's made out to be here?
Or as Jessica herself muses:
"The cheerleaders at Sweet Valley High were the cream of the crop - the prettiest, most sought-after girls not only in the school but in the entire town of Sweet Valley."
Tough luck Liz, you're obviously not sought after.
As Jessica reads through the list she is offended that Annie Whitman - or 'Easy Annie' as she's called - DARES to put down her name. Obviously, she's the wrong kind of girl, and Jessica won't have her on the team at all! And why not? Well, allegedly because she'll give the squad a bad reputation (although how Annie's behaviour is worse than Jess' I'm not quite sure... they both 'play the field', no mention of sex at all, other than the connotations of 'easy'), but really I just think Jessica is on a power trip as usual.
Liz tries to talk sense to Jessica, reasoning that perhaps Annie is turning a new leaf. Liz has been tutoring her in math, and realizes that Annie is terribly lonely. Getting into the squad could be the best thing that ever happened to her. Of course Jessica will have nothing of it. Once she's made up her mind, her mind is MADE UP!
Elizabeth goes to Annie's place for another tutoring session. This is the first time she's actually been to Annie's house - until then all the tutoring has been done at school. While there she's told that Annie's parents were only 16 and 17 when they had her. They got married, but it didn't last long, and now Annie's mother has a 'special friend', Johnny. Annie is proud of her mother for having and keeping her, but wishes she had more time for her. Liz muses that though her mother is busy, she always has time for her and Jess. It also becomes apparent that Annie has no idea about the reputation she has. She's not consciously being a flirt, she just sees the guys as good friends, and enjoys the fact that while she doesn't have many close friends, at least she's popular with the boys. Poor, deluded Annie.
Just before Liz leaves, Annie's mother and Johnny arrive home. Johnny could NOT be more of a sleazebag. He's totally creepy, hitting on Liz in front of everybody. Ew! I felt unclean just *reading* about him.
Oh, and Liz RIDES THE BUS home!!! Apparently in this book it's no big deal. When she comes home she sees Jessica drilling Cara through the cheers, as Jessica really wants Cara to be one of the two people to become cheerleaders. I just think it's in order to let us see her pining for Steve, who at this time is actually going out with TRICIA and not just some girl who Looks Just Like Her(TM).
The first of three try-outs for the cheerleading squad take place, and Annie astounds everybody by being extremely talented and really perfect for the spot. She's the only person other than Maria who's able to do back-flips, which impresses everybody... everybody, that is, except for Jessica. Jessica basically takes it as a personal insult that Annie is so good. Even more so when there's a dance contest at the Beach Disco after finals, and it ends in a DRAW between Jessica and Annie! How DARE she show her up like that? Annie, on the other hand, just thinks that her chances of getting into the squad increased, now that Jessica saw how well she moved. She really is terribly naive.
I have to say, I love their cheer though *giggles* I guess Kate does have a sense of humour after all!
"We who are about to win, salute you. Go Gladiators!"
Between talking to Annie and trying to talk sense to Jessica, Elizabeth gets more and more frustrated about being put in the middle. She needs to talk it out, but will burden neither Enid nor Todd with 'problems nobody can solve'. I'm sorry, isn't that what best friends and boyfriends are for? To take half the burden so you won't have to carry it alone, even if there's nothing to be done? Her main reasons for not doing so, is that she doesn't want to put Jessica in a bad light, which I can kinda understand I guess, but it results in Todd thinking she's no longer in love with him (he really is secure, isn't he?!), and that she's so distracted because of another guy! They get into a fight about it, which Todd's mother overhears. I don't know about you, but that would really embarrass me (I tend to try to limit my fights to only me and the person I'm fighting with being around), but Todd just replies "Mom, we're having a discussion", and sends her out of the room!
It really means the world to Annie to get into the squad, but Jessica is equally determined that no matter how talented the girl is, Annie is just wrong for the team! Jessica really is terribly mean, getting everybody to vote for Cara as one of the people getting in (truth be told, Cara deserves to get in), but then voting against Annie as the other person, despite the alternative - Sandra - falling flat on her face during try-outs, just because of who Annie is, and bullying the other members of the squad into voting against her too, by giving them an ultimatum - that if they pick Annie, they'll need to hold new try-outs, because then she, Jessica, is leaving!
Right about here I'd be thinking, "Hmmm... is Jessica really that important for the team? She can't even do back-flips, like Annie!"
After the final try-out, Liz is at home, waiting for Jess to come home and tell her who got in. Jess just smiles slyly, but refuses to tell Liz anything. Really Liz, when Jess smiles like that, do you even doubt that she got her way as usual? Obviously, you're terribly naive too! It seemed totally contrived that so big a deal was made of Liz trying to get Jess to tell her, when it ought to be blatantly obvious to anybody who knows Jess, exactly what happened.
The chore of telling Annie that she didn't make it, is given to Ricky, the manager of the cheerleading squad, who just happens to be falling head over heels in love with Annie. She runs away from him after he tells her, and he chases her, wanting to give her any support she might need. Annie is devastated. She was so certain she'd get in, and knew she was the best person there, which the possible exception of Cara (even in her grief she's still fair! Oh, what a girl!). She pressures Ricky to tell her who voted against her, and why, and when he finally does (the poor guy! Imagine having to tell somebody you're in love with, that people think she's easy!), she cries out from the shock, and runs away.
Ricky gets really worried when Annie doesn't turn up for school the next couple of days, and finally skips the last lessons of a day to go to her place and check whether she's okay. The door is locked, but he intuitively knows that something is wrong, and breaks down the door, only to find her unconscious on the bathroom floor, with an empty bottle of pills in her hand. He rushes her to the hospital and calls Elizabeth (Elizabeth? Why HER?!) to tell her what happened. Elizabeth knows that this is Jessica's fault and is pissed. She drags Jessica along to the hospital, saying that even though Annie might not want her there, SHE does. Wow, never knew that Liz had a spine after all! What a time to show it.
At the hospital Ricky breaks down and cries over all the "cruel and heartless people" who caused Annie to do this. Jessica knows he's talking about her, and realizes that she deserves every word. For once Jessica actually gets to feel the consequences of her actions... if only she'd learn from them! Annie's mother arrives, crying over her 'kitten', and how this is all her fault, for not spending more time with Annie. How could she not even know that her daughter was so out of it? She breaks up with Creepy Johnny in order to spend more time with Annie. YAY for getting rid of Creepy Johnny, but I can't help but wonder what good he did in the first place. Introduce a character just for 1 page? Ah well.
The doctor comes out and tells them that Annie could be fine, but it is as if she has no will to live! Oh, the melodrama! Jessica approaches the doctor and tells him that it's all her fault, but that if it'll help Annie live, she can be on the cheerleading squad after all! Between the two of them, she and Ricky spend the entire night talking to Annie, explaining all that she has to live for, and finally Annie wakes up! Her first word being "Jessica". That would really bum me out if I were Ricky or her mother, but never mind.
After this near-death experience, Annie realizes that there's more to life than cheerleading, but that doesn't stop her from happily accepting the position as the 8th member of the squad and being touched to tears when the rest of the squad perform a cheer right outside her window: "Get well, Annie!"
No real B plot in this one, except the usual build up to book 11 - Suzanna coming to SV and one of the twins get to go to NY instead. Read the review to see what happens!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2025
This is Jessica at her most psychotic, and yet she is (of course) never called on it.
August 23, 2017
Moral of the story: cheerleading cures everything. Even crippling depression.
September 14, 2020
I expected it to be a typical SVH love oriented book but it dealt with real issues which I loved
Read
February 17, 2021This is not a cheerocracy, but attempted suicide might still help you get your way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2021
As someone who didn’t make their high school cheerleading team, I remember it being pretty traumatic. Maybe not THIS traumatic - but nonetheless.
August 30, 2021
I’m giving this one a 4.5. Heavy topic introduced in a world of light-heartedness. Sometimes that’s important.
January 15, 2022
Good series
January 12, 2018
Okay, setting aside the problems with calling a character "Easy Annie," can we get some clarity on what "easy" actually means? Because the extent of Annie's scandalous behavior seems to be going on lots of dates with guys and making out with them at Miller's Point. Are we supposed to be inferring that she's having sex with all of them? Except it's never suggested that she does, at least not based on Elizabeth's private interactions with her.
So if "easy" means going on lots of dates with guys and making out with them, you know who else is "easy"? JESSICA. Jessica is like the EASIEST person in the world by this definition. So it's pretty amazing that she has the gall to think Annie's going to be the one to ruin the cheerleaders' reputations. But, of course, she's Jessica, so there's no telling how low the bar will go.
And then after Annie
Also, why couldn't Elizabeth tell Todd or Enid that Jessica was conspiring against Annie? I can only assume it would have interfered with the plot, because otherwise there's no reason for her to keep it a secret.
Finally, shoutout to Ned and Alice Wakefield for literally the WORST parenting move:
Like COME ON you might as well just tell Jessica that she'll be going to New York, because you know if they decide to send Elizabeth (because she's actually the responsible one) Jessica's going to throw a fit until Elizabeth gives in and lets her go instead.
I mean, really. Dangling a trip to New York for one over two teenage girls' heads? What a dick move, Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield. Dick move.
So if "easy" means going on lots of dates with guys and making out with them, you know who else is "easy"? JESSICA. Jessica is like the EASIEST person in the world by this definition. So it's pretty amazing that she has the gall to think Annie's going to be the one to ruin the cheerleaders' reputations. But, of course, she's Jessica, so there's no telling how low the bar will go.
And then after Annie
Also, why couldn't Elizabeth tell Todd or Enid that Jessica was conspiring against Annie? I can only assume it would have interfered with the plot, because otherwise there's no reason for her to keep it a secret.
Finally, shoutout to Ned and Alice Wakefield for literally the WORST parenting move:
"While Suzanne Devlin is here with us, one of you will go to New York for the same two weeks," said Mrs. Wakefield...
"One of us?" Elizabeth asked.
"But which one?" Jessica asked.
"We're not going to decide that right now," Alice Wakefield said. "But either way, it should be fun. One of you will get to show Suzanne Devlin around Sweet Valley, and the other will see New York."
Like COME ON you might as well just tell Jessica that she'll be going to New York, because you know if they decide to send Elizabeth (because she's actually the responsible one) Jessica's going to throw a fit until Elizabeth gives in and lets her go instead.
I mean, really. Dangling a trip to New York for one over two teenage girls' heads? What a dick move, Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield. Dick move.
June 15, 2015
I definitely have never read this one before. It was pretty good, but nothing great. I feel like the only reason why Jessica has it out for Annie is because Annie is so similar to Jessica. Subconciously, Jessica probably feels threatened by Annie. Story of my life right now haha
Apparently Annie had no idea what people were saying behind her back, which I find hard to believe. There's gotta be jerks who call her "Easy Annie" to her face. I mean, there would be in a normal high school.
It kind of makes me sad that Annie's been going out with all these popular guys, mostly jerks who just want to get laid, when all she wants is a meaningful relationship. She's just going about life the wrong way.
Jessica gets off way too easily. She essentially bullies Annie (because yes, exclusion is now a form of bullying) and causes her to commit suicide. All Jessica has to do is sob and say that Annie is now on the cheerleading squad for everything to be put right again. Maybe I'm just petty, but if I were Annie, I would not be letting Jessica go so easily. Like jfc, what if Annie had actually died? This isn't the first time Jessica has potentially ruined someone's life, and we're only 10 books in! Yes, it always works out in the end, but just once I'd like to see it come crashing down around her and for shit to get real and her have to face some real consequences.
There was no real subplot in this one. Elizabeth works to help Annie get her grades up and comes to her own conclusions about Annie and her life. Omg Johnny, Annie's mother's boyfriend, was the creepiest guy ever. I would've loved to have seen more of him and Annie's homelife. You totes know that he creeps into her room at night and touches her.
Apparently Annie had no idea what people were saying behind her back, which I find hard to believe. There's gotta be jerks who call her "Easy Annie" to her face. I mean, there would be in a normal high school.
It kind of makes me sad that Annie's been going out with all these popular guys, mostly jerks who just want to get laid, when all she wants is a meaningful relationship. She's just going about life the wrong way.
Jessica gets off way too easily. She essentially bullies Annie (because yes, exclusion is now a form of bullying) and causes her to commit suicide. All Jessica has to do is sob and say that Annie is now on the cheerleading squad for everything to be put right again. Maybe I'm just petty, but if I were Annie, I would not be letting Jessica go so easily. Like jfc, what if Annie had actually died? This isn't the first time Jessica has potentially ruined someone's life, and we're only 10 books in! Yes, it always works out in the end, but just once I'd like to see it come crashing down around her and for shit to get real and her have to face some real consequences.
There was no real subplot in this one. Elizabeth works to help Annie get her grades up and comes to her own conclusions about Annie and her life. Omg Johnny, Annie's mother's boyfriend, was the creepiest guy ever. I would've loved to have seen more of him and Annie's homelife. You totes know that he creeps into her room at night and touches her.
September 25, 2018
This is pretty much the same plot as Power Play with some of the details changed. Oh and the ending is a lot more drama-filled.
A lot of times it's difficult to rate these books because on a literary level most of them would probably be 1-2 stars but if you read them like you'd watch a soap opera then they become more enjoyable. And I rate books based on how much I like them (as opposed to how "good" they are - while of course that can overlap there is a difference), so...
Also one thing that I've noticed that was especially prevalent here is the issue of sex (or the lack thereof) in Sweet Valley. Annie is called Easy Annie by her classmates, and she's known to go out with multiple guys in the same week, sometimes even the same night, but I'm not sure if we're supposed to think she's actually sleeping with all these guys or if she's only going on dates. I've noticed that comes up in other books too (...including some I haven't reread yet...) where it's implied that some of the characters are having sex but it's never outright stated. And it isn't even a fade to black kind of thing.
In general this is more of a SVH thing in general and not completely related to this book but I'm just mentioning it here because this is one of the more obvious examples of that.
(I've also noticed the same thing about drinking - like there's pretty much a party every other weekend yet the only time alcohol is mentioned is if a character has a bad reputation. Or at least that's how things have been so far)
A lot of times it's difficult to rate these books because on a literary level most of them would probably be 1-2 stars but if you read them like you'd watch a soap opera then they become more enjoyable. And I rate books based on how much I like them (as opposed to how "good" they are - while of course that can overlap there is a difference), so...
Also one thing that I've noticed that was especially prevalent here is the issue of sex (or the lack thereof) in Sweet Valley. Annie is called Easy Annie by her classmates, and she's known to go out with multiple guys in the same week, sometimes even the same night, but I'm not sure if we're supposed to think she's actually sleeping with all these guys or if she's only going on dates. I've noticed that comes up in other books too (...including some I haven't reread yet...) where it's implied that some of the characters are having sex but it's never outright stated. And it isn't even a fade to black kind of thing.
In general this is more of a SVH thing in general and not completely related to this book but I'm just mentioning it here because this is one of the more obvious examples of that.
(I've also noticed the same thing about drinking - like there's pretty much a party every other weekend yet the only time alcohol is mentioned is if a character has a bad reputation. Or at least that's how things have been so far)
May 18, 2022
I’m rereading Sweet Valley High as an adult and I can’t believe some of the stuff they play off. Jessica bullies a girl to the point of suicide and then…gets to be the hero for talking to her lifeless body for a while and then inventing a spot on the cheerleading squad for her? Plus I was embarrassed for that doctor- a 15yo girl od’s on pills and he’s like.. “well I guess all we can do now is get her a spot on the cheer squad. Hopefully that will drag her back from the light.” Did he fail out of medical school? Surely there were other avenues to success?!! And the whole reason Annie is bullied is because she dates a lot? Something Jessica is like proud of doing herself? This is worse than accusing Todd of attempted rape in Double Love. Jessica is a horrible person but every book closes out like…at least she makes amends she’s so silly!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2025
Cheesy entertainment at it's best. Good lord Jessica Wakefield is awful. We've had a fat shaming book now we have a slut shaming book. Annie Whitman longs to join the cheerleading squad. There are two spots open and she is determined to get one. Jessica is convinced that Annie called Easy Annie will bring down the reputation of the whole squad even though Jessica seems to be just as easy as Annie is from what I've read. When Annie proves to be the best one at the tryouts Jessica threatens to quit and of course gets her way even though I would totally call her bluff. It's quite a cheesy ridiculous read as only Sweet Valley can offer. There's even a scene where Annie's mother lights up a cigarette in a hospital. Oh how far we've come! This was fluffy ridiculous fun and I love it!
August 25, 2020
I personally find it extremely hypocritical of Jessica to criticize Annie for being “easy” when she herself is known for changing her interest in guys more often than she changes clothes, but I digress.
Annie and Ricky are cute together, and Annie seems so kind and innocent, cruel how her peers misinterpret her actions. It definitely took a dark turn in the third act but in typical Sweet Valley form, it ends happily. Probably one of the better known titles of the original series, I’d say give it a read if you’re interested in reading SVH.
Annie and Ricky are cute together, and Annie seems so kind and innocent, cruel how her peers misinterpret her actions. It definitely took a dark turn in the third act but in typical Sweet Valley form, it ends happily. Probably one of the better known titles of the original series, I’d say give it a read if you’re interested in reading SVH.
March 1, 2023
Teenage sociopath Jessica is at it again. This time slut shaming and bullying a 15 year old (why did no one else at sweet valley remind Jessica that she’s no prude, she goes out with a different guy every book?) until she tries to commit suicide. Not a light read, I truly hope the series ends with Jessica getting some karma.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2008
"wrong kind of girl" means that girl was a whore
June 12, 2008
another book that I was worried to read, cause it says WRONG KIND OF GIRL
now I just think she has the wrong kind of hairstyle
now I just think she has the wrong kind of hairstyle
May 21, 2019
Oh how much I absolutely despise Jessica, she is an awful character, don't think I have ever disliked a character as much as her ever!!
October 6, 2022
Wrong Kind of Girl
What Annie wants more than anything is to be one of the SVH cheerleaders. There are 2 slots open and she’s determined to get one of them. But not of Jessica Wakefield has anything to do with it.
Jessica is offended that “Easy Annie” has put down her name because even the slightest association with her will smear the oh-so-precious reputation of the SVH cheerleaders.
Liz tries to make Jessica see sense. She’s been tutoring her in math and sees that the reason she dates so many guys is she’s lonely. Her mother’s a drunk and her boyfriend is a perv. Getting on the squad would mean turning her life around, but Jessica isn’t hearing it.
Liz goes to Annie’s house to tutor her for the first time and listens (uncomfortably) while Annie tells her about how young her parents were when they had her (16 and 17). They were married but it didn’t last and now her mom has hooked up with this guy named Johnny. Annie defends her mom and says she just wish she had more time for her.
Liz wonders if she should tell Annie about her reputation. She just sees it as being popular with the boys and filling up the loneliness from not having her Mom around or a Dad present in substitution to having a lot of guy friends. Before she leaves Annie’s, mom comes home with the boyfriend. It’s awkward. Johnny is perving on Liz (and my guess is if Annie’s as attractive as the book says when the mom isn’t there he probably pervs on her too). Liz can’t get out of there quickly enough. (The mom is also slurring).
When Liz gets home Jessica is coaching Cara (her choice) through the cheers. Cara and Lila, we learn used to be on the team but got kicked off because of some prank they threw. Only Lila doesn’t want to come back.
At the first tryout, Annie blows their minds by doing a backflip (who only Maria can do). And she practically gets a standing ovation from all the onlookers and the cheerleaders themselves. Especially from Ricky (who’s over the cheerleaders). Sandra Beacon is the other girl there and she’s good but she’s clumsy.
Throughout the book, Ricky starts to become more and more attracted to Annie (she even gives him a kiss on the cheek when she finds out she’s made first cut). But then when questioned about it she says Ricky is “just a friend” and she continues to “date” Rick Andover. She even shows up at the Beach Disco with Bruce Patman and in a dance-off between her and Jessica, she wins! (Maybe not the smartest thing to do if your trying to get on someone’s squad is show them up).
Liz doesn’t want to tell Enid so she keeps her mouth shut. She doesn’t want to put Jessica “in a bad light” which YEEAH I think Enid and Todd both know Jessica is terrible! This someone makes Todd jump to the conclusion Liz is falling out of love with him
Jess is ready to pull out the big guns and she goes to (Heather?) and because Annie “dated” her brother and it didn’t go well she tells her she just needs her vote. She’s voting for Cara. Jeannie will vote for Sandra (her best friend). Now she just needs her to vote for Cara. Heather is reluctant but she says Cara has her vote. (Again, they all act like Jessica is the Illuminati).
On the day of tryouts, Cara has everyone’s vote but Sandra trips. Annie again is the Beyoncé of the tryouts. But Jessica tells the other cheerleaders if they vote Annie in, she’s out. Satisfied that she’s gotten her way again she goes home and teases Liz when she asks who made it. She tells her she’ll have to wait till the next day like everyone else to find out, but she drops that Cara did make it. And I’m surprised that Liz has to ask who made it considering she’s known Jessica for 16 years
Anyway, the next day Ricky slips Annie a note and she opens it and in shock finds out she was cut. (YES IVE BEEN THERE). She runs out to the football field (I seriously thought right then she was gonna try to jump off one of the bleachers). He finds her and when pressured about why she was cut he tells her about her reputation. (This could NOT have been easy!) Ricky is GUTTED when she runs off crying.
A few days go by and Annie doesn’t show up at school. Ricky gets a feeling and skips his last period class. When he barges into her apartment, he finds her on the floor unconscious with a bottle of pills in her hand. He rushes her to the hospital and calls Liz. Liz is furious with Jessica and drags her there even though Jessica says Annie won’t want her there (I know I sure the hell wouldn’t).
At the hospital, Ricky is beside himself and Jessica knows she’s to blame. Annie’s mother comes all upset and crying and blames herself for not spending time with her. She breaks up with Johnny and decides to give her attention to her neglected daughter (which she should have been doing all along.)
Jessica runs off upset when the doctors tell them Annie doesn’t want to seem to come back. Liz finds Jessica and Jessica realizes there is something she can do possibly. She tells the Doctor that maybe she can bring Annie back if she offers her a spot on the squad. She stays by Annie’s side for hours and talks to her and tells her how wrong she was and how they need her and will design a routine around her and Maria As we all know this does the trick.
Her first word is “Jessica” Not Ricky -who believed in her from the start and SAVED HER LIFE! Not her MOTHER! “Jessica” (shaking my head). Annie heals (slowly)and the cheerleaders do a cheer for her outside the window. Jessica and Ricky present her with an official cheerleader uniform.
My Thoughts: WOW! But did she have sex with these guys though? Going out with a lot of guys doesn’t make you “Easy”. If that’s the case shouldn’t they be calling Jessica? “Easy Jessie”? She’s dated the whole junior and senior male SVH population. Book after book after book after book we hear about some new guy that doesn’t even last to the next book and SHE doesn’t have a reputation.
Then it’s just funny that because Annie is a female, she’s “easy”. Bruce is (let’s face it hoe-ish) and no one calls him “Easy Brucey. Women in this school fall all over Bruce. You don’t hear them talking in the locker room like “Girl I had him.” “You too?”
And then this whole cheerleading thing leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Cheerleaders, Sororities, etc they’re all the same. I could relate to Annie because when I was in high school, I wanted to be a cheerleader. Only I wasn’t nearly as good as she was. Do you know what they did? Singled me out, and made me run laps till I was about to pass out. Someone had to point out I had health issues.
So while I know that there are probably good ones like the one’s who stuck up for Annie I just don’t have the best view of them. I didn’t try to commit suicide over it but it did leave me just as heartbroken. Then Jessica does this same thing books later in POWER PLAY when she tries to keep Robin Wilson out of the Phi Beta Alphas because she’s fat. If you don’t fit there little “mold” for any reason you can forget about it.
Jessica was HORRIBLE! Elizabeth was HORRIBLE! This kind of desperation should have been a warning sign and she KNEW what was gonna happen. But what did Elizabeth do? Keep her mouth shut. It’s not my business. But you say Annie’s your friend, right? You know how your twin is. You know she’s dead set to keep her off the squad. What if Annie’s suicide attempt would have been successful and Ricky hadn’t gotten there or Jessica’s words didn’t do anything? All those times you tutored her couldn’t you have told her “Annie, (and you could have done it tactfully and not just called her a whore to her face) *some* people may take it wrong that you date a lot of guys. And you know how people are at SVH. They might have some wrong ideas about you.” Annie would probably be like “What kind of wrong ideas Liz?” “Maybe that you do more than just *date* these guys. I think some of the cheerleaders may have heard that.” And leave it there.
If Annie *still* wanted to pursue it ok (she probably would have. Maybe she would have shrugged it off) BUT you did give her a clue and left her out there hanging.
Then Jessica and Mrs. Whitman were JUST ALIKE. I REALLY don’t have sympathy for anyone who waits until things have gotten to the point where the situation is dire and then comes with a sob story and tears and goes “Oh I should have done this” (out of guilt). Or say “Look I can fix this! I can make this better now!”. NO! You don’t wait until things have gotten that bad to fix things. This may work and it very well may not work.
Look at the people in your life and be what they need before it’s too late and either you can’t give them that anymore (because they’re gone) or they don’t want that from you after not getting it for so long.
Rating: 6 This one just makes me angry because it symbolizes how heartless and thoughtless people can be if you don’t fit “the image”. Yet how hypocritical it is to judge someone by certain standards when you display the same standards. Then the audacity to wait until it’s too late to want to be there for a person when you should have been there all along! Tomorrow just isn’t promised. I really felt bad for Annie. I wouldn’t have wanted *them* after all this had gone down. I would have turned Jessica’s offer flat down.
What Annie wants more than anything is to be one of the SVH cheerleaders. There are 2 slots open and she’s determined to get one of them. But not of Jessica Wakefield has anything to do with it.
Jessica is offended that “Easy Annie” has put down her name because even the slightest association with her will smear the oh-so-precious reputation of the SVH cheerleaders.
Liz tries to make Jessica see sense. She’s been tutoring her in math and sees that the reason she dates so many guys is she’s lonely. Her mother’s a drunk and her boyfriend is a perv. Getting on the squad would mean turning her life around, but Jessica isn’t hearing it.
Liz goes to Annie’s house to tutor her for the first time and listens (uncomfortably) while Annie tells her about how young her parents were when they had her (16 and 17). They were married but it didn’t last and now her mom has hooked up with this guy named Johnny. Annie defends her mom and says she just wish she had more time for her.
Liz wonders if she should tell Annie about her reputation. She just sees it as being popular with the boys and filling up the loneliness from not having her Mom around or a Dad present in substitution to having a lot of guy friends. Before she leaves Annie’s, mom comes home with the boyfriend. It’s awkward. Johnny is perving on Liz (and my guess is if Annie’s as attractive as the book says when the mom isn’t there he probably pervs on her too). Liz can’t get out of there quickly enough. (The mom is also slurring).
When Liz gets home Jessica is coaching Cara (her choice) through the cheers. Cara and Lila, we learn used to be on the team but got kicked off because of some prank they threw. Only Lila doesn’t want to come back.
At the first tryout, Annie blows their minds by doing a backflip (who only Maria can do). And she practically gets a standing ovation from all the onlookers and the cheerleaders themselves. Especially from Ricky (who’s over the cheerleaders). Sandra Beacon is the other girl there and she’s good but she’s clumsy.
Throughout the book, Ricky starts to become more and more attracted to Annie (she even gives him a kiss on the cheek when she finds out she’s made first cut). But then when questioned about it she says Ricky is “just a friend” and she continues to “date” Rick Andover. She even shows up at the Beach Disco with Bruce Patman and in a dance-off between her and Jessica, she wins! (Maybe not the smartest thing to do if your trying to get on someone’s squad is show them up).
Liz doesn’t want to tell Enid so she keeps her mouth shut. She doesn’t want to put Jessica “in a bad light” which YEEAH I think Enid and Todd both know Jessica is terrible! This someone makes Todd jump to the conclusion Liz is falling out of love with him
Jess is ready to pull out the big guns and she goes to (Heather?) and because Annie “dated” her brother and it didn’t go well she tells her she just needs her vote. She’s voting for Cara. Jeannie will vote for Sandra (her best friend). Now she just needs her to vote for Cara. Heather is reluctant but she says Cara has her vote. (Again, they all act like Jessica is the Illuminati).
On the day of tryouts, Cara has everyone’s vote but Sandra trips. Annie again is the Beyoncé of the tryouts. But Jessica tells the other cheerleaders if they vote Annie in, she’s out. Satisfied that she’s gotten her way again she goes home and teases Liz when she asks who made it. She tells her she’ll have to wait till the next day like everyone else to find out, but she drops that Cara did make it. And I’m surprised that Liz has to ask who made it considering she’s known Jessica for 16 years
Anyway, the next day Ricky slips Annie a note and she opens it and in shock finds out she was cut. (YES IVE BEEN THERE). She runs out to the football field (I seriously thought right then she was gonna try to jump off one of the bleachers). He finds her and when pressured about why she was cut he tells her about her reputation. (This could NOT have been easy!) Ricky is GUTTED when she runs off crying.
A few days go by and Annie doesn’t show up at school. Ricky gets a feeling and skips his last period class. When he barges into her apartment, he finds her on the floor unconscious with a bottle of pills in her hand. He rushes her to the hospital and calls Liz. Liz is furious with Jessica and drags her there even though Jessica says Annie won’t want her there (I know I sure the hell wouldn’t).
At the hospital, Ricky is beside himself and Jessica knows she’s to blame. Annie’s mother comes all upset and crying and blames herself for not spending time with her. She breaks up with Johnny and decides to give her attention to her neglected daughter (which she should have been doing all along.)
Jessica runs off upset when the doctors tell them Annie doesn’t want to seem to come back. Liz finds Jessica and Jessica realizes there is something she can do possibly. She tells the Doctor that maybe she can bring Annie back if she offers her a spot on the squad. She stays by Annie’s side for hours and talks to her and tells her how wrong she was and how they need her and will design a routine around her and Maria As we all know this does the trick.
Her first word is “Jessica” Not Ricky -who believed in her from the start and SAVED HER LIFE! Not her MOTHER! “Jessica” (shaking my head). Annie heals (slowly)and the cheerleaders do a cheer for her outside the window. Jessica and Ricky present her with an official cheerleader uniform.
My Thoughts: WOW! But did she have sex with these guys though? Going out with a lot of guys doesn’t make you “Easy”. If that’s the case shouldn’t they be calling Jessica? “Easy Jessie”? She’s dated the whole junior and senior male SVH population. Book after book after book after book we hear about some new guy that doesn’t even last to the next book and SHE doesn’t have a reputation.
Then it’s just funny that because Annie is a female, she’s “easy”. Bruce is (let’s face it hoe-ish) and no one calls him “Easy Brucey. Women in this school fall all over Bruce. You don’t hear them talking in the locker room like “Girl I had him.” “You too?”
And then this whole cheerleading thing leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Cheerleaders, Sororities, etc they’re all the same. I could relate to Annie because when I was in high school, I wanted to be a cheerleader. Only I wasn’t nearly as good as she was. Do you know what they did? Singled me out, and made me run laps till I was about to pass out. Someone had to point out I had health issues.
So while I know that there are probably good ones like the one’s who stuck up for Annie I just don’t have the best view of them. I didn’t try to commit suicide over it but it did leave me just as heartbroken. Then Jessica does this same thing books later in POWER PLAY when she tries to keep Robin Wilson out of the Phi Beta Alphas because she’s fat. If you don’t fit there little “mold” for any reason you can forget about it.
Jessica was HORRIBLE! Elizabeth was HORRIBLE! This kind of desperation should have been a warning sign and she KNEW what was gonna happen. But what did Elizabeth do? Keep her mouth shut. It’s not my business. But you say Annie’s your friend, right? You know how your twin is. You know she’s dead set to keep her off the squad. What if Annie’s suicide attempt would have been successful and Ricky hadn’t gotten there or Jessica’s words didn’t do anything? All those times you tutored her couldn’t you have told her “Annie, (and you could have done it tactfully and not just called her a whore to her face) *some* people may take it wrong that you date a lot of guys. And you know how people are at SVH. They might have some wrong ideas about you.” Annie would probably be like “What kind of wrong ideas Liz?” “Maybe that you do more than just *date* these guys. I think some of the cheerleaders may have heard that.” And leave it there.
If Annie *still* wanted to pursue it ok (she probably would have. Maybe she would have shrugged it off) BUT you did give her a clue and left her out there hanging.
Then Jessica and Mrs. Whitman were JUST ALIKE. I REALLY don’t have sympathy for anyone who waits until things have gotten to the point where the situation is dire and then comes with a sob story and tears and goes “Oh I should have done this” (out of guilt). Or say “Look I can fix this! I can make this better now!”. NO! You don’t wait until things have gotten that bad to fix things. This may work and it very well may not work.
Look at the people in your life and be what they need before it’s too late and either you can’t give them that anymore (because they’re gone) or they don’t want that from you after not getting it for so long.
Rating: 6 This one just makes me angry because it symbolizes how heartless and thoughtless people can be if you don’t fit “the image”. Yet how hypocritical it is to judge someone by certain standards when you display the same standards. Then the audacity to wait until it’s too late to want to be there for a person when you should have been there all along! Tomorrow just isn’t promised. I really felt bad for Annie. I wouldn’t have wanted *them* after all this had gone down. I would have turned Jessica’s offer flat down.
October 16, 2023
For multiple reasons, I needed something easy and quick and brainless to read today. And this delivered on all three, which is both good and sad.
I'd kind of given up on my reread of this series, because I was realizing that unlike The Baby-sitters Club, I have a much harder time looking past the terrible writing and over-dramatic nature of things in these books. But I'd just read a BSC book and I wanted essentially a popcorn movie in book form, so I thought I'd pick SVH back up. (I did skip book 9, Racing Hearts, because I don't give a damn about Lila.) And LOL yeah, these still mostly suck.
For one thing, the full name thing that I always hate is so prominent in these books. Annie Whitman is the main side character, so her name is mentioned probably at least 200 times, and yet we constantly and randomly get her last name. WHY. But okay, that's not the worst crime an author can commit. (It's like, the fourth worst.) Mainly I was so confused as to why Jessica, who is hardly a prude and definitely no stranger to the concept of dating a different boy every few days, was so snotty and nasty toward Annie for doing the same. I mean...yeah, a 15 year old going out with a different guy every night is maybe not the best thing (nor a 16 year old, Jess!) and it's not clear if Annie is sleeping with these guys or what, but Jessica's hypocrisy was kind of ridiculous.
And while we are given glimpses of Annie having some issues in her life that might be causing emotional turmoil, it's barely delved into and she doesn't seem all that fussed about it...so then what she ends up doing near the end of the book was so over the top. I just think this could have been written in a way that we see Annie really struggling because of her mom's drinking and shitty live-in boyfriend, so that she was already kind of on the precipice when she finds out she didn't make the cheerleading squad and she gets pushed over the edge. As it is, it just felt hard to believe.
I did appreciate that Jessica recognizes her part in what happens to Annie and that she feels awful about it...but at the same time, it's another redemption moment where she gets to act like a total jerk the whole book and then be a decent person for a few pages and we're supposed to forgive her. Ah well...it's not like I expect anything better than mediocre out of these books, and it did serve its limited purpose.
I'd kind of given up on my reread of this series, because I was realizing that unlike The Baby-sitters Club, I have a much harder time looking past the terrible writing and over-dramatic nature of things in these books. But I'd just read a BSC book and I wanted essentially a popcorn movie in book form, so I thought I'd pick SVH back up. (I did skip book 9, Racing Hearts, because I don't give a damn about Lila.) And LOL yeah, these still mostly suck.
For one thing, the full name thing that I always hate is so prominent in these books. Annie Whitman is the main side character, so her name is mentioned probably at least 200 times, and yet we constantly and randomly get her last name. WHY. But okay, that's not the worst crime an author can commit. (It's like, the fourth worst.) Mainly I was so confused as to why Jessica, who is hardly a prude and definitely no stranger to the concept of dating a different boy every few days, was so snotty and nasty toward Annie for doing the same. I mean...yeah, a 15 year old going out with a different guy every night is maybe not the best thing (nor a 16 year old, Jess!) and it's not clear if Annie is sleeping with these guys or what, but Jessica's hypocrisy was kind of ridiculous.
And while we are given glimpses of Annie having some issues in her life that might be causing emotional turmoil, it's barely delved into and she doesn't seem all that fussed about it...so then what she ends up doing near the end of the book was so over the top. I just think this could have been written in a way that we see Annie really struggling because of her mom's drinking and shitty live-in boyfriend, so that she was already kind of on the precipice when she finds out she didn't make the cheerleading squad and she gets pushed over the edge. As it is, it just felt hard to believe.
I did appreciate that Jessica recognizes her part in what happens to Annie and that she feels awful about it...but at the same time, it's another redemption moment where she gets to act like a total jerk the whole book and then be a decent person for a few pages and we're supposed to forgive her. Ah well...it's not like I expect anything better than mediocre out of these books, and it did serve its limited purpose.
June 18, 2019
Title: Wrong Kind of Girl
Author: Francine Pascal, Kate William
Series: Sweet Valley High, 10
Format: ebook, bind-up
Length: N/A
Rating: 3 stars
Synopsis: She’s the wrong kind of girl…
Jessica Wakefield knows that “Easy Annie” is bad for the Sweet Valley High cheering squad. Annie Whitman may have the looks, talent, and spirit to be a cheerleader, but she also has the worst reputation in school. She goes out with a different boy every night, and Jessica isn’t about to sully her squad’s image by letting Annie on the team.
But Elizabeth, Jessica’s twin, knows that there is more to Annie than just her reputation. But can she change her sister’s mind before Jessica shatters Annie’s dreams?
Favourite character: Ricky
Least favourite character: Jessica
Mini-review: And yet again Jessica Wakefield proves what a terrible human being (fictional character) she is. I felt so bad for both Annie and Helen in their own ways throughout this book.
I wish, though, that Elizabeth would stop defending Jessica. She's a complete doormat when it concerns her twin. It's annoying.
Fan Cast:
Elizabeth Wakefield/Jessica Wakefield - Lili Reinhart
Annie Whitman - Bailee Madison
Ricky Capaldo - Tony Revolori
Cara Walker - Sofia Carson
Helen Bradley - Reign Edwards
Robin Wilson - Ariel Winter
Jean West - Ana Golja
Maria Santelli - Francesca Reale
Sandra Bacon - McKaley Miller
Mr. Collins - Armie Hammer
Todd Wilkins - Blake Michael
Enid Rollins - Joey King
Mona Whitman - Abigail Spencer
Bruce Patman - Gregg Sulkin
Steven Wakefield - Timothée Chalamet
Alice Wakefield - Laura Dern
Ned Wakefield - Patrick Warburton
Author: Francine Pascal, Kate William
Series: Sweet Valley High, 10
Format: ebook, bind-up
Length: N/A
Rating: 3 stars
Synopsis: She’s the wrong kind of girl…
Jessica Wakefield knows that “Easy Annie” is bad for the Sweet Valley High cheering squad. Annie Whitman may have the looks, talent, and spirit to be a cheerleader, but she also has the worst reputation in school. She goes out with a different boy every night, and Jessica isn’t about to sully her squad’s image by letting Annie on the team.
But Elizabeth, Jessica’s twin, knows that there is more to Annie than just her reputation. But can she change her sister’s mind before Jessica shatters Annie’s dreams?
Favourite character: Ricky
Least favourite character: Jessica
Mini-review: And yet again Jessica Wakefield proves what a terrible human being (fictional character) she is. I felt so bad for both Annie and Helen in their own ways throughout this book.
I wish, though, that Elizabeth would stop defending Jessica. She's a complete doormat when it concerns her twin. It's annoying.
Fan Cast:
Elizabeth Wakefield/Jessica Wakefield - Lili Reinhart
Annie Whitman - Bailee Madison
Ricky Capaldo - Tony Revolori
Cara Walker - Sofia Carson
Helen Bradley - Reign Edwards
Robin Wilson - Ariel Winter
Jean West - Ana Golja
Maria Santelli - Francesca Reale
Sandra Bacon - McKaley Miller
Mr. Collins - Armie Hammer
Todd Wilkins - Blake Michael
Enid Rollins - Joey King
Mona Whitman - Abigail Spencer
Bruce Patman - Gregg Sulkin
Steven Wakefield - Timothée Chalamet
Alice Wakefield - Laura Dern
Ned Wakefield - Patrick Warburton
December 19, 2024
This is an odd one in that it's very serious...until the ending. I got properly involved in this one. Granted, there was a lot of stereotyping taken straight out of 80s pop psychology. Still, it did the Mean Girls thing way early and had the guts to shock us all with an attempted suicide. Jessica finally learned her sociopathic behaviour can lead to serious consequences. She had a genuine moment of reflection there...though I'm not so sure her threat to kill herself if Annie didn't pull through was exactly helpful or in good taste....
And then, in the end, the way to wake someone from a coma is to promise they're on the cheerleading squad. Matter of fact, her first words upon waking won't be to ask for water but to ask, 'Jessica, were you serious? I'm on the squad?' Not only that, but overdosing on pills will also cause your mother to immediately drop her user boyfriend, stop drinking, and prove that she's cleaned up literally overnight by dressing in a business suit!!!
Four well-earned stars, for being sincerely emotional and then sincerely hilarious. Either way, I was in tears!
And then, in the end, the way to wake someone from a coma is to promise they're on the cheerleading squad. Matter of fact, her first words upon waking won't be to ask for water but to ask, 'Jessica, were you serious? I'm on the squad?' Not only that, but overdosing on pills will also cause your mother to immediately drop her user boyfriend, stop drinking, and prove that she's cleaned up literally overnight by dressing in a business suit!!!
Four well-earned stars, for being sincerely emotional and then sincerely hilarious. Either way, I was in tears!
July 8, 2025
So now we’re bullying and slut shaming girls for being popular with boys (calling her “Easy Annie,” I mean really?!) — and that apparently makes you unworthy of making the cheerleading squad despite being the most talented. Jessica wants to keep the squad “clean.” 🙄
Clearly Jessica has learned nothing from book #4 “Power Play” where she blackballed Robin from joining her sorority because she was overweight. She previously drove Robin into starving herself and now Annie into taking pills in a suicide attempt.
Jessica is the effing WORST! And Elizabeth is getting on my damn nerves for constantly defending her and cleaning up her messes. I don’t care if she’s your twin sister, she sucks and she’s awful. Codependency much?
I would say this is another trigger warning for anyone who has had suicidal ideation or similar bullying in childhood.
Clearly Jessica has learned nothing from book #4 “Power Play” where she blackballed Robin from joining her sorority because she was overweight. She previously drove Robin into starving herself and now Annie into taking pills in a suicide attempt.
Jessica is the effing WORST! And Elizabeth is getting on my damn nerves for constantly defending her and cleaning up her messes. I don’t care if she’s your twin sister, she sucks and she’s awful. Codependency much?
I would say this is another trigger warning for anyone who has had suicidal ideation or similar bullying in childhood.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2024
Wow, Francine Pascal's "Sweet Valley High" series reads a whole 'nother way 20 years later. Talk about a series that is written to make teenage girls think they need to be "All American" in the blond-hair, blue-eye, slender, athletic, wealthy way in order to fit into the high school scene. Very glad that when I was reading this series as a pre-teen/teen, I only vaguely let it sway my self-assessments.
On the one hand, it's good that Pascal attempted to address teen suicide before the 2020s' focus on mental health. On the other hand, the way it's written kind of makes it seem like something that happens because of female-specific, teen angst. Would've been nice to see it explored more in depth, perhaps with some parental/grown-up guidance and attention.
On the one hand, it's good that Pascal attempted to address teen suicide before the 2020s' focus on mental health. On the other hand, the way it's written kind of makes it seem like something that happens because of female-specific, teen angst. Would've been nice to see it explored more in depth, perhaps with some parental/grown-up guidance and attention.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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