Hands Off!

Sweet Valley Jr. High #15

by Francine Pascal (Creator), Jamie Suzanne

Elizabeth knows they're plotting something.

It's so obvious.

Jessica barely even talked to Salvador before, and now she calls him all the time. To discuss Elizabeth's love life!

I know they're jealous, but I wish they'd give it up.

Because I really really like this guy.

Genres: Childrens, Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 7, 2000

About the author

Francine Paula Pascal was an American author best known for her Sweet Valley series of young adult novels. Sweet Valley High, the backbone of the collection, was made into a television series, which led to several spin-offs, including The Unicorn Club and Sweet Valley University. Although most of these books were published in the 1980s and 1990s, they remained so popular that several titles were re-released decades later.

Reviews

[Cristela T · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I guess I really am rereading all of these books. This one was one of my least favourites as a pre-teen, and it's been my least favourite since rereading the books so far. Elizabeth acts very out of character for most of the book, which sure, she is a 13-year-old girl dealing with crushes, boys, jealousy and emotions, so I'll give her a pass for that. But the whole thing with Richard just felt over the top, especially considering they only went out for a week. Were week-old relationships such a big deal when I was 13? I don't think they were. The whole Salvador and Jessica being obsessed with 14-year-old Richard being a player with no possibility of redemption was also a little extra. What I like about this series is that it feels real, but this one didn't or at least not fully. Anyway, Lacey, Missy and Penelope were the saving grace. If Goodreads allowed half ratings, I would give this book 2.5 stars, but I'm rounding it to 3 because I did like the Lacey-Missy-Penelope arch a lot. Clearly, no one else remembers this side of the Wakefield Twins Universe or no one else liked it as much as I did. Once I'm done with this, I'll revisit Sweet Valley Senior Year, University and some of Sweet Valley High.

[Dove Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a bit of a disappointing run, this book is back on form.

First of all, Lacey Frells, a character I absolutely loathe (any sympathy her situation should generate is wiped away by the toxicity that she spreads just by existing), gets her just desserts - #MissyIsOurGodNow

Second of all, we’re back to silly emotional drama. Elizabeth is just as determined as she has been in all other iterations of this franchise, but far more relatable. She’s not pig-headed because she’s right and the world will bend to her whims (Twins/High!Liz), she’s deliberately ignoring all the signs because she knows she’s wrong and doesn’t want to be because it would hurt.

Add in some whimsical (yet not dangerous) Jessica scheming and some friendship between her and Salvador and we’re on to a winner.

I was worried that the last few books were pulling us into a nosedive, but we seem to have levelled off and are back on form. Which is great, because by this point in the Unicorn Club, we had started off well, but were back to silly bitching and back-biting for no reason and the series never recovered.

I am determined to read this entire series in the next two weeks before I go back to work!

[Winna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reread this yesterday.

[Sheila Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember the cover just not the story.

[Sarini]

can we open this book on goodreads and if so how? thanks