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Sweet Valley High #36
Last Chance
The final test...
Dropout Johanna Porter knows that the students at Sweet Valley High are shocked to see her back in classes. She's never done well in school. Now, with everyone talking about her behind her back, she's finding it practically impossible to succeed. But Johanna's determined to stick with it.
Peter DeHaven is one of the reasons Johanna wants to stay. She's always had a crush on him, and she thinks he likes her, too. When Peter's girlfriend, Amy, is away for the weekend, Peter and Johanna go out and have a great time. But when she sees Peter at school, he ignores her. Is Peter like all the others who think Johanna's just a failure? Can she prove once and for all that she can make it at Sweet Valley High?
Dropout Johanna Porter knows that the students at Sweet Valley High are shocked to see her back in classes. She's never done well in school. Now, with everyone talking about her behind her back, she's finding it practically impossible to succeed. But Johanna's determined to stick with it.
Peter DeHaven is one of the reasons Johanna wants to stay. She's always had a crush on him, and she thinks he likes her, too. When Peter's girlfriend, Amy, is away for the weekend, Peter and Johanna go out and have a great time. But when she sees Peter at school, he ignores her. Is Peter like all the others who think Johanna's just a failure? Can she prove once and for all that she can make it at Sweet Valley High?
136 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
33 people are currently reading
399 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 13, 2018
Not me favorite book. It reminded me why I was really starting to dislike Amy. She is such a gossip brat! And can Jessica ever keep her word to keep her mouth shut (or will Elizabeth realize it's a waste of breath to try to keep a secret with her sister)? I did like Johanna and am glad to see she was able to start coming into her own. I was annoyed how her family didn't really seem to try to understand her better after she dropped out. Her sister obviously cares for her but doesn't seem to encourage or stand up for her. Jessica's drama with Cara and Steven was almost eyeroll worthy. Maybe its because I just don't get those two together though. BUt still, knowing Jessica they should have known better a lot sooner.
August 10, 2024
This was a decent enough story. Elizabeth always finds herself everyone else's confidant. While Jessica decides to meddle in her best friend, Cara and her brother, Steven's relationship.
I like that Johanna stood up for herself but wish Jessica had been forced to admit she was out of line.
I like that Johanna stood up for herself but wish Jessica had been forced to admit she was out of line.
August 2, 2020
I finished this this morning. I liked this book but it was just to bland of a story for me to give a four star. I know that some people might like this book, but I am more into the writing that has lots of drama and ends nicely. Not that this one didn't it just didn't end the way I expected it to end. I think another one of my problems was that this series was recommended by someone to me as a "Great little story". So I had SUPER high expectations.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 11 and up. Although check the parent note for warnings.
PARENT NOTE: This book does talk about losing weight to fit into a dress on the second page.
CLEAN: Yes.
VIOLENCE: None.
SWEARING: A few words if any.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 11 and up. Although check the parent note for warnings.
PARENT NOTE: This book does talk about losing weight to fit into a dress on the second page.
CLEAN: Yes.
VIOLENCE: None.
SWEARING: A few words if any.
August 18, 2021
Remember that cute but self-absorbed boy you had a crush on in high school who just blathered incessantly about himself without asking how YOU were doing? His name is Peter DeHaven and he's a COMPLETE TOOL.
Johanna (a former high school drop out who has decided to come back to Sweet Valley HS) spends most of the book pining away for Peter and suffering through his bouts of verbal diarrhea but finally comes to her senses in the last chapter. He whines at the end, "I messed everything up, didn't i?" UMM DUHH, you narcissistic buffoon. Now go find someone else to talk at.
LOVE that there's no happily ever after for these two. Johanna rides into the sunset with her bad ass self, intent on finishing high school and perhaps becoming a computer programmer after college. The end.
P.S. Amy Sutton is a vapid, insecure asshat who does not want you looking at her boyfriend, okay?
Also Elizabeth, haven't you learned by now?Never trust your psychopath sister Jessica with a secret, ever.
Johanna (a former high school drop out who has decided to come back to Sweet Valley HS) spends most of the book pining away for Peter and suffering through his bouts of verbal diarrhea but finally comes to her senses in the last chapter. He whines at the end, "I messed everything up, didn't i?" UMM DUHH, you narcissistic buffoon. Now go find someone else to talk at.
LOVE that there's no happily ever after for these two. Johanna rides into the sunset with her bad ass self, intent on finishing high school and perhaps becoming a computer programmer after college. The end.
P.S. Amy Sutton is a vapid, insecure asshat who does not want you looking at her boyfriend, okay?
Also Elizabeth, haven't you learned by now?Never trust your psychopath sister Jessica with a secret, ever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2023
And the (spoiler-y) moral of the story is: never fall for a guy who has both intimacy issues and poor character, because he will do anything to weasel out of being with you and you will only end up hurt. (Seriously, fuck Peter DeHaven.) Focus instead on becoming a super cool and independent STEM chick! Which is actually quite good advice, SVH, well done.
December 20, 2011
Johanna Porter is a high school drop-out who has spent her time working various jobs including being a waitress. However, after the death of her mother, she comes across her mother's journal in the attic and is devastated to read about her mother's views on her dropping out of school and so vows to go back.
Johanna found it difficult to be back as a member of the student body since everyone's talking about her and labeling her as a drop-out. She also has to come to terms with her long-time crush Peter DeHaven--a brilliant science student who is considered to be one of the brainiest guys in school, and who's surprisingly dating superficial cheerleader Amy. She finds solace in Elizabeth and confides in her that she and Peter are secretly seeing each other but is hurt when she thinks that Liz has betrayed her after Amy finds out.
Angry and disappointed when Peter scrawls a note stating that they shouldn't see each other anymore, Johanna finds that this is the final straw and drops out of school for good. Elizabeth tells Peter what has happened and he is torn about what to do, on the one hand he deeply cares for Johanna yet, on the other, he is too scared to let these feelings show. Will Peter be able to persuade Johanna to return or is she destined to feel like a failure forever?
A great book on dealing with one's insecurities and finding acceptance with one's peers and family members.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title: Last Chance (Sweet Valley High, #36)
Author: Francine Pascal
Reviewed By: Purplycookie
Johanna found it difficult to be back as a member of the student body since everyone's talking about her and labeling her as a drop-out. She also has to come to terms with her long-time crush Peter DeHaven--a brilliant science student who is considered to be one of the brainiest guys in school, and who's surprisingly dating superficial cheerleader Amy. She finds solace in Elizabeth and confides in her that she and Peter are secretly seeing each other but is hurt when she thinks that Liz has betrayed her after Amy finds out.
Angry and disappointed when Peter scrawls a note stating that they shouldn't see each other anymore, Johanna finds that this is the final straw and drops out of school for good. Elizabeth tells Peter what has happened and he is torn about what to do, on the one hand he deeply cares for Johanna yet, on the other, he is too scared to let these feelings show. Will Peter be able to persuade Johanna to return or is she destined to feel like a failure forever?
A great book on dealing with one's insecurities and finding acceptance with one's peers and family members.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title: Last Chance (Sweet Valley High, #36)
Author: Francine Pascal
Reviewed By: Purplycookie
March 27, 2019
This one is pretty dull.
Johanna gets treated like crap by the awful Peter DeHaven, she seriously needs to get a grip as tell him he’s a jerk. She’s finally back in school and doing well, she deserves to have some self confidence and him messing her around is not cool. Boo hiss Peter.
Jess is her usual scheming self and sets about breaking up Cara and Steven, basically because she’s bored. #typicaljess 😂😂 she’s awful but I love how much of a psycho she is!
Nothing of great importance happens other than Amy and Peter breaking up which paved the way for the next few books and the utter devastation that lies ahead...
Johanna gets treated like crap by the awful Peter DeHaven, she seriously needs to get a grip as tell him he’s a jerk. She’s finally back in school and doing well, she deserves to have some self confidence and him messing her around is not cool. Boo hiss Peter.
Jess is her usual scheming self and sets about breaking up Cara and Steven, basically because she’s bored. #typicaljess 😂😂 she’s awful but I love how much of a psycho she is!
Nothing of great importance happens other than Amy and Peter breaking up which paved the way for the next few books and the utter devastation that lies ahead...
April 25, 2016
Source: I read this book online via Open Library.
Cost: Free
Title: Last Chance
Series: Sweet Valley High #36
Author: Francine Pascal // Kate William
Overall Rating: 3 stars
Beauty School Drop Out was in my head the whole time I read this book. So basically, Johanna dropped out of school to work, her mother died and in her diary she said how disappointed she was that Johanna did this, so she goes back. (Can you do that? Also what age can you drop out of high school in America?) But everyone just remembers her as the girl who dropped out. But Peter doesn't. Peter who has a girlfriend but also feels deeply for Johanna. When his girlfriend, Amy, finds out, Peter dumps Johanna and she leaves once and for all. Will he bring her back?
Firstly, I thought she was doing this for her mum? Why would she drop out because of a boy, I don't know. Particularly, a boy who is an absolute sleezeball and cheats on his girlfriend with you. I don't understand this universe. If I was his girlfriend, he would've been dropped quicker than a brick.
Cost: Free
Title: Last Chance
Series: Sweet Valley High #36
Author: Francine Pascal // Kate William
Overall Rating: 3 stars
Beauty School Drop Out was in my head the whole time I read this book. So basically, Johanna dropped out of school to work, her mother died and in her diary she said how disappointed she was that Johanna did this, so she goes back. (Can you do that? Also what age can you drop out of high school in America?) But everyone just remembers her as the girl who dropped out. But Peter doesn't. Peter who has a girlfriend but also feels deeply for Johanna. When his girlfriend, Amy, finds out, Peter dumps Johanna and she leaves once and for all. Will he bring her back?
Firstly, I thought she was doing this for her mum? Why would she drop out because of a boy, I don't know. Particularly, a boy who is an absolute sleezeball and cheats on his girlfriend with you. I don't understand this universe. If I was his girlfriend, he would've been dropped quicker than a brick.
October 5, 2019
Johanna (the sister of a barely mentioned classmate-- love how this series can just jump around to brand new characters whenever- was always something I liked when I read these as a 4th-5th grader, too) is the poster girl for low self esteem and a "high school dropout"--labels, especially negative ones, were so big in the 80s. Her friends and family don't help matters much, as they act like her working at a restaurant instead of flunking out of SVH makes her some sort of contagious beast of a cautionary tale. Even when she comes back, everyone treats her like garbage. As we're repeatedly reminded, though, Johanna is beautiful, so she will be fine. The subplot in this one is another "Jessica is THE WORST", as she totally arbitrarily decides she needs to break up her brother and Cara. Because....nothing, there's no because. But she's nasty about it and almost succeeds and GETS CAUGHT and somehow this girl still isn't universally despised by her family- shit, by the whole town. I liked this one more than a lot of the SVH.
October 24, 2010
I am an addict of this series and these characters and I think my childhood was all the better for it.
May 28, 2019
Last Chance
PLOT: Johanna Porter after dropping out of school because she didn’t feel she belonged there (and did poorly) decides after her mother’s death (when she finds an old diary of hers) to enroll again. Even though her mother supported her decision, she sacrificed and hide her own feelings of wishing Johanna would go back to school. (Her death was caused by a drunk driver who ran her off the road). She knew it wouldn’t be easy. But she’s determined. One advantage of being back is Peter DeHaven, the guy she used to have a crush on (and that she was friendly with) asks her out. Despite the fact that he has a girlfriend (Amy Sutton). Who nobody knows what to make of this match as Amy’s pretty shallow and Peter is an over-achiever with a big ego. Everyone tries to warn Johanna that Peter is self-absorbed, but she doesn’t listen. Peter is a GOD as far as Johanna is concerned. After they meet up with a friend of his to discuss a prestigious science fair coming up for seniors, he takes Johanna to a canyon and kisses her. Then gives her the impression that he’s going to call it off with Amy. But after this big dance coming up. We also find out Johanna is extremely gifted in math and science. But no one knows this and because she dropped out the kids at Sweet Valley High talk about her behind her back and call her dumb. Peter even tho he “claims” he has feelings for her and is falling for her never speaks up for her when people tease her and goes out of his way to snub her. Of course, Elizabeth has to be a part of the equation so she’s tutoring Johanna in English. Even after she makes the highest score on a chemistry test, the teasing from the other kids is just too much for her so she quits and goes back to her waitressing job at the Whistle Stop. Peter knows he doesn’t really like Amy. He’s just with her because she’s easier than investing any *real* feelings. But when he decides to try to tell Johanna how he feels she’s fed up with him by this point and tells him to kick rocks. Johanna and her father end up having a heart to heart talk and he tells her that she has to do what’s best for *her* (not her mother) and that he supports and loves her even if she isn’t musically gifted. She’s gifted in science. Basically, she’s enough. So she goes back to school and makes friends and develops a life of her own. Peter tries again to get close to her, but she brushes him off and tells him she’s much to busy now. GO HEAD JOHANNA!
My Thoughts: As I was reading this I was thinking when did Peter DeHaven get to be such hot shit? Wasn’t NOBODY checking for him in SVT! This is what I remember. There was a campaign for class (treasure?). I think it was against Jessica, Elizabeth, and him. Peter who? I think Elizabeth for some reason dropped out and she tried to help him win against Jessica. I think she gave him a make-over. Maybe she NEVER should have done that! Everything went downhill from there. He went from the invisible man to the egotistical asshole. At first, I thought he was an ass because he was checking on Amy with Johanna. Although can we really feel bad that Amy got cheated on, seeing as she tried to have sex with Bruce at a party with Regina feet away in a pool house? And eventually, lead her to commit suicide. I can not STAND woman who do this bs! But then they try to make him less of an ass by playing the sympathy card. I really do like her, I’m just *scared* of my feelings. BOO FREAKING HOO! If this ain’t some BS! And the messed-up thing is there are SO MANY damn *Peters*. They can have a good woman like Johanna that’s beautiful and intelligent and they fool around with the easy one, because it’s easy. Then they can even *know* the one they ought to be with, and when it’s too late they want to *explain*. Explain WHAT? That you too much of a coward to be upfront about your feelings. What is up with these WEAK, ASS, GUYS, that can’t formulate thoughts into words. It is *not* that hard! But apparently, for most guys emotions are too much to handle when it comes to telling the woman you're in love with you want her until she doesn’t want anything to do with you anymore. Johanna waited WAAAAY too long to send this clown on his way! I REALLY liked the end! I dated a guy like Peter that was feeling himself so much that I practically fell asleep on the phone because he could go ON and ON and ON and ON about himself. It was ALL about him! Johanna basically did a Beyoncé on Peter’s butt without the ring. I just wish she’d have seen him for what he was sooner. She probably shouldn’t have even accepted the date. Although in her defense, it probably did feel just a little good to get the guy you want away from their girlfriend. But Peter just wasn’t worth it! I’ve read some sorry SVH characters but I think by FAR he’s the sorriest I’ve read so far because I can’t even by his sincerity at the end of the book when he breaks up with Amy and tries to date her.
Rating: 8
PLOT: Johanna Porter after dropping out of school because she didn’t feel she belonged there (and did poorly) decides after her mother’s death (when she finds an old diary of hers) to enroll again. Even though her mother supported her decision, she sacrificed and hide her own feelings of wishing Johanna would go back to school. (Her death was caused by a drunk driver who ran her off the road). She knew it wouldn’t be easy. But she’s determined. One advantage of being back is Peter DeHaven, the guy she used to have a crush on (and that she was friendly with) asks her out. Despite the fact that he has a girlfriend (Amy Sutton). Who nobody knows what to make of this match as Amy’s pretty shallow and Peter is an over-achiever with a big ego. Everyone tries to warn Johanna that Peter is self-absorbed, but she doesn’t listen. Peter is a GOD as far as Johanna is concerned. After they meet up with a friend of his to discuss a prestigious science fair coming up for seniors, he takes Johanna to a canyon and kisses her. Then gives her the impression that he’s going to call it off with Amy. But after this big dance coming up. We also find out Johanna is extremely gifted in math and science. But no one knows this and because she dropped out the kids at Sweet Valley High talk about her behind her back and call her dumb. Peter even tho he “claims” he has feelings for her and is falling for her never speaks up for her when people tease her and goes out of his way to snub her. Of course, Elizabeth has to be a part of the equation so she’s tutoring Johanna in English. Even after she makes the highest score on a chemistry test, the teasing from the other kids is just too much for her so she quits and goes back to her waitressing job at the Whistle Stop. Peter knows he doesn’t really like Amy. He’s just with her because she’s easier than investing any *real* feelings. But when he decides to try to tell Johanna how he feels she’s fed up with him by this point and tells him to kick rocks. Johanna and her father end up having a heart to heart talk and he tells her that she has to do what’s best for *her* (not her mother) and that he supports and loves her even if she isn’t musically gifted. She’s gifted in science. Basically, she’s enough. So she goes back to school and makes friends and develops a life of her own. Peter tries again to get close to her, but she brushes him off and tells him she’s much to busy now. GO HEAD JOHANNA!
My Thoughts: As I was reading this I was thinking when did Peter DeHaven get to be such hot shit? Wasn’t NOBODY checking for him in SVT! This is what I remember. There was a campaign for class (treasure?). I think it was against Jessica, Elizabeth, and him. Peter who? I think Elizabeth for some reason dropped out and she tried to help him win against Jessica. I think she gave him a make-over. Maybe she NEVER should have done that! Everything went downhill from there. He went from the invisible man to the egotistical asshole. At first, I thought he was an ass because he was checking on Amy with Johanna. Although can we really feel bad that Amy got cheated on, seeing as she tried to have sex with Bruce at a party with Regina feet away in a pool house? And eventually, lead her to commit suicide. I can not STAND woman who do this bs! But then they try to make him less of an ass by playing the sympathy card. I really do like her, I’m just *scared* of my feelings. BOO FREAKING HOO! If this ain’t some BS! And the messed-up thing is there are SO MANY damn *Peters*. They can have a good woman like Johanna that’s beautiful and intelligent and they fool around with the easy one, because it’s easy. Then they can even *know* the one they ought to be with, and when it’s too late they want to *explain*. Explain WHAT? That you too much of a coward to be upfront about your feelings. What is up with these WEAK, ASS, GUYS, that can’t formulate thoughts into words. It is *not* that hard! But apparently, for most guys emotions are too much to handle when it comes to telling the woman you're in love with you want her until she doesn’t want anything to do with you anymore. Johanna waited WAAAAY too long to send this clown on his way! I REALLY liked the end! I dated a guy like Peter that was feeling himself so much that I practically fell asleep on the phone because he could go ON and ON and ON and ON about himself. It was ALL about him! Johanna basically did a Beyoncé on Peter’s butt without the ring. I just wish she’d have seen him for what he was sooner. She probably shouldn’t have even accepted the date. Although in her defense, it probably did feel just a little good to get the guy you want away from their girlfriend. But Peter just wasn’t worth it! I’ve read some sorry SVH characters but I think by FAR he’s the sorriest I’ve read so far because I can’t even by his sincerity at the end of the book when he breaks up with Amy and tries to date her.
Rating: 8
September 20, 2022
More like 2.5.
Blitzed through this in an hour or two, wanted an easy read after a long day at work. Jessica remains a sociopath, no surprise there. Boggles the mind how she's never held accountable for anything. Not a bad lesson at the end with Johanna's choice re: Peter, a bit of a refreshing change for a Sweet Valley book.
Blitzed through this in an hour or two, wanted an easy read after a long day at work. Jessica remains a sociopath, no surprise there. Boggles the mind how she's never held accountable for anything. Not a bad lesson at the end with Johanna's choice re: Peter, a bit of a refreshing change for a Sweet Valley book.
December 15, 2021
Johanna Porter dropped out of SV for reasons of her own, but is now back to her sister Julie's disgust. Johanna is growing closer to Amy's boyfriend Peter, but he treats her one way in private, and another in public. Pretty sure St Liz come to the rescue here again with a sturdy shoulder pat!
December 19, 2024
I mean...I'm rating this by SVH standards. Jessica is a psycho and why would Liz trust her?? But I thought the main story was good for its time and was pleased to see one of these books finally end with the girl deciding she didn't need a boyfriend and could be good enough for herself.
March 23, 2020
Peter DeHaven ain't shit
June 8, 2010
Dropping out of school is nothing to take lightly. Going back again isn't either, at least not for Johanna Porter, who quit school last fall (in Sweet Valley analysis, this theoretical "past era" is called "the land before time") and is really embarrassed and sensitive about the whole issue, understandably. After finding her deceased mother's diary, she decides that Mom really wanted her to finish school (surprise!) and decides to return.
In my experience, 16 year olds get Cs and Ds, and any A student (Elizabeth Wakefield, let's say) is viewed as mildly detestable. Not so in Sweet Valley! Johanna has a reputation as a bad student, which haunts her in the way that my good grades haunted me in elementary school. Both her sister (Julie Porter) and her father are not only intelligent, but are also very talented musicians. The fact the Johanna has no musical aptitude makes her feel excluded in the family (her mother's death had only calcified the rift) and adds to Johanna's feelings of worthlessness and stupidity. Somebody get this girl a therapist, stat! And some Xanax, please.
There is one certain someone who makes Johanna feel less miserable. His name is Peter DeHaven, and he's a super genius. He and Johanna had always been friends, but for Johanna the relationship was more like a crush. Peter seems really pleased to see Johanna back in school, and offers to help her out in science classes. The only problem? Johanna doesn't need help in science, she's really good at that.
Oh, and Peter's dating AMY SUTTON!!!!!
More at sweetvalleydiaries.com
In my experience, 16 year olds get Cs and Ds, and any A student (Elizabeth Wakefield, let's say) is viewed as mildly detestable. Not so in Sweet Valley! Johanna has a reputation as a bad student, which haunts her in the way that my good grades haunted me in elementary school. Both her sister (Julie Porter) and her father are not only intelligent, but are also very talented musicians. The fact the Johanna has no musical aptitude makes her feel excluded in the family (her mother's death had only calcified the rift) and adds to Johanna's feelings of worthlessness and stupidity. Somebody get this girl a therapist, stat! And some Xanax, please.
There is one certain someone who makes Johanna feel less miserable. His name is Peter DeHaven, and he's a super genius. He and Johanna had always been friends, but for Johanna the relationship was more like a crush. Peter seems really pleased to see Johanna back in school, and offers to help her out in science classes. The only problem? Johanna doesn't need help in science, she's really good at that.
Oh, and Peter's dating AMY SUTTON!!!!!
More at sweetvalleydiaries.com
April 11, 2013
Fun reading for the early teen years. Loved them from the age of 12 - 15
June 21, 2013
I remember the cover but just not the story.
Read
August 1, 2013Graded By: Erin
Read the drinking game and review here.
Read the drinking game and review here.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews