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Sweet Valley High #89
Elizabeth Betrayed
Has desperation tumed Elizabeth into a cheat?
When Elizabeth Wakefield has a chance to edit The Oracle, Sweet Valley High's newspaper, she's thrilled! Then a flu epidemic hits her staff, and Elizabeth is left with more than she can handle. Olivia Davidson's boyfriend, Rod Sullivan, saves the day with a great article. Elizabeth is so impressed, she accepts Rod's help on an English assignment. The next thing Elizabeth knows, she's accused of plagiarism—and kicked off The Oracle staff.
Without support from anyone, Elizabeth is on her own to get to the bottom of this accusation. Can she clear her name before her reputation is ruined and she loses her job on The Oracle forever?
When Elizabeth Wakefield has a chance to edit The Oracle, Sweet Valley High's newspaper, she's thrilled! Then a flu epidemic hits her staff, and Elizabeth is left with more than she can handle. Olivia Davidson's boyfriend, Rod Sullivan, saves the day with a great article. Elizabeth is so impressed, she accepts Rod's help on an English assignment. The next thing Elizabeth knows, she's accused of plagiarism—and kicked off The Oracle staff.
Without support from anyone, Elizabeth is on her own to get to the bottom of this accusation. Can she clear her name before her reputation is ruined and she loses her job on The Oracle forever?
151 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1992
22 people are currently reading
333 people want to read
About the author
Francine Pascal
1,140 books1,851 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 6, 2016
This book should be called Olivia Betrayed as for reasons I can not understand she continues to date Rod despite Rod insulting Olivia's talents while praising Elizabeth's. The whole plagiarism debacle never would have happened today with the Internet. The subplot with Jess' honesty kick was hilarious.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2021
This one was pretty bad. The big plagiarism scandal/ the betrayal indicated in the title of the book, doesn't even happen until the very end of the book. The reason this one gets 2 instead of one star is purely for the subplot- Jessica, after not telling Lila that purple hair doesn't suit her, decides to go with a new policy of brutal honesty, especially when her opinions are mean. Everyone is avoiding her and Jessica barely notices, just tossing out her unsolicited criticisms everywhere, and its super Sweet Valley cheese. The main plot is convoluted and involves Olivia's boyfriend seriously macking on Elizabeth. Olivia has terrible taste in boys. 1.5 stars rounded up.
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September 19, 2024 Elizabeth Betrayed
On the way to school, Rod (Olivia’s boyfriend) can’t stop going on and on about how great a writer Liz is. Because she got an article in the Time’s he thinks she’ll win a Pulitzer. He’s assured Olivia his interest is platonic but he’s not nearly as enthusiastic about “Visions” The magazine she’s over. HE says he thinks it’s great but it’s just not as important as real news. Penny meets up with Liz, Olivia, and Rod and gives them the good news that she’s been picked for the Washington Correspondents program. This program picks an editor and lets them follow a senator around for two weeks. Liz comments no one deserves it more. Olivia nods but Rod is smiling at Liz. He says they’ll have to celebrate.
Now Penny will have to pick an edior to fill in for her. Enid and Todd think it’ll be Elizabeth. Elizabeth thinks it might be her, but Olivia is just as good. Still, she’s ELIZABETH WAKEFIELD (star of the series). So, Olivia doesn’t stand a chance. Olivia kinda wants to be editor but Rod says it’ll go to Liz. She says she just thought Penny might make her Liz’s assistant but he reminds her she’ll be busy with Visions.
Annie confronts Jessica about knowing Tony’s been seeing someone else. Tony thought she knew because Jessica knew and that Annie was cool with it. Jessica did know but tells Annie she didn’t know. Annie knows she’s lying and calls their friendship off. On the way home, Jess tells Liz about the fight. Liz says she should have told her (a friend would). Jess says that’s why she didn’t (knowing how that could go sour). Liz tells her honesty Is the best policy.
Liv is told Liz gets the position and wants to cry. Umm Liv its not your series. She decides to try to be happy for her but when Rod says now Liz will show what she can do, Liv wonders when it’ll be her turn. Jessica comes to Liz and asks her to help her with an excuse not to go to Sam’s bike race. Liz says forget it she has an assignment. Mrs. Wakefield says just tell him the truth. Jessica says no she doesn’t want to hurt his feelings. It bores her silly but if she tells him that he’ll find another girl that likes to watch him race. Her mom says that’s not how good relationships work, but Jessica just says that she’s behind the times.
Liz day dreams about taking over Penny’s position permanently at school. At lunch, Liv shares her idea about doing an environmental issue of Visions. She’s even got the poster made where to submit entries. Everyone congratulates her on it. Todd volunteers to help her two finger type and cut and paste. Liz says she might have some poems that would work. Penny goes over last-minute instructions for Liz and encourages her. Liz has to admit she’s nervous about all the responsibility. Penny says if she needs any help ask Olivia. She would have asked her but she knows how busy she is with Visions.
Olivia likes the poems and says she’ll hang on to them. Olivia confides she also likes to write poetry. Liz is surprised by this because she thought she just like art. Liv hasn’t shared this with anyone else and says she has a feeling most people think poetry is fluff. Liz says she knows. Then Liv shares some of her stuff with Liz. They’re good and liz suggests she submit some of them. So, she works on her three best ones. Jessica tells Sam she “has to go with her mother shopping to get her grandparents an anniversary gift”. She really just wants to go shopping with Lila. Liz gets on her for not telling the truth. Jessica says what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.
A couple of things. Lila has bone straight hair with plum streaks and the flu is going around SVH. It’s really not a good look for her. Lila sadly doesn’t realize this until she and Jessica go to the mall and people are laughing at her. Lila gets mad at Jessica for letting her make a fool of herself. Lila drives off and leaves her at the mall.
When Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield return they have found the perfect present for the grandparents (crystal glasses). But Ned has fallen in luv with a ugly *** statue of mercats. When Sam and Jessica go out later, she tells him about the fight and asks if she should have told the truth. He says what it all boils down to is if *shed* want Lila to tell her the truth. Jessica thinks on it and says she’d want Lila to lie. Liz is stressing! Half the Oracle staff is out with the flu.
Amy (at lunch) says she might be getting sick because her juice taste funny. She asks Jessica to taste it but Lila says she’s the wrong one to ask. (Her hair is back to normal). She tells Amy you can trust a thief but you can’t trust a liar. (You can trust a thief?) Lila and Amy both act like they’re always honest. (Snorts) Even Caroline says she might fib about “a little thing” but not something that matters (like hair) RIIIIGHT! Jennifer (who’s writing the head story) gets sick and Liz knows there’s no way she can get the paper out. Unless. Maybe Jessica will write something. She’s so desperate she even thinks of using Todd’s idea of naming the flu. Rod comes to the rescue and offers to write the feature story.
She hugs him and asks how she can thank him and he says another hug. It gets a little awakward for a minute but Liz decides he’s joking and says she’ll give him three. Jessica offers to write a piece by tomorrow. She’ll call it “To Tell The Truth”. Liv calls Rod with a question about her poster, but is surprised to hear he’s working on the article. She tries not to get upset. He tells her he’ll help her after he’s done. She doesn’t think he would have offered if it was her or Penny. Rod gives her piece to Liz and she’s amazed it’s so good. It sounds familiar but she brush’s it off. Liz gives her a quick kiss on the cheek and he gives her such an intense look, she steps back. He suggest they double date.
Jessica’s article is popular bbut weirdly Liz didn’t put her name on it. We find this out when Lila comes up to her in the lunch room and reveals that she wrote the article but then gives her a magazine article called “How To Unlock The Real You.” The date doesn’t go well.
Liv spends hours on her hair and clothes but when Rod sees her he comments that Liz has the same dress in blue. Then he goes on and on about his article and how at least Liz had faith in him. Then Liz and Todd have just come from the beach and Liz looks twice as good as Liz in cut offs and a sweat shirt with damp hair. Liz says she should have changed but Rod tells her she looks like “Aphrodite rising from the sea” (rolls eyes). They go out to eat and the talk is about how rough Liz had it getting the paper together. Rod noticeably is gazing at Liz.
Liv storms out of Rod’s car. Rod (of course) acts clueless to what he did (sighing) and Olivia wonders if *she’s* the one in the wrong. He asks her what’s wrong and she just says nothing and that she’s just “tired”. Jessica meanwhile thinks about the article Lila gave her and decides that from now on she’ll just tell the truth. Everyone seems to think so except Sam who said bending the truth every now and then is ok. She gets a chance to try this out the next morning when Liz reads her mom a poem she wrote called “The Last Days of the Amazon”, She tells her it sounds like a nursery rhyme about insects. For the second time, Jessica gets left. Liz leaves for school without her.
Liz is having problems with an English assignment that she wasn’t listening to being explained at the beginning of the book. Rod offers to help her with it because it’s about art and symbolism. He comes by the Oracle office offers his assistant and cookies. They end up at the Dairi Burger talking about everything else. Rod takes her hands and says one of the first things he noticed about her is that she doesn’t bite her nails. REALLY?! He says it’s Liv’s only fault. The second is that she has a good sense of humor. Predictably, Olivia comes in with Dee Dee (who wants onion rings) and sees them holding hands and gets out of there. Liz snatches her hand back so quick she turns over a water glass (wondering if she misread the signs and Rod is into her). He starts talking about an idea for the essay again and she thinks no I’m mistaken. He’s crazy about Liv!
Jessica tells Amy in school she has on too much mascara. She tells Robin her new cheer sucked. She tells the teachers (Kent?) isn’t home sick. He’s at the beach. Then she tells her mother she looks like a gram cracker and her father he has no taste because the statue he bought it hideous! Liv thinks about what Dee Dee said about her jumping to conclusions and calls Rod for an explanation. He’s not there so she calls Liz. Liz doesn’t understand why Rod didn’t tell her that he was helping her but assures Liv it was nothing. He was just helping her with her English assignment. The next morning, she wakes up realizing she went to sleep while working on it, what she has is not her best but it’ll have to do.
Jessica’s honesty streak continues. In history she tells Andrea, Bruce, Rosa, and Winston their presentation on the French Revolution was bad and that they deserved a D. Of course, they aren’t happy about this. Mr. Colins calls Liz into his office and accuses her of plagiarizing her essay from Archie Fox and she realizes that’s where Rod must have gotten the hotes he gave her. He suspends her from the Oracle. She sees Olivia who can tell something is wrong, but Liz tells her it’s nothing. Later, Lila and Amy tell Jessica she did the right thing but they aren’t so quick to agree when she tells them they call Lila “Speedo” because she talks so fast when she gives reports no one understands her. And they call Amy “Clodhopper” because she looks funny when she runs but she thought they knew that.
Liz tells Jessica and she tells her she should just tell Mr. Collins that Rod was the one that gave her the notes. She also tells Liz, Rod did it because he has a crush on her and she should tell Liv.
Liz confronts Rod. Just like he didn’t think anything he did was wrong with Liz. He doesn’t think he did anything wrong giving Liz someone else’s ideas. He was just being a friend and trying to get her started, Mr. Collins calls a meeting and tells the staff Liz is temporarily off the paper. Liz tries to ask Liv why and Liv says she doesn’t know what to tell her. She doesn’t think he did it on purpose. When Liv confronts Rod he basically tells her the same thing he told Liz. He did it to help a friend and that she’s the only one for him. Rod takes her on a romantic date to prove it and he doesn’t mention Liz once. He gives her flowers, takes her to the Boxtree Café, and gives her silver, star, shaped earrings. Mr. Collins also asks for her help with the editing.
Liz is depressed and spends the next day in bed. Edith tells her later that Lila has planned a Total Honesty With Jessica day. Olivia gets a call that one of her poems -I think- was accepted in a publication and realizes it was all because of Liz. Jessica goes to Liv’s house and gets in her face about telling the truth about what Rod did. So, she decides to dig further into what was bothering her about John’s essay sounding so familiar. She realizes he lifted parts of it from Thomas Jefferson, (another Thomas), and Ben Franklin. So, she goes to Mr. Collins and shows him his essay. Mr. Collins calls in both Rod and Liz. He calls Rod out for plagiarism, tells him to get out of his office, and never do it again. Then he tells Liz what she did was still wrong, but he can’t fault his students for sharing information. So, he gives her a chance to write her essay over and gives her the topic of plagiarism. He also puts her back on the paper.
Jessica sees how it feels when everyone starts being honest with her and calling her out on everything she says. She says she’ll never be honest with anyone else again.
My Thoughts:
It’s VERY ironic that I just wrote a blog about the situation Liz found herself in. It talked about how as women we need to try to be mindful of forming male friendships (and become dependent on) another woman’s man. Because of EXACTLY what happened in this book with Liz and Liv. It’s ok (I think) to ask for help or let someone offer there help. We all need help sometimes. However, it’s not ok to constantly call on someone else’s someone. I know *I* wouldn’t want my partner to jump every time another woman called. I’m wondering how much time Liz spent with Rod working on this essay.
I’m also wondering why since Liz is “the smart one’ she *didn’t* just ask someone else in her class other than Rod or Olivia who probably would have JUMPED to help her (of all people) understand the assignment better. There *are* other ways. And then how did Liz not know this guy was into her? And then why are all the guys in SV such IDIOTS!!! Rod has a great girlfriend and he’s making a *** out of himself for a girl that has a boyfriend because she wrote an article that got published in the LA times? REALLY? Even Mr. Collins acted STUPID in this book because if this is your prize student who you know without a shadow of a doubt would never plagiarize then wouldn’t you give them a chance to explain what happened THE FIRST TIME. It shouldn’t have had to take Olivia coming to him to talk about Rod’s article. I would have thought he’d have listened a little more.
Jessica’s part was just confusing. So, what was the message here? You should be honest but not *too* honest? You should be honest but not brutally honest and hurt people’s feelings? Even though Jessica was brutally honest-and that was made to look bad in this book-, I kind of admired her going around telling people how it *really* was. I can’t tell you how often I’ve wished I could just not hold back and tell some ugly truths that might not feel good but need to be said regardless. I know you can’t go around doing it *all* the time, but just sometimes…
Rating: 7 Really good things to think about in this one!
On the way to school, Rod (Olivia’s boyfriend) can’t stop going on and on about how great a writer Liz is. Because she got an article in the Time’s he thinks she’ll win a Pulitzer. He’s assured Olivia his interest is platonic but he’s not nearly as enthusiastic about “Visions” The magazine she’s over. HE says he thinks it’s great but it’s just not as important as real news. Penny meets up with Liz, Olivia, and Rod and gives them the good news that she’s been picked for the Washington Correspondents program. This program picks an editor and lets them follow a senator around for two weeks. Liz comments no one deserves it more. Olivia nods but Rod is smiling at Liz. He says they’ll have to celebrate.
Now Penny will have to pick an edior to fill in for her. Enid and Todd think it’ll be Elizabeth. Elizabeth thinks it might be her, but Olivia is just as good. Still, she’s ELIZABETH WAKEFIELD (star of the series). So, Olivia doesn’t stand a chance. Olivia kinda wants to be editor but Rod says it’ll go to Liz. She says she just thought Penny might make her Liz’s assistant but he reminds her she’ll be busy with Visions.
Annie confronts Jessica about knowing Tony’s been seeing someone else. Tony thought she knew because Jessica knew and that Annie was cool with it. Jessica did know but tells Annie she didn’t know. Annie knows she’s lying and calls their friendship off. On the way home, Jess tells Liz about the fight. Liz says she should have told her (a friend would). Jess says that’s why she didn’t (knowing how that could go sour). Liz tells her honesty Is the best policy.
Liv is told Liz gets the position and wants to cry. Umm Liv its not your series. She decides to try to be happy for her but when Rod says now Liz will show what she can do, Liv wonders when it’ll be her turn. Jessica comes to Liz and asks her to help her with an excuse not to go to Sam’s bike race. Liz says forget it she has an assignment. Mrs. Wakefield says just tell him the truth. Jessica says no she doesn’t want to hurt his feelings. It bores her silly but if she tells him that he’ll find another girl that likes to watch him race. Her mom says that’s not how good relationships work, but Jessica just says that she’s behind the times.
Liz day dreams about taking over Penny’s position permanently at school. At lunch, Liv shares her idea about doing an environmental issue of Visions. She’s even got the poster made where to submit entries. Everyone congratulates her on it. Todd volunteers to help her two finger type and cut and paste. Liz says she might have some poems that would work. Penny goes over last-minute instructions for Liz and encourages her. Liz has to admit she’s nervous about all the responsibility. Penny says if she needs any help ask Olivia. She would have asked her but she knows how busy she is with Visions.
Olivia likes the poems and says she’ll hang on to them. Olivia confides she also likes to write poetry. Liz is surprised by this because she thought she just like art. Liv hasn’t shared this with anyone else and says she has a feeling most people think poetry is fluff. Liz says she knows. Then Liv shares some of her stuff with Liz. They’re good and liz suggests she submit some of them. So, she works on her three best ones. Jessica tells Sam she “has to go with her mother shopping to get her grandparents an anniversary gift”. She really just wants to go shopping with Lila. Liz gets on her for not telling the truth. Jessica says what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.
A couple of things. Lila has bone straight hair with plum streaks and the flu is going around SVH. It’s really not a good look for her. Lila sadly doesn’t realize this until she and Jessica go to the mall and people are laughing at her. Lila gets mad at Jessica for letting her make a fool of herself. Lila drives off and leaves her at the mall.
When Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield return they have found the perfect present for the grandparents (crystal glasses). But Ned has fallen in luv with a ugly *** statue of mercats. When Sam and Jessica go out later, she tells him about the fight and asks if she should have told the truth. He says what it all boils down to is if *shed* want Lila to tell her the truth. Jessica thinks on it and says she’d want Lila to lie. Liz is stressing! Half the Oracle staff is out with the flu.
Amy (at lunch) says she might be getting sick because her juice taste funny. She asks Jessica to taste it but Lila says she’s the wrong one to ask. (Her hair is back to normal). She tells Amy you can trust a thief but you can’t trust a liar. (You can trust a thief?) Lila and Amy both act like they’re always honest. (Snorts) Even Caroline says she might fib about “a little thing” but not something that matters (like hair) RIIIIGHT! Jennifer (who’s writing the head story) gets sick and Liz knows there’s no way she can get the paper out. Unless. Maybe Jessica will write something. She’s so desperate she even thinks of using Todd’s idea of naming the flu. Rod comes to the rescue and offers to write the feature story.
She hugs him and asks how she can thank him and he says another hug. It gets a little awakward for a minute but Liz decides he’s joking and says she’ll give him three. Jessica offers to write a piece by tomorrow. She’ll call it “To Tell The Truth”. Liv calls Rod with a question about her poster, but is surprised to hear he’s working on the article. She tries not to get upset. He tells her he’ll help her after he’s done. She doesn’t think he would have offered if it was her or Penny. Rod gives her piece to Liz and she’s amazed it’s so good. It sounds familiar but she brush’s it off. Liz gives her a quick kiss on the cheek and he gives her such an intense look, she steps back. He suggest they double date.
Jessica’s article is popular bbut weirdly Liz didn’t put her name on it. We find this out when Lila comes up to her in the lunch room and reveals that she wrote the article but then gives her a magazine article called “How To Unlock The Real You.” The date doesn’t go well.
Liv spends hours on her hair and clothes but when Rod sees her he comments that Liz has the same dress in blue. Then he goes on and on about his article and how at least Liz had faith in him. Then Liz and Todd have just come from the beach and Liz looks twice as good as Liz in cut offs and a sweat shirt with damp hair. Liz says she should have changed but Rod tells her she looks like “Aphrodite rising from the sea” (rolls eyes). They go out to eat and the talk is about how rough Liz had it getting the paper together. Rod noticeably is gazing at Liz.
Liv storms out of Rod’s car. Rod (of course) acts clueless to what he did (sighing) and Olivia wonders if *she’s* the one in the wrong. He asks her what’s wrong and she just says nothing and that she’s just “tired”. Jessica meanwhile thinks about the article Lila gave her and decides that from now on she’ll just tell the truth. Everyone seems to think so except Sam who said bending the truth every now and then is ok. She gets a chance to try this out the next morning when Liz reads her mom a poem she wrote called “The Last Days of the Amazon”, She tells her it sounds like a nursery rhyme about insects. For the second time, Jessica gets left. Liz leaves for school without her.
Liz is having problems with an English assignment that she wasn’t listening to being explained at the beginning of the book. Rod offers to help her with it because it’s about art and symbolism. He comes by the Oracle office offers his assistant and cookies. They end up at the Dairi Burger talking about everything else. Rod takes her hands and says one of the first things he noticed about her is that she doesn’t bite her nails. REALLY?! He says it’s Liv’s only fault. The second is that she has a good sense of humor. Predictably, Olivia comes in with Dee Dee (who wants onion rings) and sees them holding hands and gets out of there. Liz snatches her hand back so quick she turns over a water glass (wondering if she misread the signs and Rod is into her). He starts talking about an idea for the essay again and she thinks no I’m mistaken. He’s crazy about Liv!
Jessica tells Amy in school she has on too much mascara. She tells Robin her new cheer sucked. She tells the teachers (Kent?) isn’t home sick. He’s at the beach. Then she tells her mother she looks like a gram cracker and her father he has no taste because the statue he bought it hideous! Liv thinks about what Dee Dee said about her jumping to conclusions and calls Rod for an explanation. He’s not there so she calls Liz. Liz doesn’t understand why Rod didn’t tell her that he was helping her but assures Liv it was nothing. He was just helping her with her English assignment. The next morning, she wakes up realizing she went to sleep while working on it, what she has is not her best but it’ll have to do.
Jessica’s honesty streak continues. In history she tells Andrea, Bruce, Rosa, and Winston their presentation on the French Revolution was bad and that they deserved a D. Of course, they aren’t happy about this. Mr. Colins calls Liz into his office and accuses her of plagiarizing her essay from Archie Fox and she realizes that’s where Rod must have gotten the hotes he gave her. He suspends her from the Oracle. She sees Olivia who can tell something is wrong, but Liz tells her it’s nothing. Later, Lila and Amy tell Jessica she did the right thing but they aren’t so quick to agree when she tells them they call Lila “Speedo” because she talks so fast when she gives reports no one understands her. And they call Amy “Clodhopper” because she looks funny when she runs but she thought they knew that.
Liz tells Jessica and she tells her she should just tell Mr. Collins that Rod was the one that gave her the notes. She also tells Liz, Rod did it because he has a crush on her and she should tell Liv.
Liz confronts Rod. Just like he didn’t think anything he did was wrong with Liz. He doesn’t think he did anything wrong giving Liz someone else’s ideas. He was just being a friend and trying to get her started, Mr. Collins calls a meeting and tells the staff Liz is temporarily off the paper. Liz tries to ask Liv why and Liv says she doesn’t know what to tell her. She doesn’t think he did it on purpose. When Liv confronts Rod he basically tells her the same thing he told Liz. He did it to help a friend and that she’s the only one for him. Rod takes her on a romantic date to prove it and he doesn’t mention Liz once. He gives her flowers, takes her to the Boxtree Café, and gives her silver, star, shaped earrings. Mr. Collins also asks for her help with the editing.
Liz is depressed and spends the next day in bed. Edith tells her later that Lila has planned a Total Honesty With Jessica day. Olivia gets a call that one of her poems -I think- was accepted in a publication and realizes it was all because of Liz. Jessica goes to Liv’s house and gets in her face about telling the truth about what Rod did. So, she decides to dig further into what was bothering her about John’s essay sounding so familiar. She realizes he lifted parts of it from Thomas Jefferson, (another Thomas), and Ben Franklin. So, she goes to Mr. Collins and shows him his essay. Mr. Collins calls in both Rod and Liz. He calls Rod out for plagiarism, tells him to get out of his office, and never do it again. Then he tells Liz what she did was still wrong, but he can’t fault his students for sharing information. So, he gives her a chance to write her essay over and gives her the topic of plagiarism. He also puts her back on the paper.
Jessica sees how it feels when everyone starts being honest with her and calling her out on everything she says. She says she’ll never be honest with anyone else again.
My Thoughts:
It’s VERY ironic that I just wrote a blog about the situation Liz found herself in. It talked about how as women we need to try to be mindful of forming male friendships (and become dependent on) another woman’s man. Because of EXACTLY what happened in this book with Liz and Liv. It’s ok (I think) to ask for help or let someone offer there help. We all need help sometimes. However, it’s not ok to constantly call on someone else’s someone. I know *I* wouldn’t want my partner to jump every time another woman called. I’m wondering how much time Liz spent with Rod working on this essay.
I’m also wondering why since Liz is “the smart one’ she *didn’t* just ask someone else in her class other than Rod or Olivia who probably would have JUMPED to help her (of all people) understand the assignment better. There *are* other ways. And then how did Liz not know this guy was into her? And then why are all the guys in SV such IDIOTS!!! Rod has a great girlfriend and he’s making a *** out of himself for a girl that has a boyfriend because she wrote an article that got published in the LA times? REALLY? Even Mr. Collins acted STUPID in this book because if this is your prize student who you know without a shadow of a doubt would never plagiarize then wouldn’t you give them a chance to explain what happened THE FIRST TIME. It shouldn’t have had to take Olivia coming to him to talk about Rod’s article. I would have thought he’d have listened a little more.
Jessica’s part was just confusing. So, what was the message here? You should be honest but not *too* honest? You should be honest but not brutally honest and hurt people’s feelings? Even though Jessica was brutally honest-and that was made to look bad in this book-, I kind of admired her going around telling people how it *really* was. I can’t tell you how often I’ve wished I could just not hold back and tell some ugly truths that might not feel good but need to be said regardless. I know you can’t go around doing it *all* the time, but just sometimes…
Rating: 7 Really good things to think about in this one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2016
Um, this was a bit of a weird one. The issue it was dealing with was plagiarism, and the “shocking” event that Elizabeth inadvertently plagiarised some art dude. The whole way it came about was just kinda odd, and I couldn’t quite figure why Elizabeth was so gung-ho on blaming Rod. Sure, he gave her in the info, but really it did come down to the fact that she wrote the essay and should have used her resources more wisely. I didn’t think Rod was completely blameless, he should have said that it wasn’t just his opinion but that it came from a source, but still… it was weirdly blame heavy on Rod when I didn’t feel it should have been.
A whole big weird issue, if you ask me. But I once again enjoyed Jessica the most out in this story as she launched her truth crusade. It was a little “dumb”, because I’m sure Jessica should have realized what she was doing to those around her, but anyway, it was entertaining.
A whole big weird issue, if you ask me. But I once again enjoyed Jessica the most out in this story as she launched her truth crusade. It was a little “dumb”, because I’m sure Jessica should have realized what she was doing to those around her, but anyway, it was entertaining.
January 20, 2020
Sweet Valley High is the top of my not-so-guilty pleasures. This was one of the best book plots: something bad happens to Elizabeth, Jessica gets to be a great sister. It's just a bonus that Jessica's subplot about honesty has her bluntly giving her opinions and repeating every hilarious, previously unknown, nicknames for various characters. I cackled many times.
September 8, 2024
I picked it up for nostalgic purposes . . . didn't expect it to have such good banter, actual plot and convincing conflicts, and complex, multi-dimensional characters that feel like real people.
So of course I see why this series was (is?) so popular. I just checked my copy and whoa. 89th in the series! While some of the concepts and tropes do appear - and are - shallow (Jessica's favourite things being "shopping, parties, and boys*"), there are some that I found wise and nuance to explore: just how much honesty is good, and in which cases? (Ok, the execution was very middle-grade, but so were some other things). Just don't read the blurb, it ruins the plot. Unless you're actually a middle-schooler, I guess? I don't know.
However, what makes the whole thing shine is the characters. You're not just following a plot, but also how it affects the characters you care about.
"Hello?" Todd shouted. "Hello? I was talking to Elizabeth Wakefield, but something's wrong with the line. Hello?"
"I'm here! Elizabeth shouted. "Can't you hear me?"
"But you can't be Elizabeth Wakefield. Elizabeth Wakefield would never give up so easily."
*In general, there was a lot of romantic relationships obsession. One couple was literally called "practically married." I don't know how that's a good thing for middle-grade kids to focus on.
But then there's my favourite thing. Girls being supportive and admiring of other girlies! So wholesome. No jealousy, rivalry, and lies can break them apart. I'd like more Olivia.
You know what? I'll read more of my middle-school-days series.
So of course I see why this series was (is?) so popular. I just checked my copy and whoa. 89th in the series! While some of the concepts and tropes do appear - and are - shallow (Jessica's favourite things being "shopping, parties, and boys*"), there are some that I found wise and nuance to explore: just how much honesty is good, and in which cases? (Ok, the execution was very middle-grade, but so were some other things). Just don't read the blurb, it ruins the plot. Unless you're actually a middle-schooler, I guess? I don't know.
However, what makes the whole thing shine is the characters. You're not just following a plot, but also how it affects the characters you care about.
"Hello?" Todd shouted. "Hello? I was talking to Elizabeth Wakefield, but something's wrong with the line. Hello?"
"I'm here! Elizabeth shouted. "Can't you hear me?"
"But you can't be Elizabeth Wakefield. Elizabeth Wakefield would never give up so easily."
*In general, there was a lot of romantic relationships obsession. One couple was literally called "practically married." I don't know how that's a good thing for middle-grade kids to focus on.
But then there's my favourite thing. Girls being supportive and admiring of other girlies! So wholesome. No jealousy, rivalry, and lies can break them apart. I'd like more Olivia.
You know what? I'll read more of my middle-school-days series.
August 5, 2018
I think I only read this once, but I remember the events in it very well thanks to many re-readings over the years of Jessica's Secret Diary: Volume III. I especially love the Jessica subplot about telling the truth, and how oblivious Elizabeth is to the fact that Rod is in love with her.
Also, Lila with straight purple hair sounds all kinds of awesome, and I refuse to believe people were laughing at her.
Also, Lila with straight purple hair sounds all kinds of awesome, and I refuse to believe people were laughing at her.
December 15, 2021
Liz is snowed under when Penny takes an internship at a newspaper, not only does she have her schoolwork to deal with, but also the editing of the Oracle. Olivias boyfriend develops a crush on Liz, inadvertently causing Olivias jealousy, and Liz being suspended from the Oracle for plagiarism!!! Luckily super twin Jess is there to fight Lizs corner
October 6, 2021
It's the first book I met Rod and after reading this, I was so annoyed with him. Olivia and Elizabeth deserved so much better than his company. I think this book was important to highlight the dangers of plagiarism and it would be beneficial for kids to learn about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2026
I honestly don't think Elizabeth has any true friends. The second something weird happens they are all like yup we knew she was a shady bitch and then find out it was some psycho that set her up and they gravel for her forgiveness. Jeffrey never would 😤
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December 31, 2021I really don’t like Elizabeth Wakefield.
March 17, 2024
I loved this book. It had a good of mix of different characters and side stories.Elizabeth is kicked out of Oracle and it is Jess who saves her. Jess, on the other hand is on a truthful streak much to the dismay of her friends. It talks of plagarism in its different forms but also of honesty in its different forms.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2017
Olivia has a boyfriend named Rod who seems to be quite interested in Elizabeth, thus causing some jealousy to appear. There's a major flu epidemic going on in the town and many of the students are home ill. Elizabeth has to take over doing The Oracle school newspaper without most of the regular student workers and it proves to be a very tough job.
At the same time she has to do an essay, getting help from Rod. What she doesn't know is that Rod is telling her things that he read in a book. She then uses some of his ideas in the essay and ends up being accused of plagiarism and is kicked off the paper.
Meanwhile, Jessica has decided pure honesty is the best policy and points out flaws and problems in her friends and this leads to a lot of bad feeling and a neat way for her friends to get back at her.
The main theme in the book is about plagiarism. This is a 1992 book and is basically before today's Internet with its ads for fully-finished term papers that students can buy. Plagiarism has been a topic in politics and music, also. Elizabeth did not copy something out of a book or off the Internet but it seems that she took Rod's ideas and used too much of that material in her essay (for which she got an F).
Fortunately, as always, things work out for the twins.
At the same time she has to do an essay, getting help from Rod. What she doesn't know is that Rod is telling her things that he read in a book. She then uses some of his ideas in the essay and ends up being accused of plagiarism and is kicked off the paper.
Meanwhile, Jessica has decided pure honesty is the best policy and points out flaws and problems in her friends and this leads to a lot of bad feeling and a neat way for her friends to get back at her.
The main theme in the book is about plagiarism. This is a 1992 book and is basically before today's Internet with its ads for fully-finished term papers that students can buy. Plagiarism has been a topic in politics and music, also. Elizabeth did not copy something out of a book or off the Internet but it seems that she took Rod's ideas and used too much of that material in her essay (for which she got an F).
Fortunately, as always, things work out for the twins.
June 21, 2013
I remember the cover just not the story.
July 17, 2016
Another good Sweet Valley title. Liz does her thing at *The Oracle*. Lila's her usual snarky self. Olivia takes the cake.
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