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Sweet Valley Twins Super Chillers #8
The Secret of the Magic Pen
A pen that tells the future?
Summer vacation is here, and Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield and their friends have just arrived at sleep-away camp! On a hike through a dark, eerie cave, Elizabeth finds something incredible -- a glowing pen! She can't wait to use it to write an article for the camp newspaper.
But as she writes, Elizabeth is astonished to find herself composing a mystery full of scary twists and turns. And to her horror, little by little the mystery seems to be coming true! This isn't just an ordinary pen. Could it be haunted?
Don't Miss Any Of The Books In This Fabulous Series!
Summer vacation is here, and Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield and their friends have just arrived at sleep-away camp! On a hike through a dark, eerie cave, Elizabeth finds something incredible -- a glowing pen! She can't wait to use it to write an article for the camp newspaper.
But as she writes, Elizabeth is astonished to find herself composing a mystery full of scary twists and turns. And to her horror, little by little the mystery seems to be coming true! This isn't just an ordinary pen. Could it be haunted?
Don't Miss Any Of The Books In This Fabulous Series!
181 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1995
2 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Francine Pascal
1,139 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 29, 2013
70 pages in, I was wondering why this one was a Super Chiller (SC's are 180 pages or so). Absolutely nothing the least bit scary had happened. But then it started storming outside my window just as shit got real in the book. Kind of chilling, seeing as how this one is about Liz finding a magic pen that writes a scary story that starts coming true in real life.
Jess and Liz are tired of Sweet Valley for the summer. None of us thought it would happen, but lo and alas! It has. Liz has writer's block, and I guess Jessica's dated all the guys (older and otherwise) in Sweet Valley and has enough of a tan. So, surprise! The twins parents ship the identical duo off to Camp Faraway (so original!) for the summer. We don't know where Faraway is located, but I'm assuming it is... far away... from Sweet Valley. It has mountains. I'm pretty sure SV can't top that. Liz is signed up for journalism classes while Jess gets drama club. They immediately make friends that fit their interests (how convenient). Liz hooks up with Starr, a fellow Shakespeare lover. All she does the whole time is quote ole Willy without an original thought in her own head. Charming. Jess hooks up with Miranda Paige (sounds like a Victoria's Secret model), fellow actress and drama queen. Jess learns that the camp is putting on a play called The Royal Switch. She wants the lead of Penelope, but she has competition in Priscilla, whom she calls Prissy. Liz moans about her writer's block. A lot.
They all hike to the creepy Hangman's Cave one day. When Prissy, I mean Priscilla, accidentally knocks Liz down, she encounters a glowing pen. You can't make this shit up. Actually, you can, which is what the ghosties did. But a glowing red pen? Okay. This pen seems to be the answer to Liz's writer's block. It "calls" to her. She begins a story about lovers Amelia Champlain and Richard Bittle. It takes place in a location very similar to Camp Faraway. But none of this could possibly be related, right? Liz has been assigned to write about Roland Barge, a great mystery writer. Liz has a hard-on for Roland almost as much as Amanda Howard. Almost. But she can't seem to write her article, because the pen constantly "speaks" to her. Yep.
The story starts with Amelia's manuscript burning in a fireplace. She is upset about her life's work being destroyed. The next day, while trying to rehearse, Jess disappears for a second only to find her script in the fireplace when she returns! She accuses Priscilla, but clearly this is one time she should have blamed Liz. Funny how when she SHOULD blame Liz she never does. Liz explains about the pen, but Jessica thinks she's just getting cabin fever. She repeats the old cliche that they are "psychic sisters" and shrugs it off as a coincidence.
Then Liz writes of Amelia almost drowning in the lake and having to be saved. Liz is more than a little terrified for Jessica's life at this point, sure enough. And she should be, because Jessica decides to rehearse her lines in the middle of the lake. A storm comes on and Jessica discovers that her boat is punctured and leaking. Liz jumps in the water to save her, and an old fisherman rescues them both. They become heroes of the camp, but Elizabeth is more than a little freaked out. Jessica still thinks she's mental. But - you have to admit - a glowing pen?
After this Liz learns more about Roland Barge from the camp director, Gunnie. She needs more information for her article. But she loses it when she hears that Roland Barge was once Richard Bittle! He changed his name as an author. Then she learns that Richard was in love with the kitchen girl - Amelia Champlain! Liz is now positive that the pen is alive and well and trying to tell her something. She knows she has to finish the story. She writes again and quickly wishes that she hadn't. Amelia goes to Hangman's Cave and gets strangled! But by whom? And why? And - oh shit! - Jessica!
Liz bursts in on rehearsals and demands that Gunnie come with her to the caverns. And Jessica is there... screaming her head off! They find Jessica in the caverns sobbing and saying that she almost got choked to death (damn! foiled again). But Jess can't explain why she was lured to the cave. She tells Liz that she wished she had listened about the pen. Liz writes on the wall of the cave to find out the rest of the story.
The pen holds the spirit of Amelia Champlain. Amelia was choked to death by Richard - who was stealing her stories and posing as Roland Barge! When he killed her and tried to write a story, it was critically panned. He was no good without Amelia. Amelia tells them that her stories are in the barn. They find the stories along with Richard/Roland's diary. He confesses to killing and tricking Amelia.
Liz finally has her article, which she calls, lamely, "The Truth about Roland Barge." That's one article I'm DYING to read. It comes out in the front page of the equally lamely titled "The Faraway Gazette." Liz is a hero, and Jess is even excited about this story. Go figure.
Alternate Title : "Long Ago at Far, Faraway"
What Ghost(s) are we dealing with? The ghost of Amelia Champlain.
Any psychopaths? Yep, Richard Bittle/Roland Barge
The Big Deal: Jess & Liz are sent to Camp Faraway for the summer
Cover: Good or Bad?: Let's count all the stripes on the characters of Sweet Valley books. This is Jessica? I guess? and Mandy or Miranda. Mandy is supposed to have long hair (since when?), so I guess this is Miranda, but at the beginning of the book it is stated that Mandy is the one wearing overalls. At this late game in the books (I think this is the last Chiller), who the hell could decode Mathewuse anyway? Clearly this scene never happens in the book.
Quotes from the Book: "'Do you think two weeks will be enough time for me to write my novel?' Elizabeth asked eagerly."
Get a clue, Liz.
"'In the fall I'll be a senior at University High in San Diego, so this is my last year here.'"
University High?
"'Welcome to Camp Faraway. I'm Gunnie Mapleman.'"
Gunnie Mapleman?
"'Maybe you should write a story about weird girl who finds a pen and thinks it has magical powers,' Jessica suggested.
'Very funny,' Elizabeth said, shaking her head.
But Jessica seemed to find it hysterical and couldn't stop laughing."
It is hysterical. Jess is awesome on rare occasions.
"'Yeah.' Jessica gazed thoughtfully into space before looking at her sister. 'Maybe I'll have two gorgeous men fighting over me, and then I'll run off with the gardener.'"
Jessica is top-notch in this book.
"Jessica smiled confidently in the small mirror. 'I'm going to look too pretty to get murdered, that's for sure.'"
Moral of the Story: Anything you find in a cavern or on the ground should be left right where it is.
Final Rating: Three stars. I had to wait forever for something good to happen, naturally, but once it did I was a bit spooked. But only a bit.
Jess and Liz are tired of Sweet Valley for the summer. None of us thought it would happen, but lo and alas! It has. Liz has writer's block, and I guess Jessica's dated all the guys (older and otherwise) in Sweet Valley and has enough of a tan. So, surprise! The twins parents ship the identical duo off to Camp Faraway (so original!) for the summer. We don't know where Faraway is located, but I'm assuming it is... far away... from Sweet Valley. It has mountains. I'm pretty sure SV can't top that. Liz is signed up for journalism classes while Jess gets drama club. They immediately make friends that fit their interests (how convenient). Liz hooks up with Starr, a fellow Shakespeare lover. All she does the whole time is quote ole Willy without an original thought in her own head. Charming. Jess hooks up with Miranda Paige (sounds like a Victoria's Secret model), fellow actress and drama queen. Jess learns that the camp is putting on a play called The Royal Switch. She wants the lead of Penelope, but she has competition in Priscilla, whom she calls Prissy. Liz moans about her writer's block. A lot.
They all hike to the creepy Hangman's Cave one day. When Prissy, I mean Priscilla, accidentally knocks Liz down, she encounters a glowing pen. You can't make this shit up. Actually, you can, which is what the ghosties did. But a glowing red pen? Okay. This pen seems to be the answer to Liz's writer's block. It "calls" to her. She begins a story about lovers Amelia Champlain and Richard Bittle. It takes place in a location very similar to Camp Faraway. But none of this could possibly be related, right? Liz has been assigned to write about Roland Barge, a great mystery writer. Liz has a hard-on for Roland almost as much as Amanda Howard. Almost. But she can't seem to write her article, because the pen constantly "speaks" to her. Yep.
The story starts with Amelia's manuscript burning in a fireplace. She is upset about her life's work being destroyed. The next day, while trying to rehearse, Jess disappears for a second only to find her script in the fireplace when she returns! She accuses Priscilla, but clearly this is one time she should have blamed Liz. Funny how when she SHOULD blame Liz she never does. Liz explains about the pen, but Jessica thinks she's just getting cabin fever. She repeats the old cliche that they are "psychic sisters" and shrugs it off as a coincidence.
Then Liz writes of Amelia almost drowning in the lake and having to be saved. Liz is more than a little terrified for Jessica's life at this point, sure enough. And she should be, because Jessica decides to rehearse her lines in the middle of the lake. A storm comes on and Jessica discovers that her boat is punctured and leaking. Liz jumps in the water to save her, and an old fisherman rescues them both. They become heroes of the camp, but Elizabeth is more than a little freaked out. Jessica still thinks she's mental. But - you have to admit - a glowing pen?
After this Liz learns more about Roland Barge from the camp director, Gunnie. She needs more information for her article. But she loses it when she hears that Roland Barge was once Richard Bittle! He changed his name as an author. Then she learns that Richard was in love with the kitchen girl - Amelia Champlain! Liz is now positive that the pen is alive and well and trying to tell her something. She knows she has to finish the story. She writes again and quickly wishes that she hadn't. Amelia goes to Hangman's Cave and gets strangled! But by whom? And why? And - oh shit! - Jessica!
Liz bursts in on rehearsals and demands that Gunnie come with her to the caverns. And Jessica is there... screaming her head off! They find Jessica in the caverns sobbing and saying that she almost got choked to death (damn! foiled again). But Jess can't explain why she was lured to the cave. She tells Liz that she wished she had listened about the pen. Liz writes on the wall of the cave to find out the rest of the story.
The pen holds the spirit of Amelia Champlain. Amelia was choked to death by Richard - who was stealing her stories and posing as Roland Barge! When he killed her and tried to write a story, it was critically panned. He was no good without Amelia. Amelia tells them that her stories are in the barn. They find the stories along with Richard/Roland's diary. He confesses to killing and tricking Amelia.
Liz finally has her article, which she calls, lamely, "The Truth about Roland Barge." That's one article I'm DYING to read. It comes out in the front page of the equally lamely titled "The Faraway Gazette." Liz is a hero, and Jess is even excited about this story. Go figure.
Alternate Title : "Long Ago at Far, Faraway"
What Ghost(s) are we dealing with? The ghost of Amelia Champlain.
Any psychopaths? Yep, Richard Bittle/Roland Barge
The Big Deal: Jess & Liz are sent to Camp Faraway for the summer
Cover: Good or Bad?: Let's count all the stripes on the characters of Sweet Valley books. This is Jessica? I guess? and Mandy or Miranda. Mandy is supposed to have long hair (since when?), so I guess this is Miranda, but at the beginning of the book it is stated that Mandy is the one wearing overalls. At this late game in the books (I think this is the last Chiller), who the hell could decode Mathewuse anyway? Clearly this scene never happens in the book.
Quotes from the Book: "'Do you think two weeks will be enough time for me to write my novel?' Elizabeth asked eagerly."
Get a clue, Liz.
"'In the fall I'll be a senior at University High in San Diego, so this is my last year here.'"
University High?
"'Welcome to Camp Faraway. I'm Gunnie Mapleman.'"
Gunnie Mapleman?
"'Maybe you should write a story about weird girl who finds a pen and thinks it has magical powers,' Jessica suggested.
'Very funny,' Elizabeth said, shaking her head.
But Jessica seemed to find it hysterical and couldn't stop laughing."
It is hysterical. Jess is awesome on rare occasions.
"'Yeah.' Jessica gazed thoughtfully into space before looking at her sister. 'Maybe I'll have two gorgeous men fighting over me, and then I'll run off with the gardener.'"
Jessica is top-notch in this book.
"Jessica smiled confidently in the small mirror. 'I'm going to look too pretty to get murdered, that's for sure.'"
Moral of the Story: Anything you find in a cavern or on the ground should be left right where it is.
Final Rating: Three stars. I had to wait forever for something good to happen, naturally, but once it did I was a bit spooked. But only a bit.
April 14, 2014
Oddly enough, I don't think I read this one as a kid (or younger, anyway), so it was a bit weird to read for the first time as an adult type person.
I personally adore how often level-headed Elizabeth is the one to believe in the supernatural and how tickled this makes Jessica (who is equally prone to believing) but for some reason her supernatural stories almost always wind up firmly in the land of What The Fuzzy?
Fun read that will leave you wondering why a ghost would a) inhabit a pen, b) how that pen stayed so clean in a cave for the better part of a century and c) why the ghost would actually try to kill Jessica.
I suppose one shouldn't look for answers in a SVT book but still, I do wonder about that last one. If the ghost leading them to the answers was the murderer, maybe it would make sense but it wasn't sooooo...
Another one to chalk up to Sweet Valley.
I personally adore how often level-headed Elizabeth is the one to believe in the supernatural and how tickled this makes Jessica (who is equally prone to believing) but for some reason her supernatural stories almost always wind up firmly in the land of What The Fuzzy?
Fun read that will leave you wondering why a ghost would a) inhabit a pen, b) how that pen stayed so clean in a cave for the better part of a century and c) why the ghost would actually try to kill Jessica.
I suppose one shouldn't look for answers in a SVT book but still, I do wonder about that last one. If the ghost leading them to the answers was the murderer, maybe it would make sense but it wasn't sooooo...
Another one to chalk up to Sweet Valley.
did-not-finish
March 22, 2012I picked this book up from the library book sale for old times sake. I just remember some of the books from this series (the SUPER CHILLERS!!) and some of them scared the crap out of me, so i wanted to re-read it and see if it still scared me :) it was only .75 so its not like it cost a fortune lol.
July 8, 2021
This is my favorite book as a teenager. The plot is really something.
Read
April 15, 2020Listen guys... I'm almost out of library books to read, I'm too broke to buy books. All I have to read at my house is mostly middle/school teen books. hope this corona virus ends... SO I CAN GO BACK TO THE LIBRARY. okay rant over... I barely have time to read anyway, I'm so behind in schoolwork.
May 24, 2020
A book I loved as a tween.
March 26, 2010
This is a good book, worth the read has a good plot line to it.
I read this book awhile ago. I'm not a huge fan of the Sweet Valley series, I love mystery's/Paramormal stuff so this book was accually intresting. So I think younger girls about 10 or so would really like this book.
I read this book awhile ago. I'm not a huge fan of the Sweet Valley series, I love mystery's/Paramormal stuff so this book was accually intresting. So I think younger girls about 10 or so would really like this book.
June 22, 2013
I remember the cover just not the story.
May 10, 2015
24/25
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews