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Sweet Valley Twins Graphic Novels #2
Teacher's Pet
It's Elizabeth's turn in the spotlight... but does Jessica deserve it more? The Wakefield twins return in this brand new graphic novel adaptation of the New York Times best-selling Sweet Valley Twins!
Jessica knows she's the better dancer - but their teacher only seems to have eyes for her sister Elizabeth! No matter how hard or perfectly she dances she's not getting recognized - which becomes a huge problem when it becomes clear that her sister is going to get the main role of Swanilda instead of her. Even worse, Elizabeth refuses to believe that their teacher is favoring her! With Jessica's attitude rapidly souring and Elizabeth slowly realizing that Jessica might actually be right, will they be able to find a way to get Jessica her leading role?
Francine Pascal's beloved Sweet Valley Twins series continues with Claudia Aguirre offering her fresh and modern artwork just right for today's contemporary middle-grade graphic novel.
Jessica knows she's the better dancer - but their teacher only seems to have eyes for her sister Elizabeth! No matter how hard or perfectly she dances she's not getting recognized - which becomes a huge problem when it becomes clear that her sister is going to get the main role of Swanilda instead of her. Even worse, Elizabeth refuses to believe that their teacher is favoring her! With Jessica's attitude rapidly souring and Elizabeth slowly realizing that Jessica might actually be right, will they be able to find a way to get Jessica her leading role?
Francine Pascal's beloved Sweet Valley Twins series continues with Claudia Aguirre offering her fresh and modern artwork just right for today's contemporary middle-grade graphic novel.
224 pages, Library Binding
First published June 27, 2023
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August 16, 2023
Elizabeth remains a champion and Jessica remains a jealous green monster who always gets her way.
However, I will continue to read because they are cute.
However, I will continue to read because they are cute.
August 30, 2023
In the second instalment of this Sweet Valley Twins graphic novel adaptation, Elizabeth and Jessica are in competition: their ballet class is scheduled for a performance, and there's only one star role. Elizabeth is the teacher's pet pupil...but Jessica is convinced that she's the better dancer.
On the whole, I think this series is doing an excellent job of staying true to the original while updating things for the 2020s. Elizabeth comes off pretty well here—more 'kind, rational tween' than 'little miss priss', as she often ends up in the books. Jessica...well, Jessica is frowny and green with jealousy and ready to step on anyone who gets in her way for the entire book, but that's also honestly a marked improvement on who Jessica often is in the originals.
The 'Jessica is a better and more dedicated dancer' plotline feels pretty uneven. We're told several times that Jessica practices more than Elizabeth, but most of what we see is Jessica wanting to spend time with the Unicorns, at the beach, etc., rather than practicing. Dance is 'everything' to Jessica, she says, but in practice that seems to mean that 'dance is everything to Jessica as long as she's in the spotlight and there's nothing more interesting going on'. Meanwhile, Elizabeth performs seemingly perfectly until she's under pressure, which means that it's hard to evaluate Jessica's claim throughout the book that she's a better dancer than Elizabeth.
But Jessica's right about one thing: the teacher isn't fair. We saw this in the first book (the teacher being really nasty because Jessica was a normal kid instead of a professional dancer), and here she really does seem to pick a couple of favourites and ignore everyone else. (If I read the non-graphic-novel version of this book, it was a very very long time ago and I don't remember what the teacher is like there!) Jessica eventually gets her attention, of course, but I think her parents would do better to find her a different ballet teacher.
The art style, which feels to me more comic book than graphic novel, isn't really to my personal tastes, but it gets the job done. (Though—at the end, when they're both on stage in one way or another, Jessica still looks furious that Elizabeth has the temerity to exist.) I'll happily continue with the series.
On the whole, I think this series is doing an excellent job of staying true to the original while updating things for the 2020s. Elizabeth comes off pretty well here—more 'kind, rational tween' than 'little miss priss', as she often ends up in the books. Jessica...well, Jessica is frowny and green with jealousy and ready to step on anyone who gets in her way for the entire book, but that's also honestly a marked improvement on who Jessica often is in the originals.
The 'Jessica is a better and more dedicated dancer' plotline feels pretty uneven. We're told several times that Jessica practices more than Elizabeth, but most of what we see is Jessica wanting to spend time with the Unicorns, at the beach, etc., rather than practicing. Dance is 'everything' to Jessica, she says, but in practice that seems to mean that 'dance is everything to Jessica as long as she's in the spotlight and there's nothing more interesting going on'. Meanwhile, Elizabeth performs seemingly perfectly until she's under pressure, which means that it's hard to evaluate Jessica's claim throughout the book that she's a better dancer than Elizabeth.
But Jessica's right about one thing: the teacher isn't fair. We saw this in the first book (the teacher being really nasty because Jessica was a normal kid instead of a professional dancer), and here she really does seem to pick a couple of favourites and ignore everyone else. (If I read the non-graphic-novel version of this book, it was a very very long time ago and I don't remember what the teacher is like there!) Jessica eventually gets her attention, of course, but I think her parents would do better to find her a different ballet teacher.
The art style, which feels to me more comic book than graphic novel, isn't really to my personal tastes, but it gets the job done. (Though—at the end, when they're both on stage in one way or another, Jessica still looks furious that Elizabeth has the temerity to exist.) I'll happily continue with the series.
August 14, 2023
I enjoyed this one a lot more than the first one. I really feel like Jessica's character is nailed-on perfect. Elizabeth pales in comparison to her twin, especially here. Jessica's jealousy is palpable, and I was rooting for her to get the part in the end (which she did, thanks to the good ol' twin switch!).
Still peeved that the other Unicorns haven't been identified by name. C'mon, give us a character list or something, this is really annoying.
I'm a little sad that they are going to skip #3 The Haunted House for now, but it appears that it may still be in the offing? Here's hoping! It's such an excellent Halloween story and a piece of classic SVT canon.
Still peeved that the other Unicorns haven't been identified by name. C'mon, give us a character list or something, this is really annoying.
I'm a little sad that they are going to skip #3 The Haunted House for now, but it appears that it may still be in the offing? Here's hoping! It's such an excellent Halloween story and a piece of classic SVT canon.
November 29, 2022
a pretty faithful adaptation, brought into the 21st century. lots of kid appeal, and i'll be interested to see if they can hook a new generation with these.
April 19, 2024
Lots of drama, but good ending.
July 23, 2023
Okay but they even set up the haunted house book at the end of this and are still going to release SVT book 4 next?
August 14, 2023
I've always had a soft spot for Teacher's Pet. I loved that s
SVT tackled the idea of what would happen if Jessica was legitimately better than Elizabeth at something but because of Elizabeth's personality and reputation, she was treated better. Of course, Jessica doesn't handle it well, but I've always loved the books where she might be a brat about it but she's still in the right at the core of the problem.
That's intact in this adaptation and the graphic novel aspect plays very well with her hopes and dreams being continuously dashed. I do wish her parents had to acknowledge that she was right when she told them she wasn't being treated fairly but we don't always get what we want. I did dislike Madame Andrè getting away with blaming her ignoring Jessica on being so busy. No. She dismissed Jessica day one and then had to be tricked into realizing the truth. That's not cool and I thought the original had her acknowledge that? Gonna have to dig it out and see.
Mini thoughts: Steven translated well to comic form but the Aaron mention better not be trying to tie into SVC because SVC has never and will never be canon!
I still do not know wtf the fourth Unicorn is. For the love of all that's holy, give us a cast of characters page.
Not sure why we're following up a book about the most talented kid being excluded from their chosen passion with yet another book about that and skipping Nora's rightful place in cover art.
SVT tackled the idea of what would happen if Jessica was legitimately better than Elizabeth at something but because of Elizabeth's personality and reputation, she was treated better. Of course, Jessica doesn't handle it well, but I've always loved the books where she might be a brat about it but she's still in the right at the core of the problem.
That's intact in this adaptation and the graphic novel aspect plays very well with her hopes and dreams being continuously dashed. I do wish her parents had to acknowledge that she was right when she told them she wasn't being treated fairly but we don't always get what we want. I did dislike Madame Andrè getting away with blaming her ignoring Jessica on being so busy. No. She dismissed Jessica day one and then had to be tricked into realizing the truth. That's not cool and I thought the original had her acknowledge that? Gonna have to dig it out and see.
Mini thoughts: Steven translated well to comic form but the Aaron mention better not be trying to tie into SVC because SVC has never and will never be canon!
I still do not know wtf the fourth Unicorn is. For the love of all that's holy, give us a cast of characters page.
Not sure why we're following up a book about the most talented kid being excluded from their chosen passion with yet another book about that and skipping Nora's rightful place in cover art.
August 19, 2024
Absolutely hate the ending. Liz did not need to give away her spotlight. Jessica is annoying and mean and just so awful to her sister, and never receives any punishment or learns from her actions. Absolutely horrible and pathetic. But the art is nice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2023
I’m not 100% sure that my rating isn’t colored by nostalgia BUT I think this graphic novel might be better than the original. Maybe.
Jessica is still the worst. I hate that she acts so horrible and yet still gets exactly what she wants in this book. I mean yes it is not right that the ballet teacher is overlooking her but that happens in real life all the time and throwing an everyday, all day, unrelenting fit about it does not get you your way…it just makes people hate you. Unfortunately, the people in Jessica’s life are enablers who unconsciously end up showing her that being horrible is the way to getting what you want.
BUT it was fun to see all the characters drawn out. The artwork was great…especially loved seeing the Wakefield family.
Jessica is still the worst. I hate that she acts so horrible and yet still gets exactly what she wants in this book. I mean yes it is not right that the ballet teacher is overlooking her but that happens in real life all the time and throwing an everyday, all day, unrelenting fit about it does not get you your way…it just makes people hate you. Unfortunately, the people in Jessica’s life are enablers who unconsciously end up showing her that being horrible is the way to getting what you want.
BUT it was fun to see all the characters drawn out. The artwork was great…especially loved seeing the Wakefield family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2023
I clearly do not know what took me so long to read this book but if a Ballet person reads this and they know about ballet then... they will be offended and it would look weird to them but it was a good book!
July 15, 2024
alternate title: jessica wakefield, undiagnosed sociopath and world’s biggest tool.
March 24, 2026
not as good as the first one, but it was still a fun time.
jessica’s actions and feelings felt a lot more justified in this one 😅
jessica’s actions and feelings felt a lot more justified in this one 😅
Read
June 7, 2024lets not talk about this
February 15, 2026
Very nice drawings and how they resolved the conflict of the other twin being the favorite was really nice.
September 18, 2025
Representation: Black and Asian characters
Trigger warnings: N/A
Score: Five out of ten.
Find this review on The StoryGraph.
This one wasn't any better.
It's been a few months since I last read from this series, but I picked up another instalment, Teacher's Pet, written by Francine Pascal, adapted by Nicole Andelfinger and illustrated by Claudia Aguirre. That's a lot of authors. I headed in with low expectations, but it felt underwhelming when I closed the final page.
It starts (more like continues) with Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield, this time focusing on their ballet class, which turns out to be a dominant theme throughout the novel. Other than that there's not much plot or literary value to this creation. The pacing is enough to keep the plot going, with a length of exactly 200 pages, and the art stayed the same with no improvements or downgrades. The character development from Best Friends seems to have disappeared, as Jessica must develop her character (again) from a sister distancing herself from Elizabeth to a more caring person.
Why is this? I'm unsure. There are only a few pages dedicated to the side characters, like the twins' mother. Adding more pages showing them would've improved the reading experience. The plot here is during a ballet class, there is an upcoming play called Coppélia, and of course both protagonists would do anything to become the lead actor. The author fumbled the diversity since there was only one Asian character and two Black characters (all of whom are girls) in a PWI, and I would've liked to see more, but they are mostly out of the spotlight. It feels tokenistic. It was easier to find women characters than those of other genders. A person in the target audience (meaning younger readers,) wouldn't mind, and perhaps I'm not the type of person who would enjoy Teacher's Pet. The concluding pages are heartwarming as I see one of the sisters perform well in the play.
At this rate, it would take a few more months for the continuation of the series, Choosing Sides, to arrive, which isn't anytime soon, but I'll stop reading this series for now if the quality doesn't increase.
Trigger warnings: N/A
Score: Five out of ten.
Find this review on The StoryGraph.
This one wasn't any better.
It's been a few months since I last read from this series, but I picked up another instalment, Teacher's Pet, written by Francine Pascal, adapted by Nicole Andelfinger and illustrated by Claudia Aguirre. That's a lot of authors. I headed in with low expectations, but it felt underwhelming when I closed the final page.
It starts (more like continues) with Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield, this time focusing on their ballet class, which turns out to be a dominant theme throughout the novel. Other than that there's not much plot or literary value to this creation. The pacing is enough to keep the plot going, with a length of exactly 200 pages, and the art stayed the same with no improvements or downgrades. The character development from Best Friends seems to have disappeared, as Jessica must develop her character (again) from a sister distancing herself from Elizabeth to a more caring person.
Why is this? I'm unsure. There are only a few pages dedicated to the side characters, like the twins' mother. Adding more pages showing them would've improved the reading experience. The plot here is during a ballet class, there is an upcoming play called Coppélia, and of course both protagonists would do anything to become the lead actor. The author fumbled the diversity since there was only one Asian character and two Black characters (all of whom are girls) in a PWI, and I would've liked to see more, but they are mostly out of the spotlight. It feels tokenistic. It was easier to find women characters than those of other genders. A person in the target audience (meaning younger readers,) wouldn't mind, and perhaps I'm not the type of person who would enjoy Teacher's Pet. The concluding pages are heartwarming as I see one of the sisters perform well in the play.
At this rate, it would take a few more months for the continuation of the series, Choosing Sides, to arrive, which isn't anytime soon, but I'll stop reading this series for now if the quality doesn't increase.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2023
Such a cute adaptation that shows sisterly jealousy in a ballet recital! Jessica is upset because Elizabeth gets chosen for the lead in the recital, but when the main decoration for the ballet goes missing they don’t know if the ballet will even go on. I’m not sure if it’s because I had an ARC or if it was just an odd ending but after the resolution to the story, the girls follow a cab to a la old “haunted” house and one of their friends wants to try out for cheerleading, and then the book just ends. Weird, but a super cute GN none the less!
July 2, 2023
2.5/5 It’s nice to finally get a kids’ book where the recital ballet is not the Nutcracker (which I love- don’t get me wrong) and Coppelia is such a fun one. The twins are at their most bratty in this story lol. If you grew up loving Sweet Valley High and Sweet Valley Twins, it’s worth it for the nostalgia element. This one does have kind of a garbage message, with Elizabeth giving in to Jessica’s pettiness & jealousy and “twisting” her ankle so her sister could dance the part she wanted most. I do enjoy how these are staying true to the OG series in that way though.
April 29, 2025
for a main dancer and Elizabeth is picked which really upsets Jessica.
The question is which sister is actually a better dancer? Is the teacher too hard on Jessica or is she justified? What happened to a missing doll?
The book just doesn't feel right to me. I'm assuming the ballet teacher knew what she was doing when she gave praise and criticism. She seems to be an experienced teacher. The resolution seems almost too convenient and a little forced.
Rather disappointing.
The question is which sister is actually a better dancer? Is the teacher too hard on Jessica or is she justified? What happened to a missing doll?
The book just doesn't feel right to me. I'm assuming the ballet teacher knew what she was doing when she gave praise and criticism. She seems to be an experienced teacher. The resolution seems almost too convenient and a little forced.
Rather disappointing.
August 24, 2023
I want to like these more than I actually do, based on how I loved the originals. I don’t love the style and how everyone always looks annoyed. And can we please get some chapters instead of one long story?
Want to Read
April 2, 2023Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
December 1, 2023
Jessica is apparently more insufferable in this book than the last one.
May 28, 2024
What can I say? It was there and didn’t take long to read.
Weird to see the Wakefield twins with cell phones, though.
Weird to see the Wakefield twins with cell phones, though.
September 12, 2024
DNF’d, won’t be continuing with the series
July 7, 2023
Copy provided by the publisher
Continuing in this graphic novel adaptation of the original 1980s books, the Best Friends twins Jessica and Elizabeth are heavily involved in the recital that their ballet class is putting on. Jessica complains about everything; there is an extra practice when she could be out at the beach, the teacher likes Elizabeth better than her for no reason, Elizabeth is also involved in writing the program for the performance, so how dare she also want to try out for the lead? The ballet is Coppelia, and both girls try out for the lead role of Swanhilda. Jessica tries all manner of tactics to get the teacher to notice her, including standing next to the worst dancer in the studio, but Elizabeth points out that this may not work in her favor. She arranges for the two to help this dancer, but Jessica blows her off to hang out with the unicorns. When the try outs are moved up suddenly, Jessica does bring Elizabeth's bag to the studio but neglects to inform the teacher that her sister is coming, and instead makes comments that maybe her sister is not longer interested. It makes no difference, and Elizabeth gets the part, even though when rehearsals begin, it looks like Jessica may in fact be the better dancer. She does give Elizabeth some pointers that seem to help, and Elizabeth recognizes that Jessica really does dance well. She decides to fake an injury so that Jessica can sneak in and perform the role, and the teacher apologizes for not recognizing how talented Jessica is.
Strengths: Like The Baby-Sitters Club, the Sweet Valley Twins series has a lot of fans in the original target demographic, and when I checked out the first book from out public library, one of my eighth graders begged to borrow it and loved it. Friend and family drama is always popular with my students, and we have that in buckets here, with the snooty Unicorns supporting Jessica and adding dollops of their own drama, some of it involving cute boys. The angst is visible in the eyes of the characters; Aguirre is a past master of the starry-eye, and using very exaggerated facial expressions. From what I can determine, this adaptation is very close to Pascal's original story line, but replaces notes that the girls write with cell phone messages.
Weaknesses: Jessica is a very self-involved young lady who is unable to have any empathy or understanding for her sister, and while we are not allowed to refer to characters as unpleasant, she certainly is not an example of good behavior.
What I really think: This will be hugely popular with readers who like graphic novels like Libenson's Invisible Emmie, Hale's Real Friends, or the angst ridden tomes of Raina Telgemaier. Older readers might have bad flashbacks to the 1980s when this sort of sisterly behavior was accepted!
Continuing in this graphic novel adaptation of the original 1980s books, the Best Friends twins Jessica and Elizabeth are heavily involved in the recital that their ballet class is putting on. Jessica complains about everything; there is an extra practice when she could be out at the beach, the teacher likes Elizabeth better than her for no reason, Elizabeth is also involved in writing the program for the performance, so how dare she also want to try out for the lead? The ballet is Coppelia, and both girls try out for the lead role of Swanhilda. Jessica tries all manner of tactics to get the teacher to notice her, including standing next to the worst dancer in the studio, but Elizabeth points out that this may not work in her favor. She arranges for the two to help this dancer, but Jessica blows her off to hang out with the unicorns. When the try outs are moved up suddenly, Jessica does bring Elizabeth's bag to the studio but neglects to inform the teacher that her sister is coming, and instead makes comments that maybe her sister is not longer interested. It makes no difference, and Elizabeth gets the part, even though when rehearsals begin, it looks like Jessica may in fact be the better dancer. She does give Elizabeth some pointers that seem to help, and Elizabeth recognizes that Jessica really does dance well. She decides to fake an injury so that Jessica can sneak in and perform the role, and the teacher apologizes for not recognizing how talented Jessica is.
Strengths: Like The Baby-Sitters Club, the Sweet Valley Twins series has a lot of fans in the original target demographic, and when I checked out the first book from out public library, one of my eighth graders begged to borrow it and loved it. Friend and family drama is always popular with my students, and we have that in buckets here, with the snooty Unicorns supporting Jessica and adding dollops of their own drama, some of it involving cute boys. The angst is visible in the eyes of the characters; Aguirre is a past master of the starry-eye, and using very exaggerated facial expressions. From what I can determine, this adaptation is very close to Pascal's original story line, but replaces notes that the girls write with cell phone messages.
Weaknesses: Jessica is a very self-involved young lady who is unable to have any empathy or understanding for her sister, and while we are not allowed to refer to characters as unpleasant, she certainly is not an example of good behavior.
What I really think: This will be hugely popular with readers who like graphic novels like Libenson's Invisible Emmie, Hale's Real Friends, or the angst ridden tomes of Raina Telgemaier. Older readers might have bad flashbacks to the 1980s when this sort of sisterly behavior was accepted!
Read
February 13, 2025I feel like the first book has a lot more drama and book 2 is a lot more tame and focused on two scenarios. First Jessica is being overlooked by her ballet teacher. And second is the recital where both girls are trying their absolute best to get the lead role. I also felt because they're twins, that their mother would understand that having the girls, as competitive as they are now, one would get jealous of the other. But maybe she didn't think too much of it, despite them turning into teens and trying to be separate people in the first book.
Jessica is shown to be a spoiled brat in the first book but is redeemed by the end of it slightly. But now we as readers are forced to think Jessica is being obnoxious here, when she actually was better than Elizabeth, never getting recognized for anything and only when madam made a mistake thinking Jessica was Lizzie, does the reader finally understand that Jessica is being treated unfairly.
Tho I did appreciate the peptalk mom gave Jessica. She's wise beyond her years. And I felt it was appropriate. But the book ends suddenly without her parents giving her proper credit and that Madam falls back on her overwhelming work schedule, which is very realistic but can feel like a cop out. But it didn't feel quite as rewarding as I would have hoped, making me feel for Jessica a bit. Especially since she's the one helping Lizzie out with her moves and Lizzie finally realizes too that Jessica is actually better than her, forfeiting her lead role so her sister can shine.
Honestly I think I enjoyed this one more and it was more digestible. The theme of ballet is not my thing but reading it, I appreciated that a not so popular thing anymore among girls is still being talked about in today's age. The art of ballet should be preserved.
Going to read the third book because the series is growing on me. Haha.
Jessica is shown to be a spoiled brat in the first book but is redeemed by the end of it slightly. But now we as readers are forced to think Jessica is being obnoxious here, when she actually was better than Elizabeth, never getting recognized for anything and only when madam made a mistake thinking Jessica was Lizzie, does the reader finally understand that Jessica is being treated unfairly.
Tho I did appreciate the peptalk mom gave Jessica. She's wise beyond her years. And I felt it was appropriate. But the book ends suddenly without her parents giving her proper credit and that Madam falls back on her overwhelming work schedule, which is very realistic but can feel like a cop out. But it didn't feel quite as rewarding as I would have hoped, making me feel for Jessica a bit. Especially since she's the one helping Lizzie out with her moves and Lizzie finally realizes too that Jessica is actually better than her, forfeiting her lead role so her sister can shine.
Honestly I think I enjoyed this one more and it was more digestible. The theme of ballet is not my thing but reading it, I appreciated that a not so popular thing anymore among girls is still being talked about in today's age. The art of ballet should be preserved.
Going to read the third book because the series is growing on me. Haha.
April 23, 2026
This was genuinely infuriating. Jessica is such a bully - she tries to cause her twin sister Elizabeth to miss their important dance tryout as Jessica feels threatened by Elizabeth, she spreads a cruel rumour about Elizabeth when her sister ends up getting the lead in their ballet recital, she's flaky - she doesn't follow through with her word when she promises to help Elizabeth teach their classmate Amy how to be better at ballet, and she's always gossiping with her little 'Unicorn Club' mean girl friends.
We don't actually know if Jessica is a better dancer than Elizabeth. While Jessica is shown lifting her legs higher and better executing the positions, the story is from Jessica's perspective so this is what she believes to be true but not necessarily what is actually true.
It's also possible that Elizabeth was cast instead of Jessica as the lead because personality and temperament play a role in casting. Elizabeth showed tremendous leadership by helping Amy improve her ballet skills. Elizabeth is also very humble - she doesn't brag or put down other dancers whereas Jessica is shown gossiping with her friends about how Amy is a terrible dancer.
I have seen in other reviews that the ending is terrible - Elizabeth gives up her lead role for Jessica. I really don't support people guilting/bullying others into getting what they want. Elizabeth deserves to be the only Wakefield daughter and not have to live with such a selfish sister. I only made it halfway through this graphic novel before rage quitting - it was really that bad.
Personally I didn't like the art style. I thought the ballet looked clunky and awkward.
Overall, a tremendously disappointing read of a nostalgic 90s classic. I think I'll stick with the Babysitter's Club graphic novels instead.
We don't actually know if Jessica is a better dancer than Elizabeth. While Jessica is shown lifting her legs higher and better executing the positions, the story is from Jessica's perspective so this is what she believes to be true but not necessarily what is actually true.
It's also possible that Elizabeth was cast instead of Jessica as the lead because personality and temperament play a role in casting. Elizabeth showed tremendous leadership by helping Amy improve her ballet skills. Elizabeth is also very humble - she doesn't brag or put down other dancers whereas Jessica is shown gossiping with her friends about how Amy is a terrible dancer.
I have seen in other reviews that the ending is terrible - Elizabeth gives up her lead role for Jessica. I really don't support people guilting/bullying others into getting what they want. Elizabeth deserves to be the only Wakefield daughter and not have to live with such a selfish sister. I only made it halfway through this graphic novel before rage quitting - it was really that bad.
Personally I didn't like the art style. I thought the ballet looked clunky and awkward.
Overall, a tremendously disappointing read of a nostalgic 90s classic. I think I'll stick with the Babysitter's Club graphic novels instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2023
I'm assuming this is a more or less accurate graphic novel version of the original, which I haven't read. My complaints about the story aren't reflected in my score, in which case, so I'm grading entirely on the adaptation (art, layout, lettering), which is impeccable! I should show this to my ballet teacher in-law to get her opinion on the depiction, but it FEELS accurate!
The story is mostly about the ballet teacher unfairly overlooking Jessica in favour of her twin (Elizabeth), and it feels like maybe Jessica is just biased, until the end, when So, kind of hate seeing that, but I guess it happens, and it's good to acknowledge it, for validation for those kids who've been victims of such favouritism?
Recommended for fans of the first GN or the original series! Also for ballet fans, sure!
The story is mostly about the ballet teacher unfairly overlooking Jessica in favour of her twin (Elizabeth), and it feels like maybe Jessica is just biased, until the end, when So, kind of hate seeing that, but I guess it happens, and it's good to acknowledge it, for validation for those kids who've been victims of such favouritism?
Recommended for fans of the first GN or the original series! Also for ballet fans, sure!
November 9, 2023
If you’ve followed me awhile, you know it’s not a secret I was obsessed with Sweet Valley as a kid/teen. While I didn’t love the storyline of the first graphic novel, book two Teacher’s Pet was an improvement in storyline and lesson.
The storyline focuses on the girl’s dance class, where the teacher shows clear favoritism to Elizabeth while critiquing or ignoring the other girls. Jessica is jealous since she feels she’s the better dancer and practices more than Elizabeth. The final straw is when Elizabeth is cast as the main dancer in the recital, while Jessica was cast in the ensemble.
My issue with the first book was Jessica and friends didn’t face any real punishment for bullying Lois. This time there is a better resolution between the girls and the dance teacher.
I think the sibling rivalry storyline is relatable and applicable to today.
I like seeing side characters that eventually get bigger roles in the series, like Lila, Amy, and Steven. The books have been updated to include cell phones. I like that Mrs Wakefield is involved in the twin’s lives vs some middle grade books where the kids are off on their own the entire time.
Overall, a solid read that parents and kids will like.
QOTD: what do you think would make a good topic for a middle grade/ya book?
The storyline focuses on the girl’s dance class, where the teacher shows clear favoritism to Elizabeth while critiquing or ignoring the other girls. Jessica is jealous since she feels she’s the better dancer and practices more than Elizabeth. The final straw is when Elizabeth is cast as the main dancer in the recital, while Jessica was cast in the ensemble.
My issue with the first book was Jessica and friends didn’t face any real punishment for bullying Lois. This time there is a better resolution between the girls and the dance teacher.
I think the sibling rivalry storyline is relatable and applicable to today.
I like seeing side characters that eventually get bigger roles in the series, like Lila, Amy, and Steven. The books have been updated to include cell phones. I like that Mrs Wakefield is involved in the twin’s lives vs some middle grade books where the kids are off on their own the entire time.
Overall, a solid read that parents and kids will like.
QOTD: what do you think would make a good topic for a middle grade/ya book?
May 22, 2025
I read Sweet Valley Twins: Teacher’s Pet before my daughter—I wanted to check it out first and see what it was about. It’s a fast and fun graphic novel, with beautiful, expressive illustrations that really bring the characters and emotions to life.
At first, I thought Jessica was just being a sore loser, but as the story unfolds, you realize she’s actually the more passionate and dedicated dancer. She puts in more hours and truly loves ballet. Elizabeth, on the other hand, is kind and thoughtful—and maybe that’s why the teacher connects more with her, even if she isn’t as skilled as her sister. She is very good, but not as good as her twin. That felt very real. Sometimes things are unfair, and I liked how the story portrayed that feeling honestly.
I appreciated how Elizabeth handled it in the end—she could see it was unfair and tried to make things right. These are the kinds of sibling dynamics and social situations that happen in real life, and the book handled them really well. I also like how the mom handled it… as a parent, sibling rivalry is not easy to handle - and I think she dis a great job. Elizabeth is still my favorite—she’s the heart of the story.
July 10, 2024
I wasn't as big a fan as this as the prior volume. It focuses more on sibling jealousy rather than the normal friction and, granted it's a middle grade book, felt kind of shallow in its resolution. The central premise is both twins, Jessica and Elizabeth, are taking ballet and Jess feels Liz is receiving constant praise from the teacher for an inferior performance while she (Jess) is ignored. Liz's obliviousness/denial of the situation and Jess's envy are main forces of conflict. Tensions come to a head when both twins are trying for the lead in the play Coppélia.
The underlying instigator, the biased teacher, is never really explored or explained. It's not malicious, but the whole presentation feels pointed enough that it could have been at least been attributed to being unconscious from confusing the twins or other coloring of perception beyond "oops, I didn't notice I was doing that." I kept waiting for the twins to try to switch places as a blind test to detect bias, but that never happened either.
The underlying instigator, the biased teacher, is never really explored or explained. It's not malicious, but the whole presentation feels pointed enough that it could have been at least been attributed to being unconscious from confusing the twins or other coloring of perception beyond "oops, I didn't notice I was doing that." I kept waiting for the twins to try to switch places as a blind test to detect bias, but that never happened either.
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