novelesque_life's review
4.0
RATING: 4 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)
I picked up one of the Sweet Valley Twins novel at the library (before my strict read in order only rule) and fell in love with the California twins and their friends and family. I had just started reading thicker chapter books, and joining the library summer reading club, I went through these books pretty quick. I was excited that I could read and really fell in love with books and reading. I believe I was about 7-9 when I read these books so it was exciting to read about 12 year old popular preteens. I could relate to both Elizabeth and Jessica, and really could not pick which twin I liked better. I would not finish this series as I would quickly move on to Sweet Valley High ([b:Double Love|529252|Double Love (Sweet Valley High, #1)|Francine Pascal|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1377446756l/529252._SY75_.jpg|3257147]). These are very tame books, and any age could read them. First crushes and bullying were the big issues that I can remember. This is very Full House (TV series) kind of books.
***This is a series review***
(Review Not on Blog)
I picked up one of the Sweet Valley Twins novel at the library (before my strict read in order only rule) and fell in love with the California twins and their friends and family. I had just started reading thicker chapter books, and joining the library summer reading club, I went through these books pretty quick. I was excited that I could read and really fell in love with books and reading. I believe I was about 7-9 when I read these books so it was exciting to read about 12 year old popular preteens. I could relate to both Elizabeth and Jessica, and really could not pick which twin I liked better. I would not finish this series as I would quickly move on to Sweet Valley High ([b:Double Love|529252|Double Love (Sweet Valley High, #1)|Francine Pascal|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1377446756l/529252._SY75_.jpg|3257147]). These are very tame books, and any age could read them. First crushes and bullying were the big issues that I can remember. This is very Full House (TV series) kind of books.
***This is a series review***
_mjreads_'s review
1.0
reread this for nostalgia and holy crap Jessica is the worst. This book is full of bullying and fatphobia. No wonder I had such a messed up view of myself as a kid- reading stuff like this.
readingthethings's review
3.0
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* i read all the sweet valley twins books with my sister when i was little ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* those would take up a LOT of slots here, so i'll just put this here as representative of the AMAZING ADVENTURES ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* (i loved these books!) ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* :)
⁂ reread in 2018 for the nostalgia x
⁂ reread in 2018 for the nostalgia x
taracalaby's review against another edition
The various Sweet Valley series aren't exactly known for being excellent literature. Entertaining? Absolutely. Edifying? Not so much. That said, the very first Sweet Valley Twins book is actually good junior fiction.
Elizabeth and Jessica have always dressed alike and done everything together, because that's what identical twins do. But now they're in middle school and developing different interests and groups of friends. Jess is starting to notice boys (Bruce Patman in particular, because of course) and wants to join the super-exclusive Unicorn Club, while Liz doesn't understand the appeal of boys and is excited about starting a sixth grade newspaper with her non-exclusive friends Julie and Amy.
Elizabeth basically freaks out about this, because she's scared that she's losing her best friend. It doesn't help when a Unicorn Club pledge leads to Jessica having a complete makeover and choosing non-matching clothes for the first time ever.
The Unicorns don't really think Elizabeth is a good fit, but to keep Jess in the club, they allow her to pledge—and all she has to do is play a prank on resident fat girl, Lois Waller. Liz refuses, because it's Not Nice, but Jess secretly pretends to be her and successfully completes the pledge task on Elizabeth's behalf. Liz is horrified when she finds out what's happened. She makes Jessica apologise and helps Lois to get revenge on the Unicorns. Well, mostly on Lila, for some reason.
In the end, Elizabeth realises that it's okay that she and Jessica have different priorities now, especially as that means she gets to do what she wants, instead of just doing whatever Jess suggests.
So why is it good? Firstly, it's a well executed coming-of-age plot. There's a lot in here about how it's important to be true to who you are, even if that means stepping out of your safety zone every once in a while. While most readers aren't going to be identical twins, many will have long-term friendships that begin to change as they approach puberty, and it's good to reassure kids that it's okay if you like things that your best friend doesn't like, and okay to have friends that aren't shared.
Additionally, Alice Wakefield is a strong and helpful presence throughout the book. Liz really needs her mother to help her to understand that Jessica's new friends and interests don't have to affect their closeness, and to encourage her to develop her own social group and identity that doesn't revolve around her sister. It's good to have that adult voice of reason to counter Elizabeth's fears and Jessica's standard obliviousness.
Oh, and it's made very clear that
Best Friends is a very good introduction to the Sweet Valley Twins series. And just a pretty good book overall.
Moral of the Story? It's okay to be your own person.
[re-read: previously read about 3 times]
Elizabeth and Jessica have always dressed alike and done everything together, because that's what identical twins do. But now they're in middle school and developing different interests and groups of friends. Jess is starting to notice boys (Bruce Patman in particular, because of course) and wants to join the super-exclusive Unicorn Club, while Liz doesn't understand the appeal of boys and is excited about starting a sixth grade newspaper with her non-exclusive friends Julie and Amy.
Elizabeth basically freaks out about this, because she's scared that she's losing her best friend. It doesn't help when a Unicorn Club pledge leads to Jessica having a complete makeover and choosing non-matching clothes for the first time ever.
Spoiler
And, once Jess actually gets into the club, Liz feels like she has to be a part of it too, even though she has no interest in their gossip-and-boys-filled discussion topics.The Unicorns don't really think Elizabeth is a good fit, but to keep Jess in the club, they allow her to pledge—and all she has to do is play a prank on resident fat girl, Lois Waller. Liz refuses, because it's Not Nice, but Jess secretly pretends to be her and successfully completes the pledge task on Elizabeth's behalf. Liz is horrified when she finds out what's happened. She makes Jessica apologise and helps Lois to get revenge on the Unicorns. Well, mostly on Lila, for some reason.
In the end, Elizabeth realises that it's okay that she and Jessica have different priorities now, especially as that means she gets to do what she wants, instead of just doing whatever Jess suggests.
So why is it good? Firstly, it's a well executed coming-of-age plot. There's a lot in here about how it's important to be true to who you are, even if that means stepping out of your safety zone every once in a while. While most readers aren't going to be identical twins, many will have long-term friendships that begin to change as they approach puberty, and it's good to reassure kids that it's okay if you like things that your best friend doesn't like, and okay to have friends that aren't shared.
Additionally, Alice Wakefield is a strong and helpful presence throughout the book. Liz really needs her mother to help her to understand that Jessica's new friends and interests don't have to affect their closeness, and to encourage her to develop her own social group and identity that doesn't revolve around her sister. It's good to have that adult voice of reason to counter Elizabeth's fears and Jessica's standard obliviousness.
Oh, and it's made very clear that
Spoiler
playing the prank on Lois was unkind. There's a definite distinction in the book between Jessica's pledges, which don't single out an individual for embarrassment, and Elizabeth's, which does.Best Friends is a very good introduction to the Sweet Valley Twins series. And just a pretty good book overall.
Moral of the Story? It's okay to be your own person.
[re-read: previously read about 3 times]
danalheywood's review
3.0
Best Friends is a novel that tells the story of two twins: Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield. The twins were the best of friends that did everything together, they even would match their clothes everyday. Life was perfect for them until they started school at Sweet Valley Middle school. Suddenly they began to do different after school activities and even dress differently. Its a story of conflict and compromise that takes the audience on an exciting journey with the twins,
Best Friends is the perfect mixture of drama and sass. I found it to be extremely entertaining not because it was supposed to be, but because the twins were ridiculous. The pranks they pulled on each other were awful and yet I wanted more. I think this is an excellent book for any young tween that wants to see the changes that can come from starting Junior High. Its more of a fun read rather than a life changer but a good level for anyone that is starting to read chapter books.
Warning: Book contains fighting and sass!
Best Friends is the perfect mixture of drama and sass. I found it to be extremely entertaining not because it was supposed to be, but because the twins were ridiculous. The pranks they pulled on each other were awful and yet I wanted more. I think this is an excellent book for any young tween that wants to see the changes that can come from starting Junior High. Its more of a fun read rather than a life changer but a good level for anyone that is starting to read chapter books.
Warning: Book contains fighting and sass!
hwiley's review
5.0
favorite childhood series. i read every single one since my mom had the whole series. i would do anything to find those!