SWEET VALLEY TWINS

In this latest series entry, the new student at Sweet Valley Middle School makes a bad first impression.

Twins Jessica and Elizabeth create their own new girl, fictional triplet sister Jennifer, after Brooke, their unpleasant new neighbor from Los Angeles, holds them in contempt. Brooke, with her chic, excessively formal clothes, gives off a snooty vibe, turning up her nose at anything local, disparaging Jessica and calling her Unicorns club “Uni-duds,” and insulting the school paper Liz is proud to work on. When Brooke accidently spills paint on Jessica’s book fair poster, classmates attribute the mishap to malice, and her fate as a pariah is sealed. The sisters take turns posing as Jennifer, whose friendly overtures soften Brooke up. She even confides in Jennifer that she’s hurt by her workaholic father’s neglect and her mother’s abandonment. Jessica plots to give Brooke a public comeuppance, while Liz, as usual, shows more sensitivity, integrity, and compassion than her twin, but loyalty leads her to participate in the scheme, performing the role of Jennifer. Disaster, remorse, and the requisite apologies from the blue-eyed, strawberry blond twins follow—and there’s even a promise of brighter days ahead for Brooke at home. The lively artwork, which uses bright pastels for most of the story, switches to darker jewel tones during scenes of emotional distress. Brooke has light brown skin and dark brown hair, and a Black-presenting supporting character is nonbinary.

The friendship dynamics are easy to follow; fans will be pleased.