The Sweet Valley High Series   

The Sweet Valley High Series
Summaries and Quotes #1-10


The below summaries are taken from the back covers of the books.

  #1 Double Love

Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield are identical twins at Sweet Valley High.  They're both popular, smart, and gorgeous, but that's where the similarity ends.  Elizabeth is friendly, outgoing, and sincere—nothing like her twin.  Snobbish and conniving, Jessica thinks the whole world revolves around her. Trouble is, most of the time it does.  Jessica always gets what she wants—at school, with friends, and especially with boys.

This time, Jessica has set her sights on Todd Wilkins, the handsome star of the basketball team—the one boy Elizabeth really likes.  Now it's a game of double love, with Todd as first prize.  Elizabeth doesn't want to lose him, but what Jessica wants, Jessica usually gets . . . even if it ends up hurting her sister.

SVH #1 Double Love

Meet the Wakefield twins, their guys, and the rest of the gang at Sweet Valley High.

Subplot:

Jessica wonders who Steven Wakefield's new girlfriend is and is shocked to learn that Steven is dating Tricia Martin, a member of the trashy Martin family.  Jessica tries to convince Steven that her friend Cara Walker would make a better date.

Quotes from Volume 1

pages 1-2:
Jessica stared at herself in the full-length mirror and saw a picture of utter heartbreak and despair.  But what was actually reflected in the glass was about the most adorable, most dazzling sixteen-year-old girl imaginable.
page 49:
[Jessica] was still the most fantastic girl in school.

So why didn’t Todd know it?  Tears of angry frustration filled her eyes. She decided she would walk home from school.  Whenever she was out walking, she never failed to attract a good deal of attention from passing cars.

The more the better, she thought, swinging her hips a little as she set off.
page 115:
As Elizabeth stared at her brother, she was filled with despair.  She recalled the old saying about trouble coming in threes.  She counted:

I’ve lost Todd.

Steve’s lost Tricia.

Mom losing Dad would make it three.

Jessica, she noted coolly, was the only one who had managed to escape unscathed so far.
  #2 Secrets

Beautiful and ruthless, Jessica Wakefield is determined to be chosen queen of the fall dance at Sweet Valley High.  If she can win the contest, she's sure to win Bruce Patman, the most sought-after boy in school.

The only person standing in Jessica's way is Enid Rollins.  When Jessica discovers the truth about Enid's past, she knows the crown is within her grasp.  She doesn't care that Enid is her twin sister Elizabeth's best friend—or that revealing the secret may cost Enid both her reputation and the boy she loves.

Only Elizabeth can save Enid from Jessica's vicious gossip—but can she stop her scheming twin in time . . .

SVH #2 Secrets

Subplot:

Rumors fly that the lovely French teacher, Ms. Dalton, is having an affair with football player Ken Matthews. 

Quotes from Volume 2

pages 114-115:
Jessica was so furious she thought she might just strangle her sister on the spot.  Only the thought of spending the rest of her life in jail—away from Bruce—kept her from going through with it.

"You're going to walk up on that stage and accept that crown as if you were Miss America," Elizabeth was saying in a threatening voice.  "Not only that, but you're going to love every minute of it.  Or at least pretend to."

"Why should I?" Jessica demanded petulantly.  She didn't like to admit it, but on the rare occasions that Elizabeth really lost her temper and told her off, it had the desired effect of making her back down.

"Because if you don't"—Elizabeth leaned close to make sure she didn't miss a word—"I'll tell everyone in school what you did to Enid."

Jessica was really frightened now.  Deep down she knew what an awful thing it was she'd done.  Not even Cara would have gone that far.  What would people say about her if they knew?  What would Bruce think?
  #3 Playing with Fire

Watch out, Sweet Valley High!  Once again, Jessica Wakefield has gotten her way.  Fresh from her greatest social triumph, Jessica proceeds to sink her hooks into rich, handsome Bruce Patman, the most eligible, sought-after guy at SVH.

Or has Bruce gotten his hooks into Jessica?  Elizabeth, Jessica's twin, notices a big change in her sister.  Suddenly Jessica's following Bruce everywhere and dropping everything just to spend time with him.

Elizabeth doesn't trust Bruce one bit—he's arrogant, demanding, and way too fast.  Jessica can usually hold her own with any guy, but this time Elizabeth's afraid her sister may be going too far . . .

SVH #3 Playing with Fire

Subplot:

The Droids are approached by an agent who plans to book them at major clubs in Los Angeles in the near future.  The band practices each night in preparation, and drummer Emily Mayer has no time left to study.  Emily is forced into a dishonorable situation in a desperate attempt to keep her grades up.

Quotes from Volume 3

page 9:
Jessica was clearly in her element, moving with the music naturally and without effort.  Even her lustrous golden hair swayed to the beat, completing the perfect picture of a dancer caught up in ecstasy.
  #4 Power Play

Chubby Robin Wilson has been following Jessica around for months.  First she wanted to be her friend—now she wants to join Pi Beta Alpha, Sweet Valley High's snobby sorority.

When Elizabeth, Jessica's twin, nominates Robin for the sorority, Jessica is furious.  Robin may be friendly and smart, but she's certainly not beautiful or popular enough to be a Pi Beta.  Jessica's determined to find a way to keep Robin out.

But Elizabeth is just as determined to make Robin a sorority sister.  Soon the twins are locked in a struggle that develops into the biggest power play at Sweet Valley High . . .

SVH #4 Power Play

Subplot:

Elizabeth worries when Jessica receives expensive gifts from Lila, gifts that Lila supposedly received from her aunt.  Jessica claims that the story is true, but Elizabeth fears that Jessica is shoplifting from an exclusive store in the mall.

Quotes from Volume 4

page 115:
Jessica was waiting in the car when Elizabeth got there, and she was burning with curiosity.  She had seen Mr. Fowler arrive and had seen him and Lila leave. When Elizabeth opened the car door, Jessica wasted no time.  She pounced like ravenous lion.

"Elizabeth, I've been going totally crazy waiting!  What happened?"

"Nothing.  It's straightened out."

Jessica's face first registered shock, then disbelief, then frustrated fury at such an idiotically impossible answer.

"I get accused of being a thief, and you tell me nothing?" she raged.

"It's all cleared up, and Lila went home with her father, that's all."

"Ahhhhoooooooouuuuuuuu!" Jessica wailed in indignation, stomping her feet furiously against the floorboards of the car.
  #5 All Night Long

Elizabeth Wakefield knows her beautiful twin can handle almost any guy—most boys are just no match for Jessica's seductive charms.  But Scott Daniels, Jessica's latest love, is more of a man than a boy, much older and much more experienced than anyone Jessica's ever dated.

When Jessica sneaks off to a college beach party with Scott, Elizabeth's afraid of what could happen.  And when her twin isn't back by morning, Elizabeth's fear turns to alarm.  Where's Jessica?  Why has she stayed out all night long?

SVH #5 All Night Long

Subplot:

Elizabeth comes to school dressed as Jessica and considers taking a test for Jessica in her absence.  Todd disapproves, and Elizabeth finds that her relationship with Todd may be over.

Quotes from Volume 5

page 75:
"That bad, huh?  I know what you mean.  I had a fight with my boyfriend last week, and we're still not speaking." [Olivia] sighed.  "I guess I knew it was doomed from the beginning.  How can I have a meaningful relationship with someone who believes in offshore drilling?"

Elizabeth retrieved the last article from the floor, handed it to Olivia, and fled.  She liked Olivia, but she was in no mood to discuss nuclear holocausts and offshore drilling.
  #6 Dangerous Love

One of the strictest rules in the Wakefield house is "No motorcycles."  Ever since their cousin was killed in a crash, Elizabeth and Jessica have been forbidden to go near them.

So when Elizabeth's boyfriend Todd drives up on a shiny new Yamaha, she knows there's trouble ahead.  She can't ride Todd's bike, but other girls can—and do.  And the sight of those girls riding with their arms around Todd is making Elizabeth crazy with jealousy.

Todd tells her not to worry, but Elizabeth's scared of losing him.  Will Todd's new bike drive them apart?

SVH #6 Dangerous Love
  #7 Dear Sister

Sweet Valley is stunned by the news:  Beautiful young Elizabeth Wakefield lies in a coma, on the brink of death after a horrible motorcycle accident.

Elizabeth's boyfriend Todd is consumed by guilt; he was driving and escaped unharmed.  He feels totally helpless.  All he can do is wait for a change in Elizabeth's condition—a change that might mean the loss of the only girl he's ever loved.

But no one is more shattered than Elizabeth's twin, Jessica.  As she keeps watch over the silent body of her sister, she's overwhelmed by despair.  Without Elizabeth, can life go on?

SVH #7 Dear Sister

Quotes from Volume 7

page 7:
"Wouldn't you cry if you looked like me?" Elizabeth shouted the words at her stunned sister.

"If I looked like you?" Jessica wished somebody else were there to handle this.  "Liz," she said softly, "I do look like you.  We're twins, remember?"

"Of course I remember," Elizabeth snapped, narrowing her eyes.  "What are you trying to tell me, Jess?  Are you saying I'm stupid, or maybe crazy because I got hit on the head?"

"For heaven's sake, Liz, I'm not saying you're crazy," Jessica protested.  "You've been in an accident—and in a coma until three days ago.  You're lucky to be alive."

"And look like this?"

I don't believe this, Jessica thought.
page 60:
"Oh, rats, he's here!" She looked wildly around the room, hoping a solution might pop out of thin air.

The doorbell sounded again.

"It's not fair.  It's absolutely the most unfair thing that's ever happened to me in my entire life!" Jessica stormed as she opened the front door.

"Why, hello there."  Even in the depths of despair, Jessica could always manage a dazzling smile.
  #8 Heart Breaker

The surf's up in Sweet Valley, and gorgeous Jessica Wakefield is making a big splash with Bill Chase, the hottest surfer in town.  But after she tricks him into falling madly in love with her, she ignores him completely.

To complicate matters, shy, quiet DeeDee Gordon is also after Bill.  But Jessica has the upper hand.  If Bill even looks at DeeDee, Hurricane Jessica blows him off his board and back into her arms.  Can Bill escape Jessica's undertow, or is he in over his head?

SVH #8 Heart Breaker

Subplot:

Todd's old girlfriend Patsy Webber returns to Sweet Valley.  Trouble is, Patsy is gorgeous and sophisticated.  Elizabeth fears that Todd may still love Patsy.

  #9 Racing Hearts

Roger Barrett has always had a hopeless crush on glamorous, wealthy Lila Fowler.  The only attention Lila ever pays to him, though, is to make fun of him in front of her friends.  But why shouldn't she, he thinks.  After all, he's clumsy and shy and works secretly as a janitor after school.

When Roger wins the qualifying heat for a big race, he becomes a school celebrity overnight.  And to his surprise, even Lila starts to chase after him.  But Roger knows if he runs in the race finals, he'll lose his job.  Will Lila still notice him when he's no longer a star?

SVH #9 Racing Hearts

Subplot:

Jessica goes to work in her father's office and quickly falls in love with a boy who works across the hall.  Jessica stays late each night claiming to be working on her homework; Elizabeth knows better and wonders what is going on.

Quotes from Volume 9

pages 104-105:
True, it would be Lila's party, and the attention would be centered on Lila and Roger, but Jessica had a way of fixing that, too.  She could see it now.  Everyone who was anyone—from her sorority sisters to the guys on the boys' tennis team—would be gathered around Lila's lushly landscaped swimming pool.  Right in the center of things would be Lila, making sure everyone was aware that Roger was the object of her affection.  Then, as the hors d'oeuvres were being passed around, Jessica could casually mention to Cara how nice it was that Roger got time off from cleaning toilets to come to this affair.  Within minutes everyone would be looking at Lila strangely—and she'd try to discover why.  Soon she'd be off hiding in embarrassment, trying to figure out how to get out of this one.  That would set the stage for Jessica's introduction of Dennis and her taking over as star of the party.  Jessica started giggling inwardly in anticipation of the event.
  #10 Wrong Kind of Girl

Jessica Wakefield has sworn never to allow Annie Whitman onto the Sweet Valley High cheering squad.  Annie may have the beauty, talent and spirit to be a cheerleader, but she also has the worst reputation in school.  She goes out with a different boy every night, and all the kids call her "Easy Annie" behind her back.  Jessica's pulling every devilish trick to keep Annie from ruining the cheerleaders' image.

Only Elizabeth, Jessica's twin, knows what Annie's really like.  But can she change her sister's mind before Jessica shatters Annie's dreams?

SVH #10 Wrong Kind of Girl
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