The antics of Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield amused readers for twenty years (1983 – 2003) thanks to Francine Pascal and her team of ghost writers. The Sweet Valley series included numerous branches:
- Sweet Valley Kids
- Sweet Valley Twins
- Sweet Valley High
- Sweet Valley University
- Super Editions
- Super Thrillers
Totaling over 152 books, it was the series to read in the 90s for all teens.
The Twins
Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield were your typical twins found in books – identical in looks, but fairly opposite in personality. Elizabeth was the level-headed, calm, thoughtful twin, while Jessica was frivolous, fun-loving and often troublesome (though certainly nothing serious). Rarely did a book’s entire plot go by without Elizabeth having to pull Jessica out of another one of her scrapes again.
Other Characters
Ned and Alice Wakefield – Elizabeth and Jessica’s parents
Steven Wakefield – Elizabeth and Jessica’s older brother
Todd Wilkins – Elizabeth’s old boyfriend (finds his way through the entire series)
Enid Rollins – Elizabeth’s best friend
Lila Fowler – Jessica’s best friend (although often her worst enemy as well)
Winston Egbert – class clown
TV Series
As if the 152 plus books were not a big enough success, the Sweet Valley series also made it as a television series for three years. From 1994-1997, Sweet Valley High entertained readers and viewers alike. Jessica and Elizabeth were played by real-life twins Brittany and Cynthia Daniels.
News
Word has also gotten out that creator Francine Pascal has Sweet Valley High: The Musical in the works now. The article in the New York Post does not give a great deal of information, but perhaps more is to come. She hopes to open the show in LA in the fall.
In April 2008, Pascal also released two new books in the series: Double Love and Secrets. Diehard fans will recognize those as the titles of the very first two books in the series from 1983 – and they are, but with updates. Pascal, in hopes of renewing an interest in the Wakefield twins, updated the language and “props” of the books to fit 21st century teens. Technology and modern celebrities have found their way in to Sweet Valley High.
Though often thought of as “fluff” fiction for teens, no one can deny the great success of the Sweet Valley series. As so many readers have faithfully followed Elizabeth and Jessica growing up, so many more will hopefully continue to pick up their books as new in this generation and see that new ideas and different people are always worth reading about, and sometimes, fluff fiction is just what a world of sadness and trouble needs.
