Comments on: Sweet Valley High Series, 2008 by Francine Pascal http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:25:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Holly http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-607 Holly Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:52:47 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-607 I never did get into SVH. However, I loved the Nancy Drew Case Files, which back in the late '80's were new "current" Nancy Drew books. In middle school, I was very into Christopher Pike and the early R.L. Stine (before Goosebumps) books. I never did get into SVH. However, I loved the Nancy Drew Case Files, which back in the late ’80’s were new “current” Nancy Drew books. In middle school, I was very into Christopher Pike and the early R.L. Stine (before Goosebumps) books.

]]> By: Mike http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-608 Mike Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:58:50 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-608 Hi Jen, OK, I read this review because I remember Sweet Valley High and wondered what was up. In fact, I remember you and Amy (and all those other girls) checking them out constantly from the library. (Man, I'm old) My series when I was a kid: Hardy Boys Bobbsey Twins (now that really dates me) Tarzan Andre Norton's Witch World books; still collect those, and you can see the collection on my website. Hi Jen,

OK, I read this review because I remember Sweet Valley High and wondered what was up. In fact, I remember you and Amy (and all those other girls) checking them out constantly from the library. (Man, I’m old)

My series when I was a kid:
Hardy Boys
Bobbsey Twins (now that really dates me)
Tarzan
Andre Norton’s Witch World books; still collect those, and you can see the collection on my website.

]]> By: Mike http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-609 Mike Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:59:55 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-609 Oops; thought the website URL would post. www.fowlervillehistory.org/andrenorton/ Oops; thought the website URL would post. www.fowlervillehistory.org/andrenorton/

]]> By: Blog Giveaway http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-610 Blog Giveaway Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:53:32 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-610 I am a big fan of this tv series but I am more into their book version. I almost got all of its book series up to Sweet Valley University. So having this a freebie would surely a thankful for me I am a big fan of this tv series but I am more into their book version. I almost got all of its book series up to Sweet Valley University. So having this a freebie would surely a thankful for me

]]> By: Kari http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-611 Kari Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:11:00 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-611 I also read most of the SVH books, and the SVH Twins (was that when they were younger?), my mom's Bobbsey Twins books, and the Babysitter's Club. very 80's, huh? I also read most of the SVH books, and the SVH Twins (was that when they were younger?), my mom’s Bobbsey Twins books, and the Babysitter’s Club. very 80’s, huh?

]]> By: Tarie http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-612 Tarie Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:05:04 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-612 Oh my... Oh my gosh... I am interested! I loved the Sweet Valley High series and all of its spinoffs. Hahaha! I will probably buy these and hunt down the old editions - mostly to compare and contrast. I also loved Nancy Drew and the Babysitters' Club! :o) Oh my… Oh my gosh… I am interested! I loved the Sweet Valley High series and all of its spinoffs. Hahaha! I will probably buy these and hunt down the old editions - mostly to compare and contrast. I also loved Nancy Drew and the Babysitters’ Club! :o)

]]> By: Tracy http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-613 Tracy Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:34:40 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-613 I skipped over the Sweet Valley High books (AND Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys) as well. I did read Babysitter's Club in 5th grade. And I was in love Alida Young's Megan the Klutz books. I skipped over the Sweet Valley High books (AND Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys) as well. I did read Babysitter’s Club in 5th grade. And I was in love Alida Young’s Megan the Klutz books.

]]> By: Mina http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-614 Mina Fri, 28 Mar 2008 22:56:34 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-614 But did you see the controversial disparity between the decades? In the 80's the twins were a "perfect" size 6, now they are a "perfect" size 4. What does that say about these books? http://gawker.com/5004617/random-house-proudly-promoting-eating-disorders But did you see the controversial disparity between the decades?

In the 80’s the twins were a “perfect” size 6, now they are a “perfect” size 4. What does that say about these books?

http://gawker.com/5004617/random-house-proudly-promoting-eating-disorders

]]> By: Jen Hubert http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-615 Jen Hubert Sat, 29 Mar 2008 01:35:23 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-615 Hi Mina, I did see the controversy about the size changes, and agree that isn't the best message to be sending girls who read these books. But most books are full of mixed messages, including the currently popular Gossip Girl and Clique series--books that arguably are the equivalent to what SVH was in its day. While those series are not my favorites, if they get teens reading, I'm willing to view them as a stepping stone into getting them reading "better" books (although, reading taste is relative in my opinion and you should NEVER apologize for what you like to read) Are there "better" books? Sure, but you never learn how to be a discerning reader until you've read through both trash and treasure. Random will find out soon enough whether or not the new SVH will fly with teens. I'm not convinced that they're any better or worse than any of the other series books for female teens currently on the market. Here are two links that argue the pros and cons of the continually popular GG, which in many ways is today's SVH, except racier: Young Adult Fiction: Wild Things by Naomi Wolf http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/12/books/review/12wolf.html?_r=1&oref=slogin Advanced Placement: the wicked joy of the Gossip Girl novels by Janet Malcolm http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2008/03/10/080310crat_atlarge_malcolm/?yrail Hi Mina,

I did see the controversy about the size changes, and agree that isn’t the best message to be sending girls who read these books. But most books are full of mixed messages, including the currently popular Gossip Girl and Clique series–books that arguably are the equivalent to what SVH was in its day. While those series are not my favorites, if they get teens reading, I’m willing to view them as a stepping stone into getting them reading “better” books (although, reading taste is relative in my opinion and you should NEVER apologize for what you like to read) Are there “better” books? Sure, but you never learn how to be a discerning reader until you’ve read through both trash and treasure. Random will find out soon enough whether or not the new SVH will fly with teens. I’m not convinced that they’re any better or worse than any of the other series books for female teens currently on the market.

Here are two links that argue the pros and cons of the continually popular GG, which in many ways is today’s SVH, except racier:

Young Adult Fiction: Wild Things by Naomi Wolf
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/12/books/review/12wolf.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Advanced Placement: the wicked joy of the Gossip Girl novels by Janet Malcolm
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2008/03/10/080310crat_atlarge_malcolm/?yrail

]]> By: Melissa Walker http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-616 Melissa Walker Sat, 29 Mar 2008 03:41:13 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-616 The balance of "good" and "bad" with Elizabeth and Jessica was just an amazing thing to behold when I was younger. It was like, "She's me! They're both me!" which is a balance that exists less in the SVHs of today, I think. The balance of “good” and “bad” with Elizabeth and Jessica was just an amazing thing to behold when I was younger. It was like, “She’s me! They’re both me!” which is a balance that exists less in the SVHs of today, I think.

]]> By: Raina Sedore http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-656 Raina Sedore Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:08:08 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-656 I have many fond memories of my love affair with any and all Nancy Drew series. I made the local youth services librarian print out a list of all the Nancy Drew books they had in the system, and I taped it on the back of my bedroom door, checking them off as I got through them. I only stopped when they put out the new covers (based on a tv show I didn't watch) with PHOTOGRAPHS of actors portraying the characters, instead of the impressionistic illustrations. I have many fond memories of my love affair with any and all Nancy Drew series. I made the local youth services librarian print out a list of all the Nancy Drew books they had in the system, and I taped it on the back of my bedroom door, checking them off as I got through them. I only stopped when they put out the new covers (based on a tv show I didn’t watch) with PHOTOGRAPHS of actors portraying the characters, instead of the impressionistic illustrations.

]]> By: Whitney http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-672 Whitney Wed, 07 May 2008 17:49:35 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-672 they r awesome books !!! i love them !!! they r awesome books !!!

i love them !!!

]]> By: RenĂ© http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-762 RenĂ© Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:59:15 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/03/28/sweet-valley-high-series-2008-by-francine-pascal/#comment-762 these books were kinda borring....i knew what was going to happen the whole time. yet it was a quick easy read. these books were kinda borring….i knew what was going to happen the whole time. yet it was a quick easy read.

]]>