Sweet Valley High Updated

Posted by Laura L. Johnson Jun 2, 2008

In early 2008, Francine Pascal, author and creator of the Sweet Valley Series released the first two books in the popular Sweet Valley High series, but now with updated jargon and situations. The Wakefield twins now carry Blackberrys, have BFF's and hang out in internet cafes.

I'm personally a bit skeptical about this. I grew up with Elizabeth and Jessica, following them and their innocent pranks and their lessons learned, but never did I feel like they lived in my world. The world of the Wakefields was always unapologetically "perfect" and had neat, wrapped up endings, and that was okay. These new additions seem to try to make the series more like the lives of teens in 2008, and frankly, I think it destroys a bit of the magic of Sweet Valley.

It all goes back to the age-old question of "why do we read?" Some believe we read to learn more about the world around us and to experience through others experiences. Others believe we read to escape from the reality in which we live and to find adventure and live vicariously through others lives. I think I read for both reasons, but when it comes to Sweet Valley, I've never felt like I was being taught a lesson - I felt that I was being entertained. That being said, I'm not sure how I feel about these new additions. I suppose time will only tell how it affects the success of the series.