Got a Problem?

Sweet Valley Jr. High #11

by Francine Pascal (Creator), Jamie Suzanne

You know what Lacey wants? For everyone to stop asking what her problem is. Likes there's one answer to that, anyway.

Her problem is that everyone should leave her alone. Including her "best friends," who think they know everything.

Because they don't.

Genres: Childrens, Young Adult, Teen, Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Francine Paula Pascal was an American author best known for her Sweet Valley series of young adult novels. Sweet Valley High, the backbone of the collection, was made into a television series, which led to several spin-offs, including The Unicorn Club and Sweet Valley University. Although most of these books were published in the 1980s and 1990s, they remained so popular that several titles were re-released decades later.

Reviews

[Dove Daniel]

I’ve really been enjoying this series, but this book is a misstep. Lacey is absolutely horrible and I think the message is damaging.

Yes, boo hoo, she has a bad home, but so what? She treats people terribly. She schemes and wheedles and manipulates her way to get Kristin to spend time with her, then just completely insults, railroads or ignores her when she gets her own way.

And for the finale of the book to be, “Yeah, but Lacey’s your best friend. And, yes, she treats you terribly, but just think how badly she treats everyone else. You’re special. Out of all of the people she treats like dirt, you’re the only one she doesn’t spit on. That’s just how magical best friendship is!”

Kristin is trapped in an abusive friendship. She puts in 100%, Lacey guilts her for not managing to put in 150% and she gets absolutely zero in return.

Hideous message.

[Cristela T · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a book in general, this would be a 2 or 3...but it was a 4 for a Sweet Valley Jr. High book. I'm finally back at reading what used to be my favourite series when I was a pre-teen. I like that this book focuses on Lacey, one of my favourite characters. No matter how obnoxious she gets, I can't bring myself to dislike her. She is so hurt and damaged! The adults in her life do not care about her and she is how she is because of that. The one thing I didn't like is that she treated Kristin like a punching bag, and Kristin ended up apologizing when she did nothing wrong.

[Winna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too bad, but it focuses too much on Lacey, whom I don't really like.

[Sheila Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember the cover just not the story.