So...why is this book called Third Wheel? I mean, Bethel's single and her friends aren't, blah blah blah, but doesn't third wheel imply that you're annoyed about it or feel like they're cramping your style? Going by this recap, that doesn't seem to be Bethel's problem...
Agreed...they seem to do this a lot in the Junior High and Senior Year series. I think the ghostwriters' aims were to use every possible cliche phrase they could think of and just smush them in wherever they sort of fit.
Re: racism, it's not just the black kids. Salvator can date Liz, sure, but that's because he's just ethnic enough to be "exotic sexy" as long as he acts pretty white, like an Italian exchange student or something. If you recall "Saved By The Bell" from around this same era, Slater got all the white chicks but Lisa never hooked up with any of the main cast. Screech had a crush on her but he wasn't a "serious" romantic candidate.
Anna can date Salvator, and Anna can date white boys too, but I don't think there was ever an instance of an Asian boy dating a white girl in Sweet Valley, either.
Great recap! I think Sweet Valley JY is growing on me...
She’s 13? Actually, correct me if I'm wrong but I think in this series they are all 14. Because they were 13 in The Unicorn Club series and that was set in 7th grade. But still, yeah. Mascara and poem-writing and chocolate roses at 14? Seems a little too romantic for that age...
If they were 14, it can't work, because they're 16 in junior year of high school, so they miraculously only age 2 years in the space of 3 years. I think they're 13 in this and they were just 13 for 2 years. Which, yeah,is pretty freaking stupid, but it's Sweet Valley. Or otherwise they were 14 for 8th and 9th grade.
I think it's because in 6th grade, they should have been 11, but weren't, so it put the whole thing out of whack.
Well, not sure if it helps, but Maria got to date the whitest of all white boys when she snagged Ken in Senior Year. :P And from what I remember, their relationship had less "OMG! Black/white" and more Ken's popularity and Maria's dorkitude- drama, which they amped considerably for SY.
Salvador’s dad makes a comment about everyone throwing themselves off a bridge but Liz counters with fashion choices are not the same as harming yourself.
I have mixed feelings on that rebuttle. There are certainly times when it's appropriate, like if someone wants to do something illegal or nasty. On the other hand, though, Liz does have a point. I'm not big on fashions myself, though.
Funniest thing: we all know that "by the time" they get to high school, tailored khaki slacks and prep-boy sweaters with peter-pan collared shirts will be the definition of dressing "cool."
LOL I was thinking that. I'm sure I'm not the first person to bring it up but did the creators of this series ever think about how in a year or two it's going to be 1984? Well, I guess Aerosmith have been around for a while.
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Anna can date Salvator, and Anna can date white boys too, but I don't think there was ever an instance of an Asian boy dating a white girl in Sweet Valley, either.
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Good point. Come to think of it, has there ever been an Asian boy in Sweet Valley, period? =S Ten points for someone who can name one...
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She’s 13?
Actually, correct me if I'm wrong but I think in this series they are all 14. Because they were 13 in The Unicorn Club series and that was set in 7th grade. But still, yeah. Mascara and poem-writing and chocolate roses at 14? Seems a little too romantic for that age...
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But the poems and stuff? I remember that as totally normal, if stalkery, middle school/jr high behavior.
Ick.
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I think it's because in 6th grade, they should have been 11, but weren't, so it put the whole thing out of whack.
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Oh, and Trent & Tia.
So occasionally it would happen.
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I have mixed feelings on that rebuttle. There are certainly times when it's appropriate, like if someone wants to do something illegal or nasty. On the other hand, though, Liz does have a point. I'm not big on fashions myself, though.
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