Sweet Valley High # 16 From Rags to Riches
I haven't seen anyone claim this one, and I just finished reading it. Sorry I don't have a picture of the cover. I'm at home, on dial up, and LJ and pictures is being tempermental. So without further ado, let the snarkiness continue....
So this book was confusing. And pretty boring to start with. This scene opens with Olivia Davidson talking to Roger Barrett Patman about all the changes that have just occurred in his life. His mother is dead, and he's just found out that he's the illegitimate son of Paul Patman, Bruce's uncle. That's a lot to take in, so his head is spinning. Olvia goes on to think about all that they've been through. When Roger was a nothing, people used to make fun of him for being a responsible human being and working as a janitor to help his mom pay the bills and put food on the table. Because there's nothing less attractive than a guy who is mature and responsible.
Olivia is worried about how all of these changes are going to affect her Roger. Because they had so many hurdles to get through to prove that she cared for him for who he was when he was poor, she's worried him being rich will throw up some of the same hurdles. Ok, I understand this. Kinda, not really. But in the end she decides to stand her ground and stick by Roger so he'll know that his new found rich status doesn't effect how she feels about him. Yay Olivia!
Meanwhile the rumor mill in SVH is going strong. All anyone can talk about is how Roger Barrett Patman is suddenly rich. Who cares that his mother just died and he must be dealing with all sorts of grief and loss, now he has money! Money apparently mends a broken heart. Too bad I didn't get any when my mother died. Maybe that's why I still cry about missing her. Hmmm, maybe not.
Enter Jessica. Jessica has decided that now that Roger Barrett Patman has become rich, she wants him. Not for his money or anything. Her intentions are purely good evil. Anyway, there's going to be a party, because there has to be at least one in every book. And this book has two! The Patman's are throwing a "Welcome to the Family" Party at their mansion for Roger and all his little friends. As an added twist, Liz and Todd have noticed that something weird is going on with Regina Morrow. She keeps ditching class, which is so unlike her. So, of course, they have to figure out what's going on.
Roger is now thrust into this new world of having to dress up and look nice. So chapter 2 is basically him fumbling around, not using the right forks at a dinner party with his aunt, uncle, Bruce and their friends, the Fergusons. All this chapter does is reconfirm what a dick Bruce is, what a Bitch Mrs. Patman is and make me wonder why Henry is married to such a self-righteous nut case.
The next afternoon, Todd and Liz cut class and follow Regina downtown, where they see her meet with an older man. They, of course, jump to conclusions. But they have the good sense to keep it to themselves. Too bad Lila Fowler was also ditching class so she could be downtown and witness the same event. She was picking up her dress from the seamstress. What 16 year old visits a seamstress? Lila immediately starts spreading rumors about Regina's affair with an older man.
At the same time, Roger is downtown with his Uncle Henry at The Sports Shop. What an original name. Anyway, Henry buys him a new pair of running shoes and a tennis racket and essentially spends more money on him than Roger ever earned in one month of cleaning stuff. Roger starts thinking that maybe being a Patman has its advantages. Yes, being able to afford athletic equipment that will gather dust.
Back to the Wakefield Twins. Jessica is trying to get ready for the barbecue. She shoves this ridiculously attrocious sounding bathing suit into a bag. Liz comes in and asks her what's with the preppy look. Because apparently, cheerleaders don't dress preppy. Guess that was just at my school. Jessica makes mention of Regina's older man, having heard the rumor from Lila. She claims she's worried about Regina's reputation. Since when? Oh, since now, I guess.
Now we're at the Patman's bbq. Mrs. Patman is overdressed for the occasion wearing pink silk lounge pajamas. Apparently the party at the Playboy mansion was overbooked. Bruce is wearing a speedo which leaves little to the imagination. Not that he has much to imagine about. Jessica sucks up to Mrs. Patman, who then thinks that Roger and Jessica should be dating. Jessica thinks so too, and thus hatches a plan to take Olivia under her wing and show her how to impress Roger's new family, for her own selfish gains.
Regina's also at the party, and Caroline Pearce and Lila are talking to her. So Liz decides to eavesdrop. All in the name of research! Liz decides these rumors are horrible, but they've done too much to detective work as it is. This is the brightest thing she says all book. Then everyone congregates to the food, where Jessica convinces Olivia that it's allright for her to take two plates of food and get dessert at the same time as the other food. But in Olivia's defense, she puts fruit on the same plate as brownies. And it's a party! The food is meant to be enjoyed.
Bruce and Jessica decide to invite Roger and Olivia to play doubles tennis. Only Bruce and Jessica are good and Roger and Olivia both suck. But this is all a part of Jessica's master plan and she's banking on Bruce's competitive spirit to bring Roger right where she wants him.
The some more boring stuff happens, that moves the plot along. Something about Liz watching a John Travolta movie and thinking he's hot. Jessica shopping with Olivia in The Designer Shop, another originally named store. Her working Olivia over about making her own dress instead of buying something that is costs a grand.
Then we have lunch at school the next day. They're serving Hungarian Goulash. My high school never served anything fancy. Fanciest we got was taco salads. Caroline Pearce makes mention of her imaginary boyfriend Adam (IBA), in another not so subtle foreshadowing moment. Then we go back to Regina, who is getting all angry and embarassed because people are talking about her and the information isn't even accurate.
Then comes the Tennis Doubles match, in which Jessica makes Olivia feel like an ass for not being a good tennis player. Olivia ends up taking a face plant onto the court. Then she leaves in tears and Jessica scores herself another point.
Next chapter Regina asks Liz if she's heard the rumors going around. Of course she has. Then Regina asks her to come home with her after school. So she does. Come to find out that this older man is a talent agent and that he "discovered" Regina as his next model. So she's been leaving school early to model for Ingenue magazine. She's about to be on the cover. She didn't want anyone to know for reasons she doesn't really explain. Obviously, its easier to be upset that people are starting rumors about you instead of just telling the truth. Whatever.
Here we also get a brief glimpse into the Morrow family closet of skeletons. Turns out that Regina and Nicholas' mom used to be a model. And that their mom was taking a lot pills (i.e. using heroin to retain her figure) and that the doctor's think this contributed to Regina's hearing loss.
So, now that Liz knows the truth, what does she do? She calls Todd and tells him she knows what's going on with Regina but she can't tell him cause she told Regina she'd keep it a secret. So, of course, he gets mad. Because everyone loves it when they tell you they have a secret but can't share it with them.
The some more boring stuff happens to supposedly move the plot foward. Liz notices Olivia is looking stressed. But she apparently hasn't realized that it could be because Jessica is up to something. Because Jessica only stabs someone in the back in each book. Then there's a conversation between Roger and Mrs. Patman about what Roger wants to do with his life. He wants to be a doctor. But Mrs. Patman scorns this idea because it's too messy. Business is a much more profitable (and self-absorbed) field of study. Mrs. Patman says Bruce is so sure of himself, blah, blah, blah. No, Bruce is a cocky son-of-a-bitch. That's different. She also makes reference to how Olivia isn't a good girlfriend. And instead of standing up to them, Roger just takes it. I really didn't like Roger at this point. Grow some balls!
Lila figures out what Regina is doing and tries to convince Lane Townsend that she should be on the cover of Ingenue. Lane tells her, her face is too flat for the camera. Ha! Ha!
Roger and Olivia have a fight and break up. Liz sees her at the mall where they have Cokes and tells Liz all about it.
Dear Ghostwriter,
"Cokes" is a coloquial term. On the West Coast, kids have a "soda," Coke or otherwise.
-Love me
Jessica gets Roger to invite her to the country club as his date. Party Number 2. He finally figures out that Mrs. Patman has had it out for Olivia since day one when he over hears a phone conversation between her and Mrs. Ferguson while he was looking for cuff links in his uncle's closet.
Long story short, he and Olivia get back together. Jessica is smited but not defeated, Todd forgives Liz for not spilling her guts about Regina's secret and everyone loves Regina's mug on the cover on Ingenue. The story ends with Caroline Pearce making up letters from her IBA.
This book was so confusing. I didn't know who was telling the story half the time. How about we switch perspectives in the middle of a chapter? Ok!
Number of times the Twins figure is mentioned: 2 (directly) It was mentioned lots while they were shopping.
Number of times the 4-minute age difference is mentioned: 2
Number of girls crying: 2 (Regina and Olivia, lots of times)
Typos: 1
Words teenagers in 1985 would never use: 1 (I don't even use the verb "alighting" in 2007)
So this book was confusing. And pretty boring to start with. This scene opens with Olivia Davidson talking to Roger Barrett Patman about all the changes that have just occurred in his life. His mother is dead, and he's just found out that he's the illegitimate son of Paul Patman, Bruce's uncle. That's a lot to take in, so his head is spinning. Olvia goes on to think about all that they've been through. When Roger was a nothing, people used to make fun of him for being a responsible human being and working as a janitor to help his mom pay the bills and put food on the table. Because there's nothing less attractive than a guy who is mature and responsible.
Olivia is worried about how all of these changes are going to affect her Roger. Because they had so many hurdles to get through to prove that she cared for him for who he was when he was poor, she's worried him being rich will throw up some of the same hurdles. Ok, I understand this. Kinda, not really. But in the end she decides to stand her ground and stick by Roger so he'll know that his new found rich status doesn't effect how she feels about him. Yay Olivia!
Meanwhile the rumor mill in SVH is going strong. All anyone can talk about is how Roger Barrett Patman is suddenly rich. Who cares that his mother just died and he must be dealing with all sorts of grief and loss, now he has money! Money apparently mends a broken heart. Too bad I didn't get any when my mother died. Maybe that's why I still cry about missing her. Hmmm, maybe not.
Enter Jessica. Jessica has decided that now that Roger Barrett Patman has become rich, she wants him. Not for his money or anything. Her intentions are purely good evil. Anyway, there's going to be a party, because there has to be at least one in every book. And this book has two! The Patman's are throwing a "Welcome to the Family" Party at their mansion for Roger and all his little friends. As an added twist, Liz and Todd have noticed that something weird is going on with Regina Morrow. She keeps ditching class, which is so unlike her. So, of course, they have to figure out what's going on.
Roger is now thrust into this new world of having to dress up and look nice. So chapter 2 is basically him fumbling around, not using the right forks at a dinner party with his aunt, uncle, Bruce and their friends, the Fergusons. All this chapter does is reconfirm what a dick Bruce is, what a Bitch Mrs. Patman is and make me wonder why Henry is married to such a self-righteous nut case.
The next afternoon, Todd and Liz cut class and follow Regina downtown, where they see her meet with an older man. They, of course, jump to conclusions. But they have the good sense to keep it to themselves. Too bad Lila Fowler was also ditching class so she could be downtown and witness the same event. She was picking up her dress from the seamstress. What 16 year old visits a seamstress? Lila immediately starts spreading rumors about Regina's affair with an older man.
At the same time, Roger is downtown with his Uncle Henry at The Sports Shop. What an original name. Anyway, Henry buys him a new pair of running shoes and a tennis racket and essentially spends more money on him than Roger ever earned in one month of cleaning stuff. Roger starts thinking that maybe being a Patman has its advantages. Yes, being able to afford athletic equipment that will gather dust.
Back to the Wakefield Twins. Jessica is trying to get ready for the barbecue. She shoves this ridiculously attrocious sounding bathing suit into a bag. Liz comes in and asks her what's with the preppy look. Because apparently, cheerleaders don't dress preppy. Guess that was just at my school. Jessica makes mention of Regina's older man, having heard the rumor from Lila. She claims she's worried about Regina's reputation. Since when? Oh, since now, I guess.
Now we're at the Patman's bbq. Mrs. Patman is overdressed for the occasion wearing pink silk lounge pajamas. Apparently the party at the Playboy mansion was overbooked. Bruce is wearing a speedo which leaves little to the imagination. Not that he has much to imagine about. Jessica sucks up to Mrs. Patman, who then thinks that Roger and Jessica should be dating. Jessica thinks so too, and thus hatches a plan to take Olivia under her wing and show her how to impress Roger's new family, for her own selfish gains.
Regina's also at the party, and Caroline Pearce and Lila are talking to her. So Liz decides to eavesdrop. All in the name of research! Liz decides these rumors are horrible, but they've done too much to detective work as it is. This is the brightest thing she says all book. Then everyone congregates to the food, where Jessica convinces Olivia that it's allright for her to take two plates of food and get dessert at the same time as the other food. But in Olivia's defense, she puts fruit on the same plate as brownies. And it's a party! The food is meant to be enjoyed.
Bruce and Jessica decide to invite Roger and Olivia to play doubles tennis. Only Bruce and Jessica are good and Roger and Olivia both suck. But this is all a part of Jessica's master plan and she's banking on Bruce's competitive spirit to bring Roger right where she wants him.
The some more boring stuff happens, that moves the plot along. Something about Liz watching a John Travolta movie and thinking he's hot. Jessica shopping with Olivia in The Designer Shop, another originally named store. Her working Olivia over about making her own dress instead of buying something that is costs a grand.
Then we have lunch at school the next day. They're serving Hungarian Goulash. My high school never served anything fancy. Fanciest we got was taco salads. Caroline Pearce makes mention of her imaginary boyfriend Adam (IBA), in another not so subtle foreshadowing moment. Then we go back to Regina, who is getting all angry and embarassed because people are talking about her and the information isn't even accurate.
Then comes the Tennis Doubles match, in which Jessica makes Olivia feel like an ass for not being a good tennis player. Olivia ends up taking a face plant onto the court. Then she leaves in tears and Jessica scores herself another point.
Next chapter Regina asks Liz if she's heard the rumors going around. Of course she has. Then Regina asks her to come home with her after school. So she does. Come to find out that this older man is a talent agent and that he "discovered" Regina as his next model. So she's been leaving school early to model for Ingenue magazine. She's about to be on the cover. She didn't want anyone to know for reasons she doesn't really explain. Obviously, its easier to be upset that people are starting rumors about you instead of just telling the truth. Whatever.
Here we also get a brief glimpse into the Morrow family closet of skeletons. Turns out that Regina and Nicholas' mom used to be a model. And that their mom was taking a lot pills (i.e. using heroin to retain her figure) and that the doctor's think this contributed to Regina's hearing loss.
So, now that Liz knows the truth, what does she do? She calls Todd and tells him she knows what's going on with Regina but she can't tell him cause she told Regina she'd keep it a secret. So, of course, he gets mad. Because everyone loves it when they tell you they have a secret but can't share it with them.
The some more boring stuff happens to supposedly move the plot foward. Liz notices Olivia is looking stressed. But she apparently hasn't realized that it could be because Jessica is up to something. Because Jessica only stabs someone in the back in each book. Then there's a conversation between Roger and Mrs. Patman about what Roger wants to do with his life. He wants to be a doctor. But Mrs. Patman scorns this idea because it's too messy. Business is a much more profitable (and self-absorbed) field of study. Mrs. Patman says Bruce is so sure of himself, blah, blah, blah. No, Bruce is a cocky son-of-a-bitch. That's different. She also makes reference to how Olivia isn't a good girlfriend. And instead of standing up to them, Roger just takes it. I really didn't like Roger at this point. Grow some balls!
Lila figures out what Regina is doing and tries to convince Lane Townsend that she should be on the cover of Ingenue. Lane tells her, her face is too flat for the camera. Ha! Ha!
Roger and Olivia have a fight and break up. Liz sees her at the mall where they have Cokes and tells Liz all about it.
Dear Ghostwriter,
"Cokes" is a coloquial term. On the West Coast, kids have a "soda," Coke or otherwise.
-Love me
Jessica gets Roger to invite her to the country club as his date. Party Number 2. He finally figures out that Mrs. Patman has had it out for Olivia since day one when he over hears a phone conversation between her and Mrs. Ferguson while he was looking for cuff links in his uncle's closet.
Long story short, he and Olivia get back together. Jessica is smited but not defeated, Todd forgives Liz for not spilling her guts about Regina's secret and everyone loves Regina's mug on the cover on Ingenue. The story ends with Caroline Pearce making up letters from her IBA.
This book was so confusing. I didn't know who was telling the story half the time. How about we switch perspectives in the middle of a chapter? Ok!
Number of times the Twins figure is mentioned: 2 (directly) It was mentioned lots while they were shopping.
Number of times the 4-minute age difference is mentioned: 2
Number of girls crying: 2 (Regina and Olivia, lots of times)
Typos: 1
Words teenagers in 1985 would never use: 1 (I don't even use the verb "alighting" in 2007)