Sweet Valley High #67 The Parent Plot, #68 The Love Bet, and #69 Friend Against Friend

In Sweet Valley High #67, The Parent Plot, Elizabeth wants to get her parents back together, but Jessica wants them to date other people.  Both girls scheme, aware that the other is trying to attain the opposite result.  Meanwhile, Mr. Wakefield continues his campaign for mayor, but Liz and Maria learn some unsettling information that will have a big impact on the election.

The summary for #65 would have worked better on this book.  The summary for #65 mentions the election and how some people do not approve of the men backing Ned Wakefield's campaign.  There is no controversy about the campaign backers until this book.

I enjoyed this book.

In Sweet Valley High #68, The Love Bet, Dana Larson and Aaron Dallas both declare that they are no longer interested in dating.  For some unknown reason, Liz and Todd decide that they will scheme to get Dana and Aaron to fall in love.  They make up stories to tell each one about how the other one feels.  They write love notes and meddle endlessly.  Dana and Aaron seem to be falling for each other, but will it last?

Ugh.  Liz and Todd, get a life.

Liz and Todd go on double dates with Dana and Aaron during this book, and it seems that Aaron is really good friends with Todd.  This is strange, since I recall that Aaron was best friends with Jeffrey French, Liz's former boyfriend.  I guess Aaron is actually best friends with Liz's current boyfriend, whoever that might be.

Liz and Todd's manipulation of Aaron and Dana is childish and annoying.  I did not enjoy the story until near the end.

In Sweet Valley High #69, Friend Against Friend, Charlie Cashman has started picking on Andy Jenkins solely because he is black.  Neil Freemount is Andy's best friend, but Neil's family socializes with Charlie's family.  Charlie pressures Neil to help him make Andy pay, and Neil briefly goes along with him, feeling quite guilty.  Will Andy and Neil's friendship ever be the same?

The purpose of this book is to teach about racism.  All of the Sweet Valley High students, aside from Charlie Cashman and his close friends, are utterly shocked about Charlie's actions.  It seems that none of them would ever think a racist thought, and none of them have ever considered that anyone in Sweet Valley could be racist.

I couldn't help thinking about Jessica and her mean friends.  During this entire series, Jessica has judged everyone who isn't just like her.  She has been exceedingly mean to anyone who is overweight, unattractive, or poor.  I have to think that Jessica and her friends might also look down on someone who is not white, but of course, the series would never dare suggest anything like that.

I enjoyed this book.