SWEET VALLEY TWINS

Sixth grade pulls twins in separate directions.

Pascal’s original 1980s spinoff for younger readers of her Sweet Valley High series gets a graphic-novel makeover with some updates. The girls share a cellphone, carried by the more responsible Elizabeth. The blond, blue-eyed twins are White, but scenes at school and ballet class include racial diversity. Elizabeth is more reluctant to let go of the girls’ habit of dressing identically, while Jessica longs to be a star and to branch out socially. Broad, exaggerated expressions create a light, comedic vibe, and events move along briskly. Jessica, impulsive and extroverted, aspires to be one of the queen bees in the socially exclusive Unicorn Club (where the main activities are gossip and talking about boys). Elizabeth, kinder and more of a scholar, wants to start a newspaper, and her friendships seem healthier. The twins’ mother enrolls them both in ballet, and though it’s Jessica’s passion, Elizabeth seems to shine. Jessica attempts to get Elizabeth accepted into the Unicorns, but when she refuses to play a cruel practical joke on a classmate, Jessica assumes her identity, with a predictably unpleasant outcome. The sisters find that while they remain best friends, there are challenges in navigating their differences. The perennial appeal of twins—the ready-made best friend relationship and the possibilities for fooling others—is a big draw here. Bright, expressive colors and emotive facial expressions enhance the text.

Easy and light as cotton candy.