The hand is the only part of me that can reach this shelf…and just barely.
Up high on one of my shelves lives the start of a collection of books that remind me of my junior high years. I loved and read the whole Sweet Valley High saga. As I put down my Barbie dolls, I picked up Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield and fell right into their world.
All my friends who read them identified as either a Jessica – wild, spontaneous, carefree – or an Elizabeth – responsible, studious, thoughtful – even though no one I knew actually fell into only one category. My friend C was a Jessica. My friend K was an Elizabeth. I thought I was totally an Elizabeth but wanted to be more of a Jessica. Jessica seemed to have more fun.
The one aspect of Elizabeth that I really coveted was her boyfriend Todd. Alas, there was no Todd in my life.
Some people gleefully devoured Sweet Valley Kids and Sweet Valley Twins, but I was a purist. I stuck to canon.
My goal is to own the whole series. I keep watching for them at library sales and keep track of prices on Amazon and various other used book sites.
Do you collect any series? Which one(s)?
I’m showing and telling you about the books I love this month.
M. Suzanne Terry 
I really want to get into this series and after reading your post I may do now! P.s. I love your blog!
Thank you so much for reading and for the gracious compliment!
The series is definitely written for junior high readers, but I still love it. Ah, nostalgia.
I was a sucker for Judy Blume and Clan of the Cave Bear. Oh and that craziness that was Flowers in the Attic. Alas, those days are long gone, but I did make believe in those worlds too.
Oh, gosh. FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC. It was nutty, but I loved it. Aw, this makes me want to go read Judy Blume.
Ohhh, SVH- you were amazing! (Can’t bring myself to read the adult novel, though.) I collect some cozy mystery series, and then typically all of the books by a few specific historians. Cheers!
Yeah, I am avoiding the adult novel as well. What mystery series do you like?
I like Jenn KcKinlay’s Hat Shop Mysteries, as well as the County Cork Mysteries from Sheila Connolly. Cozies are my weakness 😦
I might have to check those out, too!
Aw, I forgot about these!! Thanks for a little moment of nostalgia. Fun. 🙂
You’re welcome!