ALA Booklist (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Identical twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield are sixth graders at Sweet Valley Middle School. Elizabeth is excited to finally be allowed to start a class newspaper and Jessica is on fire to join The Unicorns, a select group of friends who hang out, gossip, and bully other kids (not that they'd call it bullying re like playing pranks and offering "constructive criticism"). This is the first time the two haven't participated in the same activities and Elizabeth is worried Jessica is leaving her behind. But when Jessica takes one of The Unicorn's pranks too far and hurts one of Elizabeth's friends, Elizabeth realizes that being her own person is probably for the best. Based on the original Sweet Valley Twins novel from the 1980s, the story is nicely adapted to this new format. Though the twins are drawn identically, blonde and blue-eyed, there are enough visual clues to tell the two girls apart, and the rest of the cast appears more racially diverse. This series should be as popular with readers as The Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels.

Kirkus Reviews (Wed Nov 30 00:00:00 CST 2022)

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. (Graphic fiction. 8-12)

School Library Journal (Tue Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Gr 3 Up— Jessica and Elizabeth are identical twins who used to do everything together. But after 12 years of sharing the same room, wearing the same clothes, and doing the same activities, middle school is going to change everything. Now Jessica is interested in joining the Unicorns, an exclusive club for popular girls. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is more interested in starting a school newspaper and inviting her friends to work on it with her. The twins no longer feel the same way about boys, or ballet, or how important it is to be popular. While much of this story is light and fluffy, it also explores issues like peer pressure, sibling rivalry, and the limits of friendship. The graphic novel format will introduce this classic series to a new generation, and the colorful artwork will attract even the most reluctant readers. VERDICT For fans of the "Sweet Valley" series, as well as any readers looking for girl-centric stories about friendship, fighting, and forgiveness.— Andrea Lipinski