Pre-1990 YA Novels

"Sweet Valley High: Power Play"

Francine Pascal

Bibliographical Info: Pascal, F. (1983) Power Play. Connecticut: First Grey Castle Edition
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range: 12+

Response: There are so many things that I both loved and questioned when I was reading this book, but even though it was quite a bit much at times, I can say that oddly enough I thoroughly enjoyed it. It dramatized a typical high school scene where you have an outsider who desperately wants to be apart of the in crowd but in turn has to give up who she is, that is, until she has a moment of realization. Like Robin Wilson I know what it's like to want to be apart of the in crowd, but I couldn't help but feel exasperated over how desperately she wanted to be apart of the sorority Pi Beta Alpha. She was relentless and there were moments while reading that I just wanted her to realize that it wasn't worth doing all those crazy and embarrassing things and that she didn't need Pi Beta Alpha in order to feel good about herself. An issue that was brought up that really struck a nerve while reading was the constant mentions to Robin's weight. It hit close to home and the snide and cruel remarks were really offensive, and though I was happily applauding when Robin made a grand comeback, I felt that the fact that it was all based on her loosing weight sent the wrong message to young girls. Along with this, I felt that some of the background stories that were happening at the same time as the real story was irrelevant and had me questioning if they were really necessary. If anything it only seemed to add unneeded stress to one of the main characters which was Elizabeth Wakefield. What really sold me on this story was Robin and how she got revenge on Pi Beta Alpha, the stuck up Bruce Patman, and Elizabeth's snooty twin sister Jessica Wakefield. It's the classic underdog story that one can't help but root for and read over and over again.

Critique: 

• Setting: This whole series of books are set at Sweet Valley High where the popular run the school and money and looks are everything. Being a jock or a member of the sorority Pi Beta Alpha is prestige and being in the 'in' crowd is a constant power struggle.
• Point of View: Power Play seems to be told in third-person omniscient and  the plot constantly switches from Robin Wilson to Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield to Lila Fowler. In a way it adds depth to story because the reader gets different perspectives and subplots happening at the same time which ultimately leads to a better understanding and development of the main characters 
• Character: Jessica and Elizabeth are the perfect images of what every girl (and guy) would dream of, long blonde hair, blue green eyes, beautiful, and slim. The only thing is that they are complete polar opposites. Jessica is selfish, cruel, power hungry, and the queen bee one loves to hate and usually the one causing all the problems where as her twin Elizabeth is caring, compassionate, and a genuine person when it comes to taking care of her sister and others. They are foil characters of each other and though they are both completely different, they balance each other and the story out.  Robin Wilson is the so-called "best friend" of Jessica who desperately wants to be a part of Pi Beta Alpha and the main focus of the story as she goes through the greatest change in character.
• Theme: Classic underdog story but ultimately teaches that being apart of the popular crowd isn't everything and becoming the best version of yourself  is ultimately what matters most in the end. Don't loose who you are as a person in trying to become someone, because at the end of the day, you are who you are.

Connections: After having read Power Play ,by Francine Pascal, the students will be able to create a diagram comparing and contrasting the Wakefield twins from one another drawing from context clues read in the story. Other ideas include having students do a character analysis of one of the characters in the story or write about certain themes or issues that were brought up while reading. They could even be asked to draw connections to popular movies or books they have seen or read before such as Mean Girls or even Cinderella. How has this classic underdog story been told time and time again and what usually happens to the main character?

Discussion Questions:

1. Why does Robin Wilson so desperately want to become apart of Pi Beta Alpha?
2. How does Elizabeth agree to help?
3. How are Elizabeth and Jessica different from one another?
4. Who do you think blackballed Robin and why? What evidence can you gather from the reading to prove your point?
5. Who are some of the side characters mentioned in the story and what roles do they play?
6. How does Robin get her revenge and do you agree or disagree with what she did?
7. What is the theme of the story? What are your thoughts of other issues that are brought up?

Resources: 
http://www.series-books.com/svh/sweetvalley1-10.html
http://redlemonade.blogspot.com/2012/04/sweet-valley-high-revisited-power-play.html 
http://shannonsweetvalley.com/2009/02/16/sweet-valley-high-4-power-play/
http://www.amazon.com/Power-Play-Hardy-Boys-Casefiles/dp/0833571923