There’s a new student in Mrs. Becker’s second grade class! Eva Simpson has just arrived in Sweet Valley from Jamaica and all of the children are eager to meet her. Unfortunately, Jessica is stuck at home with the flu on Eva’s first day, so she has to miss out on the excitement. On the strength of her social studies mark (uh, why?) Elizabeth is chosen to help Eva settle in, much to the displeasure of Lila, who thought she was the obvious choice, having once visited Jamaica on vacation.

When Jessica returns to school the next day, Eva is sitting in her chair and Elizabeth seems more interested in the new girl than her twin. Jessica, egged on by Lila, decides that she doesn’t like Eva at all.

That weekend, Elizabeth invites Eva to join her pre-arranged play-date with Amy. At first, Amy is welcoming, but when Elizabeth pays more attention to Eva than Amy, Amy starts to whisper with Jessica, who is banned from swimming due to her cold. When they return to school on Monday, Jess pairs up with Amy in order to get back at Elizabeth, pissing Lila off in the process. Elizabeth doesn’t understand what she’s done to make both Jessica and Amy angry, and Jess doesn’t know why Lila is acting mean.

In the end, it’s Eva who saves the day. She literally ties everyone up until they’re friends again, thanks to being forced to cooperate to untangle themselves. Jessica decides she likes Eva after all… if only so she will never again be forced to play pirates with Amy Sutton.

I think this is the best SVK book so far, with genuine drama and high stakes. The moral of the story is a decent one as well.

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