Sweet Valley Twins (also known as Sweet Valley Twins and Friends) was the first spin-off to originate from Sweet Valley High, and was created by Francine Pascal and written by Jamie Suzanne. Published by Bantam Books on 1 July 1986, the series starts with the twins wanting to differ from each other. They begin to dress differently; Elizabeth moves into her own room and starts up a sixth-grade newspaper; and Jessica starts wearing make-up and becomes a member of the Unicorn Club.
Main characters Elizabeth Wakefield is the elder twin, born four minutes before Jessica. She enjoys reading (her favorite books are Amanda Howard mysteries) and writing, and hopes to become a journalist someday. She likes to concentrate on her school work and spend time with her friends. She writes for the sixth-grade newspaper, The Sixers, which she helped found. Elizabeth always helps Jessica out of her problems. She's often referred to as the reliable, more serious twin. Todd Wilkins is her constant love interest throughout the series.
Jessica Wakefield is the complete opposite of her twin; she loves gossip, boys, and fashion. She prefers to hang out with the other members of the Unicorn Club, a club consisting of the prettiest and most popular girls at their school. She is a member of the Boosters, the school's cheerleading squad, and often gets into trouble. She usually ends up concocting ridiculous schemes, and drags Elizabeth along with her. Aaron Dallas is her constant love interest throughout the series. She also likes Johnny Buck cassettes.
Jessica and Elizabeth are equally popular. They are described as having long golden hair, blue-green eyes, a tan, and a dimple on the left cheek.
Recurring characters Ned and Alice Wakefield, the parents of eldest son Steven and identical twin daughters Elizabeth and Jessica Steven Wakefield, the twins' older brother Lila Fowler, Jessica's best friend and biggest enemy, member of the Unicorn Club and from the joint-richest family in Sweet Valley Todd Wilkins, Elizabeth's sort-of boyfriend, and her first kiss Winston Egbert, the class clown, and only male member of the Boosters Ken Matthews, a short boy on the basketball team and Amy's love interest Caroline Pearce, the school gossip Charlie Cashman, a trouble-maker in the twins' class Mr. Bowman, the twins' English teacher and supervisor for The Sixers; Elizabeth's favorite teacher Mrs. Arnette, the twins' history teacher; called the "Hairnet" due to her ever-present hairnet Tom McKay, a good-looking student who captures the attention of all the girls in school Melissa McCormick, friend of Elizabeth. After her mother died, she and her brother tried to survive by themselves but after finding they couldn't, they lived with their father. She later became good friends with Lila after helping her when she thought she had lost her money. Denny Jacobson, Janet Howell's love interest Jake Hamilton, Lila's love interest Anna Reynolds, a deaf girl who moves to Sweet Valley late in the series Peter Jeffries, Mandy Miller's love interest Mandy Miller, a close friend of Jessica's who wanted to become a member of the Unicorn Club. She was initially snubbed, but gained acceptance with Jessica's help after Mandy was diagnosed with cancer. Lois Waller, a shy, overweight student who was once friends with popular student Janet Howell Shellae Mueller, enemy of the twins; burned their pom-poms; easily identified by her clipboard and three-inch stiletto heels Bruce Patman, a rich, handsome, selfish and extremely arrogant student. Great tennis player and doesn't like to lose. From the joint-richest family in Sweet Valley. Aaron Dallas, Jessica's sort-of boyfriend although she is seen having crushes on many other boys Amy Sutton, Elizabeth's best friend and one of the writers for The Sixers; the only member of The Boosters (besides Winston Egbert) who isn't a Unicorn Rick Hunter, Mary's love interest Julie Porter, friend of Elizabeth and member of the writing staff of The Sixers; a talented musician and piano player Johanna Porter, Julie's older sister, and also a friend of Elizabeth. Musically talented, and revealed to be a good singer. Peter DeHaven, one of the smartest boys in Sweet Valley Middle School Maria Slater, close friend of Elizabeth; a former child star Daniel Ross-Jones, Jessica's science teacher who helps her reach her full potential Brooke Dennis, friend of the twins, initially hated when she arrived at Sweet Valley, but Elizabeth showed everyone why she was so bitter. Her mother is a famous pop star. Belinda Layton, the best female athlete in school and a member of the Unicorn Club Ellen Riteman, a close friend of Jessica and a member of the Unicorn Club Janet Howell, Lila Fowler's cousin, and president of the popular girl's club, the Unicorn Club. Extremely snobbish and a former friend of Lois Waller. Betsy Gordon, a member of the Unicorn Club Tamara Chase, a member of the Unicorn Club Grace Oliver, a member of the Unicorn Club Robin, the twins' cousin Mary Wallace (formerly Giaccio, then Robinson and now Wallace), one of the few members of the Unicorn Club who is close friend with both Elizabeth and Jessica. In book 7 (Three's A Crowd), a foster child, she discovered she had been kidnapped when she was a baby. She later lived with her birth mother and her birth mother's husband. Ginny Lu Culpepper, niece of one of the twin's teachers, Mrs. Waldron. At first mocked by the more popular girls, she discovers her strengths in whittling and taking care of horses. Nora Mercandy, granddaughter of a former stage magician, who was incapacitated with a stroke. She is tormented and teased by Jessica and her snobby friends, until they realize the truth. Sophia Rizzo, close friend of Elizabeth. Initially thought to be a bad influence because her older brother was, but Elizabeth proved she wasn't. Sarah Thomas' stepsister. Kimberly Haver, member of the Unicorn Club; just as snobby as Janet Howell Randy Mason, one of the smartest boys at Sweet Valley Middle School Sarah Thomas, friend of Elizabeth; had been unintentionally neglected by her father and his younger girlfriend, Annie Mapleton. She originally hated Sophia Rizzo when their parents decided to get married, but accepted her as her stepsister. Kerry Glenn, who takes ballet classes with the twins and others
Books Best Friends: The twins start Sweet Valley Middle School and find they're growing apart! Teacher's Pet: The twins start ballet class and compete for a solo. Jessica is the better dancer but Elizabeth is the teacher's pet! The Haunted House: The old Mercandy mansion is considered haunted. When Nora Mercandy moves in with her grandparents, the kids at school treat her badly. But is the house haunted? Choosing Sides: Amy wants to be on the Boosters. but Elizabeth learns the Unicorns will do anything to keep her off the squad, including Jessica! Whose side should she take? Sneaking Out: The twins' parents say they're too young for the Johnny Buck concert, but nothing will stop Jessica from going. The New Girl: Brooke moves to Sweet Valley, and everyone hates her. The twins pretend to be triplets, and soon the whole school is ready to pull the best prank ever. But Liz discovers the reason that Brooke is so mean, and the prank doesn't seem too good an idea after all. Three's a Crowd: The twins' friend Mary starts acting like their sister, and they all discover a big secret. First Place: Lila has a horse and Elizabeth sucks up to her to spend time with it. Against the Rules: Everyone thinks Sophia Rizzo is big trouble. When Elizabeth is told she can't be friends with her, she decides to go against all the rules. One of the Gang: Jessica is the chairperson of the "Olympics" at school. After spraining her ankle, she tries to implement non-athletic events into the competition. Buried Treasure: Jessica and Ellen find buried treasure. Keeping Secrets: The twins' father teaches them a secret language passed down in the family, but they both have trouble keeping it a secret. Stretching the Truth: Mary lies to impress her friends, but when they decide to surprise her and the lies start to unravel, she regrets it. Tug of War: Elizabeth and Jessica run against each other for sixth-grade president. The Older Boy: Jessica pretends to be 15 to get a high school boy to go out with her, and ends up on a double date with his brother. Second Best: Tom McKay's older brother Dylan feels outdone by his younger brother, especially when an essay contest is announced at school. Boys Against Girls: The twins and their friends decide to take matters into their own hands when their new homeroom teacher turns out to be a complete sexist! Center of Attention: Alice Wakefield is ill and Jess thinks it's much worse. When she gets sympathy from everyone she lets her imagination run wild, but Elizabeth and Steven think she's taking it too far. The Bully: Dennis Cookman is a massive bully, and the school teams up to teach him a lesson. Playing Hooky: Jessica gets in trouble for skipping school, and both she and Elizabeth feel the repercussions. Left Behind: Sarah's father's fiancée is horrible! She wants to tell her friends but Annie has scared her into keeping silent. Out of Place: Ginny Lu arrives in Sweet Valley but finds it difficult to make friends, until Liz comes to her rescue. Claim to Fame: The twins fight to have their memories preserved in a school time capsule. Jumping to Conclusions: Is the twins' mother having an affair? Standing Out: Billie Layton, Sweet Valley Middle School's biggest tomboy, is going through some major changes in her life. Not only is she becoming aware of her physical development, but she realizes that boys can be more than buddies. Taking Charge: When Patrick Morris's parents forbid him to do anything other than school work, he thinks they are ruining his life and decides to run away. Will his parents find him before he gets into serious trouble? Teamwork: The twins and Ken dog-sit. But when they find that the dog has been abused, they don't know what to do. April Fool!: When the twins switch places, their April Fools' Day trick doesn't go as planned. Jessica & the Brat Attack: Jessica takes a baby-sitting job without Elizabeth's consent, then realizes how horrible the kids are. Princess Elizabeth: Elizabeth's pen-pal from Santa Dora comes to Sweet Valley... and he's a prince! Jessica's Bad Idea: Jessica gives Sandra Ferris a makeover, then decides it's a bad idea when Sandra becomes the class "darling." Jessica on Stage: Jessica gets the lead role in a play. Elizabeth's New Hero: The twins meet and befriend a member of the visiting East Germany Boys' Gymnastics team. Jessica, the Rock Star: Jessica joins a band formed by Bruce and other boys at school, and tries to imitate a famous singer without realizing she sounds terrible singing. Amy's Pen Pal: Amy's pen pal Samantha from San Francisco seems to be too good to be true. Mary is Missing: No one at school knows where Mary is, and cryptic clues left behind seem to indicate she has been kidnapped! The War Between the Twins: The Unicorns start their own newspaper which goes head-to-head with The Sixers. Lois Strikes Back: Lois Waller decides to teach her bully Bruce a lesson. Jessica & the Money Mix-up: Jess loses her father's charity money. Danny Means Trouble: Elizabeth tries to help Danny from being kicked off the track team, but he doesn't want help. The Twins Get Caught: The twins get caught sneaking out. Jessica's Secret: When Elizabeth starts her period before Jess, Jessica sees a trip to their cousins' as a chance to prove she is the more mature one. Elizabeth's First Kiss: Elizabeth and Jess both like Todd. Amy Moves In: Amy's house burns down and she moves in with the Wakefields Lucy Takes the Reins: Elizabeth helps Lucy Benson get back on the horse, literally.