SVK #33, Caroline's Halloween Spell
Okay, motivated by strangerface 's last two posts (and more than a little Jessica-like greed for those awesome shirts & compacts), I'm back to recap. It also helps that school is over. Time to ease back into things with SVK #33, Caroline's Halloween Spell.
There's not really a good picture of the cover online, but the background is orange and it shows Caroline, dressed as a witch, leering at a disgusted-looking Elizabeth in a detective costume.
Fair warning, this book is pretty horrible - I'd say more so than average, even for an SVK. It's not remotely cute/endearing/whatever a book for 7-year-olds is supposed to be. It's just...crap. Like those stupid little mini-Tootsie Rolls you always got way more of than you could ever eat in your Trick-or-Treat basket.
It's Halloween again in the world of SVK, and Jessica and Elizabeth are riding the bus to school with Caroline Pearce. Apparently in this series, she's a tattletale rather than a gossip. I guess that's kind of related...like gossiping to the teacher about other students. They're talking about reasons they like Halloween, and we learn that Jessica & Elizabeth often say things at the same time - because they're not just twins, they're identical twins! The same but different, etc., etc.
The kids start talking about what they're going to be for Halloween: Elizabeth doesn't know yet, Jessica is going to be a cheerleader (lol!) and Caroline, when asked, replies, "It's none of your business!" A bunch of boys start making fun of Caroline's red hair (an early instance of ginger abuse?) She stands up for herself by saying "You'll be sorry!" in a really menacing way.
At school, everyone is still talking about their costumes, and Mrs. Otis reminds them about the costume contest coming up on Tuesday, which is Halloween. Then, they go to the library where they're told to pick out a book about Halloween, for a book report that's due on the same day as the contest. Wow, they actually got more legit school assignments in SVK than any of the other series.
Elizabeth chooses a book called "All About Witches," and Jessica picks one called "How Halloween Started." Having been a square since birth, Liz begins reading her book right away, and learns that at one time, people thought women and girls with red hair were witches. This makes her think of Caroline. Subtle, Ghostie. So, she gets up and finds Caroline, who has also begun reading her book. When Elizabeth asks about it, Caroline yelps that it's nothing, and shoves it under the table. Are all of the SVKs this heavy on the cliffhangers?
Now all the kids are at recess. This is a really slow day. Caroline and Elizabeth briefly argue about who knows more about witches, and then they all start talking about how they love decorations. I don't know. There's mention of the archetypal Scary Old Lady Who Lives Alone - her name is Mrs. Frankel, who apparently hangs out a giant, scary skeleton every Halloween. I can't decide if this is an instance of actual continuity - Nora Mercandy hasn't moved to Sweet Valley yet - or if it's a complete lack thereof, the ghostwriter having no idea who Nora Mercandy even is. Anywhoozies, Caroline tells everyone that Mrs. Frankel isn't going to put up the skeleton again this year - she's going to put up a ghost. Because Caroline "knows lots of things." Well, okay then.
Jess & Liz get home to find out that yes, gasp and shock, Mrs. Frankel did in fact hang up a ghost instead of the old skeleton. Going on the evidence that witches have red hair and can see the future, and that Caroline must have talked to Mrs. Frankel to know about the ghost, the twins decide she must be a real witch! I hate them. I really do. I honestly hope I wasn't this stupid as a child.
The next morning, a Saturday, the twins leave right after breakfast to go spy on Caroline. Wouldn't want to waste any time, I guess. They see Caroline come out of the garage with a broom (witches use them to fly!) and then go into the kitchen and begin stirring a large pot (a cauldron of magic potion!) Jessica is still not totally convinced that Caroline is a witch, proving that despite reputation she is the smarter twin, but Elizabeth keeps trying to convince her.
Next, the twins go to a costume shop with their parents and Stephen. Liz still doesn't know what to be, but just as they're leaving, Jessica whispers something in her ear, and suddenly she's all smiles. The mystery, ghostie! The intrigue!! They then go out for ice cream, where they run into, surprise surprise, Caroline and her mother. Caroline is carrying around a lizard she just bought - and, as Elizabeth points out, lizards are used in witches' potions! For some reason, this is the straw that breaks the camel's back, and Jess finally Believes.
The next day, the twins are riding their bikes past Mrs. Frankel's house. Jessica dares Elizabeth to knock on the door and then run away. Truth, I did love to do that as a kid. Ding dong ditch, amirite? Anyway, the plan is interrupted when they hear "a voice" coming from the garden saying "Come here, don't be afraid!" Naturally, the twins start to book, but then Caroline crawls out of the bushes, holding a cat. Seriously, what? Before Caroline has a chance to explain, her mom calls her in for lunch and she takes off. The cat is another point in the "Caroline is a witch" column, and Elizabeth decides Caroline must have been taking lessons from Mrs. Frankel on how to be a witch. In the bushes. Obviously.
Annnnyway, on Monday morning, it's the day before Halloween, and it's raining. There's a big clap of thunder, and all the lights go off, so Mrs. Otis tells all the kids to sit down where they are on the floor. Everyone is really scared, except for Caroline, who starts laughing. She says she's not scared, just bored, and she wishes the lights would come on so she can finish the art project she was working on.
At that moment, the lights return, and now the twins are absolutely sure Caroline is a witch. She turned the lights on with her powers! They share their theory with Amy, Eva, Lila, and Ellen, all of whom are gullible idiots and agree immediately. The girls decide they'd better be extra nice to Caroline, lest she turn them into frogs.
After school, Eva goes over to the Wakefields' house to play. They all decide to go spy on Caroline, to figure out what dangerous thing she could be up to, preparing for Halloween and all. Nothing happens for a little while, and they're about to leave for the Wakefields', when they overhear Caroline reciting the "Double double, toil and trouble" verse from Macbeth. Of course, being stupid children who have never read Shakespeare, they think she's casting a real spell.
Eva decides she wants to get a closer look, whereas Jessica wants to go home. They start bickering and pulling Elizabeth in different directions. Caroline overhears this ruckus, and, fairly, asks them what they're doing. She figures out they were spying, and for some bizarre reason, Elizabeth asks her if she's a good witch. Elizabeth has seen "The Wizard of Oz" too many times. Caroline replies that no, she is a wicked witch - the most wicked witch in the whole school!
Elizabeth starts apologizing to Caroline, but she isn't having any of it. She starts yelling at Elizabeth, saying admittedly weird things like "If you're smart you'll give up now," "You're no match for me," etc. Liz takes off running toward her house, with Eva and Jessica close behind. They're all really scared, and look in Liz's witch book for what to do. However, there's nothing in the book about how to protect yourself from a witch (I wonder why not), so they decide to think of what people in movies do. The only witch movie they come up with is "The Wizard of Oz." I just mentioned that, didn't I? The twins eventually come up with a plan as they are going to bed.
The next day is Halloween, and the twins are waiting at the bus stop to go to school. Jessica is dressed in her cheerleader costume, and Elizabeth is revealed to have dressed as Sherlock Holmes. Which you could've guessed from looking at the cover, but whatever. Both of the twins are also wearing garlic necklaces - they figured that since they work against vampires, they might work against witches, too. Was this Ellen's idea?
At school, the twins are talking to their friends when Caroline shows up dressed as a witch - green skin, black dress, long nose and pointy hat. Mrs. Otis comes in and seats everyone, and they start giving their book reports. Caroline is last, and she starts reciting "Double, double, toil and trouble" again.
Before she gets through the first line, though, Jessica and Elizabeth run to the front of the room and each pour a thermos full of water on Caroline's head, hoping she'd melt like the witch in "The Wizard of Oz." Obviously, she doesn't, and is instead just pissed off at the twins for ruining her costume.
Stupid Jessica is like, "Costume??" And Liz is all "Um, we thought you were really a witch!" Jessica says if that's a costume, it's the best one she's ever seen. Mrs. Otis (who has done nothing to discipline the twins for throwing water on a girl during her book report) agrees, and nominates Caroline for Best Class Costume. Everyone agrees, and Caroline offers reasonable explanations for all the "witchy" things the twins saw her do.
Caroline explains that the reason she was acting so weird and secretive was because she thought someone was going to steal her witch costume idea. Sweeping is one of her chores, she was stirring her dad's chili, she saw Mrs. Frankel throw away the skeleton and remove a ghost from its package, etc. She'd planned to make the lizard part of her costume, but she was afraid to pick it up. Everyone is happy.
That night, Caroline goes trick or treating with Elizabeth and Jessica. The twins dare her to knock on Mrs. Frankel's door, which she does. She gives them each a little bag full of lots of candy. She was just a nice old lady after all! Who'da thunk it?!
Caroline, Jessica, and Elizabeth walk off happily, and start prattling about Thanksgiving.
The End.
There's not really a good picture of the cover online, but the background is orange and it shows Caroline, dressed as a witch, leering at a disgusted-looking Elizabeth in a detective costume.
Fair warning, this book is pretty horrible - I'd say more so than average, even for an SVK. It's not remotely cute/endearing/whatever a book for 7-year-olds is supposed to be. It's just...crap. Like those stupid little mini-Tootsie Rolls you always got way more of than you could ever eat in your Trick-or-Treat basket.
It's Halloween again in the world of SVK, and Jessica and Elizabeth are riding the bus to school with Caroline Pearce. Apparently in this series, she's a tattletale rather than a gossip. I guess that's kind of related...like gossiping to the teacher about other students. They're talking about reasons they like Halloween, and we learn that Jessica & Elizabeth often say things at the same time - because they're not just twins, they're identical twins! The same but different, etc., etc.
The kids start talking about what they're going to be for Halloween: Elizabeth doesn't know yet, Jessica is going to be a cheerleader (lol!) and Caroline, when asked, replies, "It's none of your business!" A bunch of boys start making fun of Caroline's red hair (an early instance of ginger abuse?) She stands up for herself by saying "You'll be sorry!" in a really menacing way.
At school, everyone is still talking about their costumes, and Mrs. Otis reminds them about the costume contest coming up on Tuesday, which is Halloween. Then, they go to the library where they're told to pick out a book about Halloween, for a book report that's due on the same day as the contest. Wow, they actually got more legit school assignments in SVK than any of the other series.
Elizabeth chooses a book called "All About Witches," and Jessica picks one called "How Halloween Started." Having been a square since birth, Liz begins reading her book right away, and learns that at one time, people thought women and girls with red hair were witches. This makes her think of Caroline. Subtle, Ghostie. So, she gets up and finds Caroline, who has also begun reading her book. When Elizabeth asks about it, Caroline yelps that it's nothing, and shoves it under the table. Are all of the SVKs this heavy on the cliffhangers?
Now all the kids are at recess. This is a really slow day. Caroline and Elizabeth briefly argue about who knows more about witches, and then they all start talking about how they love decorations. I don't know. There's mention of the archetypal Scary Old Lady Who Lives Alone - her name is Mrs. Frankel, who apparently hangs out a giant, scary skeleton every Halloween. I can't decide if this is an instance of actual continuity - Nora Mercandy hasn't moved to Sweet Valley yet - or if it's a complete lack thereof, the ghostwriter having no idea who Nora Mercandy even is. Anywhoozies, Caroline tells everyone that Mrs. Frankel isn't going to put up the skeleton again this year - she's going to put up a ghost. Because Caroline "knows lots of things." Well, okay then.
Jess & Liz get home to find out that yes, gasp and shock, Mrs. Frankel did in fact hang up a ghost instead of the old skeleton. Going on the evidence that witches have red hair and can see the future, and that Caroline must have talked to Mrs. Frankel to know about the ghost, the twins decide she must be a real witch! I hate them. I really do. I honestly hope I wasn't this stupid as a child.
The next morning, a Saturday, the twins leave right after breakfast to go spy on Caroline. Wouldn't want to waste any time, I guess. They see Caroline come out of the garage with a broom (witches use them to fly!) and then go into the kitchen and begin stirring a large pot (a cauldron of magic potion!) Jessica is still not totally convinced that Caroline is a witch, proving that despite reputation she is the smarter twin, but Elizabeth keeps trying to convince her.
Next, the twins go to a costume shop with their parents and Stephen. Liz still doesn't know what to be, but just as they're leaving, Jessica whispers something in her ear, and suddenly she's all smiles. The mystery, ghostie! The intrigue!! They then go out for ice cream, where they run into, surprise surprise, Caroline and her mother. Caroline is carrying around a lizard she just bought - and, as Elizabeth points out, lizards are used in witches' potions! For some reason, this is the straw that breaks the camel's back, and Jess finally Believes.
The next day, the twins are riding their bikes past Mrs. Frankel's house. Jessica dares Elizabeth to knock on the door and then run away. Truth, I did love to do that as a kid. Ding dong ditch, amirite? Anyway, the plan is interrupted when they hear "a voice" coming from the garden saying "Come here, don't be afraid!" Naturally, the twins start to book, but then Caroline crawls out of the bushes, holding a cat. Seriously, what? Before Caroline has a chance to explain, her mom calls her in for lunch and she takes off. The cat is another point in the "Caroline is a witch" column, and Elizabeth decides Caroline must have been taking lessons from Mrs. Frankel on how to be a witch. In the bushes. Obviously.
Annnnyway, on Monday morning, it's the day before Halloween, and it's raining. There's a big clap of thunder, and all the lights go off, so Mrs. Otis tells all the kids to sit down where they are on the floor. Everyone is really scared, except for Caroline, who starts laughing. She says she's not scared, just bored, and she wishes the lights would come on so she can finish the art project she was working on.
At that moment, the lights return, and now the twins are absolutely sure Caroline is a witch. She turned the lights on with her powers! They share their theory with Amy, Eva, Lila, and Ellen, all of whom are gullible idiots and agree immediately. The girls decide they'd better be extra nice to Caroline, lest she turn them into frogs.
After school, Eva goes over to the Wakefields' house to play. They all decide to go spy on Caroline, to figure out what dangerous thing she could be up to, preparing for Halloween and all. Nothing happens for a little while, and they're about to leave for the Wakefields', when they overhear Caroline reciting the "Double double, toil and trouble" verse from Macbeth. Of course, being stupid children who have never read Shakespeare, they think she's casting a real spell.
Eva decides she wants to get a closer look, whereas Jessica wants to go home. They start bickering and pulling Elizabeth in different directions. Caroline overhears this ruckus, and, fairly, asks them what they're doing. She figures out they were spying, and for some bizarre reason, Elizabeth asks her if she's a good witch. Elizabeth has seen "The Wizard of Oz" too many times. Caroline replies that no, she is a wicked witch - the most wicked witch in the whole school!
Elizabeth starts apologizing to Caroline, but she isn't having any of it. She starts yelling at Elizabeth, saying admittedly weird things like "If you're smart you'll give up now," "You're no match for me," etc. Liz takes off running toward her house, with Eva and Jessica close behind. They're all really scared, and look in Liz's witch book for what to do. However, there's nothing in the book about how to protect yourself from a witch (I wonder why not), so they decide to think of what people in movies do. The only witch movie they come up with is "The Wizard of Oz." I just mentioned that, didn't I? The twins eventually come up with a plan as they are going to bed.
The next day is Halloween, and the twins are waiting at the bus stop to go to school. Jessica is dressed in her cheerleader costume, and Elizabeth is revealed to have dressed as Sherlock Holmes. Which you could've guessed from looking at the cover, but whatever. Both of the twins are also wearing garlic necklaces - they figured that since they work against vampires, they might work against witches, too. Was this Ellen's idea?
At school, the twins are talking to their friends when Caroline shows up dressed as a witch - green skin, black dress, long nose and pointy hat. Mrs. Otis comes in and seats everyone, and they start giving their book reports. Caroline is last, and she starts reciting "Double, double, toil and trouble" again.
Before she gets through the first line, though, Jessica and Elizabeth run to the front of the room and each pour a thermos full of water on Caroline's head, hoping she'd melt like the witch in "The Wizard of Oz." Obviously, she doesn't, and is instead just pissed off at the twins for ruining her costume.
Stupid Jessica is like, "Costume??" And Liz is all "Um, we thought you were really a witch!" Jessica says if that's a costume, it's the best one she's ever seen. Mrs. Otis (who has done nothing to discipline the twins for throwing water on a girl during her book report) agrees, and nominates Caroline for Best Class Costume. Everyone agrees, and Caroline offers reasonable explanations for all the "witchy" things the twins saw her do.
Caroline explains that the reason she was acting so weird and secretive was because she thought someone was going to steal her witch costume idea. Sweeping is one of her chores, she was stirring her dad's chili, she saw Mrs. Frankel throw away the skeleton and remove a ghost from its package, etc. She'd planned to make the lizard part of her costume, but she was afraid to pick it up. Everyone is happy.
That night, Caroline goes trick or treating with Elizabeth and Jessica. The twins dare her to knock on Mrs. Frankel's door, which she does. She gives them each a little bag full of lots of candy. She was just a nice old lady after all! Who'da thunk it?!
Caroline, Jessica, and Elizabeth walk off happily, and start prattling about Thanksgiving.
The End.