Surprise! Surprise!

It was just a matter of time until the success of the Sweet Valley High series would be translated into something for the littlest sisters, and here it is: Number 1 in the series Sweet Valley Kids. Jessica and Elizabeth are second-grade twins, getting ready for their seventh birthday party. First the drawbacks: the story is slim and character development is weak, but there is a lot of room for development in the volumes to follow. For example, readers are told that Jessica is noisier and more disorganized than her studious twin; why not let the story show it? On the plus side, for the newly independent reader this is an impressive jump from picture books to chapter books. A series centered on two likable seven-year-olds, with experiences readers can relate to, is a big draw and will leave them waiting for more. Ages 5-8. (Nov.)