Sweet Valley High: Earthquake

This takes up from the ending of the previous book. Sweet Valley is hit by a major earthquake along with a lot of strong aftershocks. From the descriptions of destruction of houses and crevices opening up I'd guess it was a something like the Big One that people expect could happen.

The situation: Elizabeth and Jessica are celebrating their 17th birthday party at their home with a lot of their friends. Herein is one very major problem with the story: their parents are at a movie. So you have a party of teenagers around that age in a house with absolutely no parental supervision at all. I would say that this constitutes very irresponsible parenting. You'd want at least one adult there in case something would go wrong and an adult would have to contact the authorities.

So, the earthquake has hit. Jessica loses control of the jeep she is driving while she is with Steven. The Wakefield's home suffers real major damage. Electric lines are loose and sparking and it seems that water is on the patio near the electric wires.

One girl is severely injured in the house while others are trapped in the house. There are people down on the patio and fire has broken out nearby. The death count has started and could go higher. One person Lizzie should have been able to depend on turns out to be a coward.

Then there's the second thing I found somewhat odd. Jessica and Steven are making their way to the house, Jessica knowing somehow that her sister is in trouble but Steven insists going to check on his girlfriend first. I know girlfriends can be important but more important than the family?

Jessica shows her bravery later, Elizabeth turns out to also show very strong bravery as do some of their other friends.

This is a very moving book and the description of what is happening during and after the earthquake seems to be rather realistic. It can be upsetting, also, especially with something that Jessica is involved with.

Probably the best of the SVH books I've read.