Author of Sweet Valley High books, Francine Pascal, passed away at 92.
The author’s daughter, Laurie Wenk-Pascal, told the New York Times (NYT) that the author died on July 28, of lymphoma, at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, located in Manhattan.
Francine Pascal was born on May 13, 1938, in New York City, Francine Rubin Pascal grew up with a strong interest in the arts. This laid the foundation for her future career. She attended New York University, where she worked on her writing skills and developed a joy for storytelling.
The Sweet Valley High series, created by Francine Pascal, is one of the most iconic young adult book series of the 1980s and 1990s. The series centers around the lives of identical twins Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield, who live in the fictional town of Sweet Valley, California. Even though they are identical in appearance, the twins have contrasting personalities. This leads to various adventures and conflicts. The main series consists of 181 books, published from 1983 to 2003.
The success of Sweet Valley High led to many spin-offs, including Sweet Valley Twins, Sweet Valley Kids, Sweet Valley University, and more. These series allowed Pascal to expand the world she had created, offering readers a comprehensive look at the lives of the Wakefield twins from childhood to adulthood. The books collectively sold over 150 million copies worldwide. The books were translated into 27 languages.
There was also a Sweet Valley High TV series, starring real-life twins Cynthia and Brittany Daniel. The series ran from 1994 to 1997.
Pascal authored several other books, including My First Love and Other Disasters, which was adapted into a television movie. Pascal also ventured into adult fiction with novels like La Villa and If Wishes Were Horses. She wrote a non-fiction book about the Patty Hearst trial, called The Strange Case Of Patty Hearst.
In addition to her writing, Pascal has been an advocate for literacy and education. She has participated in various initiatives to promote reading among young people, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in personal and intellectual development.
Rest in Peace
