As a huge fan of Sweet Valley High growing up, I was saddened to hear of Francine Pascal‘s passing at the age of 92. Her impact on young adult literature and television is immeasurable, and her creativity knew no bounds.
92-year-old Francine Pascal, renowned for writing the popular teenage series called “Sweet Valley High,” passed away on a recent Sunday.
1) According to both The New York Times and the BBC, Laurie Wenk-Pascal, her daughter, verified that the author passed away from lymphoma at Manhattan’s New York Presbyterian Hospital. Her representative also reported her demise to the BBC.
Growing up in the bustling streets of Manhattan and Queens, New York, I, Pascal, was born on May 13, 1932. I started my journey into the world of words as a journalist, penning pieces for renowned publications like Cosmopolitan and Ladies’ Home Journal. In the mid-’60s, I joined the writers room for the hit soap opera The Young Marrieds, teaming up with my beloved husband John Pascal. However, when we were asked to move to Los Angeles, we decided it was time to pack up and explore new opportunities. Our partnership continued in 1968 as we brought the captivating story of Broadway legend George M. Cohan to life through our musical, George M!
Apart from her joint projects with her husband, Pascal embarked on a successful writing journey in 1977, publishing her initial novel titled “Hangin’ Out With Cici“. This story revolves around a teen girl who journeys back in time to encounter her mother during her own youth. The novel was later transformed into a 1981 ABC afterschool special called “My Mother Was Never a Kid”. Notably, this book introduced the Victoria Martin trilogy, comprising “My First Love and Other Disasters“, “Love & Betrayal & Hold the Mayo” among other works.
In 1983, Pascal came up with the idea for her successful book series, “Sweet Valley High,” when she faced difficulty writing a soap opera script. A friend shared that there was a gap in the market for teenage versions of popular soaps like “Dallas.”
1. Pascal was motivated to create a story about twin teens named Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield who resided in the fictional California town of Sweet Valley. He secured a publishing contract with Random House, initiating a series that eventually spanned 181 books. In 1994, the franchise was adapted for television by Saban Entertainment and ran until October 1997. The series also spawned spin-offs like “Sweet Valley Confidential,” which delved into the lives of the characters as adults.
Apart from the Sweet Valley High series, Pascal is known for writing a fantasy saga titled Fearless, focusing on Gaia Moore, a teenage girl who lacks the ability to experience fear. Beyond her young adult novels, Pascal authored two adult books: Save Johanna! (1981) and If Wishes Were Horses (1994), with the latter partly influenced by her experiences with John, who passed away in 1981.
Pascal is mourned by her two daughters, Wenk-Pascal and Susan Johansson, as well as six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren who carry on her legacy.
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2024-07-30 19:54