Rags to Riches

Rags to Riches is the sixteenth book in the Sweet Valley High series.

Roger Barrett's world was rocked during the course of the previous book, Promises with news that his mother, Linda, who worked at Patman Canning, had had a heart attack, and at the end of the book, had died. What was also revealed was that his father was Paul Patman, the uncle of Bruce Patman.

The drastic changes that had occurred due to his social status change make up the most of the story. His uncle, Henry Patman, welcomes him warmly. Meanwhile, Bruce, and his mother, Marie, ignore him and scorn him seeing him as an interloper to their perfect little world.

Jessica Wakefield is attracted to Roger, due to his money, she had scorned him before, and schemes to take him away from his current girlfriend, Olivia Davidson.

Marie is also working with Jessica to take Roger away from Olivia, making some nasty digs about her dress and her style. Jessica also tries to "help" Olivia to become like the wealthy elite, but Olivia doesn't want to do any of it.

Olivia heard the gossiping by Marie and her friend, Mrs. Ferguson, and was hurt by it. However, thanks to her close friend, Elizabeth Wakefield, she rebounds and dresses as she feels comfortable with.

At the party that was thrown to welcome Roger, he proudly brings Olivia, and is polite to Mrs. Ferguson and her snide comments. Marie is appalled and prepares to scold Roger, but Henry intercedes for him, referring to Mrs. Ferguson as an old cow. He also said that Roger was being completely polite and even if he hadn't been polite, Mrs. Ferguson had had it coming to her!

Marie then, realizing what her husband was saying was correct, unbends a bit and then welcomes Roger. Bruce also unbends a bit as time goes on.