Sophia Rizzo is a good writer on the school  newspaper, she's nice, and Elizabeth likes her. But all  the other kids at Sweet Valley Middle  School—including Elizabeth's twin sister, Jessica—make fun  of Sophia because her family is poor and her  brother is always in trouble. Even Elizabeth's parents  tell her to stay away from Sophia.

To show Sophia that she's her friend no matter  what anybody says, Elizabeth decides to go against  strict orders from her parents and throw a secret  birthday party for Sophia. But is Elizabeth willing  to pay the price if she's caught?