Stacey's having a busy all, but she's decided to make time for one more project: helping Tess Swinhart. Tess is new at SMS. She's nice, and she has a good sense of humor...but she's in dire need of fashion advice. Stacey's heard some kids making fun of Tess's looks, and she's convinced that a few tips about clothes and makeup are all Tess needs to fit in better.
But Stacey's plan doesn't seem to be working, and Stacey's getting impatient. Why won't Tess wise up? Doesn't she want Stacey's help?
Main Plot[]
Subplot[]
A group of boys were going to beat up Jackie Rodowsky because they thought he had stolen one of their jackets, when Jackie really had the same one. He had "hired" Nicky Pike to act as his "body guard."
Alan Gray is a bully when in previous books he was more of a pest.
Ann M. Martin's Dear Reader Letter[]
Dear Reader,
In Stacey’s Secret Friend, Tess Swinhart is the new kid at school and has trouble fitting in. At one time or another, you have probably felt that you don’t fit in, whether it’s in school, in your neighborhood, or even in your family. It’s a common feeling. However, when Stacey realizes what Tess is going through, she goes overboard trying to change Tess to make her fit in, which ultimately is a disaster.
When I was in seventh grade, I felt much more like Tess than like Stacey. I wanted very much to be a part of the group of “cool” kids in my grade. But as I got older, I realized that they weren’t the right friends for me. We had little in common. I soon became close friends with kids who were more like me. If I had tried to change myself — to force myself to be like the other kids — it probably would have been a disaster, just like Stacey’s efforts with Tess were. The “real you” (whoever that might be!) is always more interesting and likable than an “artificial you.”
Stacey notices that one of Tess's outfit reminds her of the 70s, which would be coming back in style since fashion rotates on a twenty year cycle when this book is set in the late 90s.[1].
Shannon thinks that Shea Rodowsky has a crush on Claudia.
Mrs. Rodowsky gets a cell phone in this book.
The cover of the book is described in chapter 6, although Tess' hair looks different.
Tess not knowing a lot of the pig references makes sense since it's likely that Tess didn't watch American cartoons.
Margo Pike likes football.
There's a new restaurant opening in Washington Mall called Hog Heaven.
The chess club is looking for new members.
Although not mentioned in this book Stacey has a pig collection.