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jrice92's review
4.0
One of my favourite things about reading so much to my daughter had been finding stories and authors I wouldn't usually look at.
Jacqueline Wilson has very quickly become of my favourite children's authors, she writes such complex stories in such simple ways and she does a great job of demonstrating trauma.
When it comes to parents separating we all know it's tough, but seeing it through the eyes of Andy, the main girl of the Suitcase Kid, shows just how damaging it can be and how at times the children are a second thought to divorce.
This is a story I'd highly recommend, it's a quick read as well!
Jacqueline Wilson has very quickly become of my favourite children's authors, she writes such complex stories in such simple ways and she does a great job of demonstrating trauma.
When it comes to parents separating we all know it's tough, but seeing it through the eyes of Andy, the main girl of the Suitcase Kid, shows just how damaging it can be and how at times the children are a second thought to divorce.
This is a story I'd highly recommend, it's a quick read as well!
giulia_hikari's review against another edition
5.0
L'ho adorato da bambina, ritrovandomi nella situazione di Andreina, soffrendo doppiamente con lei. Credo che almeno un po' chiunque abbia i genitori divorziati si possa ritrovare in questo libro. Ho deciso di rileggerlo una ventina di anni dopo (
andalara's review
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
willow_axolotl376's review
4.0
I really enjoyed reading The Suitcase Kid, however, I was disappointed at some of the language Jacqueline Wilson chose to use; especially with this being a younger children's book!
hal_banks's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Jacqueline Wilson was one of my formative authors when I was younger, and rereading her books years later has been an eye-opening experience. I was pleasantly surprised to find how many minute character details and explorations are in this book, which makes each character feel like a complex and realistic individual despite the book's brevity. There were many particular details that I didn't notice or fully consider the weight of when I was younger, such as Katie's insomnia over her mother's death and Graham's anxiety stemming from his father's toxic masculinity .
Wilson utilises an sort-of quasi-stream-of-consciousness writing style throughout the book, containing lots of scene jumps mid-paragraph, deliberate run-on sentences and an uncertain timeline, which creates a volatile and chaotic feel to the book, much like how the protagonist exists in a perpetually transient lifestyle. Her ability to seamlessly allow us to resonate with the protagonist despite the simple, middle-grade writing style showcases a high level of talent in a distinguished author like Wilson.
Overall, I found The Suitcase Kid to be an emotionally stimulating read that builds a vivid tapestry of characters to tell a story about primarily about divorce, but also of learning to accept change in life and understanding that oftentimes, things will work out if you just give them time,an idea that is signposted by the birth of Zoë . When characters get into arguments over petty things, you understand them even if you don't agree, and between all the painful shouting, there is a story beset with childlike wonder, complete with mulberry pies and rabbit dolls and a 10-year-old's yearning for the past.
I strongly recommend this book to both anyone in its target middle-grade audience, and also those much older, for I consider it to be a work that both exists without age, but also matures with it.
Wilson utilises an sort-of quasi-stream-of-consciousness writing style throughout the book, containing lots of scene jumps mid-paragraph, deliberate run-on sentences and an uncertain timeline, which creates a volatile and chaotic feel to the book, much like how the protagonist exists in a perpetually transient lifestyle. Her ability to seamlessly allow us to resonate with the protagonist despite the simple, middle-grade writing style showcases a high level of talent in a distinguished author like Wilson.
Overall, I found The Suitcase Kid to be an emotionally stimulating read that builds a vivid tapestry of characters to tell a story about primarily about divorce, but also of learning to accept change in life and understanding that oftentimes, things will work out if you just give them time,
I strongly recommend this book to both anyone in its target middle-grade audience, and also those much older, for I consider it to be a work that both exists without age, but also matures with it.
"The berries had long ago withered on the tree. No roses, just tangled thorny branches. No sweet-smelling honeysuckle, just leathery stems trailing untidily. But it was still Mulberry Cottage. I was back. I was home."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent and Infidelity
laurenw22's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
unicorndreams's review
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
leahholmess1's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
aotora's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Man this one was heavy. It deals with divorce and how it affects kid. Andy is a 10 year old girl whose parents divorce and she suddenly has to live in one house for a week and in the other for another week, she also suddenly has a step dad and step mom and 5 new step siblings and it's a lot of changes for young kid. I love how this book deals with all of the effects. Suddenly having new siblings and having to share your parents, watching your parents meet new people and be with them and their kids and feeling like you are no longer loved- though I believe that both of the parents had affairs and they just ended separated and together with the people who they had affairs with which only makes it worse, longing for the past better times when you all still lived together, how that affects school and friendship and seeing the parents constantly fight and tug the kids one way or another or trying to turn them against the other parent. Things do get better by the end of the book and the families do get along but it does hit home when you have to be in one house and with one family some time but then go somewhere else too. It's confusing and it can be really tough on kids but the adults often don't see it that way and think that since they moved on and adjusted fast the kids should too.
charcharbiddle's review against another edition
5.0
Forgot how much I loved this book as a kid. Always wanted my own mulberry cottage and makes me want to learn to sew