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alegun123's review against another edition
5.0
The Suitcase Kid by Jacqueline Wilson is a fantastic book. Everything about it is so great and even though the book is predominantly directed at readers aged 9-12, in true Jacqueline Wilson fashion, it can be enjoyed by any age older than that. Infact, Jacqueline Wilson’s writing not using incredible language is probably the only things that qualifies this book as a children’s book. Jacqueline Wilson packs so much emotion into her stories, even in just a short book like this one. This is probably one of the most emotive Wilson books out there, a rollercoaster for the reader. Throughout the story you come to love or hate different characters and genuinely feel sadness, happinessor or frustration. Even with the main character Andy(short for Andrea), who lives her life split between her divorced mum and dad- who both live with new partners and their owm children, you can hate her or feel sorry for her at different points in the book. In general, the characters in this short book are all written so interestingly, especially considering the length of the book, and all make the reader gather an opinion on them- whether it be good or bad.
The Suitcase Kid is organised chapter-wise in alphabetical order, which helps the book because different, somewhat uncorrelated events add onto and progress the plot on further every chapter. Speaking of the plot, it is just outstanding. I’ve already spoken of the emotive elements of the book but the plot is also just never dull. Your attention is constantly being held and you will find yourself keep reading chapter after chapter until you’ve finished the book. Wilson’s writing style is one of the main reasons for this, and makes it so easy to read yet not missing out on any details at all. Overall, it is quite incredible how much seems to be packed into this one quite small story. I would recommend this one to anyone, and in my opinion, The Suitcase Kid should be more popular among schools and children, and is one of the best books you could read for a young person.
The Suitcase Kid is organised chapter-wise in alphabetical order, which helps the book because different, somewhat uncorrelated events add onto and progress the plot on further every chapter. Speaking of the plot, it is just outstanding. I’ve already spoken of the emotive elements of the book but the plot is also just never dull. Your attention is constantly being held and you will find yourself keep reading chapter after chapter until you’ve finished the book. Wilson’s writing style is one of the main reasons for this, and makes it so easy to read yet not missing out on any details at all. Overall, it is quite incredible how much seems to be packed into this one quite small story. I would recommend this one to anyone, and in my opinion, The Suitcase Kid should be more popular among schools and children, and is one of the best books you could read for a young person.
slaughtercarrie's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
umrah's review
4.0
The Suitcase Kid is about a kid who has to live in two houses over a period of time, because of her parents' divorce. She'd always dream of staying in one house together, like they used to, happily ever after. But, unfortunately for her, things changed. Her dad went to live with his girlfriend, who is pregnant with Dad's child, and her mum went to live with her boyfriend, who is described as 'The Baboon' by Andy, who is the main character. So, she had to learn how to adapt herself into this situation. This book was really good, personally!
sleepflowerrr's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bibielle's review
emotional
relaxing
sad
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? No
5.0
crookedrat's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
3.0
beckyyreadss's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I originally read this book when I was around 11 years old. However, during lockdown and doing some spring cleaning I came across my bookset of Jacqueline Wilson books that I have. I decided I would re-read them and then review them. I don’t remember this one, so it was like reading it for the first time and this book is one of Jacqueline’s messed up storylines.
This book is based on Andy West, her parents are divorced, and her tiny stuffed rabbit named Radish seems to be her only comfort in the world. She must leave the home she loves with the mulberry tree in the front yard and deal with parents who still fight, stepparents who can act cruelly towards her, stepsiblings who don’t her touching their stuff whilst she is sharing two different bedrooms, loneliness and a longing for the past. Her schoolwork drops, her friends drift away, and she’s not quite sure how to fix any of it. Eventually, though, a new normality begins to settle on her life. Even if she doesn’t like it.
This book shouldn’t be a children’s book. I think there could be a way to do a children’s book about parents being divorced but I feel like it was done the wrong way. I am a child of divorce, and I am in a mixed family, so I know about difficulties with getting used to awkward situations and all about parents fighting on pick up days. Andy’s problems would be solved if she didn’t switch weeks and if she had a room to call her own, yet she was sleeping in bathrooms and on floors – why didn’t any adult pick up on this. The family therapist should have picked this up more and social services should have been called for both Andy’s mum and dad.
The only decent thing about this book was the two old, lonely people who wanted to spend time with Andy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Emotional abuse, Cursing, and Pregnancy
thedayoflight's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
osemanvrse's review
2.25
Here it is. One of my least fave JW books. Better than TLWS though because the “Q is for Questions” section was pretty cool ig