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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
2/5. This book was not written with my age in my mind lmao!! But it was fun to read anyway.
Yesterday I had a sudden memory of a book that mentioned constipation (weird i know) and I remembered reading that book in Year Four of primary school and that it was one of my favourite books written by Jacqueline Wilson, so I thought it might have been this book (it wasn't) or Clean Break (which I'll read soon). So I read this, relived memories I didn't even know I had. Now I have the urge to read all of the books in my very old bookshelf and see what books I have in there.
Parts of this book seemed to... serious for some children to be reading and my mouth dropped open at some of the language used ngl... but it is realistic to a primary school in England so I cant really mark it down for being too mature. I'd probably wait for my children to be in yr 5 before I let them read this lol. It speaks a lot of family problems but that's like most of Jacqueline Wilson's books anyways.
The characters were OK. Sometimes I found myself so annoyed at Beauty and Dilly, just because of stupid dialogue they had. Beauty was so engraging at times because of her non stop spew about hating school and what she looked like. Sure it was a main topic, but it seemed to be mentioned every other time and got so boring to read after a while. However, her mum was a good show of good parenting, even if she was a bit.... dim at times. She has to have been my favourite character.
She is good at writing about families breaking apart, and I think they'll be relatable for the younger readers in an easy, interesting read for them and make them realise that although something bad happened, happiness can still be found. Her books are good for those that need that promise of a happy ending.
Yesterday I had a sudden memory of a book that mentioned constipation (weird i know) and I remembered reading that book in Year Four of primary school and that it was one of my favourite books written by Jacqueline Wilson, so I thought it might have been this book (it wasn't) or Clean Break (which I'll read soon). So I read this, relived memories I didn't even know I had. Now I have the urge to read all of the books in my very old bookshelf and see what books I have in there.
Parts of this book seemed to... serious for some children to be reading and my mouth dropped open at some of the language used ngl... but it is realistic to a primary school in England so I cant really mark it down for being too mature. I'd probably wait for my children to be in yr 5 before I let them read this lol. It speaks a lot of family problems but that's like most of Jacqueline Wilson's books anyways.
The characters were OK. Sometimes I found myself so annoyed at Beauty and Dilly, just because of stupid dialogue they had. Beauty was so engraging at times because of her non stop spew about hating school and what she looked like. Sure it was a main topic, but it seemed to be mentioned every other time and got so boring to read after a while. However, her mum was a good show of good parenting, even if she was a bit.... dim at times. She has to have been my favourite character.
She is good at writing about families breaking apart, and I think they'll be relatable for the younger readers in an easy, interesting read for them and make them realise that although something bad happened, happiness can still be found. Her books are good for those that need that promise of a happy ending.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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:
Yes
emotional
medium-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
This was the first Jacqueline Wilson book I ever read and it's probably my favourite. I love it so much, even now when I'm too old! I read it in practically a day because I was so addicted (let's not mention that I'm 15 and it's written for 11 year olds...)
I loved this sooo much. It was definitely my favourite Jacqueline Wilson book.
fast-paced
Wilson’s books seem to be so little-known in Bangladesh—and they deserve better. I grew up with these books, and for more reasons than one, they helped me become who I am, and were there for me when very few people were.
A lot of people are quick to assume her books are only for tween girls, but I’d recommend them to all children—heck, even all grown-ups. Because each of them address subtle traumas every one of us have undeniable faced, including but not limited to family problems, friendship issues, financial uncertainty, long-distance platonic relationships, mental health hurdles, and just plain old loneliness and awkwardness.
As a child, did you ever feel alone, or simply not understood or heard by anyone? Do you remember those times? Do you … just not have enough time to dwell on them anymore? I don’t. But I also actively avoid those memories because when I do go back to them, I feel nothing but empty sadness for the younger me.
Books like these are a doorway into unraveling, understanding, and resolving not only your own experiences, but also those of the young kids and teens in your life.
(It helps that I spent a year in Britain when I was a toddler: my bedtime stories, earliest memories, and even some long-forgotten orientations of thinking—that sometimes need the cobwebs brushed off by books like these—are centered around the city of Bath.)
And remember how Roald Dahl found an illustrator soulmate in Quentin Blake? Jackqueline Wilson and Nick Sharrat are that kind of magical pair. Each book is organized in an absolutely genius way, with gorgeous writing wrapped around with neat art that warms your soul.
Cookie describes unconventional ways of living, brought about by escape from an abusive father/husband. Abuse is difficult enough to read about without it belonging in a kid’s book. But it’s an important topic to cover, and seeing it through a child’s eyes is as important as anything else to actively prevent the cycle being continued in the future. Children are smart. They never miss a thing. And the lengths they go through to cover up difficulties at home just to seem socially acceptable in school is heartbreaking.
Equally liberating is reading about the freedom that comes with finally packing up a few things to leave forever—and never look back.
Check my other reviews in this series: The Suitcase Kid, Candyfloss, Double Act, Bad Girls.
A lot of people are quick to assume her books are only for tween girls, but I’d recommend them to all children—heck, even all grown-ups. Because each of them address subtle traumas every one of us have undeniable faced, including but not limited to family problems, friendship issues, financial uncertainty, long-distance platonic relationships, mental health hurdles, and just plain old loneliness and awkwardness.
As a child, did you ever feel alone, or simply not understood or heard by anyone? Do you remember those times? Do you … just not have enough time to dwell on them anymore? I don’t. But I also actively avoid those memories because when I do go back to them, I feel nothing but empty sadness for the younger me.
Books like these are a doorway into unraveling, understanding, and resolving not only your own experiences, but also those of the young kids and teens in your life.
(It helps that I spent a year in Britain when I was a toddler: my bedtime stories, earliest memories, and even some long-forgotten orientations of thinking—that sometimes need the cobwebs brushed off by books like these—are centered around the city of Bath.)
And remember how Roald Dahl found an illustrator soulmate in Quentin Blake? Jackqueline Wilson and Nick Sharrat are that kind of magical pair. Each book is organized in an absolutely genius way, with gorgeous writing wrapped around with neat art that warms your soul.
Cookie describes unconventional ways of living, brought about by escape from an abusive father/husband. Abuse is difficult enough to read about without it belonging in a kid’s book. But it’s an important topic to cover, and seeing it through a child’s eyes is as important as anything else to actively prevent the cycle being continued in the future. Children are smart. They never miss a thing. And the lengths they go through to cover up difficulties at home just to seem socially acceptable in school is heartbreaking.
Equally liberating is reading about the freedom that comes with finally packing up a few things to leave forever—and never look back.
Check my other reviews in this series: The Suitcase Kid, Candyfloss, Double Act, Bad Girls.