Promotional Information

The classic and much-loved tale featuring Jacqueline's most popular character.

About the Author

JACQUELINE WILSON is an extremely well-known and hugely popular author who served as Children's Laureate from 2005-7. She has been awarded a number of prestigious awards, including the British Children's Book of the Year and the Guardian Children's Fiction Award (for The Illustrated Mum), the Smarties Prize and the Children's Book Award (for Double Act, for which she was also highly commended for the Carnegie Medal). In 2002 Jacqueline was given an OBE for services to literacy in schools and in 2008 she was appointed a Dame. She was the author most borrowed from British libraries in the last decade. 'A brilliant writer of wit and subtlety' THE TIMES 'She should be prescribed for all cases of reading reluctance' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY 'Has a rare gift for writing lightly and amusingly about emotional issues' BOOKSELLER

Reviews

Told in the zany, entirely convincing voice of Tracy Beaker herself . . . The strains of communal life with other children, rivalries and friendships and jokes, all spring to life, and Tracy's prose is decorated throughout with cheeky line drawings
*The Sunday Times*

An appealing mix of events and reactions that are both entertaining and moving. A book that lingers in the mind long after it is put down
*Guardian*

A sensitive and beautifully observed story . . . Our young readers appreciated both the humour and the pathos
*Federation of Children's Book Groups, 1991 Pick of the Year*

Tracy is lively and spirited, and her narrative funny and moving
*The Bookseller*

A breath of fresh air. It is entertaining yet tender but by no means sentimental when it confronts the need we all have for commitment in relationships, for trust, for love . . . A real bonus is that the book genuinely celebrates the act of writing - and not by preaching, I promise
*The School Librarian*

Told in the zany, entirely convincing voice of Tracy Beaker herself . . . The strains of communal life with other children, rivalries and friendships and jokes, all spring to life, and Tracy's prose is decorated throughout with cheeky line drawings * The Sunday Times *
An appealing mix of events and reactions that are both entertaining and moving. A book that lingers in the mind long after it is put down * Guardian *
A sensitive and beautifully observed story . . . Our young readers appreciated both the humour and the pathos * Federation of Children's Book Groups, 1991 Pick of the Year *
Tracy is lively and spirited, and her narrative funny and moving * The Bookseller *
A breath of fresh air. It is entertaining yet tender but by no means sentimental when it confronts the need we all have for commitment in relationships, for trust, for love . . . A real bonus is that the book genuinely celebrates the act of writing - and not by preaching, I promise * The School Librarian *

Wilson (Double Act; Bad Girls) presents an insightful portrait of 10-year-old Tracy in the girl's own words. Readers initially make her acquaintance through entries in a fill-in book entitled "My Book About Me." Her revelations are by turn caustic, funny and heartbreaking. Living in a group home for children after two unsuccessful stints in foster homes, Tracy repeatedly expresses her fervent hope and pitiable conviction that her roaming, much-idolized mother will appear to take her away. "There's not much point making friends because I expect to be moving on soon," resolves the heroine, whose tough-kid veneer is wrenchingly transparent. An aspiring author, Tracy takes solace in her autobiographical writing and her new friendship with Cam, a writer who visits the home while researching an article. Despite Tracy's passionate attempts to persuade Cam to take her in as a foster child, her fate is uncertain at the close of the novel. Yet her indomitable spirit and grit leaves little doubt that she will end up on top. Sharratt's drawings help to keep the mood light, as Wilson again shapes a convincing and memorable heroine with a snappy, fresh voice. Ages 8-12. (Aug.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.