Which Jacqueline Wilson book to start with?

[ToasterBovell]

DD (7) has really enjoyed the Jacqueline Wilson magazine recently so when I saw one of her books in the charity shop today i bought it for her. I started reading "The Cat Mummy" and was soon sobbing, and though the issues in the book are beautifully dealt with I think it may be a bit old for her!

So which JW books are best for younger readers to start off with? Thanks!

[JessePinkman2]

They are all tragic! Dead parents/cruelty etc such a shame because they are brilliantly written books just a shame they're so heavy

[JessePinkman2]

Dd loves the magazine though...
And has read most even though she/me ends up crying! She's 8

[ToasterBovell]

Bit true to life for me! I find the magazine the only one that's still fun but not covered in pink glitter and puppies! Though obv pink glitter and puppies fine in moderation, but I have pointed out to DD that she is more than that!

[charlh929]

I'm 23 & I loved her when I was younger! I was never really interested in reading till I read one of her books and couldn't put it down. I then read pretty much every book by her and always got her new releases as presents for birthdays/christmas. I think my first books were Sleepovers, The Mum Minder & The Worry Website (is it sad that I remember?) which I read at school. Then for my birthday I had a set of 10 of them as a gift from a relative (Tracy Beaker, Bad Girls, The Lottie Project etc). I loved them all! I think they still do sets of them now

[DurhamDurham]

My daughters have read all of Jacqueline Wilson's books, I think they started with Tracy Beaker and went from there. There were a few tears along the way but overall they loved the stories, the characters and the endings were usually in the favor of the child characters, there was usually a glimour of hope that things would get better. The one which affected them the most was probably The Illustrated Mum as that's heavy going and and they just kept saying they were so pleased they didn't have a mum like that

[charlh929]

Some probably won't be suitable until your daughters a little older. You can usually tell which ones are for younger readers as they are thinner and the stories aren't as long.

[JessePinkman2]

The suitcase kid is thin & freakin tragic!
Yes love the magazine
Tracy beaker is probably a bit softer because of all the capers they get up to etc

[ToasterBovell]

Thanks - will have to do some library research!

[MyNewBearTotoro]

If you look on Jaqueline Wilson's website then you can sort them by age. She has a few in the 5-7 category and then lots in the 7-9 category where the issues dealt with are somewhat lighter.

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

Sleepovers is good for a 7yo. Also Lizzie Zipmouth.
There's an anthology she did of animal stories by other authors which is quite mild and a good way to trick JW loving kids into discovering some lovely classics. Also, Four Children And It updates E.Nesbit's Psammead and is not as tragic as some.

[ladydepp]

Beware! My 8yo dd has caught the Jacqueline Wilson bug and won't read anything else (except Goth Girl).

(She recently read one where the main character has a scar from being hit by her stepfather with a belt. DH and I were extremely as dd is the kind of child who can't watch a film with PG rating as it might be a bit scary.)

[PittacusLore]

Hmmm. Definitely check out the age recommendations for JW books, and then add 2 years unless your dd is particularly emotionally mature.