Best Jacqueline Wilson book for a seven year-old?

[Caprimulgus]

Can anyone recommend a suitable JW book for a (fairly sensitive, empathetic, believes in fairies and Father Christmas) seven year-old (Y3)?

School have asked them to read something by JW but my feeling (based on very limited knowledge) was that she writes more for a slightly older audience, maybe more Y5 and 6, in terms of themes and content.

Are there some stories that would be more suitable for this age group?

Thank you

[Smeverley]

Dustbin Baby and The Illustrated Mum were always my favourites growing up. I think I was roughly the same age when I started with Jacqueline Wilson.

[sageandroses]

Best Friends
Double Act
How to Survive at Summer Camp
Candyfloss

I would stay away from Vicky Angel, The Illustrated Mum, Love Lessons, etc as they're for an older audience than 7 I would think.

[WhatKatyDidNot]

Lizzie Zipmouth and Sleepovers are both quite good for littler ones.

[Ricekrispie22]

Agree with Sleepovers and Lizzie Zipmouth. Not Dustbin Baby!

[fairynick]

Anything but My Sister Jodie I’m still scarred 😭😭😭😭😭

[Caprimulgus]

Thanks so much, that's really helpful

[bookmum08]

Sleepovers, The Mum Minder and Lizzie Zipmouth are best to start with. The Lottie Project is one of my favourites.
The Butterfly Club is really good. It's a longer read though. The character's are age 7 so it's perfect but if your child isn't such a confident reader then the others I have mentioned are better starter ones.

[FurrySlipperBoots]

Dustbin Baby and The Illustrated Mum

Horribly inappropriate for a 7 year old!! Great books, but not before 10/11 for those 2.

OP, I recommend 'Cliffhanger', 'Lizzie Zipmouth' or 'The Mum Minder'. All the other books mentioned here are for 9+. I would say even 'The Butterfly Club' because although the characters are 7 the topics (nearly dying as a premature baby/learning to empathise with the bully etc) are too heavy and complex for a 7 year old IMO.

[1066vegan]

I think dd was quite young when she read The Suitcase Kid. That should be suitable. There are also ones like Cliffhanger, Buried Alive and The Werepuppy which are more humorous, don't deal with tricky themes and are suitable for sensitive children.

[pollyputthepastaon]

My son read cliffhanger. It was on the year 3 recommended reading book list. He’s. she sensitive and a “young” 7 and he really enjoyed it.

[FurrySlipperBoots]

Buried Alive

Buried Alive isn't a good choice for a 7 year old - the bully throws one boy's beloved soft toy into the sea, and goes to smash the other boy's head in with a spade, before becoming buried under a landslide of sand and having to be resuscitated!

The Suitcase Kid is rather heavy for 7 as well. OP, if in doubt, look on the Jacqueline Wilson website - there's a better idea on there of which ones are age appropriate.

[blancheduboiss]

I’d recommend best friends too. I’m only in my early 20’s and read it before the age of 10 and loved it!! It’s simply about two best friends who get split up when one of them has to move up to Scotland. A really whimsical tale of friendship, bravery, and perseverance.

[blancheduboiss]

Oh, and also possibly the sleepover club. It really is a light hearted one, and if i can recall correctly, is about a group of girls who all take turns hosting sleepovers, whilst trying to deal with one particularly unpleasant (albeit not too upsetting) girl. Particularly interesting as it also tackles the issue of ableism.

[Hilda41]

I'd really recommend Cliffhanger as other posters have.
Double Act - about some twins who move to a new town with Dad's new girlfriend could be good too.