Can I ask about Jacqueline Wilson books?

[PawneeParksDept]

I don't know much about the Jacqueline Wilson novels as they became popular " after my time"

I'm considering them for a DC who isn't mine. They have a well above average reading age, but their maturity isn't that of the target audience (age, not SN)

Heavy, or distressing " issue" content would be inappropriate and talk of being in care, divorce and mentally unwell parent (the novels I'm aware of are Tracy Beaker, Illustrated Mum, and Suitcase Kid) is just beyond the child's years really.

My question is, which if any of the JW would be appropriate for a child under 9 reading at an above 9 level?

I've not read them and my kids aren't fans... But I have a related question (sorry for mild thread hijack) Isn't Katy a reworking of What Katy Did? I saw the TV adaptation and presumed someone had just reworked it for the millennials, didn't realise it came via JW.

DD quote likes Jacqueline Wilson but she's 12. I wouldn't have been happy with her reading about all the issue stuff at 8.

Lots of good other suggestions in this thread.

Yes Katy is a re working of What Katy Did but JWs version goes for the theory of what would happen if Katy doesn't get better and will never walk again. JW has also done a modern 'sequel' to 5 Children and It. Hers is 4 children and basically the Psammead is still in his sand pit causing mischief with granting wishes.

we worked through quite a lot of the 'younger' jw books - overwhelming impression is 'relentless' - only one dd reread was 'how to survive summer camp' partly because it has a decent biscuit recipe. (thats a safe & funny one if step-parent, self image themes are ok)

i think you almost have to read them first just in case the 'issue' focus might be too close to home for the particular child - they're solid but..

for 9ish dd i'd thoroughly recommend anything from kate rundell and pamela butchart, page turners, funny and girl centric.

Please, don't get Sleepovers. The whole pay off in the book is that it's fine to laugh at a bully - because she bed wets. Hilarious .

I don't like JW, simply because I think she's a pretty poor writer. But younger children, particularly girls, do enjoy her books. I'd second Double Act and the Hetty Feather books for a 7 year old.

@bookmum08

Good suggestion and I've done that several times before, I do have a fair idea of what she has read and is reading but JW has not come up, and I wanted to get something that she hasn't read yet

It was just a possible floating in my head for Christmas and as I had reservations I just wanted to be more informed.

Sorry but I hated JW books. Some if the themes are awful, and just rubbish books. Lots of others to choose from.

In Sleepovers the girls don't make fun of her because she wet the bed. They just realise she isn't that nice because she makes fun of Daisy's severly disabled sister. This was one of the first JW books my daughter read and she found it especially special because her dad works with adults who are severly disabled like Lily in the book.

Pawnee I will admit I am heartbroken that I excitedly paid money to buy my daughter two Judy Blume books and she was "totally not interested".

bookmum, in Sleepovers the bully does make fun of Daisy's sister - and yes, that's portrayed as absolutely unacceptable (although it has to be said, Daisy's sister is not given any character at all - she's simply a plot device). But then it's discovered the bully bed wets, which is used to ostracise her - not exactly the best message to put out.

Jacqueline Wilson writes stuff for 7 year olds and stuff for 14 year olds. Really parents should exercise due diligence to check they are buying something age appropriate.

My girls (sheltered, undramatic two parent family) were big fans. As someone upthread said, I suspect the books helped them have some small understanding of some friends' circumstances. Actually The Suitcase Kid was a bit of an eye opener for me.

I think her older teen stuff is pretty good on peer pressure and relationships.

JW was also lovely to my girls at a book signing, so I am a big fan.

I get that JW writes for younger and older readers but the 10 book sets you can buy include both aged audiences so I unwittingly bought a set not realising some of the books are poles apart in terms of what is acceptable. Luckily my DD didn't really understand The Illustrated Mum and said she found it boring but I'm a bit cross with myself for not realising they weren't all aimed at the 7-8 age bracket.

I do agree that the box set does contain a rather random mismatched selection.

[quote NewYoiker]@HollowTalk yes! The illustrated mum is awful! Way too deep for a kids book![/quote]
I was a 10 year old when I read that one. My mum was a lone parent suffering with bi polar and alcoholism. That book made me feel acknowledged in some way. It wasn't too deep at all - it was practically my reality.

Sorry I didn't realise this was a zombie thread - I got lost in the app somewhere I think.

Noel Streatfield has a lot of parental death. Due to the age of the books, there are also some very old fashioned views expressed. I had to have a chat with my 8 year old about some ideas about adoption in "Dancing Shoes" last weekend.

I think The Butterfly Club would be very suitable. It's a recent one. I find the historical ones a bit sad and distressing. With The Butterfly Club, it's as if she's tried to feature a family who are less burdened by social problems. Real-life issues occur, but from a different angle. There is a subtle criticism of the main parents, but it's a bit more upbeat in feel.