Not to want the DDs to read any more dismal, turgid, depressing shit written by Jacqueline Wilson?

[MrsSchadenfreude]

I can't stand it any longer. Death, destruction, broken families, mum's boyfriend beating her up. Happy just doesn't exist. If parents are married, they are disfunctional, or have ishoos.

I wouldn't mind the odd one, interspersed with other stuff, but it's like fucking drugs in this house. Anything else is read perfunctorily before rushing back to worship on the altar of Saint Jacqueline of the Sorrows.

I remember Judy Blume books, but they just seemed to deal with things in a little less "in your face" way.

I think the issues JW brings up are fine, but thng that it is a bit too much for many mid primary children, and there are more suitable ways of introducing children to the nastier aspects of life.

YABU - She writes books age appropriate, the books for age 6, 7 are more tame but all have a message and if read for the right age category I think are great for children to realise what life can be like.

The book about the cat is the Cat Mummy, and was the only thing that helped when our cat was killed, my DD felt good that the girl in the story knew how she felt.

I have also met and spoken to JW and she has explained why she writes such stories.

Many of the books have for example children with divorced parents, something very very common these days, the books can help children to fel not as alone, or understand how peers are feeling.

I think that as long as a 6 year old isn't reading 'Secrets' for example it is fine, which is aimed at 12 plus.

Cannot stand JW's misery lit. If it was only the odd book in amongst some other stuff it might be tolerable, but every *ing book is stuffed full of ishoos.
I suppose it is zeitgeist. When I was young, books had uplifting, inspiring stories; now they have feel-sorry-for-me victims.

DD has read the suitcase kid as it is stocked by the school for free reading. I'm not happy about it, but there's nothing I can do. She is now asking for more and this thread has made me think I might refuse.

She already has a copy of Hetty Feather, as someone else bought it for her. What is that one like?

I used to read books by JW over twenty years ago when in my early teens, her books then were very good and quite different, aimed at older kids. My 9yo is mad on her but reads a very wide range of stuff. I read all her JW's too. I do wish she'd write a few more nice dads though.

I only read your post OP...it was interesting because my DD is 6 and has picked a few of those up in the shop but I always steer her away.

I think literature and our needs regarding it tend to change according to the times we are lving in...as things are looking bloody grim atm we would all rather the DC's were reading a nice bit of E Nesbitt!

It's a sad fact though senua that she's drawing on 'ishoos' real children have to deal with, perhaps children who don't have anyone close by that can feel sorry for them or care for them.

Judy Bloom are you there god it's me Margaret was the most read book in 1987, the pages were worn out as it got passed around the class/year we loved it.
I don't think it does very lucky children any harm to read about what happens in some peoples homes so they can feel sympathy towards those in that position should they come across them.

Time for some Judy Blume methinks. I loved "Blubber" as there was a girl at my school who was like that and after reading the book I ended up becoming friends with her.

YANBU. Grandparents have given dd a whole load of these books (it is a kind of trainer bra for misery porn. And I'm of the "why?" camp. I don't get the adult version, either,) and I am gutted.

We also have CDs. I walk past dd's bedroom to hear a female voice intoning a long tale of woe.

I sneak them off to the charity shop whenever I get the chance.

YABVU

I used to love JW books, grew up with them. Haven't read any recent ones but Suitcase Kid, Tracy Beaker, Cliffhanger, The Lottie project and lots of others which I can't remember were brilliant!

Make sure they're age appropriate as she writes for a range of ages 6 - 14.

She deals with real life issues in a way that isn't patronising, but is honest, thoughtful and has humour. It's not all misery, doom and gloom, there's a light hearted edge. Not all kids like fantasy type books.

Milly, Hetty Feather's quite a nice book, happy ending, not as miserable as some others.

I like JW, though, they deal with issues well and generally have semi-happy endings. Totally depends on the child, though. DEFINITELY read them through first!

so glad others feel the same way!

IMO YANBU at all.

I know DD and DS2 found 'Sleepover' very poignant and both read it several times. It is about a girl who has a severely disabled sister and who is really worried about having new friends over to stay. DS1 is severely disabled and it absolutely touched on all the issues they have to face all the time.

Having said that, they both like Harry Potter and all that escapist stuff, but Jacqueline Wilson has been very helpful to them. They also like her other books, but I suppose they have grown up having quite a mature outlook on life's difficulties. My friend has bipolar and her daughter loved the one about a girl whose mother had bipolar.

Her books reflect the reality for so many children.

Whats happened to The Outsiders and Rumblefish by S.E Hilton. Does no one read those anymore?

Brilliant books about cute teenage troubled youth.

Oooh they DO still read those justonmorethen! I have come across references to them on chat sites with teens loving them! I don't hang round on kids chat sites btw...was there for research!

YABU, I am just about young enough to have read JW as a child. I had a very comfortable life and assumed everyone else did too. I didn't have a clue about poverty or people being on benefits. The Bed and Breakfast Star was the one I remember as being most eye-opening. I think in general they are positive, not too miserable at all. Heroes/heroines tend to be clever and have spirit. Anyway, children love dark stuff - look at the success of Roald Dahl.

Btw, I have not read anything she's published in about the last 13 years.

I was going to buy her latest one for my DN for christmas but its the most depressing boring thing i ever set eyes on.

Its aimed at girls 9-12 the story is about a girl whose mum and step dad are having a baby and then her mum goes into a coma as the result of a (rare) pregnancy complication. The whole book is about the girls feelings about her mum being in a coma and about the fact she does like her step dad and doesn't have a good relationship with her dad, plus in the book no other close family members.

I would not buy it and would not ever let DD read it.

Imo Hetty Feather was brilliant! I loved the way JW used "victorian" words and idioms in it - and by the end you were questioning some of Hetty's views on the Foundling Hospital too.

I write childrens books. They are nice ones, quite traditional about what children need to learn about relationships (tolerance/understanding etc) not about death/broken families/domestic voilence etc. Can I get an agent let alone a publisher? No chance. I've been told that the books I write are not 'edgy' enough because I don't have these topics in them; this is, apparantly, what children want to read about JW is a brillint writer and is just writing what she's been told that the market wants to read.

YABU Lots of children have to deal with these issues, or, if they are lucky enough to encounter NONE of them throughout their entire childhood then it might help them to understand why that little girl in their class only lives with her mum and visits her dad at weekends (or whatever).

I used to read JW and I think she's fab, yes they get a bit samey after a while and your daughter will probably do what I did and read loads for a while then get bored and move on to something else.

Why on earth would you want to shield your chidren, not just from life's sadness, but from the fact that life IS sad sometimes? Surely better for them to experience it in controlled doses in a safe environment rather than suddenly be bulldozed by it when they are no longer under your watchful eye?

My DD 13 has read all of JWs books and I don't notice them doing her any harm. She said one or two were sad and made her cry, but there is nothing wrong with that.