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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Jacqueline Wilson - thoughts?

232 replies

whattimeisitrightnow · 05/07/2020 16:04

Posting in AIBU for traffic and also because there's another thread currently running here that's sort of about her works.
I grew up reading JW obsessively, really loved her work. If I'm honest, I'd probably still enjoy reading some of her books as an adult! However, now that I'm older I'm easily able to identify problems with a lot of them: some of it was my own fault, as I read the ones for teens/mature readers when I was too little for them.

That being said (talked about this on the other thread) there's one book, Love Lessons, based on a student-teacher relationship where said relationship is presented in an almost positive light, in a very romantic way. The female student is pretty much blamed entirely for what happens and is kicked out of the school while the teacher keeps his job. The abuse of power isn't explored at all. Generally, I think JW books really seek to give a voice to children, especially those in extremely difficult situations who might feel particularly powerless, and that's commendable. LL seems to be an exception.

What do people think of JW books? Did you enjoy reading them? Do you think they're too 'dark' for children? Did you even find them helpful at times? (I remember the ones with abusive parents really resonating with me, even before I was old enough to articulate why.) And do you let your own kids read them?

OP posts:
homebase123 · 16/02/2021 01:13

I grew up in a happy family with financial stability and parents still together, and I think JW’s books did a lot to help me develop empathy for kids who didn’t grow up with the privileges I did.

Completely agree.

LostInTheColonies · 16/02/2021 01:24

DD loves them... but has noticed herself that men are rarely portrayed in a positive light which is particularly amusing as her arse of a father introduced her to them Grin.

I was trying to keep her away from them as they are IMO very light-weight as far as the actual reading and depth of story goes (compared to e.g. Katherine Rundell). HOWEVER - they do get kids reading, and I was a complete Enid Blyton addict so am not really in a place to comment on the depth of children's literature. JW clearly read a huge variety of classics as they're regularly referenced, so I don't really understand why she writes the equivalent of Rainbow Fairies for slightly older children!

Redsquirrel5 · 16/02/2021 02:26

The Lottie Project.
DD was reading them and we bought a couple of tapes for the long car journey to the north of Scotland. Sleepover and Tracy Beaker who we loved. DD really loved Cat Mummy. We met Jacquline Wilson twice. She came to our local bookshop. The first time they were bowled over by the amount of people that turned up the had to get the queue to wind around the shop and around to the other door like a snake. Jacquline Wilson said she would stay( only expected for 1 1/2 hours) and stayed about four. I thought that was very good of her. She was absolutely lovely. The next time we were prepared and I went straight from work to queue and DH picked DD up from school and brought her to me while he went for a coffee. Again she was lovely and asked DD if she had a cat. DD described her and JW asked what the cat’s name was and she thought it was a lovely name. It appeared in another book. She was happy to sign DD new book and two of her well read ones too. A thoroughly lovely lady. DD liked all her bangles.
I haven’t read the later ones but I did think some children were introduced to them too soon. They are for older Primary age and teens. A bit like Harry Potter parents introduce them too soon.
I thought she addressed a lot of problems that other authors steer clear of and encouraged the reader to think and have empathy with the characters.
Love Lessons sounds a good book for older teens and could make an interesting debate for that age.

Redsquirrel5 · 16/02/2021 02:31

Having just read the OP of another thread linked here I am surprised at the tone of the book and yes a bit disappointed in JW.
I haven’t read the book.

Bloodybridget · 16/02/2021 02:33

This is a very old thread!

OnwardsEverStridingOnwards · 25/03/2021 14:43

@QuimReaper

Can anyone link the other Jacqueline Wilson thread?
Already have done.
rosiejaune · 25/03/2021 15:50

I hate them; they are a really puerile and stereotyped depiction of life for certain people.

And OK, her own childhood wasn't great, but she didn't experience most of the issues she writes about, so it's a bit like those people who write fictional childhood abuse memoirs; profiting from perceived misery.

So in bad taste at best. And not great writing anyway.

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