What's your favourite Jacqueline Wilson book and why?

[ChrissieMumsnet]

To celebrate the release of Jacqueline Wilson's 100th children's book, we're giving away £100 John Lewis vouchers, a copy of her new book Opal Plumstead and an exclusive goody bag for one lucky winner. Runners up will receive an Opal Plumstead goody bag and copy of the book.

Opal Plumstead is the brilliant new story from one of the nation's best-loved authors, starring her most outspoken, fiery and unforgettable heroine yet: Opal Plumstead, schoolgirl, sweet factory worker and Suffragette. Read more about the story and watch an exclusive video of Jacqueline Wilson talking about reaching the milestone of writing 100 children's books here.

To be in with a chance of winning, let us know your favourite Jacqueline Wilson book and why on the discussion thread below. The competition closes on 31 December and we'll announce winners on 5 January 2015. We look forward to hearing your thoughts!

'Four Children and IT' is our very favourite Jacqueline Wilson book. It takes a very talented author to do a modern take on a classic book and do it so well.

We love the story because it relates to a whole family and we read it as a whole family.

It appeals to both boys and girls - My sons loved reading this with me.

And it really felt like there was something for everyone in that book - One of my sons dreams of being an author so could relate to the book-loving Rosalind. My other son dreams of being a chef and so could relate to Robbie.

It inspired us to get cooking, pack up a picnic and get outdoors for some family fun. When a book can encourage you to do that, then it is a very special book indeed.

My daughter loves Best Friends and re-reads it constantly (along with many other Jaqueline Wilson books) - I love it too because it helped her come to terms with moving house and leaving her super-close best friend behind.

I would choose The Werepuppy . It sticks in mind my mind as one of the books my boys enjoyed reading when they were young.

Hey I already entered one Opal Plumstead giveaway, hope we can still win! Dd 10's favourite is the worst thing about my sister. I think she identifies with the tomboyish character Marty, who love drawing cartoons. But I preferred Cookie as it was about the mum and daughter starting a new life together and had a happy ending.

I like The Longest Whale Song, because I find it incredibly sad. Also a fan of The Lottie Project.

My daughter devoured Queenie. She is a fast reader and sometimes I feel she is skimming the story. However, with Queenie, every night she would be intently reading in bed then, when it was lights out time, tell me (at great length ) what had happened in the section she had just read; I knew she was taking it all in. She regularly told me how fantastic the book was and was pretty dejected when she finished it.

TinklyLittleLaugh- mine is also Waiting For The Sky To Fall. I loved that book as a teen. Very dark and emotional. Still have it somewhere.

Cowboy, I just had a look on Amazon and I might treat myself to a used copy.

Other very early ones I loved were Nobody's Perfect, The Other Side and Falling Apart.

Tracy beaker, it was the first children's book that I came across as a child that went through many issues. It really spoke out about insecurities you can have as a child and how to deal with other children.

My favourite is The Longest Whale Song, it is so harrowing a tale, yet impossible to put down. As an adult I can't imagine what kids think of it but I find that the characters are so incredibly believable, it's an emotionaal rollercoaster that keeps one absorbed until the last page. Jacqueline Wilson deals with such serious subjects, without trivalizing anything. My only regret is that I haven't managed to get my lad to read it, (foolishly he thinks it's too childish!) though I'm sure he would benefit if he did. An amazing read, and I'm so glad that Mumsnet encouraged to pick it up again to reread.

My favourite has to be Queenie, I read it earlier this year to my 9 and 6 year old, a chapter a night. They were both absolutely enthralled with the story and I have to admit I was too. Loved the historical aspect of it, the characters were so beautifully constructed, the story so compelling and the ending had me in tears. I sobbed my way through the last few pages whilst trying to stay composed as the children looked at me as if I were mad! I never read any Jacqueline Wilson books as a child or teenager, somehow they escaped me. However, as an adult now reading them to my children, they are some of the most wonderful books I've ever had the pleasure of reading to my children. We've just read Hetty Feather, another enthralling story. Never before has my daughter screamed in excitement when I've been reading her a story. My favourite time of day is bedtime, the three of us climb into my bed, and for fifteen minutes, there's just the three of us wrapped up in the latest instalment of a JW adventure. Thank you JW for writing such wonderful stories and giving me and my children such pleasure.

11 yr old dd says Queenie, because it has a great storyline and interesting characters mixed in with great historical content. Having said that. She would (and does) read and re read all her JW books over and over again.

I haven't read many but my 6 year old is enjoying 'Buried Alive' which is his school reading book. The characters are really realistic and unlike the usual stereotypes of young boys in books. I'm looking forward to reading more (or have them read to me!).

My daughter (Isla, age 10) loves Hetty Feather the best. She has found the historical setting a real eye-opener in terms of how people lived, and was completely absorbed by the characters. She flew through the rest of the Hetty Feather series after being hooked by this first book.

Illustrated mum was my favourite.
And a great big thank you to mumsnet as the post mans just brought my dd who's 9 a hardback copy of opal plumstead
She's put it on her bed out of the way of her lil brother while she's gone upto her friends house to gloat that she has it! Thank you again

DS ages 8 likes Cliffhanger. He likes the setting - a childrens activity camp, and the characters, a timid boy , an unhealthy boy, a very sporty priggish boy and a very sporty loud girl. He also likes teh challenges they are set in teh camp activities and how they work through them as a team.

I like it for having a boy who is not the best at every thing in the leading role, a boy who is a bit scared of camp and not looking forward to it at the start of the book, but enjoying it lots by the end.

Vicky Angel has to be my favourite.
I remember hearing it for the first time while I was at school. I was around 8 or 9 years old and my teacher would read a chapter every day. Vicky Angel gripped me immediately. I cried when listening to her read the book and felt like I was taken on an adventure. After this, I was hooked. I read many Jacqueline Wilson books and she was/is the reason I am such a passionate book reader to this day.

Thank you JW.

This competition is now closed. Thanks to everyone who took part, we look forward to reading all your wonderful stories. We'll announce the winners on the thread later in the week.

When I was working my first job as a classroom assistant at the school where my husband teaches, Jacqueline Wilson came to speak to one of the Year 8 classes that I was with. I had never heard of her. I think she was quite popular but not a huge name.

She was so lovely and of course wore all her silver jewellery which the girls were all taken with. At the end of her talk she signed books and I asked her to recommend one as I had never read any and she suggested The Illustrated Mum. She signed it and addressed it to me...so that is my favourite.

I've just bought Hetty Feather for my daughter, who is nine tomorrow :)

No winner?

Congratulations to mightyducks, you are the overall winner of our competition and have won £100 worth of John Lewis vouchers, a copy of Opal Plumstead and an exclusive goody bag.

Well done also to the following runner-ups who have won an Opal Plumstead goody bag and copy of the book:

FruitCakey
Katys10
Firewall
MargotLovedTom
Livelablove
Twofalls
Eatenthebiscuit
Valski
carolLTacon
gazzalw

We'll be in touch shortly with details on how to claim your prizes. Thanks again to everyone who participated.

Yay I'm a runner up, how exciting normally I never win things my dd will be really pleased with this prize.

I absolutely loved them as a child. I think bad girls and the suitcase kid were my faves. I remember writing to Jaqueline Wilson and she wrote back to me

The suitcase kid, it reminds me of the mulberry tree we used to have in our garden. I loved all of her books growing up, she has such a great way of writing stories for young teens.