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Author & Illustrators

Jacqueline Wilson Books

jacqueline wiilsonJacqueline Wilson is one of the UK’s most celebrated children’s authors, whose storytelling has resonated with millions of young readers.

Known for her ability to portray the complex realities of childhood, Jacqueline Wilson’s narratives address important but often challenging themes such as unconventional family dynamics, bullying, mental health, peer relationships and divorce. Readers enjoy how Jacqueline Wilson’s books resonate with their own experiences, making them feel understood and seen.

Jacqueline’s dedication to children and literacy has been recognised with numerous honours. She was awarded an OBE for services to literacy in 2002, appointed the fourth Children’s Laureate in 2005, and in 2008 became Dame Jacqueline Wilson, a testament to her profound impact on children’s reading.

Among Jacqueline Wilson’s extensive collection,  popular titles include The Story of Tracy Beaker (which was very successfully televised), Double Act and The Illustrated Mum.  Jacqueline Wilson’s books are typically aimed at readers aged 8-14 (Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3), providing powerful and accessible stories for this age group.

Many of the books are set in modern times, but a number are also historical fiction, with a noted interest in portraying female protagonists living at key moments in Victorian and 20th-century English history, like Hetty Feather and Opal Plumstead. Some of Wilson’s work also enters into the worlds of classic children’s books with new or modernised twists, such as The Primrose Railway Children and Katy.

More recently, Jacqueline Wilson has returned to some of the literary worlds she created decades before, now writing for adults (many of whom may have grown up reading her earlier books!). Think Again was published in 2024 and revisits the now-middle-aged characters of the Girls series, and Picture Imperfect was published in August 2025 as an adult sequel to The Illustrated Mum.

Jacqueline Wilson’s books for children consistently feature on recommended reading lists, including various BooksForTopics selections for KS2 book lists, books about different types of families, books about suffragettes, fantastic females booklist and children’s books about bullying.

Jacqueline Wilson has also been a key supporter of children’s literature research at the University of Cambridge. Notably, BooksForTopics founder Alison Leach was awarded the prestigious Jacqueline Wilson Award by the Dame herself in 2012, for outstanding children’s literature research.

Fans of Jacqueline Wilson will also find useful the BooksForTopics branching out booklist, which helps existing readers see how her stories can lead readers to discover similar genres and authors.

If you’re seeking children’s stories that navigate complex childhood experiences with empathy and insight, Dame Jacqueline Wilson’s compelling works are essential reading.

Author’s Website: https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/183521/jacqueline-wilson.

If you are new to Jacqueline Wilson’s stories for children, we recommend The Worry Website as a superb book to start with.

Catch The Primrose Railway Children on your screens this winter with CBBC’s adaptation starring Kevin McKidd!

From multi-million bestselling author Jacqueline Wilson and inspired by E. Nesbit’s timeless classic, The Primrose Railway Children is a gorgeous, heartwarming story of family secrets and new adventures.

Sit back and enjoy the journey!

Phoebe Robinson loves making up stories – just like her wonderful, imaginative Dad.

When he mysteriously disappears, Phoebe, Perry, Becks and their mum must leave everything behind and move to a small cottage in the middle of nowhere.

Struggling to feel at home and missing her Dad terribly, Phoebe’s only distraction is her guinea pig Daisy. Until the family discover the thrilling steam trains at the railway station and suddenly, every day is filled with adventure.

But Phoebe still can’t help wondering, what is Mum hiding and more worryingly is Dad okay?

Flutter into another MAGICAL new story from Jacqueline Wilson.
Mab’s mum is obsessed with fairies – she even named Mab after the Fairy Queen!
Their flat is packed with fairy ornaments, tiny fairy furniture and they’ve even got fairy lights in the toilet. Mab doesn’t quite get it, but she knows that fairies make her mum happy, especially after Dad left.
When Mab’s teacher gives her a book all about Victorian fairies, she’s surprised to see the drawings inside are nothing like the sweet fairies she imagined.
But the biggest surprise of all is a tiny thing that tumbles out of the pages of the book…
A magical, captivating story about fairies, families and friendship from the brilliant, award-winning Jacqueline Wilson.

September, 1939: At the breakout of the Second World War, ten-year-old Shirley is sent away on a train. She doesn’t know where she’s going, or what’s going to happen to her when she gets there. All she has been told is that she’s going on ‘a little holiday’.

She soon finds herself lodged deep in the countryside, with two boys from the East End of London, Kevin and Archie. But here, living in the strange, half-empty Red House with the mysterious and reclusive Mrs Waverley, the children’s lives will be changed for ever.

Award-winning, bestselling and beloved author Jacqueline Wilson pens an unforgettable story about the confusion and loneliness of a World War II evacuee, with a moving and hopeful friendship at its centre.

“I’ll be famous at something some day, you mark my words.”

Katy Carr is a daredevil.

You’ll always find her outdoors, climbing on the garage roof, or up a tree, cycling, skateboarding… Anything to get away from her new stepmother, Izzie.

But, when Katy’s involved in a terrible accident, her life is changed forever.

Inspired by the much-loved classic, What Katy Did, bestselling children’s favourite Jacqueline Wilson creates an irresistible modern version for the twenty-first-century. As seen on CBBC!

Marigold isn’t like other mums.

“She’s good at spending heaps of money that we haven’t got. She’s good at getting drunk. She’s good at getting completely nutty ideas into her head.”

Dolphin adores her mum – she’s beautiful and vibrant. She’s covered in colourful tattoos and with her bright hair and amazing clothes, Marigold stands out, wherever she goes.

But her sister, Star, feels differently.

Marigold may look great, but living with her unpredictable, fiery moods can be hard. After Marigold has a breakdown, Dolphin starts to wonder…is she the right person to be looking after her?

From bestselling author Jacqueline Wilson, The Illustrated Mum is an optimistic tale about family, mental health and sisterly love. This is a must have book for every young reader.

Hi! I’m Charlie (DON’T call me Charlotte – ever!). History is boring, right? Wrong!

The Victorians weren’t all deadly dull and drippy. Lottie certainly isn’t. She’s eleven – like me – but she’s left school and has a job as a nursery maid. Her life is really hard, just work work work, but I bet she’d know what to do about my mum’s awful boyfriend and his wimpy little son.

I bet she wouldn’t mess it all up like I do . . .

A hilarious, witty and perceptive tale of two girls from very different times but experiencing very similar problems, from award-winning author Jacqueline Wilson.

MEET TEN-YEAR-OLD ANDY. THE SUITCASE KID.

“When my parents split up they didn’t know what to do with me. My family always lived at Mulberry Cottage. Mum, Dad, me – and Radish, my lovable toy rabbit. But now, Mum lives with Bill the Baboon and his three kids. Dad lives with Carrie and her twins. And where do I live? I live out of a suitcase.”

Andy has always lived at Mulberry Cottage with her mum and dad.

But when they split up, Andy has to say goodbye to her childhood home. Now she spends one week at her mum’s and one week at her dad’s.

With a brand-new stepfamily to deal with and two new houses, will Andy ever feel at home?

Written by the multi-award-winning author, Jacqueline Wilson, The Suitcase Kid explores the emotions around divorce with humour, and ultimately optimism. The perfect book to start conversations about difficult topics like divorce with young readers.

Meet Elsa – The Bed and Breakfast star!

‘Hey, when is a door not a door? When it’s ajar!’

Elsa loves to tell jokes. She KNOWS she’s going to be a big star one day – doing what she does best, making people laugh. But, after her family lose their lovely house and move into a bed and breakfast hotel, it seems like no one laughs anymore…

Despite their circumstances, Elsa is still determined to be a star!

Even if it’s just at their run-down bed and breakfast.

Written by the beloved, award-winning bestseller, Jacqueline Wilson, The Bed and Breakfast Star is a funny, lively story that sensitively explores family life.

I looked out into the night and made my wish.’

Violet has always been in the shadow of her mesmerising, controlling brother Will. When a shocking secret about Will’s past is revealed, things get even worse.

Violet retreats further into her own fantasy world, built around the fairy characters created by her favourite author, Casper Dream.

The arrival of a new girl at school, Jasmine, seems like it might change Violet’s life for the better. But is Jasmine a true friend? And will Violet ever manage to break free of Will’s spell?

A moving, compelling tale with more than a hint of magic from the bestselling Jacqueline Wilson.

Is anything bothering you? Problems in class or at home? Don’t know where to turn for help? Log on to the Worry Website! Type in your worry and wait for the good advice to flow in.

At least that’s the plan when Mr Speed sets up his super-cool new Worry Website. Holly, Greg, Natasha and the rest of the class think they’ve got shedloads of worries. But, as they find out, sometimes the best advice comes from the most unexpected place.

A comforting guide to real-life issues, handled with care, from the bestselling Jacqueline Wilson.

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