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Jacqueline Wilson

Biography

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Jacqueline Wilson was born in Bath in 1945, but spent most of her childhood in Kingston-on-Thames. She always wanted to be a writer and wrote her first “novel” when she was nine, filling countless Woolworths’ exercise books as she grew up. Since having her daughter, Emma, she has been writing full time.

Her insightful and emotionally challenging books not only stretch reading ability, but give young readers a glimpse into many kinds of lives. Smart girls, strong girls, bad girls, brave girls. Girls keeping their families going, girls trying to get away… Jacqueline Wilson’s written about them all! These powerful stories of plucky girls in difficult circumstances won’t fail to strike a chord.

She has written over 70 best-selling books, and several have even been adapted for TV – most famously The Story of Tracy Beaker. Her signing sessions attract huge crowds of fans and last for hours! Over 25 million copies of her books have now been sold in the UK alone.

In 2007 Jacky Daydream was published, an inspirational true story of how a shy schoolgirl became a superstar author. This was followed by My Secret Diary, a captivating account of Jacky’s teenage years.

In June 2002 Jacqueline was given an OBE for services to literacy in schools, and she was the Children’s Laureate from 2005-2007. She also became a Dame in December 2007.

Books by Jacqueline Wilson

  • We Are the Beaker Girls

    We Are the Beaker Girls

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  • My Mum Tracy Beaker

    My Mum Tracy Beaker

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  • My Mum Tracy Beaker

    My Mum Tracy Beaker

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  • I Dare You, Tracy Beaker

    I Dare You, Tracy Beaker

    Award-winning

  • Wave Me Goodbye

    Wave Me Goodbye

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  • Rent a Bridesmaid

    Rent a Bridesmaid

    Award-winning

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  • Monster Eyeballs

    Reading Ladder Level 2: Monster Eyeballs

    Award-winning

  • Little Stars

    Hetty Feather #5: Little Stars

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  • Diamond

    Diamond

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  • Green Glass Beads: A Collection of Poems for Girls

    Green Glass Beads: A Collection of Poems for Girls

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  • Lily Alone

    Lily Alone

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  • The Longest Whale Song

    The Longest Whale Song

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Packs featuring Jacqueline Wilson

  • Hetty Feather x 6

    6copies

    Hetty Feather x 6

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  • Hetty Feather x 30

    Hetty Feather x 30

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  • Jacqueline Wilson Ages 9-11 Pack x 10

    Jacqueline Wilson Ages 9-11 Pack x 10

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  • The Suitcase Kid x 6

    The Suitcase Kid x 6

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  • The Suitcase Kid x 30

    The Suitcase Kid x 30

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  • Cliffhanger x 6

    Cliffhanger x 6

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Series by Jacqueline Wilson

Awards won by Jacqueline Wilson

Jacqueline has won loads of awards, including the prestigious Children’s Laureate 2005-2007, two British Book Awards Children’s Books of the Year for Girls in Tears and The Illustrated Mum, and the Guardian prize for The Illustrated Mum. In a poll to find the Nation’s Favourite Children’s Book Double Act was voted 10th and was the only contemporary title in the top ten.

Jacky answers your questions

Were you a good or naughty school girl? Adriana, aged 10

I was mostly a good girl – but just occasionally I broke the rules – and once I lost my temper and shouted at a teacher who was being very unkind to my friend.

If you had to choose the most memorable moment from your childhood, what would it be? Ellen, aged 10

I think it was going on holiday to Bournemouth when I was eleven. It was so beautiful then and the sun shone every day and I made some special friends.

Which of your books was the most fun to write? Charlie, aged 9

I think I liked writing Sleepovers most because I liked inventing all those birthday parties with their special cakes!

When I read your books I always imagine myself as one of the characters. Do you ever do this when you write your stories? Hannah, aged 12

I always imagine myself as the main character telling the story.

Why do you always wear a lot of rings? What do they mean to you? Amy-Anne, aged 13

I don’t wear quite as many rings as I used to – but I still wear more than most people. I just like the way they look.

What piece of advice would you give your younger self? Orli, aged 12

Try not to worry so much!

If you had to choose another book to write a sequel to, which would it be? Lydia, aged 11

Perhaps I might write a sequel to Little Darlings one day – so many children have asked me what happens next to Destiny and Sunset.

If you had not become a world famous author, what do you think you would have been, and why? Emily, aged 10

I’d have been very happy to be a bookseller. It’s always been a favourite fantasy of mine to have my own bookshop.

How do you understand us teenagers so well and how do you keep up to date with issues that are relevant to what we are going through now? Sophie, aged 13

I can remember all the things I worried about when I was a teenager and I can imagine what it’s like for young people nowadays. I also get so many letters and emails from young people that it’s easy to keep in touch.

If you could meet one of your characters, who would it be, and why? Jenny, aged 12

I’d like to meet Hetty Feather – I like her sparky character and she could tell me all about life in Victorian times.

Browse Jacqueline Wilson books and fun stuff

Interview with Jacqueline Wilson

How old were you when your first book you wrote was published?

I was writing stories throughout my childhood, and my first short story was published when I was 17. But I was 22 before I got a book published.

How did you first become interested in writing? Did any author or teacher inspire you?

I loved books, I liked pictures, and it evolved from there. No, at my primary school, they made a fuss of me, I was chosen to read my stories aloud. At secondary school, stories were made to be more formal, so I had lots of corrections. So I feel if they read any of my books now I’d still get full of red marks! Do it the school way at school and your own way at home.

How long have you been writing books? And what is your favourite book you have written?

I never can decide, I think it’s possibly The Illustrated Mum, it’s probably the saddest of my stories, but it came almost how I wanted it to be. Each time I start a book, I want it to be this and that and it hardly ever does. I’ve written over 80 books now.

How do you come up with all your ideas?

I think it’s a bit like asking you, where you get your dreams from, you don’t exactly know, do you? Dreams are distorted and you have no idea where they came from. I don’t know what’s going to come next! I came up for the name of Tracy Beaker in my bath. I knew I wanted her to be called Tracy and be a feisty girl but I couldn’t think of the right surname for her. In my bath, I came up with Tracy Toilet, Tracy Bath and lots more and then I was washing my hair and I pulled up this beaker to wash my hair down with, and that’s when it came to me “Tracy Beaker”.

Did you ever think your books would become a TV series?

No I didn’t. For years and years, I got letters for children saying why don’t you make such and such a TV Show? I was thrilled to bits with Tracy Beaker. I met a lovely woman called Sue, who held on to that idea for years and I don’t know how anyone thought it would be that big. I do like to visit the set, I don’t write the script as there’s too many and it wouldn’t be possible. They’ve written it just the way I would have though!

How long does it take to write a book?

It takes too long! Children read them in 3 days and think it takes that long to write it – I wish it did. I write little bits on the train, and here and there. I try to write 500 words a day, then when it’s finished I type it up, it can take as long as 6 months. I like to get two books written a year.

Did you ever imagine becoming the Children’s Laureate?

I knew I was short-listed, I felt very honoured and excited, I take it very seriously. We’ve had 3 really great ones who’ve worked so hard, and I thought what can I do? Then I thought I can talk to lots of children, talk to lots of adults too. So many children write to me about author projects I thought it would be lovely to have a book project with about 50 different authors. Lucky pens, photos of what we were like as children etc. I was brimming over with ideas and I hope they come to fruition.

How do you know pre-teens’ emotions so well?

I do have a vivid memory about what it’s like to be young. I pretend to be my characters and write it down.