Girls in Love - Jacqueline Wilson

it deals with complicated issues of growing up without being too heavy, condescending or boring (a difficult balance). Whilst the style and assumptions can get a bit annoying - all Jacqueline Wilson s characters seem to share a massive obsession for McDonald s for some unknown reason - the characters are realistic and lovable. Even years on, I still come back to this book for light relief and giggles. The story itself is well-structured and the characters are developed fully. It tells the story of the three girls from Ellie s perspective as they suffer from too little, too much and the wrong kind of male attention, ultimately portraying the idea that friends will stick ...

Girls Under Pressure - Jacqueline Wilson

The second of the 'Girls in Love' series looks at modern teen issues with eating, again from the main character Ellie's perspective. The book begins with a brief introduction to Ellie, her life and her friends and a recap of the events of the previous novel, so it's not really necessary to read the first in the series (although I recommend it!). Eating disorders are quite taboo subjects, and to some extent it's difficult to assess what effect this writing would have on the individual reader. Even though it explores the problems and issues through a severely anorexic girl (Zoe) and Ellie's own troubles with food, it is possible that it would have an adverse effect on people with ...