'the best sleepover party ever...' (Sleepovers - Jacqueline Wilson)

Member Name: helican

Product:	Sleepovers - Jacqueline Wilson
Date:	28/05/09 (28 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: a great down-to-earth depiction of a disabled child, & a winning story

Disadvantages: none

When you pick up a Jacqueline Wilson book for younger readers you know you're going to get massive feelgood factor , & Sleepovers has it in bucketloads.

Daisy's the new girl in school & she's feeling like the outsider in a little gang of girls. The others have paired up as friends - even spoilt, bossy Chloe - & she's desperate not to be left out.

As birthdays come around each of the girls has a sleepover & Daisy's turn is looming, but she hasn't told her friends about her handicapped older sister & she's worried about how they'll react, especially Chloe.

This book is a celebration of just how special it is to have a good bunch of friends & how a kind little word or act can raise your spirits. As the story progresses Daisy's nice three friends become increasingly fed up with Chloe's foul behaviour & go out of their way to support Daisy & be kind to her.

Daisy's sister & her disabilities are really nicely handled: it's explained carefully how she became the way she is & what she can & can't do, & Daisy explains how children at her old school called Lily horrible names. Even Daisy gets frustrated with her sometimes but they have lots of cuddles too, & even though Lily is profoundly handicapped, Wilson stresses how much a part of things she is: 'Lily went "ur ur ur ur ur ," as if she was saying, "Don't you worry about it, Daisy." '

I really like that Nick Sharrat doesn't draw some beaming moppet in a wheelchair for Lily: she's strapped in & a bit slumped & her mouth doesn't go up at the corners but she's got tons of character & gets to have a big tantrum in a shop!

When Daisy's friends finally meet Lily their reaction is so natural & friendly that it restores your faith in the human race. And Chloe's comeuppance - & Lily's part in it - is so perfect that it left me with a good feeling for the rest of the day.

Summary: a marvellous, cheery tale of friendship & kindness winning out.