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Lily Alone
The fabulous new story from our bestselling author -- a surefire hit with all her fans.Lily isn't home ALONE -- but she sort of wishes she was; looking after her three younger siblings is a lot of responsibility.From the Hardcover edition.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
183 people are currently reading
2063 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Wilson
399 books5,695 followersJacqueline 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 in countless Woolworths’ exercise books as she grew up. As a teenager she started work for a magazine publishing company and then went on to work as a journalist on Jackie magazine (which she was told was named after her!) before turning to writing novels full-time.
One of Jacqueline’s most successful and enduring creations has been the famous Tracy Beaker, who first appeared in 1991 in The Story of Tracy Beaker. This was also the first of her books to be illustrated by Nick Sharratt. Since then Jacqueline has been on countless awards shortlists and has gone on to win many awards. The Illustrated Mum won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, the 1999 Children’s Book of the Year at the British Book Awards and was also shortlisted for the 1999 Whitbread Children’s Book Award.
Double Act won the prestigious Smarties Medal and the Children’s Book Award as well as being highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. The Story of Tracy Beaker won the 2002 Blue Peter People’s Choice Award.
Jacqueline is one of the nation’s favourite authors, and her books are loved and cherished by young readers not only in the UK but all over the world. She has sold millions of books and in the UK alone the total now stands at over 35 million!
In 2002 Jacqueline was awarded the OBE for services to literacy in schools and from 2005 to 2007 she was the Children’s Laureate. In 2008 she became Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
One of Jacqueline’s most successful and enduring creations has been the famous Tracy Beaker, who first appeared in 1991 in The Story of Tracy Beaker. This was also the first of her books to be illustrated by Nick Sharratt. Since then Jacqueline has been on countless awards shortlists and has gone on to win many awards. The Illustrated Mum won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, the 1999 Children’s Book of the Year at the British Book Awards and was also shortlisted for the 1999 Whitbread Children’s Book Award.
Double Act won the prestigious Smarties Medal and the Children’s Book Award as well as being highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. The Story of Tracy Beaker won the 2002 Blue Peter People’s Choice Award.
Jacqueline is one of the nation’s favourite authors, and her books are loved and cherished by young readers not only in the UK but all over the world. She has sold millions of books and in the UK alone the total now stands at over 35 million!
In 2002 Jacqueline was awarded the OBE for services to literacy in schools and from 2005 to 2007 she was the Children’s Laureate. In 2008 she became Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 381 reviews
December 28, 2012
When Lily's mum goes off to Spain with a man she has just met, and their intended babysitter on a coach to Glasgow, eleven-year-old Lily is left home alone and in charge of her younger siblings, Baxter, Bliss and Pixie.
Whilst the premise of Lily Alone was intriguing, the ending of ruined it for me. It finished so abruptly that it was as though a whole chapter or something was missing. There was no resolution and, although a reader could perhaps guess what could happen, I wanted to know. This is not some high-end literary fiction where you're supposed not to have a clue, this is a kid's book, and I was expecting to be satisfied. I didn't necessarily want or need a happily ever after, I just wanted to know the end.
And it doesn't seem as though Jacqueline Wilson is clamouring to write a sequel either, although that could potentially be rather interesting.
On a separate note, Lily's teacher, Mr Abbott, seemed a bit overly concerned about Lily for my liking. Perhaps that's my cynical side coming out, but I just found him a bit odd.
I'm not sure.
There were things I enjoyed about the book, however.
I liked the fact that Lily and her siblings all had very distinctive personalities, and that, although they were predominantly defined by one character trait, they had other facets to their characters. Baxter, for example, was not just boisterous; he cared about his twin and little sister, was afraid of the dark, and hero-worshipped a father he hardly saw.
I also liked the fact that Lily had conflicting emotions about her mother, which seemed realistic given the circumstances. She hated her at points, but wanted her home. She wanted to take care of her siblings, but also resented it. She wanted to protect her mother, despite everything. Jacqueline Wilson really captured the voice of a confused, frightened young girl forced to grow up before her time.
I also really enjoyed Lily's imagination, and the way she used it in order to keep her siblings entertained. The fact that it didn't always work added to the realism, haha. :P
All in all, I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to others, but Lily Alone could have been a lot better with a proper ending.
Whilst the premise of Lily Alone was intriguing, the ending of ruined it for me. It finished so abruptly that it was as though a whole chapter or something was missing. There was no resolution and, although a reader could perhaps guess what could happen, I wanted to know. This is not some high-end literary fiction where you're supposed not to have a clue, this is a kid's book, and I was expecting to be satisfied. I didn't necessarily want or need a happily ever after, I just wanted to know the end.
And it doesn't seem as though Jacqueline Wilson is clamouring to write a sequel either, although that could potentially be rather interesting.
On a separate note, Lily's teacher, Mr Abbott, seemed a bit overly concerned about Lily for my liking. Perhaps that's my cynical side coming out, but I just found him a bit odd.
I'm not sure.
There were things I enjoyed about the book, however.
I liked the fact that Lily and her siblings all had very distinctive personalities, and that, although they were predominantly defined by one character trait, they had other facets to their characters. Baxter, for example, was not just boisterous; he cared about his twin and little sister, was afraid of the dark, and hero-worshipped a father he hardly saw.
I also liked the fact that Lily had conflicting emotions about her mother, which seemed realistic given the circumstances. She hated her at points, but wanted her home. She wanted to take care of her siblings, but also resented it. She wanted to protect her mother, despite everything. Jacqueline Wilson really captured the voice of a confused, frightened young girl forced to grow up before her time.
I also really enjoyed Lily's imagination, and the way she used it in order to keep her siblings entertained. The fact that it didn't always work added to the realism, haha. :P
All in all, I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to others, but Lily Alone could have been a lot better with a proper ending.
April 20, 2018
I Like The Emotional Impact of The Story But This is Crying for A Sequel.
January 10, 2022
i have discovered the root cause of my mental health problems
September 24, 2019
This book is really quite sad when reading it as an adult and parent. Lily and her 3 younger siblings are left behind by their irresponsible young - and let's face it chavvy - mum when she swans off on holiday with a bloke she's known for 2 days leaving the kids home alone. The mum thinks that the twins' dad is going to turn up and look after them but he turns out to be in Scotland and can't come and to be fair to the mum, she doesn't know this. However, it's preposterous that she wouldn't check this before she left. Lily, who is only 11, is left looking after her 8 year old twin brother and sister and her 3 year old little sister resorting to stealing from houses and rummaging through bins to survive. They end up sleeping in a hollowed out tree at the park because they lock themselves out of their flat. The mum in this book is awful and I really despised her even before she disappeared off. She left the kids in the house alone two nights on the trot before that so she can go clubbing and all the kids sleep on one mattress.
What saddens me is that this sort of thing probably does happen to some children and the way it's dealt with at the end when they're found and social services get involved is meant to be optimistic. The kids are told the mum probably won't get into too much trouble and that although they're put into emergency Foster care, they will be reunited soon. I guess this is supposed to be a happy ending for children reading this but I think it's just heartbreaking. Especially because the mum is already eyeing up her next fella in the last couple of pages. It's one of the few Jacqueline Wilson's that, for me, doesn't have a happy ending.
What saddens me is that this sort of thing probably does happen to some children and the way it's dealt with at the end when they're found and social services get involved is meant to be optimistic. The kids are told the mum probably won't get into too much trouble and that although they're put into emergency Foster care, they will be reunited soon. I guess this is supposed to be a happy ending for children reading this but I think it's just heartbreaking. Especially because the mum is already eyeing up her next fella in the last couple of pages. It's one of the few Jacqueline Wilson's that, for me, doesn't have a happy ending.
February 12, 2012
Lily Alone book review
By Jacqueline Wilson
“Lily Alone” by Jacqueline Wilson is a great book about a young girl trying to take the place of her mother for a few days..
This story is told by Lily, a 11 year old girl who lives in a small apartment with her young single mother Kate and her 3 younger siblings: Baxter, Bliss and Pixie. Her mean step-father Paul recently died, who is Pixie’s father. Trying to cope with the children and money, Kate is depressed so Lily tries to cheer her mum up by forcing her to go down to the pub. She looks after the others at home for the evening but is very worried when her mother comes back past midnight as happy as ever. Kate tells Lily that she met an incredible spanish man named Gordon and she was meeting him the next night.
The next night, Kate comes home once more past midnight telling Lily that Gordon invited her to Spain with him for the week. She leaves Mickey, Baxter’s and Bliss’s father a message to come and look after the kids. Lily hated Mickey so when he called up after receiving the message to say he couldn’t come to help, she pretends that she told her mother though she had already left for the airport.
Lily, Baxter, Bliss and Pixie were all alone and so Lily knew she was in charge of looking after the kids till her mother would come back. Lily soon realised that she could’t let them go to school as they’d tell everyone that they were alone. Their mother would get in trouble for abandonment and so they couldn’t risk being caught alone so a camping trip in the park was Lily’s perfect plan to hide them for a few days. But it isn’t that easy looking after three year old Pixie who complains to much and a pair of six year old twins: Bliss who is as shy as ever and Baxter who is rough.
The pages are filled with Lily’s feelings, problems and lies as she struggles to take care of three children all alone trying to control their tantrums with frustration.
One of my favourite scenes was when Lily was trying to find her way home after spending the day at the park with her brother and sisters(p.106-111). Lily had gotten lost on the way back so decided that she had no choice but to ask someone directions. She asked a middle age couple the way but it was a mistake. The lady named Elizabeth started asking many questions. Lily lied saying that she had lost her mum in the park and said she called her with her phone(though she didn’t have one). The couple insisted to come with them and Pixie started crying. The lady was very worried now as Pixie was saying how starving she was as if she hadn’t eaten for days. Elizabeth started asking them their names, where they lived, what school they went to and so Lily made all of the answers up. It was a very anticipating scene as I continued reading through the conversation I never knew how Lily could possible get out of the situation as the couple were as clingy as ever. Fortunately when they reached the park’s gate, another couple came to speak to Elizabeth and so Lily just had a second to say “thank you goodbye” as she pulled her siblings and started running down to the gate and threw her arms around a complete stranger. It was really unexpected and quite funny the way Jacqueline wrote this sudden action. Throughout the book, I really liked reading the ways that Lily managed to get herself out of sticky situations and this one was the best.
The second scene which I have chosen to write about is during the time that Lily and her siblings are camping at the park.(p.238-241) They have ran out of food and their first way of eating for free was not possible this second time so Lily had no choice but to climb over the wall into someones house. When Lily landed on the other side of the wall, the garden was empty. She could hear someone and a child upstairs most probably in the bathroom because the water was running so luckily they wouldn’t be able to hear her. She entered a huge kitchen, grabbed a shopping bag and started filling it with fruit. The fridge looked as though a whole supermarket had been crammed inside. Suddenly a voice called from upstairs. She took the bag and ran out of the kitchen to the hall. Lily used the playhouse to get back over the wall and made a run for it. The way that Jacqueline described the house was very clear and I could easily picture it in my mind. It had been a rich house and as Lily was walking through the rooms, worried about getting caught I felt anxious. In this scene Lily was like a poor street kid feeling the luxury and wealth that she didn’t have. I liked this scene a lot because Lily was brave and though through her injuries, kept on being so grown up for the sake of her brother and sisters. She didn’t give up when they needed food, she go to the police for help, she kept on fighting.
I really enjoyed reading this book as Jacqueline put a huge amount of detail in every scene making me feel like I was Lily Alone. I could always imagine myself being Lily all the way through the book as frustration ran through me. I could never have done such a good job looking after siblings as Lily did through pain and fear of being caught. The ending was surprising and unexpected but the book was still a great read.
By Jacqueline Wilson
“Lily Alone” by Jacqueline Wilson is a great book about a young girl trying to take the place of her mother for a few days..
This story is told by Lily, a 11 year old girl who lives in a small apartment with her young single mother Kate and her 3 younger siblings: Baxter, Bliss and Pixie. Her mean step-father Paul recently died, who is Pixie’s father. Trying to cope with the children and money, Kate is depressed so Lily tries to cheer her mum up by forcing her to go down to the pub. She looks after the others at home for the evening but is very worried when her mother comes back past midnight as happy as ever. Kate tells Lily that she met an incredible spanish man named Gordon and she was meeting him the next night.
The next night, Kate comes home once more past midnight telling Lily that Gordon invited her to Spain with him for the week. She leaves Mickey, Baxter’s and Bliss’s father a message to come and look after the kids. Lily hated Mickey so when he called up after receiving the message to say he couldn’t come to help, she pretends that she told her mother though she had already left for the airport.
Lily, Baxter, Bliss and Pixie were all alone and so Lily knew she was in charge of looking after the kids till her mother would come back. Lily soon realised that she could’t let them go to school as they’d tell everyone that they were alone. Their mother would get in trouble for abandonment and so they couldn’t risk being caught alone so a camping trip in the park was Lily’s perfect plan to hide them for a few days. But it isn’t that easy looking after three year old Pixie who complains to much and a pair of six year old twins: Bliss who is as shy as ever and Baxter who is rough.
The pages are filled with Lily’s feelings, problems and lies as she struggles to take care of three children all alone trying to control their tantrums with frustration.
One of my favourite scenes was when Lily was trying to find her way home after spending the day at the park with her brother and sisters(p.106-111). Lily had gotten lost on the way back so decided that she had no choice but to ask someone directions. She asked a middle age couple the way but it was a mistake. The lady named Elizabeth started asking many questions. Lily lied saying that she had lost her mum in the park and said she called her with her phone(though she didn’t have one). The couple insisted to come with them and Pixie started crying. The lady was very worried now as Pixie was saying how starving she was as if she hadn’t eaten for days. Elizabeth started asking them their names, where they lived, what school they went to and so Lily made all of the answers up. It was a very anticipating scene as I continued reading through the conversation I never knew how Lily could possible get out of the situation as the couple were as clingy as ever. Fortunately when they reached the park’s gate, another couple came to speak to Elizabeth and so Lily just had a second to say “thank you goodbye” as she pulled her siblings and started running down to the gate and threw her arms around a complete stranger. It was really unexpected and quite funny the way Jacqueline wrote this sudden action. Throughout the book, I really liked reading the ways that Lily managed to get herself out of sticky situations and this one was the best.
The second scene which I have chosen to write about is during the time that Lily and her siblings are camping at the park.(p.238-241) They have ran out of food and their first way of eating for free was not possible this second time so Lily had no choice but to climb over the wall into someones house. When Lily landed on the other side of the wall, the garden was empty. She could hear someone and a child upstairs most probably in the bathroom because the water was running so luckily they wouldn’t be able to hear her. She entered a huge kitchen, grabbed a shopping bag and started filling it with fruit. The fridge looked as though a whole supermarket had been crammed inside. Suddenly a voice called from upstairs. She took the bag and ran out of the kitchen to the hall. Lily used the playhouse to get back over the wall and made a run for it. The way that Jacqueline described the house was very clear and I could easily picture it in my mind. It had been a rich house and as Lily was walking through the rooms, worried about getting caught I felt anxious. In this scene Lily was like a poor street kid feeling the luxury and wealth that she didn’t have. I liked this scene a lot because Lily was brave and though through her injuries, kept on being so grown up for the sake of her brother and sisters. She didn’t give up when they needed food, she go to the police for help, she kept on fighting.
I really enjoyed reading this book as Jacqueline put a huge amount of detail in every scene making me feel like I was Lily Alone. I could always imagine myself being Lily all the way through the book as frustration ran through me. I could never have done such a good job looking after siblings as Lily did through pain and fear of being caught. The ending was surprising and unexpected but the book was still a great read.
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January 13, 2019Jacqueline Wilson Book Club 2019: January Pick
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June 2, 2022now.. i didn’t mean for my first read of pride month to be a reread of a childhood classic, but here we are 😭
December 3, 2020
Lily Alone is a book I am now over thanks to me owning it and reading it about 20 times
i mean its okay
i mean its okay
February 2, 2012
I was a huge Jacqueline Wilson fan when I was younger, I had most of her books and read tehm many times. As I got older I steered away from them, I stopped reading her work, but I did keep watching Tracy Beaker on TV (still do, I'm loving the new series 'Tracy Beaker Returns')
Anyway, when I first heard about this book I thought it was the story of one of the girls from Tracy Beaker Returns (there is a girl called Lily who has got used to raising her two little sisters) I soon found out this book had nothing to do with that character, it was completely different, so I moved away from it, but then I found a book trailer on Youtube for it and it looked really good. I kept thinking about it and wondering. I was then talking to some of the kids in the library and I got strong recommendations for it, so I decided to put a request in.
It arrived today. I got home from work just after 6 and had my dinner, I started the book just before 7 and had finished it by 9.15, so it took me just over two hours.
Jacqueline's writing has an easy flowing style to it that makes it easy to get into and quick to read. The characters became real and I could picture them all. I instantly wanted to slap the mother and tell her to grow up and stop being so selfish, but at the same time I wanted to give Lily a great big hug and tell her it would be ok.
her younger brother Baxter is a real live wire, mischievious and cheeky but a softy deep down, Bliss (his twin) is very timid and very shy, she is scared of a lot of things but has a great imagination and I could really feel the bond between her and Lily. Cute little Pixie is a little monster really, always hungry or wanting something, she depends on her big sister.
You have to admire Lily for everything she does for them, yes she makes some mistakes and some silly choices but you can tell she is trying.
I spent the whole book hoping for a happy ending, I really wanted it to work out for them. I know there are a lot of kids out there that really do have this sort of life and it makes you stop and think.
This book did remind me why Wilson is so popular and why I loved her books. I don't think I will necessarily read all the books by her that I haven't read but I will be more likely to pick another one up.
Anyway, when I first heard about this book I thought it was the story of one of the girls from Tracy Beaker Returns (there is a girl called Lily who has got used to raising her two little sisters) I soon found out this book had nothing to do with that character, it was completely different, so I moved away from it, but then I found a book trailer on Youtube for it and it looked really good. I kept thinking about it and wondering. I was then talking to some of the kids in the library and I got strong recommendations for it, so I decided to put a request in.
It arrived today. I got home from work just after 6 and had my dinner, I started the book just before 7 and had finished it by 9.15, so it took me just over two hours.
Jacqueline's writing has an easy flowing style to it that makes it easy to get into and quick to read. The characters became real and I could picture them all. I instantly wanted to slap the mother and tell her to grow up and stop being so selfish, but at the same time I wanted to give Lily a great big hug and tell her it would be ok.
her younger brother Baxter is a real live wire, mischievious and cheeky but a softy deep down, Bliss (his twin) is very timid and very shy, she is scared of a lot of things but has a great imagination and I could really feel the bond between her and Lily. Cute little Pixie is a little monster really, always hungry or wanting something, she depends on her big sister.
You have to admire Lily for everything she does for them, yes she makes some mistakes and some silly choices but you can tell she is trying.
I spent the whole book hoping for a happy ending, I really wanted it to work out for them. I know there are a lot of kids out there that really do have this sort of life and it makes you stop and think.
This book did remind me why Wilson is so popular and why I loved her books. I don't think I will necessarily read all the books by her that I haven't read but I will be more likely to pick another one up.
March 16, 2017
Poor Lily, she's only 11 years old and has to be in charge to take care her twins sibling Baxter and Bliss (6years old) and her little sister Pixie that just 3 years old.
Her mom met a new boyfriend and decided to go to Spain for holiday. When her Mom, Kate trying to reach Lily's stepfather, Mikey unfortunately He was in abroad for a job. Mikey is Baxter and Bliss father. Pixie's father had already passed away, while Lily's father is no where to be known.
How Lily managed to take care the little children, while she herself is still only a child as well.
Poor them. And i admit that their Mom is unbelievable selfish.
Always love Jacqueline Wilson's book and her writing always amazed me. I really enjoy almost all of her books :)
Her mom met a new boyfriend and decided to go to Spain for holiday. When her Mom, Kate trying to reach Lily's stepfather, Mikey unfortunately He was in abroad for a job. Mikey is Baxter and Bliss father. Pixie's father had already passed away, while Lily's father is no where to be known.
How Lily managed to take care the little children, while she herself is still only a child as well.
Poor them. And i admit that their Mom is unbelievable selfish.
Always love Jacqueline Wilson's book and her writing always amazed me. I really enjoy almost all of her books :)
January 29, 2012
Okay, i am (or was when i was one or two years younger) a huge jacquline wilson fan. To the point where when i moved to scandanavia, i went back to England just to meet her for a book signing as my birthday and christmas present. But this, is not jacqueline Wilson. Jacqueline Wilson was the author that brought tears to me eyes more than anything else, she made me stop reading "vicky angel" for a year after the first chapter, because it was so sad and I was attached to the characters already. This was boring. I wasted my five pounds, and the oly reason I would by it again is because I am jacky obsessed.
To test if this was just me grown out of her or if it was truly boring, I read tons of her other books to compare, which, even though I have grown out of her, are closest compared to childrens version of Shakespeare. Yes, I had grown out of her, but this was a different league, awful. There was no emotion, no imagery, no warmth, no character, just "oh no, what if they find us" or " oh no, mum isn't back", Through the whole book, I wondered what they had done to my treasured Jacqueline Wilson!
Come Back, I miss you great writing!
To test if this was just me grown out of her or if it was truly boring, I read tons of her other books to compare, which, even though I have grown out of her, are closest compared to childrens version of Shakespeare. Yes, I had grown out of her, but this was a different league, awful. There was no emotion, no imagery, no warmth, no character, just "oh no, what if they find us" or " oh no, mum isn't back", Through the whole book, I wondered what they had done to my treasured Jacqueline Wilson!
Come Back, I miss you great writing!
April 10, 2024
So I have decided to read all the Jacqueline Wilson books to traumatise myself and judge what I should not have been reading when I was younger!
Obviously the reviews are keeping in mind that these are kids books.
Trauma Rating: 4 out of 5.
What the heck Jacqueline Wilson - I don’t think I read this one when I was younger, if I did I do not recall the plot. I actually enjoyed this story, I thought it was well written and didn’t drag at all.
The theme of this story though is slightly unhinged, and with an adult perspective I felt so sorry for all the characters really, the mum being so young, and Lily only being 11. I do feel this is still very obviously a kids book in writing style, but the themes are much more mature, and I couldn’t really see younger me understanding this the way I do know - as an 11 year old I’d have definitely thought it was still sad, but also kinda cool.
Obviously the reviews are keeping in mind that these are kids books.
Trauma Rating: 4 out of 5.
What the heck Jacqueline Wilson - I don’t think I read this one when I was younger, if I did I do not recall the plot. I actually enjoyed this story, I thought it was well written and didn’t drag at all.
The theme of this story though is slightly unhinged, and with an adult perspective I felt so sorry for all the characters really, the mum being so young, and Lily only being 11. I do feel this is still very obviously a kids book in writing style, but the themes are much more mature, and I couldn’t really see younger me understanding this the way I do know - as an 11 year old I’d have definitely thought it was still sad, but also kinda cool.
March 8, 2021
Can you recount any incident from your childhood where you had to be brave because you were home alone either by yourself or with your siblings & you had to manage everything?
LILY ALONE written by Jaccqueline Wilson (@jacqueline_wilson_official ), is a children's book & as the suggests it's the story of lily & from her perspective about how she saw things happening in her life. Lily's mom , Kate Green depressed about her husband's death recently loses interest in things due to which Lily sends her to a bar where she can have a couple of drinks and relax or maybe find someone.
Though lily's mom goes saying there wont be anyone of her age and she will return soon she returns late while lily manages the kids and puts them to bed. Lily had three siblings Baxter & Bliss, twins & then Pixie the younger one, whose father just died. As lily being the eldest one , though 11 years old & being her mum's best friend, her other used to share her secrets with lily. When her mother arrives later, she shares her encounter with a man named gorgan and plans on going a trip with him to Spain and she also asks her ex husband Mickey's help which Lily dislikes because Mickey behaves inappropriately with Lily.
Mickey doesn't arrive and Lily don't stress on him insisting him to come because he gives her the creeps. So she manages the houshold and what happens during that period is what shows how 'Lily alone" finds solutions to their problems. But I didn't like the ending though since it was not that happy. I really wish the ending was a little more up to the mark. This book has a moral, initially Lilly wants to have a house of her own and she doesn't want anyone else to be in it but as she gets seperated from her siblings she realises she doesn't want an empty house, she wants to be with her family even after she grows up. our bond is cultivated from our life situations & the attitude of people towards us. But this book will be interesting to most people, because of how creative & brave Lily is.
#lilyalone #englishbook #story #lily #jaccqulinewilson #childrensbook #siblinghood #love #family #life #happiness #creativity #adventure #bookreview #review #readerssnapshot
LILY ALONE written by Jaccqueline Wilson (@jacqueline_wilson_official ), is a children's book & as the suggests it's the story of lily & from her perspective about how she saw things happening in her life. Lily's mom , Kate Green depressed about her husband's death recently loses interest in things due to which Lily sends her to a bar where she can have a couple of drinks and relax or maybe find someone.
Though lily's mom goes saying there wont be anyone of her age and she will return soon she returns late while lily manages the kids and puts them to bed. Lily had three siblings Baxter & Bliss, twins & then Pixie the younger one, whose father just died. As lily being the eldest one , though 11 years old & being her mum's best friend, her other used to share her secrets with lily. When her mother arrives later, she shares her encounter with a man named gorgan and plans on going a trip with him to Spain and she also asks her ex husband Mickey's help which Lily dislikes because Mickey behaves inappropriately with Lily.
Mickey doesn't arrive and Lily don't stress on him insisting him to come because he gives her the creeps. So she manages the houshold and what happens during that period is what shows how 'Lily alone" finds solutions to their problems. But I didn't like the ending though since it was not that happy. I really wish the ending was a little more up to the mark. This book has a moral, initially Lilly wants to have a house of her own and she doesn't want anyone else to be in it but as she gets seperated from her siblings she realises she doesn't want an empty house, she wants to be with her family even after she grows up. our bond is cultivated from our life situations & the attitude of people towards us. But this book will be interesting to most people, because of how creative & brave Lily is.
#lilyalone #englishbook #story #lily #jaccqulinewilson #childrensbook #siblinghood #love #family #life #happiness #creativity #adventure #bookreview #review #readerssnapshot
April 14, 2019
Lily Alone is a great book that features love and family problems.Personally I think that this is a great addition to the Jacqueline Wilson series. Once her mum goes off on holiday to Spain (with a man who is apparently the man of her dreams)Lily fears her mum will never come
back and with the massive responsibility of looking after six year old twins Bliss and Baxter( Bliss who is quiet and sensible but Baxter who is crazy and loud).Not only does she have to look after herself and twins, she also has to look after baby Pixie (who copies nearly every thing Baxter does).Lily dreams of a luxurious life with a great white all house to herself.When Lily fears her secret is about to be found out Lily takes the children on a camping trip where Bliss is seriously injured. Finally, Lily 's mother comes back from her holiday but their secret was discovered! Lily feared her mother was going to go to jail for child neglect. While this was all happening ,the children and their mother were seperated:Bliss was in hospital,Baxter and Pixie were in a foster home,Lily was in a care home and their mother was in court.
back and with the massive responsibility of looking after six year old twins Bliss and Baxter( Bliss who is quiet and sensible but Baxter who is crazy and loud).Not only does she have to look after herself and twins, she also has to look after baby Pixie (who copies nearly every thing Baxter does).Lily dreams of a luxurious life with a great white all house to herself.When Lily fears her secret is about to be found out Lily takes the children on a camping trip where Bliss is seriously injured. Finally, Lily 's mother comes back from her holiday but their secret was discovered! Lily feared her mother was going to go to jail for child neglect. While this was all happening ,the children and their mother were seperated:Bliss was in hospital,Baxter and Pixie were in a foster home,Lily was in a care home and their mother was in court.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2021
Kepiawaian Ms. Wilson menggambarkan keluarga yang babak-belur tapi tetap saling menyayangi itu bener-bener (✧ω✧)b!
Karena kisah-kisahnya bukan tipe cerita hitam dan putih, di mana yang jahat itu memang jahat, dan yang baik itu baiknya kebangetan. Tapi lebih seperti kenyataan yang abu-abu dengan berbagai gradasinya, mulai dari yang butek kehitaman sampe yang rada cerah dikit.
Di sini, ada sosok ibu yang lebih milih ngejar pacar barunya ketimbang ngejaga anak-anaknya. Ada anak sulung yang ketempuhan ditinggal sendirian, 'sendiri' bersama tiga orang adiknya yang ~jujur~ aku pas baca rasanya pengen mites-mitesin (°ㅂ°╬)
Sepanjang baca rasanya gregetan banget. Karena seberengsek-berengseknya si ibu, anak-anaknya tetep sayang dan nungguin dia. Yang paling bikin merana adalah perasaan kelaparan itu~ (｡•́︿•̀｡)
Karena kisah-kisahnya bukan tipe cerita hitam dan putih, di mana yang jahat itu memang jahat, dan yang baik itu baiknya kebangetan. Tapi lebih seperti kenyataan yang abu-abu dengan berbagai gradasinya, mulai dari yang butek kehitaman sampe yang rada cerah dikit.
Di sini, ada sosok ibu yang lebih milih ngejar pacar barunya ketimbang ngejaga anak-anaknya. Ada anak sulung yang ketempuhan ditinggal sendirian, 'sendiri' bersama tiga orang adiknya yang ~jujur~ aku pas baca rasanya pengen mites-mitesin (°ㅂ°╬)
Sepanjang baca rasanya gregetan banget. Karena seberengsek-berengseknya si ibu, anak-anaknya tetep sayang dan nungguin dia. Yang paling bikin merana adalah perasaan kelaparan itu~ (｡•́︿•̀｡)
June 19, 2024
Not one of her best books.
April 5, 2025
All I know is I enjoyed the book but hated with passion the ending
October 9, 2023
I honestly don't know what to say anymore.
August 11, 2025
3.5 STARS
This was so much more emotional to read as an adult, thinking Christ what did that Mum do?!
But a very abrupt ending, I wanted more resolution.
This was so much more emotional to read as an adult, thinking Christ what did that Mum do?!
But a very abrupt ending, I wanted more resolution.
November 26, 2020
It's SOOOOOO good I like it how they have to live in a tree and lily is so brave
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2013
So I finished this book yesterday. I liked it. It was good.
Lily is 11. When her mum goes off on holiday with a guy she met two days earlier, she is left to look after her 6-year-old twin siblings Baxter and Bliss, and 3 y/o sister Pixie. After her favourite teacher is left suspicious of her mum's dissapearance, Lily and her brother and sisters are forced to camp out at the park.
I liked the book. I did. The only thing I didn't like is how throughout the book, the little'ens always call their mum bad, but when she comes back they forgive her at the drop of a hat. I'm glad they have a happy ending, and it certaintly seems the mum is going to change, but I think they're just too forgiving. I will, however, give the mum the fact that she thought her ex was looking after them. She seems nice enough, but was too willing to leave the kids alone, even when she wasn't on holiday.
Still, that's just my opinion. Don't let that put you off. It's a great book, and if there was a follow-up book, I'd be on it like a shot. :-)
Lily is 11. When her mum goes off on holiday with a guy she met two days earlier, she is left to look after her 6-year-old twin siblings Baxter and Bliss, and 3 y/o sister Pixie. After her favourite teacher is left suspicious of her mum's dissapearance, Lily and her brother and sisters are forced to camp out at the park.
I liked the book. I did. The only thing I didn't like is how throughout the book, the little'ens always call their mum bad, but when she comes back they forgive her at the drop of a hat. I'm glad they have a happy ending, and it certaintly seems the mum is going to change, but I think they're just too forgiving. I will, however, give the mum the fact that she thought her ex was looking after them. She seems nice enough, but was too willing to leave the kids alone, even when she wasn't on holiday.
Still, that's just my opinion. Don't let that put you off. It's a great book, and if there was a follow-up book, I'd be on it like a shot. :-)
July 22, 2015
I first read this book when I was eleven the same age as lily is and I really felt like I bonded with her in a few ways. she is more responsible than most people her age and so was I also she had a good relationship with her mum and that is something I too share with her. I really enjoy reading this book I have read it a few times it is my favourite Jacqueline Wilson book. I have recommended it to my friends and would recommend to most people.
the only problems I have with the story are Mikey ( the twins father) not checking up again and believing Lily when he speaks to her. I just don't think it is realistic that a father would not check and take the word of an 11 year old and that at the end the reader.doesnt know what happens does the mother get pixie baxter bliss and lily back or what happens to them.
the only problems I have with the story are Mikey ( the twins father) not checking up again and believing Lily when he speaks to her. I just don't think it is realistic that a father would not check and take the word of an 11 year old and that at the end the reader.doesnt know what happens does the mother get pixie baxter bliss and lily back or what happens to them.
August 12, 2011
This was my first Jacqueline Wilson book. It was a 4-5 star right up until the end. I enjoyed JW writing style. Each of the children had distinct personalities and were portrayed really well. Lily's conflict of feeling towards her mother was quite also well done and I actually enjoyed relating to Lily. The ending, though, completely dragged my rating down. I don't need to have a HEA when I read a child's book (in fact I quite like "realistic" type scenarios, but I at least like to have some sort of resolution - this had none. I guess the reader gets to make up their own mind about what happens, but that sort of ending just drives me nuts. I like to KNOW what happens.
So overall, a great book through 90% of the book, the last 10%.... not so much.
So overall, a great book through 90% of the book, the last 10%.... not so much.
April 10, 2011
Lily is 11 years old with 3 siblings, Bliss and Baxer (the twins) and Pixie, when mum goes to spain without Lily and her Brother and Sisters Lily looks after them but for how long.
May 16, 2021
The mums in JW novels are shit lol
February 8, 2023
I can still remember how this book made me feel eventhough I read it 10 years ago 😭😭
February 13, 2023
It was pretty cute, a very quick read. I didn’t like how the end left me wondering about what will happen but I guess that’s life.
August 10, 2023
That didn't have a happy ending. Actually it didn't have much of an ending. It was sort of just an entirely sad book, really.
July 24, 2025
⋆｡°✩ Spoiler Free Reviews ⋆｡°✩
I don’t know what to rate this book. It’s a reread and the last time I read this book was when I was.. 11? Ish? I loved this book, it was my favourite as a child, and I’ve always held it close to my heart so to reread as a 23 year old is unsettling.
**I settled on 4 stars, but I’m still unsure**
For a start, this book is ANGSTY. There is lots of suspense and fear factor in the plot, I was plowing through it! Don’t know how child me managed when this tine I was on the edge of my seat.
The other thing is, I read this as a child, and now I’m an adult and a mom.. OOF the message is way different.
As a child, I remember the message clearly; the system is against you, Lily’s mother is trying her best (if not almost perfect), and it’s a grand adventure for them all! Now I’ve matured? .. Fuck. Wow. I have no words. I don’t think there ARE words for how this book made me feel, besides sad.
I don’t know what to rate this book. It’s a reread and the last time I read this book was when I was.. 11? Ish? I loved this book, it was my favourite as a child, and I’ve always held it close to my heart so to reread as a 23 year old is unsettling.
**I settled on 4 stars, but I’m still unsure**
For a start, this book is ANGSTY. There is lots of suspense and fear factor in the plot, I was plowing through it! Don’t know how child me managed when this tine I was on the edge of my seat.
The other thing is, I read this as a child, and now I’m an adult and a mom.. OOF the message is way different.
As a child, I remember the message clearly; the system is against you, Lily’s mother is trying her best (if not almost perfect), and it’s a grand adventure for them all! Now I’ve matured? .. Fuck. Wow. I have no words. I don’t think there ARE words for how this book made me feel, besides sad.
February 6, 2018
"Lily Alone," by Jacqueline Wilson is definitely a very a captivating book. Lily wasn't home ALONE yet. She always had a hope for being home alone and independent. But when reality hit Lily, her world began to collapse. 11-year-old Lily's mom fled off on a holiday with a man she just met, her new boyfriend. Unfortunately, Lily's stepfather failed to show up to take care of Lily and her three siblings. All of a sudden a huge burden of responsibilities fell upon poor Lily. Not only does she has to take care of her six-year-old twins Bliss and Baxter and three-year-old little sister Pixie, but also has to cope with reality. One of the hardships/worries she faced was that the school social services might find out and break the family up. Lily didn't know what reality quite was until she had to had to face it herself.
Personally, I believe this wasn't one of the best books Jacqueline Wilson had produced but it was definitely a super-capturing book. There were many details, which stick to your mind. This was one of the main reasons the book was a super hit. I really wish Jacqueline had a continuous series of Lily Alone. The ending of Lily Alone acted as a cliffhanger; it left so many unanswered questions.
Overall, this was a very delightful and entertaining book. Lily Alone would definitely be on my recommendation list.
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Personally, I believe this wasn't one of the best books Jacqueline Wilson had produced but it was definitely a super-capturing book. There were many details, which stick to your mind. This was one of the main reasons the book was a super hit. I really wish Jacqueline had a continuous series of Lily Alone. The ending of Lily Alone acted as a cliffhanger; it left so many unanswered questions.
Overall, this was a very delightful and entertaining book. Lily Alone would definitely be on my recommendation list.
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