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Girls #4
Girls in Tears
Girls-in-Tears
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2002
125 people are currently reading
2954 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Wilson
399 books5,684 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 469 reviews
December 8, 2014
actually 0 stars for the ending. i hated it so very much. russell is sex crazed, disgusting, jealous and rude and she's still thinking about getting back together with him? what kind of message is that? ugh i certainly don't remember this series to end in such a horrible way. i'm so disappointed, Jacqueline Wilson was my childhood hero but this? i hated all the characters towards the end. the first two books were enjoyable but the last two utter crap.
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September 23, 2024Everyone and i mean EVERYONE intensely annoyed me in this one!
In Girls in Tears, just when i thought the girls couldn't get more idiotic with their foolishness, they up the ante in the last book.
Ellie is being a complete walkover and allowing her 'friends' to outrageously disrespect her.
Magda is crying over her deceased hamster and using that as an excuse to be a bad friend
Nadine has no concept of stranger danger and is talking to the 'love of her life' on the internet, even though she has no idea what he looks like.
Honestly this was my least favourite in the series. It's like everyone was regressing and lacking common sense. Same mistakes with repeated dialogue and the way the book ended was so irritating.
This book reminded me why i couldn't stand Magda's ass, and to be honest Nadine too was p!ssing me all the way off. Ellie is such a walkover and it was giving me second hand embarrassment. I really wish she would ditch these girls and start anew.
I hope the new book show these three in a new light and they have all wised up, but something tells me there is only going to be more drama! LOL
⋆｡°✩I am not rating this series, as I’m only reading to remember the characters and the issues they dealt/ went through and for nostalgic purposes. ⋆｡°✩
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⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
What a great weekend!
I have breezed through this series and been in my nostalgia feels!
This is the last one and i hope it ends on a high note! 💛💙💗
In Girls in Tears, just when i thought the girls couldn't get more idiotic with their foolishness, they up the ante in the last book.
Ellie is being a complete walkover and allowing her 'friends' to outrageously disrespect her.
Magda is crying over her deceased hamster and using that as an excuse to be a bad friend
Nadine has no concept of stranger danger and is talking to the 'love of her life' on the internet, even though she has no idea what he looks like.
Honestly this was my least favourite in the series. It's like everyone was regressing and lacking common sense. Same mistakes with repeated dialogue and the way the book ended was so irritating.
This book reminded me why i couldn't stand Magda's ass, and to be honest Nadine too was p!ssing me all the way off. Ellie is such a walkover and it was giving me second hand embarrassment. I really wish she would ditch these girls and start anew.
I hope the new book show these three in a new light and they have all wised up, but something tells me there is only going to be more drama! LOL
⋆｡°✩I am not rating this series, as I’m only reading to remember the characters and the issues they dealt/ went through and for nostalgic purposes. ⋆｡°✩
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
What a great weekend!
I have breezed through this series and been in my nostalgia feels!
This is the last one and i hope it ends on a high note! 💛💙💗
November 1, 2019
1.5 stars. This has not aged well.
When this first came out in 2002, I was 16 years old and already considered myself ‘too old’ to read Jacqueline Wilson anymore - and if this writing is anything to go by, I certainly was. It feels very juvenile, verging on condescending, for a novel aimed at 14-15 year olds, yet the subject matter itself straddles that line between being too ‘adult’. It’s a weird combination, and as a result I cringed inwardly several times when the girls would talk about sex/pressures from boys to take things ‘further’ etc. It felt very wrong.
Speaking of themes, there’s some other very questionable content. There’s fat shaming, slut shaming, some very dodgy comments about trans people, cheating without consequences, unhealthy opinions about diets and body image....I could go on. Honestly, nothing is handled well in terms of subject matter at all in this. And on top of that, none of the characters are likeable. They all come across as incredibly fickle, constantly falling out among each other, and childish. And that’s it. There’s no redeeming features and they’re all very one note.
Honestly, this was a struggle to get through. And it’s only 190 pages. Thank God childrens/young adult literature has evolved so much in the last 15 odd years, and pity poor me who pretty much only had this series to turn to to resolve my teenage angst. Don’t waste your time.
When this first came out in 2002, I was 16 years old and already considered myself ‘too old’ to read Jacqueline Wilson anymore - and if this writing is anything to go by, I certainly was. It feels very juvenile, verging on condescending, for a novel aimed at 14-15 year olds, yet the subject matter itself straddles that line between being too ‘adult’. It’s a weird combination, and as a result I cringed inwardly several times when the girls would talk about sex/pressures from boys to take things ‘further’ etc. It felt very wrong.
Speaking of themes, there’s some other very questionable content. There’s fat shaming, slut shaming, some very dodgy comments about trans people, cheating without consequences, unhealthy opinions about diets and body image....I could go on. Honestly, nothing is handled well in terms of subject matter at all in this. And on top of that, none of the characters are likeable. They all come across as incredibly fickle, constantly falling out among each other, and childish. And that’s it. There’s no redeeming features and they’re all very one note.
Honestly, this was a struggle to get through. And it’s only 190 pages. Thank God childrens/young adult literature has evolved so much in the last 15 odd years, and pity poor me who pretty much only had this series to turn to to resolve my teenage angst. Don’t waste your time.
August 24, 2021
An alternate title could be why all men are trash: the chronicles
February 15, 2021
we as a society need to realise that nadine was a horrible friend, and that russell was a CREEP and ellie should get a restraining order on him, why is this sixteen year old boy Acting Like This towards a thirteen year old
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December 5, 2025
Re-read, 07/06/2024
The world is healing! We are finally getting that fifth book! This will be better than Midnight Sun! I hope Russell is dead.
Original 2022 review:
Girls In Tears is the book that made us all angry. Made us clamour for a fifth book that we never got. And thankfully the TV show did it a lot better.
Ellie's not great at the start of this book. She prioritises meeting her creepy boyfriend over helping her friend grieving a dead pet.
Russell gets more toxic by the page in this book - his infamous trait of constantly pressuring Ellie into sex rears its ugly head and is never treated as disgusting and wrong as it actually is. One quote that's always stuck out to me is "I wish he would see me as Ellie the person, not Ellie the body."
He also talks about Ellie's best friends in the most vile way, and gets mad at her for having a conversation with someone who happens to be male at a supermarket.
He also talks about her behind her back, to her friends and his.
Another one of Russell's toxic traits is the way he completely plagiarises Ellie's original character and art style and uses it for an art competition, and compares it to Ellie adapting her late mother's original character into her own. The TV show did this a lot better by working the competition into Ellie's work experience with an artist and leaving her mum's character out of it.
Russell only gets worse at the messy climax. In short, Ellie finds Russell - her boyfriend - and Magda - her best friend - making out at a party. She rightfully gets upset, Nadine, her other best friend, stays with Magda and tells her she's overreacting, Magda and Russell both worm their ways back into Ellie's life and everyone's back together by the end.
You know how the TV show did this? Ellie found Russell and Magda kissing, but Nadine stayed with Ellie. Everytime Magda or Russell would try to worm their ways back in, Nadine would sort them out and stand up for Ellie. Later it's revealed that Russell forced the kiss on Magda and she wasn't making out with him consensually. This gives Ellie and Magda grounds to rekindle their friendship. Ellie meets with Russell and puts the lying bastard in his place. It's SO gratifying when you've read the book and been angered by it.
Also Nadine calls her extremely body-conscious friend who she knows has struggled with EDs fat and gets away with it. Her character was so much better in the show. There's a subplot about her having a creepy online boyfriend and thankfully that's done right with the girls learning you never know who you can trust.
Easily the worst book in the series and an awful finale.
The world is healing! We are finally getting that fifth book! This will be better than Midnight Sun! I hope Russell is dead.
Original 2022 review:
Girls In Tears is the book that made us all angry. Made us clamour for a fifth book that we never got. And thankfully the TV show did it a lot better.
Ellie's not great at the start of this book. She prioritises meeting her creepy boyfriend over helping her friend grieving a dead pet.
Russell gets more toxic by the page in this book - his infamous trait of constantly pressuring Ellie into sex rears its ugly head and is never treated as disgusting and wrong as it actually is. One quote that's always stuck out to me is "I wish he would see me as Ellie the person, not Ellie the body."
He also talks about Ellie's best friends in the most vile way, and gets mad at her for having a conversation with someone who happens to be male at a supermarket.
He also talks about her behind her back, to her friends and his.
Another one of Russell's toxic traits is the way he completely plagiarises Ellie's original character and art style and uses it for an art competition, and compares it to Ellie adapting her late mother's original character into her own. The TV show did this a lot better by working the competition into Ellie's work experience with an artist and leaving her mum's character out of it.
Russell only gets worse at the messy climax. In short, Ellie finds Russell - her boyfriend - and Magda - her best friend - making out at a party. She rightfully gets upset, Nadine, her other best friend, stays with Magda and tells her she's overreacting, Magda and Russell both worm their ways back into Ellie's life and everyone's back together by the end.
You know how the TV show did this? Ellie found Russell and Magda kissing, but Nadine stayed with Ellie. Everytime Magda or Russell would try to worm their ways back in, Nadine would sort them out and stand up for Ellie. Later it's revealed that Russell forced the kiss on Magda and she wasn't making out with him consensually. This gives Ellie and Magda grounds to rekindle their friendship. Ellie meets with Russell and puts the lying bastard in his place. It's SO gratifying when you've read the book and been angered by it.
Also Nadine calls her extremely body-conscious friend who she knows has struggled with EDs fat and gets away with it. Her character was so much better in the show. There's a subplot about her having a creepy online boyfriend and thankfully that's done right with the girls learning you never know who you can trust.
Easily the worst book in the series and an awful finale.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2021
I loved the original Girls trilogy and read them over and over. This fourth installment came out a couple of years later and I don't remember ever reading it -- I think I'd moved on by then. But as I've been re-reading the Girls books, I have included this one.
I'm not sure if it's ennui at reading them one after the other (not to mention being way outside the target age range now), but this felt like a poor relation to the first three.
The main focus was Ellie's relationship with Russell, which didn't really develop beyond how the third book (Girls Out Late) had ended. It was mentioned several times that Russell wanted to go further than Ellie, but this wasn't explored in much detail. More time was given to Russell turning out to be a complete arse: controlling, jealous of Ellie's talent, jealous of her friendships and so on.
More time could have been given to Nadine's Internet dating storyline, although this was possibly difficult to achieve when the books are written from Ellie's POV.
My advice would be to stop at the first three (In Love, Under Pressure, Out Late) and only continue on if you are desperate for more Girls drama which, quite honestly, I was really not by this point.
I'm not sure if it's ennui at reading them one after the other (not to mention being way outside the target age range now), but this felt like a poor relation to the first three.
The main focus was Ellie's relationship with Russell, which didn't really develop beyond how the third book (Girls Out Late) had ended. It was mentioned several times that Russell wanted to go further than Ellie, but this wasn't explored in much detail. More time was given to Russell turning out to be a complete arse: controlling, jealous of Ellie's talent, jealous of her friendships and so on.
More time could have been given to Nadine's Internet dating storyline, although this was possibly difficult to achieve when the books are written from Ellie's POV.
My advice would be to stop at the first three (In Love, Under Pressure, Out Late) and only continue on if you are desperate for more Girls drama which, quite honestly, I was really not by this point.
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June 16, 2017This was probably the weakest out of the four books, just because it felt like the title and format of 'Girls Cry When...' was leading the story too much. And, as good as it is to portray teenagers being happy in relationships, I certainly don't like how the boys are characterised as only interested in sex. It's all very 'you know you want to' and pleaded for it even after the girl says no. If the book was written now rather than 2002, things would probably be different.
March 17, 2020
Does not stand up to a re-read. Why is goddess Ms Wilson encouraging young girls to get back with boys who patronise them, bully them into things they're not ready for and also make out with their best friends and then claim "but I was drunk" as an excuse. Nah. Do better. Ellie deserves better!
October 21, 2014
Review Preface: I'm the MOM who got suspicious when the 11 year old started hiding this book.
Here's Mom's review:
This is trash, it has ZERO literary value. It bundles an amazing number of "WORSTS" for middle school and high school girls into a very small book written in 5th grade language. This book was made avail to my 11 yr old daughter.
The Star of the book is dating a boy 2 yrs older Russell who constantly pushes her for sex. While she says "no" there's no exploration of this or reward/punishment - they attend a party where she drinks straight vodka to teach them all a lesson and gets trashed. She pukes and passes out. Then awakes and tries to leave only to stumble across her BeST friend making out and laying on top of her boyfriend on the stairs.
She leaves in distress and a vagrant tries grabbing her. She's "saved" by a dramatically gorgeous college boy who drives her home, but it's safe because he's gay.
At home there's the widowed dad who she feels never appreciated her mother, he is living with his girlfriend Anna and she suspects he's cheating on her with college girls. The daughter confronts the dad with typical psychology defending Anna,etc.
The other friend of their 3some starts dating a character on the internet. He lures her to a theater in the city. She lies to her parents about attending. When she gets there, it's a soft porn theater and the "boy" is an "old man" so luckly the other 2 girls had been spying on her and followed and they save her from the "pervy creeper".
At the end, she is convinced that truly being drunk excuses her friend and boyfriend from making out and she really knows "russel is her soul mate" and so she takes him back.
"the end"
no character development, no literature, just dumbed down soap opera for kids with poor language that translates in to a scholastic rating of grade 6-9.
Complete garbage!
Here's Mom's review:
This is trash, it has ZERO literary value. It bundles an amazing number of "WORSTS" for middle school and high school girls into a very small book written in 5th grade language. This book was made avail to my 11 yr old daughter.
The Star of the book is dating a boy 2 yrs older Russell who constantly pushes her for sex. While she says "no" there's no exploration of this or reward/punishment - they attend a party where she drinks straight vodka to teach them all a lesson and gets trashed. She pukes and passes out. Then awakes and tries to leave only to stumble across her BeST friend making out and laying on top of her boyfriend on the stairs.
She leaves in distress and a vagrant tries grabbing her. She's "saved" by a dramatically gorgeous college boy who drives her home, but it's safe because he's gay.
At home there's the widowed dad who she feels never appreciated her mother, he is living with his girlfriend Anna and she suspects he's cheating on her with college girls. The daughter confronts the dad with typical psychology defending Anna,etc.
The other friend of their 3some starts dating a character on the internet. He lures her to a theater in the city. She lies to her parents about attending. When she gets there, it's a soft porn theater and the "boy" is an "old man" so luckly the other 2 girls had been spying on her and followed and they save her from the "pervy creeper".
At the end, she is convinced that truly being drunk excuses her friend and boyfriend from making out and she really knows "russel is her soul mate" and so she takes him back.
"the end"
no character development, no literature, just dumbed down soap opera for kids with poor language that translates in to a scholastic rating of grade 6-9.
Complete garbage!
Read
August 5, 2024What the actual f was that. I’m so glad there is a new book coming out, as I can’t live in a world where Ellie let all these toxic people walk all over her! Like wth!! Was the 00s really that bad! I’m all up for her forgiving Magda (though tbh she barely gave a coherent excuse) but Russell?!! The actual definition of a terrible white male does not deserve forgiveness! I hope he has died by the new book (to far? Naaah)
September 24, 2024
this is a russell hate account
August 10, 2024
I remember liking these books equally growing up, but on my reread I'm conflicted with this one.
It was genuinely SAD. Like I was so sad for Ellie, it was gut-wrenching. She couldn't seem to catch a break, from Russel being a prick, her friends leaving her out (I remember that feeling all too well and it SUCKED), and even her dad turning on her. It genuinely made me feel so bad for her.
BUT. The way it used the side characters to create this drama wasn't right. Nadine and Magda were never the greatest friends, but they didn't seem to give a crap about her this entire book. Nadine calling her fat after seeing her eating disorder, and Magda kissing Russell knowing how much Ellie likes him is just a complete destruction of their characters and I hated it. I also think things went too far with her dad, him not supporting Ellie's mouse drawings was so mean and he was lowkey irredeemable.
As for Russell- I never liked him but he is DISGUSTING in this book. Possessive, jealous, constantly pushing Ellie too far sexually, cheating on her, lying to her, he was just awful. And if that wasn't bad enough, she goes back to him after he makes out with her best friend. TERRIBLE message to be sending to young girls, Ellie needs some self-worth.
It was genuinely SAD. Like I was so sad for Ellie, it was gut-wrenching. She couldn't seem to catch a break, from Russel being a prick, her friends leaving her out (I remember that feeling all too well and it SUCKED), and even her dad turning on her. It genuinely made me feel so bad for her.
BUT. The way it used the side characters to create this drama wasn't right. Nadine and Magda were never the greatest friends, but they didn't seem to give a crap about her this entire book. Nadine calling her fat after seeing her eating disorder, and Magda kissing Russell knowing how much Ellie likes him is just a complete destruction of their characters and I hated it. I also think things went too far with her dad, him not supporting Ellie's mouse drawings was so mean and he was lowkey irredeemable.
As for Russell- I never liked him but he is DISGUSTING in this book. Possessive, jealous, constantly pushing Ellie too far sexually, cheating on her, lying to her, he was just awful. And if that wasn't bad enough, she goes back to him after he makes out with her best friend. TERRIBLE message to be sending to young girls, Ellie needs some self-worth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2013
I loved this book. It really explained how Teenage girls feel. And all their problems!
I think its a really good way to explain to young girls that good looking and having a boy friend isn't everything! I also like how Jacqueline Wilson put down the feelings of Isabelle and how she thinks her life is horrible.
I really recommend this book!
I think its a really good way to explain to young girls that good looking and having a boy friend isn't everything! I also like how Jacqueline Wilson put down the feelings of Isabelle and how she thinks her life is horrible.
I really recommend this book!
September 15, 2024
i would NOT forgive
October 1, 2024
This may be the dumpster fire of all dumpster fires. There’s so much going on and none of it is good???
Russell is clearly obsessed of getting this girl in bed - and my bad I thought she had turned 14 by now but she has not!! He’s obsessed with the fact she doesn’t wear makeup and is ‘so little’ and even tries to coerce her at points it’s extremely creepy
'We could go to my room,' Russell whispers in my ear.
'No! Look, I've told you ... I don't want to.'
'You do want to,' says Russell.
'Yes, OK, of course I do – but I'm still not going to.'
Like EW
The series in itself didn’t age well there’s a lot of body shaming, slut shaming, derogatory terms, and why does cheating have zero consequences in this universe??
Also every person in this book is extremely idiotic how does Nadine keep finding these actual nonces it makes me want to tear my hair out. Do you not learn??
Anyways now I’ve finished the original series, the bar is in hell for Think Again.
Russell is clearly obsessed of getting this girl in bed - and my bad I thought she had turned 14 by now but she has not!! He’s obsessed with the fact she doesn’t wear makeup and is ‘so little’ and even tries to coerce her at points it’s extremely creepy
'We could go to my room,' Russell whispers in my ear.
'No! Look, I've told you ... I don't want to.'
'You do want to,' says Russell.
'Yes, OK, of course I do – but I'm still not going to.'
Like EW
The series in itself didn’t age well there’s a lot of body shaming, slut shaming, derogatory terms, and why does cheating have zero consequences in this universe??
Also every person in this book is extremely idiotic how does Nadine keep finding these actual nonces it makes me want to tear my hair out. Do you not learn??
Anyways now I’ve finished the original series, the bar is in hell for Think Again.
Read
October 8, 2024disgraceful ending
May 27, 2024
Girls In Tears was always my favourite of the Girls series growing up. I vividly remember it being released! The series hasn’t held up as well to me re-reading as an adult, but I am still excited all the same to catch up with Ellie, Magda and Nadine as adults. Here’s hoping Ellie has binned off the creep, Russell! As a love interest for the main character, he doesn’t come across as very likeable. He’s not the sort of character that the lead girl should be getting back with.
It’s confusing because some of the themes of the series are geared towards older teens, but it’s very much written for a pre-teen audience. I think on this re-read, I did much prefer the earlier entries in this series.
I am so intrigued with these characters being older in the new book though, and Jacqueline Wilson writing an adult novel. I hope it clicks with me better as an older reader. I still do want to re-read some more Jacqueline Wilson books for the nostalgia though - might be good for when I’m in a reading slump. I can’t believe how dark some of these themes were looking back and we were reading these books as children lol
I don’t know if it was more damaging than good reading these books at a formative age as they go on about dieting and weight so much - even though these thoughts are commonplace with teenage girls so it is accurate. As an adult who is currently struggling a lot with body image issues, due to health and medication, it’s making me realise the extent of this kind of negative body talk in early ‘00’s media even more.
2 stars
It’s confusing because some of the themes of the series are geared towards older teens, but it’s very much written for a pre-teen audience. I think on this re-read, I did much prefer the earlier entries in this series.
I am so intrigued with these characters being older in the new book though, and Jacqueline Wilson writing an adult novel. I hope it clicks with me better as an older reader. I still do want to re-read some more Jacqueline Wilson books for the nostalgia though - might be good for when I’m in a reading slump. I can’t believe how dark some of these themes were looking back and we were reading these books as children lol
I don’t know if it was more damaging than good reading these books at a formative age as they go on about dieting and weight so much - even though these thoughts are commonplace with teenage girls so it is accurate. As an adult who is currently struggling a lot with body image issues, due to health and medication, it’s making me realise the extent of this kind of negative body talk in early ‘00’s media even more.
2 stars
November 1, 2024
I am so shocked at the lessons learned here! It’s okay for your best friend and boyfriend to hook up as long as they were drunk and are now sorry?
Ellie is constantly being called fat, prudish, boring etc by her best friends and then being mocked and patronised for not automatically forgiving them for their horrible actions. I guess this is pretty standard for 13/14 y/os and thus realistic, but it’s framed to make it acceptable.
Russell is terrible and it’s such a missed opportunity to teach young girls about types of relationships which are acceptable and unacceptable.
Justice for talented kind Ellie!!
ALSO throughout the series there are SO MANY predatory/p*do men and dangerous situations these young teenage girls are in with them. All where they eventually realise they are in danger and just run, rather than telling an adult or the police? Now I know this is very “of the time”, but it’s not the advice we should have ever been giving children. This type of rhetoric has fed deeply into my life and impacted my understanding of consent and body autonomy in ways that as a 31 year old woman I am still only at the start of my journey to dismantle.
I don’t remember this book at all from when I originally read them as a child, but I’d love to know how I interpreted it all. Terrifying and such a shame.
Ellie is constantly being called fat, prudish, boring etc by her best friends and then being mocked and patronised for not automatically forgiving them for their horrible actions. I guess this is pretty standard for 13/14 y/os and thus realistic, but it’s framed to make it acceptable.
Russell is terrible and it’s such a missed opportunity to teach young girls about types of relationships which are acceptable and unacceptable.
Justice for talented kind Ellie!!
ALSO throughout the series there are SO MANY predatory/p*do men and dangerous situations these young teenage girls are in with them. All where they eventually realise they are in danger and just run, rather than telling an adult or the police? Now I know this is very “of the time”, but it’s not the advice we should have ever been giving children. This type of rhetoric has fed deeply into my life and impacted my understanding of consent and body autonomy in ways that as a 31 year old woman I am still only at the start of my journey to dismantle.
I don’t remember this book at all from when I originally read them as a child, but I’d love to know how I interpreted it all. Terrifying and such a shame.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2015
Wilson is great at making realistic characters that you can quickly come to term with, giving realistic reactions to events.
Her books are great at getting children to really think about actions and their consequences, really opening the eyes of children to the world. Some of her books are sensitive reads yet they are all great at sending life messages to children.
I feel as though Wilson books are a must in the lives of young children, a way of opening their eyes to the real world in the right way.
Her books are great at getting children to really think about actions and their consequences, really opening the eyes of children to the world. Some of her books are sensitive reads yet they are all great at sending life messages to children.
I feel as though Wilson books are a must in the lives of young children, a way of opening their eyes to the real world in the right way.
July 30, 2023
I'm really glad I re-read this series, and I really did like these as a young teenager. Looking bad, it's a perfectly good story (especially across the 4 books) BUT I still remain baffled about what age range these books should be for?! The main character is 13, but this book talks quite openly about older boys pressuring the girls for sex, going to house parties and drinking straight vodka... but it's written too simply for a YA audience. Very confused on that part!
November 19, 2025
*re-read*
One of my favourite series in my younger teen years, and still a great comfort read to me today! This series is very close to my heart, and is relatable for all girls out there. it deals with lots of common issues many girls face in their teen years, and handles them in a funny, loving, heartwarming manner.
One of my favourite series in my younger teen years, and still a great comfort read to me today! This series is very close to my heart, and is relatable for all girls out there. it deals with lots of common issues many girls face in their teen years, and handles them in a funny, loving, heartwarming manner.
December 30, 2023
i wish russell died
November 7, 2024
Had to wait for my Spotify audiobook hours to tot back up just to hear how seeing misogyny and violence everywhere starts in your teens and doesn’t end.
November 15, 2024
Jaw dropped. I would never be friends with Magda again and fuck russel.
January 6, 2025
The last and my least favorite of the Girls series. Jacqueline Wilson writes the teenage girl so well, though maybe a little whiney at times. (*spoiler*) It annoyed me that Ellie forgave Russell for kissing her best friend, when he wasn't a great boyfriend to begin with?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2024
This last book is my least favourite of the lot, but I can't bear to give Queen JW less that 3 stars. In adult books I don't mind deeply flawed characters at all, so maybe this bodes well for Think Again , Wilson's first adult novel released next week. It felt uncomfortable, though, in this context, that all the characters were relentlessly, unnecessarily mean to each other. It is especially unrealistic to me that Nadine would call her best friend with an eating disorder 'fat' during an argument to upset her. Teenagers can be nasty, but I wanted more depth from Nadine and am looking forward to seeing what she ends up like in adulthood.
I went easy on Russell in the last book but he goes too far in this one, too, and to end the entire series like that? Seriously?? Meanwhile Ellie's dad continues to be insufferable - a fake-liberal misogynist who needs to grow up. But Ellie speaking her mind about this and drawing parallels between him and the creepy old guy trying to get it off with Nadine makes up for it. After all, it's a right of passage of teenage-hood to realise that your parents are disappointing. I do like that everyone is flawed, including Ellie (passing up poor Fudge's funeral), but the men in this especially are beyond making excuses for.
I also became extra aware, this time, that all the characters have similar ways of speaking, and use many outdates terms (even for the 90s). JWs attention to detail and understanding of imaginary play, however, is irresistible to me, and imperfect though it may be, her style is iconic. I have high hopes for this new release. We always expect kids' books to 'set a good example', which JW doesn't always succeed at, but as this won't matter in her adult writing I particularly look forward to seeing what she can do.
I went easy on Russell in the last book but he goes too far in this one, too, and to end the entire series like that? Seriously?? Meanwhile Ellie's dad continues to be insufferable - a fake-liberal misogynist who needs to grow up. But Ellie speaking her mind about this and drawing parallels between him and the creepy old guy trying to get it off with Nadine makes up for it. After all, it's a right of passage of teenage-hood to realise that your parents are disappointing. I do like that everyone is flawed, including Ellie (passing up poor Fudge's funeral), but the men in this especially are beyond making excuses for.
I also became extra aware, this time, that all the characters have similar ways of speaking, and use many outdates terms (even for the 90s). JWs attention to detail and understanding of imaginary play, however, is irresistible to me, and imperfect though it may be, her style is iconic. I have high hopes for this new release. We always expect kids' books to 'set a good example', which JW doesn't always succeed at, but as this won't matter in her adult writing I particularly look forward to seeing what she can do.
January 1, 2023
After being one of the best book series ever in my opinion, this was where the Girls series came crashing down. Released in 2002, 3 years after Girls Out Late, it seems Jacqueline didn't even read the previous books and just went off her memory of them. Magda suddenly has a pet (even though it wasn't mentioned before), Ellie suddenly holds her mother's Myrtle Mouse creation dear to her heart (even though it wasn't mentioned before), Ellie mentions she's come in before her friends for the first time ever (even though she came in before them in Girls Out Late) and everyone is downright horrible to one another. Nadine has turned into a selfish, snobby person overnight, Magda is ridiculously shallow and vain, and Russell has gone from being a little hot-headed and controlling to a plain horrible boyfriend, even downright stealing Ellie's design. The book focuses on Ellie and Russell's completely toxic relationship which is presented as really romantic and the ending is contrived and too obvious (Nadine's internet boyfriend turns out to be a 50 year old man, shock horror) and Ellie gets back with a man that constantly puts her down, objectifies her, and cheated on her with her best friend(!). The book feels rushed and sends out horrible messages to readers. It vies with Love Lessons as her worst published work.
However, to give it some credit, Ellie was kept mostly intact, the writing style remains as strong as ever, and I did like some storylines - the Dad and Anna and Eggs plotline was pretty decent.
Overall, it was not a very good read, and I'd only recommend it if you desperately wanted to complete the Girls series. 2 out of 5 stars.
However, to give it some credit, Ellie was kept mostly intact, the writing style remains as strong as ever, and I did like some storylines - the Dad and Anna and Eggs plotline was pretty decent.
Overall, it was not a very good read, and I'd only recommend it if you desperately wanted to complete the Girls series. 2 out of 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2019
Honestly I’ve red and re-read this book for 10 years and I stand by the conclusion that those are some shitty friends. Russell is a jealous sex crazed maniac and yet somehow like she has always done with her friends, she’s willing to forget it all and start again despite in this case the clear warnings that his actions weren’t okay long before he tried to shag her supposedly unattractive friend.
The two criticise each other for two books then throw them selves at each other with the excuses of alcohol and a hamster.
The person I think I’ve always been angriest with is Nadine for that one last kick to the gut, choosing Magda. I think Ellie should have opted for choosing some new friends three books ago, it doesn’t bode well for her having people like that around her as a character. It would have been great to see some development where she finally stood up for herself and moved on.
I don’t think this gives young teenage girls a good idea of a health friendship and is very surprising from Jacqueline Wilson.
The two criticise each other for two books then throw them selves at each other with the excuses of alcohol and a hamster.
The person I think I’ve always been angriest with is Nadine for that one last kick to the gut, choosing Magda. I think Ellie should have opted for choosing some new friends three books ago, it doesn’t bode well for her having people like that around her as a character. It would have been great to see some development where she finally stood up for herself and moved on.
I don’t think this gives young teenage girls a good idea of a health friendship and is very surprising from Jacqueline Wilson.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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