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Hetty Feather #3

Emerald Star

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A fantastic new adventure for brave, feisty Hetty Feather - one of Jacqueline Wilson's most well-loved characters.

Since leaving the Foundling Hospital, Hetty has seen her fair share of drama, excitement, tragedy and loss. After the death of her beloved mama, she sets off to find a real home at last – starting with the search for her father.

But Hetty is no longer a simple country girl, and begins to fear she’ll never truly belong anywhere. And even when she is reunited with her beloved childhood sweetheart Jem, Hetty still longs for adventure – especially when an enchanting figure from her past makes an unexpected reappearance. Could a more exciting future lie ahead for Hetty?

304 pages, Hardcover

First published September 27, 2012

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2027 people want to read

About the author

Jacqueline Wilson

399 books5,687 followers
Jacqueline Wilson was born in Bath in 1945, but spent most of her childhood in Kingston-on-Thames. She always wanted to be a writer and wrote her first ‘novel’ when she was nine, filling 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.

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5 stars
2,157 (45%)
4 stars
1,534 (32%)
3 stars
765 (16%)
2 stars
189 (4%)
1 star
58 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
Profile Image for Maddie.
558 reviews1,114 followers
January 13, 2019
Hetty's gone on such an epic journey, I absolutely love that this brought her full circle, back to her childhood home and the circus she adored. Little Diamond was such a cutie and, seriously, I'm in love with everything about this series.
Profile Image for Becky.
821 reviews
October 13, 2012
I know I am a bit old for Jacqueline Wilson now, but she was such a big part of my childhood that I can't resist. I don't read every new book by her anymore, but earlier this year I read 'Hetty Feather' after a friend recommended it and I really liked the character and her story. I went on to read book 2 'Sapphire Battersea' and loved how much she changed and grew up that I had to know what would happen to little Hetty next, so I eagerly awaited this book.I put in a request at the library (joining a rather long list) my copy came in yesterday and I started it this morning. I had finished it by lunch time.
It's 420 pages but the print is quite bis and there are some illustrations at the start of every chapter.
Although it is aimed at children I was surprised by how sophisticated the story was and how well written it was. Jacqueline Wilson certainly won't talk down to her readers!
Hetty Feather has gone to find her father, with just the name 'Bobby' to go on and a rough idea of a town, she isn't exactly sure what she will find, if she can find anything. Jem also makes a re-appearance, but Hetty has always been restless and it's time she chose where she really wants to be.
I suppose I should be calling her Emerald as that is who she wants to be, but for me and a lot of the characters she remains our dear little Hetty. Although she is now almost 15 she is still small and slight, but she has grown up and shows her true potential when needed. I actually see quite a bit of myself in her, serious and useful when needed but hyper, upbeat and unable to settle at other times. She has a real spark of life to her that is really refreshing.
I really felt myself travel through with Hetty, the writing swept me away and I swear I was almost hiking down those trails and running through the hills by her side. I desperately wanted everything to work out for her and I loved when she got excited or something good happened.
This book does deal with some issues such as step families, death, illness and war (briefly- her foundling brother is sent away to fight) Most of Jacqueline Wilson's book deal with an 'issue' of some kind. But this story didn't feel like anything was being shoved down your throat, it was merely something that happened to the character and brought a new turn to the story.
I really enjoyed reading this book and it brought back fond memories of my childhood.
I think it's good every now and then to visit old favourites, whether it's a book you read as a child or an author you enjoyed. Can really lift you up again.
Profile Image for Bee.
444 reviews812 followers
Read
December 13, 2022
I loved all the meta bits where she talked about the process of writing! Hetty is such an entertaining narrator and how the book is split into three distinct sections makes this book so quick to get through! I've really enjoyed Hetty's adventures so far and am looking forward to continuing the journey in Diamond!
Profile Image for Rachel.
87 reviews
January 3, 2013
WHAT
ERMERGERRRRRD
WHY WHY WHY
this book... Well, it was very cleverly written, I can tell you that. I liked the characters and the language. It had particularlily good imagery and heartfelt words. The only problem was Hetty.
Y U SO STUPID????
The ending was completely ridiculous. She ran away to join the circus and risked, lost and wasted everything. She broke Jem's heart for her own sake and because of Janet. Janet's love for jem was a passing fad. You know what happens when you like someone who loves someone else? You grit your teeth and stick it out till someone perfect comes along! Us girls have had to do that countless times and I don't think Jem will ever get over Hetty anyway. What a waste! Even canter wood crest had a better ending than that. Not one of Jacqueline's best works.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lauren.
7 reviews18 followers
September 5, 2015
I think this book was incredible, I loved it all so much; her father, Jem UNTIL the circus came! It ruined it completely, she ran away to the circus! She only did it because she thought she only loved Jem in a sisterly way but before she read Janet's journal she was completely in love! She shouldn't of looked or got so worked up over a crush. It was so stupid, it broke my heart when she pulled away or ran from Jem! They were perfect for eachother. So... I loved the whole book soo much until the circus came.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nicole.
1,110 reviews
December 27, 2012


A brilliant book the best in the series I think I like that she finally had some happiness in her life! I think there should be yet another one. This one was certainly a page turner for me as I read it nonstop for an hour or so because it wAs so good
Profile Image for Sophia Luo.
116 reviews1 follower
January 6, 2018
Woah yea. Is it just me or does anyone else really like childrens books like these? They get straight to the point and are easy to understand. Damn, good book.
Profile Image for Shannan.
13 reviews7 followers
October 11, 2012
I really loved this book. I think I enjoyed it party because it is part of a series containing three books.

In the first book, Hetty Feather, you get to know Hetty and even though she was still quite young, you could recognise her temper and stubborness.

In the second book, Sapphire Battersea, Hetty works at Mr Buchanan's house. Then she gets fired and goes to her mama. But she soon dies.

In the third book, this book, Emerald Star, Hetty goes to find her father. When she gets there, it is not quite what she expected. Her father has a wife and two other children. Then she receives a letter from Jem, saying his that father had died. Hetty travels all the way to Jem's cottage.

The story ends with Hetty and Jem kissing, and the following day, Hetty runs away with the circus to be the new ringmaster.

Overall, I love this book, it's full of adventure and romance (Jem and Hetty - Jem wants marriage but Hetty wants siblingship).
Profile Image for Poppy✨.
151 reviews
July 7, 2024
[3.5] I don’t really remember if I read this one when I was younger. This one was probably the most interesting but Hetty remained so stubborn that she became rather insufferable. It dawned on me when I was reading that Jem is a huge creep pinning after a 15 year old girl. Once again, Hetty’s life seems less and less likely the longer it goes on. Her life in the village with Jem and mother and Gideon felt the most grounded. The ending kind of sucked.
Profile Image for renata.
12 reviews1 follower
August 17, 2016
I have mixed feelings about this book. I mean, I have nothing to complain about the writing. It's cleverly written -- I've been in love with Wilson's writing style since I was an elementary school kid.

The Hetty Feather series is a little bit different compared Wilson's other books. A little heavier, with different settings as well. I really like the previous books from this series, especially Hetty Feather.
However, I was a bit disappointed about this particular book, because of 1) the main character, and 2) the ending. From an objective point of view, this book is great. I just didn't enjoy it.

Hetty has grown up, and I don't really like her changes in general. Hetty sometimes uses her diplomatic speaking skill to make people do what she wants.. Somehow it reminds me of Piper McLean from Heroes of Olympus using her charmspeak (well now, this happens when you read too much books from different genres in the same moment) and well, I'm no big fan of her. In my opinion, in this book Hetty seems a bit too selfish and annoying at times.
I found myself comparing Hetty Feather with Anne Shirley, and I must admit that I like Anne Shirley much better. She is sort of brighter, wiser, although more impulsive.

The ending kinda disappoints me. It sounds selfish... and it simply doesn't feel right to me (it's hard to talk about it without spoiling the book...)

So after all, I am not a huge fan of this book. I still love some parts, but I prefer her lighter stories, like Best Friends and Candyfloss. Anyway, despite of my few dislikes, there's a pretty big chance that this is the right book for you, so don't be afraid to try it out ;)
Profile Image for Emily.
6 reviews
December 3, 2012
Jacqueline Wilson This is the last, but fantastic all the same, adventure for our little Hetty Feather. Growing up in the Foundling Hospital is hard, but life is even harder, after Hetty's mother, Ida, dies. In Emerald Star, Hetty discovers her new name, Emerald Star, when lying in sawdust, and befriends a barmaid. Hetty is on a quest to find her father, after she was kicked out of Mr Buchanan's house, when she was in service, after throwing a tantrum with him. Hetty does find her father, but unfortunately, her father's new family, do not warm to her. That forces her to move out, and find somewhere else. Then, she decides she is off to find her old foster brother, Jem. The final gift Hetty's father gives her when she goes, is his treasured copy of Charles Dickens' David Copperfield. Hetty does find Jem, but then moves again, and makes Jem take her to her final destination. Mr Tanglefield's Travelling Circus. Hetty takes a job as the ringleader, yelling as loud as she can, inside the tent, without the help of Tanglefield's megaphone.
Profile Image for Ciara .
258 reviews53 followers
December 4, 2012
I will begin by saying that this was a disappointing ending (?) to the series.

I won't rant on and on about Emerald Star was very boring compared to the first two books (which I quite enjoyed), however I will list some things that I disliked:

SPOILERS

* Jem and Hetty? Really? A grown man, waiting for a 13/14 year to be old enough to marry? All because of a relationship they had when she was 4?
Really, it's completely unrealistic and not at all romantic. People change over 10 years, and I highly doubt that anything of the sort would occur in real life.
Okay, yes, it is fiction, but it is also ' realistic fiction.'

* Hetty 'just so happened' to meet her father, without even being certain of his address. Seem unlikely to anyone else?

* She did not catch her mother's seemingly contagious disease. Hetty/Sapphire/Emerald/Diamond (whoa, quite a lot of identities...) is in full health.

There is more, but I will leave it at that.
Profile Image for Tina.
599 reviews35 followers
October 23, 2013
I was expecting a lot more from this book after reading the first two, this was very disappointing. I felt there should have been more, I felt that running off to the circus again was old news, she'd have learned to grow up a little more and would have learned from past mistakes, instead it seems she's doomed to keep repeating them over and over and I am half expecting in the next book she'll meet up with Bertie all over again, then dither about her father and then dither about Jem again only to discover she'll get romantically involved with Gideon or something as silly as that. I am losing faith that the plot it going to be as consistent as it used to be, consistently changing, bettering, not this book, I hope she proves me wrong next time!
Profile Image for Sabrina.
645 reviews69 followers
September 2, 2016
It was really very good and I nearly finished it in one go it was so unputdownable (is that a word?)!

The ending was heartbreaking but also happy at the same time, for Hetty anyway. I think the appropriate word here would be bittersweet. Over the past three novels I have grown to love Hetty and her spunk and sincerity, despite her often infuriating moments.

The other characters are also really interesting and their interactions were great to read and experience. I really did experience them because Wilson is amazing at conveying emotion in her words, with no need for fancy language. I actually shed many a tear throughout the whole book.

Amazing and well worth the wait. The ending made me so sad but it was bearable and I eagerly anticipate the next one!

Profile Image for Lucy-Jane Burns.
611 reviews1 follower
November 23, 2022
I really liked this trilogy and how hetty found her father, I love that he was such a lovely person, she has suffered such hardship.
I enjoyed that she went back to the cottage, part of me wishes she ended up with Jem, part of me wishes she ended up finding Bernie again, but I am happy with the ending result.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Twauntwaun.
3 reviews1 follower
November 2, 2012
Once you start reading Emerald Star you just want to finish without being diturbed! Read about Hetty Feather finding her father but then taking an entirely different path with a familiar figure from her past... Which path did Hetty take?
Profile Image for Rachel.
21 reviews2 followers
October 1, 2012
OMG I Loved this, Shame there isn't another in the series coz they just got better and better.
Emerald Star was well worth the wait.
Profile Image for Faith.
643 reviews1 follower
November 18, 2025
I know I said these covers were less embarrassing to be seen with but did no one realise the tail of Hetty's jacket looks very sus in silhouette?

Reading the words hussy, slut, and harlot in a children's book, and it being accurate and uncontroversial because it's historical, is very amusing to me.

I think the last book only gave us a brief Oliver Twist and Alice In Wonderland reference, but in this one, David Copperfield is spoken of at length. I should really get to reading that.

Yes the ableism is historically accurate but the oh-so-rebellious Hetty could have objected to it!

Jem is a creep.

Also. Marcus, anyone? Jem's older brother from the first book that was away at war? Who Hetty was distraught to have almost forgotten at the Foundling Hospital? He's never ever mentioned again, the entire cast of Jem's family, once seen and unseen, are gathered in this book except Marcus, there isn't a word of him. Wilson could remember one mention of a Janet from Hetty Feather to make her a major character here but not several conversations of a Marcus?
Profile Image for umrah : castiel.
89 reviews6 followers
July 4, 2022
This is the third book in the Hetty Feather series, and shows Hetty more grown up, and in my opinion, mature, but still her fiery personality. I really loved this book, and also reread this MANY times.
Profile Image for Rania.
32 reviews
March 4, 2024
i am so sorry, i forgot to put this book as currently reading, but i finished it while thinking that i actually set it as currently reading 😭

I really loved the book and it was enjoyable to read, as you see i finished the book in 2 days :3
Profile Image for Logan.
47 reviews
June 25, 2024
A bit slow in some parts but good
14 reviews
February 15, 2022
It was amazing and another adventure with hetty feather I definitely recommend it
Profile Image for Eve.
17 reviews
October 4, 2025
hetty kinda annoying in this one
Profile Image for Rae.
123 reviews69 followers
March 16, 2021
This was ok, but sadly didn’t live up to the first two books in the series for me. There were some parts of the plot I really approved of (the direction Wilson takes the Jem narrative), but overall it felt quite an exhausting journey as a reader and I did’t feel rewarded for it at the end. Personally, I found the balance between realism and farfetched adventures, which the first two books had trodden so effectively, got skewed in this book and it just felt ridiculous at times.

Don’t get me wrong, this was still a story I looked forward to returning to after work every day. But I feel a bit cheated by the fact the series continues but in the voice of another, new character who I’m not interested in. I’d far rather Wilson had rounded this up as a nice trilogy, which she could easily have done!
Profile Image for Asuka Mai.
634 reviews32 followers
January 29, 2015
Kesan setelah menyelesaikan buku ini... endingnya gantung dan bikin kesel !

Keselnya sama Hetty.. oh Hetty kenapa di sini kamu kebanyakan egoisnya.... kasihan Jem yang sudah menunggumu bertahun2 lamanya... dan mencintaimu sepenuh hati!
Hetty, dulu kamu sangat cemburu dengan Eliza kecil, kamu berharap Jem menjemputmu dan menikahimu.. setelah Jem benar2 akan melamarmu, kamu malah lari dan menghancurkan hatinya seperti itu.
Bahkan kamu menyarankan Jem menikahi Janet saja, salah satu teman sebaya Jem yang anggun, feminin dan keibuan.
Kalau Jem nantinya benar2 mencintai Janet, jangan kamu menyesal loh Hetty.. sangat jarang menemukan pria tampan yang setia dan baik hati serta romantis seperti Jem.
Lihat saja contohnya Bertie yang sebenernya agak lumayan playboy...

Oh Hetty lagi2 aku kecewa padamu, katamu kamu ingin menjadi penulis handal dan ingin berkarir menjadi penulis yang merupakan impian mu sedari kecil. Namun, kenapa sekarang kamu memilih menjadi seorang anggota sirkus...

Hetty, kenapa kamu tidak pernah berpuas hati? Kamu tidak pernah bersyukur selalu ingin mewujudkan mimpimu yang kadangkala konyol dan seperti anak kecil. Padahal kamu sendiri tidak mau dianggap kecil karena kini kamu berumur 15 tahun.

Oh Hetty......

*curhat panjang lebar dan masih sebel sama endingnya...*

Nb. Ternyata lanjutan seri ini masih ada yaitu Diamond.. namu n yang bakal jadi tokoh utamanya si Diamond kecil, bukan Hetty...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
8 reviews
June 7, 2016
Being the third book in the Hetty Feather series by Jacqueline Wilson, Emerald Star is just as amazing as the first two. This book grips you with excitement from page one.

Opening with teenage Hetty in the 1880's, she is the new Emerald Star; trying to have a fresh start to her life by changing everything and learning everything. She learns about her real family, the one before her foster family and life at the Founding Hospital. But things don't always go to plan, and as Hetty writes in her memoirs, she gets reunited with many loved ones from her past and childhood. It all gets you so moved with the power of Hetty's thoughts.

I don't think anything could be better about this book as it is just pure words straight out of Hetty through fantastic Jacqueline Wilson. Obviously written by an experienced author, Emerald Star is enriched with twists and turns upon every page. I find that I can't stop reading!

As Hetty is older than she was in Hetty Feather, you can see how her views on things have changed, but she is still the fiery red haired girl from book one! You can understand her when she doesn't really know where she belongs, and attempts to improve and risk love for something new. She feels a little apart whereas everyone else seems together, and she finds her beloved circus that replays her childhood and escapes her from normal life.

This book possesses so many great qualities that you are just going to have to read it yourself!
Profile Image for Little Star ( Fiza).
5 reviews
February 21, 2014
I thought this book was amazing. I didn't expect it to have the ending it had. When I finished the book, I wanted to start reading it all over again. Hetty does find her father and comes across the fact that he has a wife called Katherine and 2 children. Katherine does not like the fact that Hetty has come. Hetty decides that she can not stay with her father in Monksby beacuse that is not a place for her. She receives the news from Jem, Hetty's foster brother in a letter, that her foster father has sadly died and her foster mother is very ill when she came across that fact of her husband dying. Hetty goes back to the village that she was bought up in as a child for her foster father's funeral and to look after her foster mother. At first she thinks the village is the right place for her but then she meets with Tanglefield travelling circus. A circus in which she found Madame Adeline. She finds another girl younger than herself is in the circus because her wicked father sold her to the circus. She make friends with Diamond. At the end she does something that is unexpected.
Profile Image for Jess Merrygold.
1 review
May 17, 2013
I've not read it yet, but by these reviews I've discovered that she ends up finding her dad who has a family so she goes to Jem and breaks his heart, I have to admit, I'm not looking forward to reading it, Bertie seemed like the perfect boy and I would die for a boy like that, unfortunately towards the end in Sapphire Battersea he has been flirting with this 'Rosemay', so In Emerald Star I was expecting her to go to the butchers in a rage at him to get him back, seeing as Jem wasn't in Sapphire Battersea much I kind of lost track of him and got bored of him, I mean, he's 19! Hetty/Emerald/Sapphire is only 14! I mean he was a sweet brother figure to help her out etc and it was all sweet when they were younger, but 19, I think this story is going a bit, crazy. I can't explain how much I ache for her and Bertie to sort things out, poor Hetty, I don't know what I'll do when Ive read it, seeing as its the last book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews

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