What do you think?
Rate this book
Tracy Beaker #3
Starring Tracy Beaker
Tracy Beaker is back . . . and she's just desperate for a role in her school play.
They're performing A Christmas Carol and for one extremely worrying moment, the irrepressible Tracy thinks she might not even get to play one of the unnamed street urchins.
But then she is cast in the main role. Can she manage to act grumpy, difficult and sulky enough to play Ebenezer Scrooge? Well, she does have a bit of help on that front from Justine Pain-In-The-Bum Littlewood . . .
As Tracy prepares for her big moment, Cam is the one helping her learn her lines. But all Tracy really wants to know is if her film-star mum will make it back from Hollywood in time to watch her in her starring role.
They're performing A Christmas Carol and for one extremely worrying moment, the irrepressible Tracy thinks she might not even get to play one of the unnamed street urchins.
But then she is cast in the main role. Can she manage to act grumpy, difficult and sulky enough to play Ebenezer Scrooge? Well, she does have a bit of help on that front from Justine Pain-In-The-Bum Littlewood . . .
As Tracy prepares for her big moment, Cam is the one helping her learn her lines. But all Tracy really wants to know is if her film-star mum will make it back from Hollywood in time to watch her in her starring role.
208 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2006
60 people are currently reading
1183 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Wilson
391 books5,720 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
April 4, 2025
4.25⭐ (book 29/25 - 2025) Carly sucks 🤬
😭💔
😭💔
March 5, 2019
Who else liked reading/watching Tracy Beaker every single day after school? This girl!
Starring Tracy Beaker is my favourite book in the series. It follows Tracy, who learns that her school is putting on a Christmas production of A Christmas Carol. She is determined to get a part, as she wants to show her famous Mum that she can act. When she gets the lead role of Scrooge, things start to get a little out of control, as her behaviour drastically changes. I loved the original Dickens classic, Tracy was a fun character but I liked the connection to her and Cam the most. Towards the end, I was a little teary for nostalgic reasons. This is fast-paced, with great illustrations throughout. It was lovely to dive back into an old childhood favourite!
Starring Tracy Beaker is my favourite book in the series. It follows Tracy, who learns that her school is putting on a Christmas production of A Christmas Carol. She is determined to get a part, as she wants to show her famous Mum that she can act. When she gets the lead role of Scrooge, things start to get a little out of control, as her behaviour drastically changes. I loved the original Dickens classic, Tracy was a fun character but I liked the connection to her and Cam the most. Towards the end, I was a little teary for nostalgic reasons. This is fast-paced, with great illustrations throughout. It was lovely to dive back into an old childhood favourite!
May 22, 2024
Honesty, f*ck Carly Beaker
April 4, 2025
این کتاب برایم همزمان زجر و آرامش است؛ آن زمان که کودک بودم و این کتاب را اولین بار خواندم (البته یک مجلد گالینگور بود که نمیدانم قبل از اینها بود یا بعدشان، مهم هم نیست) من هم بیاندازه منتظرِ آمدنِ مادرم بودم و در ذهنم همین بهانههای تریسی بیکری را میساختم و او هم اتفاقاً هیچوقت نیامد. اما خاطرم است که چهقدر با فهمیدنِ اینکه تریسی بیکرهایی مثل من هستند از تنهایی درآمدم. آرامتر شدم. یم نوستالژی غولپیکر برای من.
June 25, 2014
I re-read this book recently because I love Jacqueline Wilson and I thought I'd re-read all of my old books whilst awaiting some new books to arrive. Jacqueline was my idol and I adored every single one of her books growing up, so I knew that I would enjoy this.
Tracy Beaker is the most famous character in Jacqueline Wilson's books. She has a movie adaptation, a series and even an ongoing spinoff set of series' just from Tracy's story. Tracy is loud, aggressive and most of all: she lives in care. She is known for her lies and her stories she tells whenever her mum is mentioned (Tracy claims she is an actress), and with people like Justine Littlewood around (her arch enemy!) Tracy has to find herself believing in her mums acting career to keep her going.
Starring Tracy Beaker, may be the third novel in the collection of Tracy's life, however this book is actually set before the book The Dare Game. It was slightly confusing to me, but I still went with it as you can read them in any order you like. Tracy is still in the care home and she has potential foster mother, Cam, set up. However, Tracy still longs and hopes that her mum would adore her and desire for her as much as Tracy does for her mum. The book is set at the festive time of Christmas and Tracy is picked to perform in the school play, and she is determined that her mum will come to admire her acting skills and whisk her away. However, like all good Jacqueline Wilson books: nothing ever goes to plan and Tracy is left on this path of finding herself and rediscovering her true traits, before being faced with the heartbreaking truth.
The characters in this book, are the same characters we all love. Tracy hasn't changed...much! She is slightly more grown up and goes through phases of caring more, and when the truth hits her she is a lot more grown up and understanding. She takes it rather then hiding it with a warped imaginative story. Cam, Jenny, Mike, Louise, Peter and Justine are thoroughly mentioned, as they are part of Tracy's growing life, and all of them are portrayed beautifully so that you can accept and love each character to your own will. There are a few new characters in this book, however they are mostly teachers and it begins to highlight how some children are treated in their school life, however they are not overly impactive on Tracy's experience in the book, apart from one small time.
Personally, the structure of the book was a little bit all over the place for me. I like to read books with chapters because I use chapters for bookmarked areas where I put the book down. This book: did not have chapters. Not a massive problem, as I still enjoyed the book. And of course, there could be reasons for Jacqueline to have set her book like this. It could be: Tracy's conscious stream of thought or even a semi-journal thing that isn't a diary so it doesn't have to be sectioned off. However, I like the first person perspective and the whole idea of telling a story, as this can be engaging for a younger reader and help them create empathetic feelings towards individual characters.
I think Jacqueline has managed to successfully highlight the life of a care-home living child. She has managed to highlight how a child who feels abandoned would act out and how children homes may not be nasty places, but they are a haunting memory for children who have lived there. Also, she successfully touches on the harsh truth of a parent not wanting a child, and she does it in such a subtle way that you almost feel more towards the character instead of processing the thought of the horrid parent leaving their child behind.
A really lovely book that I think a younger reader would thoroughly enjoy. Although I am not the target audience anymore, I still enjoyed the book.
Tracy Beaker is the most famous character in Jacqueline Wilson's books. She has a movie adaptation, a series and even an ongoing spinoff set of series' just from Tracy's story. Tracy is loud, aggressive and most of all: she lives in care. She is known for her lies and her stories she tells whenever her mum is mentioned (Tracy claims she is an actress), and with people like Justine Littlewood around (her arch enemy!) Tracy has to find herself believing in her mums acting career to keep her going.
Starring Tracy Beaker, may be the third novel in the collection of Tracy's life, however this book is actually set before the book The Dare Game. It was slightly confusing to me, but I still went with it as you can read them in any order you like. Tracy is still in the care home and she has potential foster mother, Cam, set up. However, Tracy still longs and hopes that her mum would adore her and desire for her as much as Tracy does for her mum. The book is set at the festive time of Christmas and Tracy is picked to perform in the school play, and she is determined that her mum will come to admire her acting skills and whisk her away. However, like all good Jacqueline Wilson books: nothing ever goes to plan and Tracy is left on this path of finding herself and rediscovering her true traits, before being faced with the heartbreaking truth.
The characters in this book, are the same characters we all love. Tracy hasn't changed...much! She is slightly more grown up and goes through phases of caring more, and when the truth hits her she is a lot more grown up and understanding. She takes it rather then hiding it with a warped imaginative story. Cam, Jenny, Mike, Louise, Peter and Justine are thoroughly mentioned, as they are part of Tracy's growing life, and all of them are portrayed beautifully so that you can accept and love each character to your own will. There are a few new characters in this book, however they are mostly teachers and it begins to highlight how some children are treated in their school life, however they are not overly impactive on Tracy's experience in the book, apart from one small time.
Personally, the structure of the book was a little bit all over the place for me. I like to read books with chapters because I use chapters for bookmarked areas where I put the book down. This book: did not have chapters. Not a massive problem, as I still enjoyed the book. And of course, there could be reasons for Jacqueline to have set her book like this. It could be: Tracy's conscious stream of thought or even a semi-journal thing that isn't a diary so it doesn't have to be sectioned off. However, I like the first person perspective and the whole idea of telling a story, as this can be engaging for a younger reader and help them create empathetic feelings towards individual characters.
I think Jacqueline has managed to successfully highlight the life of a care-home living child. She has managed to highlight how a child who feels abandoned would act out and how children homes may not be nasty places, but they are a haunting memory for children who have lived there. Also, she successfully touches on the harsh truth of a parent not wanting a child, and she does it in such a subtle way that you almost feel more towards the character instead of processing the thought of the horrid parent leaving their child behind.
A really lovely book that I think a younger reader would thoroughly enjoy. Although I am not the target audience anymore, I still enjoyed the book.
July 2, 2013
Jacqueline Wilson (named the Children’s Laureate 2005 – 2007) continues her string of successful children’s books by introducing one about a young girl called Tracy Beaker.
‘Starring Tracy Beaker’ is not the first book written by Wilson that stars this young character. Tracy Beaker has become a popular story book series worldwide and has also become a successful hit TV show.
Tracy Beaker, while still living in the care home for looked after children (as she calls it, the ‘dumping ground’) decides she wants to take part in the school play. Excitingly, the school play this term is ‘A Christmas Carol’. Tracy is desperate to get a starring role in the play so that her mum can hopefully come and watch and be proud of her daughter. To her amazement, Tracy gets the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. She is ecstatic! All she longs for now is for her mum to be able to come and watch her perform. Will she turn up?
During rehearsals, Tracy gets in to trouble by having an altercation with another student who picks on her for not having a mum at home. It now becomes an issue if she will even be allowed to star in the play or not.
‘Starring Tracy Beaker’ is a fantastically written children’s book. I particularly enjoyed the way that Wilson portrayed this young girl in a way that can relate to other young girls at this age. The way this book has been written is as if we were looking through the eyes of this young girl on her journey through life. Furthermore, I found the nicknames the teachers and the fellow classmates were given humorous (one nickname was Justine Dog-Breath-Snake-Tongue-Baboon-Bottom Littlewood). The little addition of hand-drawn images also helped it relate to the story as it felt as if I was reading Tracy’s diary and she was doodling on the page as she wrote. The way this was done made me care for the little girl and want everything to work out for her.
This is definitely one for the girls. In particular, I would say for the age range of 7-11. For the older students, they would understand the little tongue in cheek remarks that are made throughout the story. In addition, they could pick out the clever use of adjectives and metaphors used throughout and hopefully incorporate them in their own writing. As for the younger girls, they can start to develop ways of empathising with a character in a story and understand the hardships that face this young character and suggest what they would do if they were in her situation.
Even when times are hard and you feel you have nobody, there is always someone looking out for you, be that at home or at school.
‘Starring Tracy Beaker’ is definitely one for independent reading. This story would also benefit PSHE lessons dealing with issues surrounding bullying, friendship and working as a team.
‘Starring Tracy Beaker’ is not the first book written by Wilson that stars this young character. Tracy Beaker has become a popular story book series worldwide and has also become a successful hit TV show.
Tracy Beaker, while still living in the care home for looked after children (as she calls it, the ‘dumping ground’) decides she wants to take part in the school play. Excitingly, the school play this term is ‘A Christmas Carol’. Tracy is desperate to get a starring role in the play so that her mum can hopefully come and watch and be proud of her daughter. To her amazement, Tracy gets the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. She is ecstatic! All she longs for now is for her mum to be able to come and watch her perform. Will she turn up?
During rehearsals, Tracy gets in to trouble by having an altercation with another student who picks on her for not having a mum at home. It now becomes an issue if she will even be allowed to star in the play or not.
‘Starring Tracy Beaker’ is a fantastically written children’s book. I particularly enjoyed the way that Wilson portrayed this young girl in a way that can relate to other young girls at this age. The way this book has been written is as if we were looking through the eyes of this young girl on her journey through life. Furthermore, I found the nicknames the teachers and the fellow classmates were given humorous (one nickname was Justine Dog-Breath-Snake-Tongue-Baboon-Bottom Littlewood). The little addition of hand-drawn images also helped it relate to the story as it felt as if I was reading Tracy’s diary and she was doodling on the page as she wrote. The way this was done made me care for the little girl and want everything to work out for her.
This is definitely one for the girls. In particular, I would say for the age range of 7-11. For the older students, they would understand the little tongue in cheek remarks that are made throughout the story. In addition, they could pick out the clever use of adjectives and metaphors used throughout and hopefully incorporate them in their own writing. As for the younger girls, they can start to develop ways of empathising with a character in a story and understand the hardships that face this young character and suggest what they would do if they were in her situation.
Even when times are hard and you feel you have nobody, there is always someone looking out for you, be that at home or at school.
‘Starring Tracy Beaker’ is definitely one for independent reading. This story would also benefit PSHE lessons dealing with issues surrounding bullying, friendship and working as a team.
February 6, 2021
A cosy read, I think my favourite so far, another nostalgic book and I liked that the writing has aged better than the previous books and reflects the characters age too.
January 20, 2023
jacqueline wilson books are so nostalgic 😭
March 29, 2019
“Cam was still browsing in the fiction, her nose in a book, her whole expression one of yearning. I knew she couldn’t afford all the books she wanted. She saids he often spent ten or twenty minutes in the shop reading a book before putting it back reluctantly. Once she’d even marked her place with a bus ticket so she could sidle back the next day – and the next and the next and the next – until she’d finished the whole story”
SYNOPSIS:
Tracy is back, and is just the same. Wild, free, argumentative, and deeply kind. Tracy is battling stardom; having won the lead role in the A Christmas Carol she has to fight to learn her lines, maintain her temper, and hope above all else that her mum will come through for her this time.
REVIEW:
I loved Tracy Beaker as a child, and I adore her even more as an adult. I love that I grew up watching the show, and so now when I read it, I can imagine the characters as I read. I think it’s important to remember when reading these books, that us adults aren’t the target audiences, so voting them low because you don’t like them as adults, isn’t really a true reflection of the book. That said, I absolutely loved it so it’s five stars for me.
I think as a child I didn’t really understand the complex emotions that Tracy would be feeling; she’s been abandoned by her mum and dumped in a care home, and constantly gets let down by her. Honestly my heart just goes out to Tracy whenever I read a book about her; she’s brumming with anger, but is also so thoughtful and kind, she just buries that deep.
This was a lovely easy read. Dipping back into my childhood nostalgia is always fun, and it always makes me happy. Watching Tracy being angry with Louise for finding a new best friend, hating Justine for having that relationship with her dad, and bonding with Cam ♡ is honestly just everything. I love the relationship between Tracy and Cam; Tracy so desperately wants to be part of a proper family, but is also terrified of being hurt – so she holds Cam at arms length. OHH and the relationship between Tracy and Peter is just adorable. I LOVE that he is the one to start the petition, and he is the one to round everyone up and get them to help Tracy clean. Honestly adore it. I wish we had more of this on the show.
I honestly can’t think of anything bad to say about this story; I want to collect all of the Tracy Beaker books and stack them on my shelf. The illustrations in this book are perfect and just perfectly encapsulate the story. The story is well-paced and for me there was never a dull moment. Wilson is amazing at writing books for the children; she introduces important life lessons but not in a patronising way. I loved her as a child, and I love her now.
SYNOPSIS:
Tracy is back, and is just the same. Wild, free, argumentative, and deeply kind. Tracy is battling stardom; having won the lead role in the A Christmas Carol she has to fight to learn her lines, maintain her temper, and hope above all else that her mum will come through for her this time.
REVIEW:
I loved Tracy Beaker as a child, and I adore her even more as an adult. I love that I grew up watching the show, and so now when I read it, I can imagine the characters as I read. I think it’s important to remember when reading these books, that us adults aren’t the target audiences, so voting them low because you don’t like them as adults, isn’t really a true reflection of the book. That said, I absolutely loved it so it’s five stars for me.
I think as a child I didn’t really understand the complex emotions that Tracy would be feeling; she’s been abandoned by her mum and dumped in a care home, and constantly gets let down by her. Honestly my heart just goes out to Tracy whenever I read a book about her; she’s brumming with anger, but is also so thoughtful and kind, she just buries that deep.
This was a lovely easy read. Dipping back into my childhood nostalgia is always fun, and it always makes me happy. Watching Tracy being angry with Louise for finding a new best friend, hating Justine for having that relationship with her dad, and bonding with Cam ♡ is honestly just everything. I love the relationship between Tracy and Cam; Tracy so desperately wants to be part of a proper family, but is also terrified of being hurt – so she holds Cam at arms length. OHH and the relationship between Tracy and Peter is just adorable. I LOVE that he is the one to start the petition, and he is the one to round everyone up and get them to help Tracy clean. Honestly adore it. I wish we had more of this on the show.
I honestly can’t think of anything bad to say about this story; I want to collect all of the Tracy Beaker books and stack them on my shelf. The illustrations in this book are perfect and just perfectly encapsulate the story. The story is well-paced and for me there was never a dull moment. Wilson is amazing at writing books for the children; she introduces important life lessons but not in a patronising way. I loved her as a child, and I love her now.
December 14, 2020
Class reading
June 25, 2025
Nice book
June 6, 2020
Tracy Beaker books have a tendency to make me cry - and this one did it again, great book with a lot of heart <3
January 17, 2022
I love the Tracy beaker series, and this maintains the high standards. Kids (aged 8 and 11) both loved it too. A bit of hay fever at the end. Would highly recommend.
February 1, 2021
I found this novel in a book exchange box outside of a charity shop ten minutes away from my home. It has been a real pleasure dropping off used books and checking which ones have been taken, allowing my imagination to run wild about who has them, where they're reading them and most importantly if they enjoy them! In fact, I have dropped off many more than I have picked up but this book was a delightful gem! I am so pleased that I read it and hope that the next person to pick it up will enjoy it as much as I did!
It is the third book in the series but is a prequel to "The Dare Game" and explores the budding relationship that Tracey develops with Cam before getting fostered. It follows Tracey and the rest of the children from the "Dumping Ground" as the new Christmas play is being developed and performed. Unsurprisingly, loveable drama-queen Tracey Beaker lands the main part of Scrooge. She wants to get this role perfect because she wants to perform especially for her mum who has promised that she will visit for Christmas via a postcard. Yet, lovers of this series will know that she is completely unreliable; the most heart wrenching scenes of this book, are of Tracey spending all of her money to get her presents only to be disappointed by her yet again.
The novel is structured in a similar way to " A Christmas Carol" because it explores Tracey's life in the past and present because readers of the series already know her future. It documents a time of her maturing and understanding who loves her, as such, she is able to take hardships on the chin without losing her tenper completely and begins to develop thoughtfulness and empathy As an adult, the series seems much sadder because Jacqueline Wilson cleverly evokes the damage caused by childhood abandonment and how it feed into the everyday behaviours and emotions of all of the children in the "Dumping Ground" . As always, Wilson's characterisation is as strong as her plot and adults and children alike will feel emotionally impacted by this rollercoaster contemporary read. It was fantastic
It is the third book in the series but is a prequel to "The Dare Game" and explores the budding relationship that Tracey develops with Cam before getting fostered. It follows Tracey and the rest of the children from the "Dumping Ground" as the new Christmas play is being developed and performed. Unsurprisingly, loveable drama-queen Tracey Beaker lands the main part of Scrooge. She wants to get this role perfect because she wants to perform especially for her mum who has promised that she will visit for Christmas via a postcard. Yet, lovers of this series will know that she is completely unreliable; the most heart wrenching scenes of this book, are of Tracey spending all of her money to get her presents only to be disappointed by her yet again.
The novel is structured in a similar way to " A Christmas Carol" because it explores Tracey's life in the past and present because readers of the series already know her future. It documents a time of her maturing and understanding who loves her, as such, she is able to take hardships on the chin without losing her tenper completely and begins to develop thoughtfulness and empathy As an adult, the series seems much sadder because Jacqueline Wilson cleverly evokes the damage caused by childhood abandonment and how it feed into the everyday behaviours and emotions of all of the children in the "Dumping Ground" . As always, Wilson's characterisation is as strong as her plot and adults and children alike will feel emotionally impacted by this rollercoaster contemporary read. It was fantastic
June 6, 2018
Cheeky Tracy is still up to her usual mischief of getting into trouble but also having fun as she is set to play Scrooge in her schools play. With her heart set on her mum coming and seeing her perform, she practises with Cam and even goes Christmas shopping for gifts for her mum.
Only at school when wound up by Justine, she finds herself in a fight and getting axed from the play!
As Tracy is so upset, we see how she comes with her punishment for misbehaving whilst also finding the error of her ways and setting about doing her punishment which just may get her her dream role back of she works hard enough.
We see how her and Cam spend Christmas and also how they get up to typical winter activities like shopping, ice skating and eating lots of yummy food!
This is a fun filled book showing just how Tracy is in school and how she's settled into life with Cam whilst still hoping for her mum to come back too. Many foster children would keep up hope especially at Christmas and it's great to see Tracy find a passion in her acting in the play.
Only at school when wound up by Justine, she finds herself in a fight and getting axed from the play!
As Tracy is so upset, we see how she comes with her punishment for misbehaving whilst also finding the error of her ways and setting about doing her punishment which just may get her her dream role back of she works hard enough.
We see how her and Cam spend Christmas and also how they get up to typical winter activities like shopping, ice skating and eating lots of yummy food!
This is a fun filled book showing just how Tracy is in school and how she's settled into life with Cam whilst still hoping for her mum to come back too. Many foster children would keep up hope especially at Christmas and it's great to see Tracy find a passion in her acting in the play.
January 30, 2014
Dame Jacqueline Wilson (a very deserved title!) is, in my opinion, the best contemporary children's writer. She writes perfectly, in content, theme, style and accessibility for children from aged 6 to 13 (ish - of course this varies among children). She writes flawlessly for children, I could not find a single fault.
She is never patronizing and introduces young people to important life issues such as love, poverty, friendship, adolescence, separated parents, illnesses and so much more, in a manner that is accessible and completely appropriate for young people.
Children challenge themselves with their reading skills as the lexis and syntax are by no means 'easy' but are happy to do so as the plots and characters are so engaging.
A fantastic writer, whom I am sure instilled my love of reading and fiction from a young age.
She is never patronizing and introduces young people to important life issues such as love, poverty, friendship, adolescence, separated parents, illnesses and so much more, in a manner that is accessible and completely appropriate for young people.
Children challenge themselves with their reading skills as the lexis and syntax are by no means 'easy' but are happy to do so as the plots and characters are so engaging.
A fantastic writer, whom I am sure instilled my love of reading and fiction from a young age.
August 26, 2014
Very Good! Some points were a bit confusing but I would encourage you too read it! :)
May 30, 2015
My favourite from Jacqueline Wilson. Tracy Beaker was the girl that everyone at that age wanted to befriend. She's stubby, funny and cute. This book is my childhood wrapped up in a bundle of pages.
October 23, 2017
Olivia has enjoyed this Tracey Beaker book after discovering the Tv version xx
October 21, 2025
Starring Tracy Beaker was exactly the light, funny, and easy read I needed to break out of my slump! It was instantly engaging, and I found myself having a good laugh right off the bat. It served its purpose perfectly as an enjoyable, quick escape. I initially thought this was going to be a 5-star read, but ultimately, the protagonist’s behavior led to a slight disappointment, pushing my final rating to 3.5 stars.
The Tracy Beaker Problem (and Why It Pissed Me Off)
Around page 95, my enjoyment took a sharp turn into frustration. While Tracy's fire is part of her appeal, her behavior became truly exasperating. She came across as incredibly entitled, disrespectful, and ungrateful, leaning heavily into her anger issues and a pervasive victim complex. There were moments where she genuinely pissed me off! Her constant need to push a "delulu" (delusional) reality about her mother often eclipsed her ability to see the good things right in front of her.
The Saving Grace: Side Characters and Adult Grace
What absolutely saved this book for me were the side characters and the incredible patience of the adults. I have huge respect for the way the grown-ups handled Tracy's rage and envy, especially Cam, the teachers, and the staff at the Dumping Ground. Their ability to manage her outbursts and constant demanding nature with such grace and unwavering care highlighted just how lucky Tracy is. These surrounding figures, who genuinely wanted the best for her, are the heroes of this story.
A Moment of Truth
I deeply appreciated the moments toward the end where Tracy finally had to "get real" with herself. Her tears and admission that she could be hurt were crucial. It allowed her to break out of that "delulu" bubble and actually look around to see the love and support she had, leading her to reconnect with her peers.
Ultimately, this story isn't about a complete change of attitude, but a vital shift in perception. Tracy moves away from pinning all her life choices and happiness on the illusion of her mother and finally sees that she is loved and valued by many people apart from that fantasy. This small, yet significant, growth makes the difficult journey worthwhile.
Overall: A fun, quick read anchored by strong supporting characters, even if the protagonist tested my patience! Would you agree that Tracy's entitlement is often a key feature of her character in the whole series?
The Tracy Beaker Problem (and Why It Pissed Me Off)
Around page 95, my enjoyment took a sharp turn into frustration. While Tracy's fire is part of her appeal, her behavior became truly exasperating. She came across as incredibly entitled, disrespectful, and ungrateful, leaning heavily into her anger issues and a pervasive victim complex. There were moments where she genuinely pissed me off! Her constant need to push a "delulu" (delusional) reality about her mother often eclipsed her ability to see the good things right in front of her.
The Saving Grace: Side Characters and Adult Grace
What absolutely saved this book for me were the side characters and the incredible patience of the adults. I have huge respect for the way the grown-ups handled Tracy's rage and envy, especially Cam, the teachers, and the staff at the Dumping Ground. Their ability to manage her outbursts and constant demanding nature with such grace and unwavering care highlighted just how lucky Tracy is. These surrounding figures, who genuinely wanted the best for her, are the heroes of this story.
A Moment of Truth
I deeply appreciated the moments toward the end where Tracy finally had to "get real" with herself. Her tears and admission that she could be hurt were crucial. It allowed her to break out of that "delulu" bubble and actually look around to see the love and support she had, leading her to reconnect with her peers.
Ultimately, this story isn't about a complete change of attitude, but a vital shift in perception. Tracy moves away from pinning all her life choices and happiness on the illusion of her mother and finally sees that she is loved and valued by many people apart from that fantasy. This small, yet significant, growth makes the difficult journey worthwhile.
Overall: A fun, quick read anchored by strong supporting characters, even if the protagonist tested my patience! Would you agree that Tracy's entitlement is often a key feature of her character in the whole series?
November 24, 2025
this is my favourite tracy beaker story. i first read this in my copy of The Tracy Beaker Trilogy by Jacqueline Wilson (24-May-2012) Paperback and because it was in the middle i spent a good ten years thinking this took place between the story of tracy beaker and the dare game. and it made sense too, how the illustrations seemed to progress -- but what i really remember this story for is the shockingly bittersweet feeling this has, and as i get older, it's just the gift that keeps on giving:
tracy bringing ebenezer scrooge to life. her and cam shopping but tracy exclusively buying presents for her mum so she'll be ready to come see her act. her and cam making the potion to be with a loved one for Christmas and both actually getting their wish. tracy losing her role as scrooge and peter coming in clutch for her with his petition. tracy's mum making a no-show again and never seeing her daughter shine so bright. tracy and cam's cozy two-person Christmas day together always makes me smile.
tracy bringing ebenezer scrooge to life. her and cam shopping but tracy exclusively buying presents for her mum so she'll be ready to come see her act. her and cam making the potion to be with a loved one for Christmas and both actually getting their wish. tracy losing her role as scrooge and peter coming in clutch for her with his petition. tracy's mum making a no-show again and never seeing her daughter shine so bright. tracy and cam's cozy two-person Christmas day together always makes me smile.
September 17, 2021
This is really #2 in the series, and still finds Tracy living in "The Dumping Ground" children's home with weedy Peter and horrible Justine. Tracy wants to be in the class play of "The Christmas Carol," and is awarded the starring role of Scrooge. Being Tracy, she bosses everyone else around and gets into a fight which leads to the Head banning her from the play. She has not only learned Scrooge's lines, but everyone else's too! Peter shows what a true friend he is by starting a petition to regain her role, in spite of Tracy's over-the-top behaviour on losing the role. Tracy is a wonderful creation, lovable, funny, cynical and yet totally convinced that her mother is coming to the play and taking her back in spite of years of neglect. Tracy is a poignant figure, brutally honest and yet misguided and convinced that her mother will come for her. The summary of The Christmas Carol play alone is worth the price of admission! The whole series is a must read!
September 30, 2018
I bought this because a new book is being released Called "My Mum Tracy Beaker" and I realised I have never read this one.
This book takes place in the dumping ground between the end of the first book and the end of the second book. Tracy has an ambition of performing a main part in the school play and really wants her mum to see her show.
I enjoyed this and thought it was good addition to the Tracy Beaker story. The other two books were childhood favourites and Jacqueline Wilson was one of the authors that first got me to read more. As always parts of it are very gritty and other parts very funny. Wilson has a brilliant way of writing about important issues for children without patronising them or making it too traumatic.
I am looking forward to finding out what she does with the new book.
This book takes place in the dumping ground between the end of the first book and the end of the second book. Tracy has an ambition of performing a main part in the school play and really wants her mum to see her show.
I enjoyed this and thought it was good addition to the Tracy Beaker story. The other two books were childhood favourites and Jacqueline Wilson was one of the authors that first got me to read more. As always parts of it are very gritty and other parts very funny. Wilson has a brilliant way of writing about important issues for children without patronising them or making it too traumatic.
I am looking forward to finding out what she does with the new book.
April 21, 2021
Moc hezká knížka. Tohle pokračování série o Tracy Beakerové mě bavilo. Tracy se nezměnila a zůstala pořád stejná. Za ty čtyři díly, co jsem přečetla, mi celkem přirostla k srdci. Je mi jí moc líto. Nejvíce líto mi jí bylo, když za ní na to představení nepřijela ta její máma. Tajně jsem i s Tracy doufala, že možná doopravdy přijede, i když jsem byla více přesvědčená o tom, že se to zřejmě nestane. Strašně jsem taky byla naštvaná na tu ředitelku, když jí zakázala hrát v tom představení, přitom za tu nešťastnou událost ani nemohla. Ale Tracy prostě nežaluje. Naštěstí se to potom vyřešilo. Je vtipné, jak vždycky Tracy tvrdí, že NIKDY nebrečí, jenom občas dostává záchvat senné rýmy. Vánoce byly celkem dojemné, hlavně, jak se Mandy tak snažila. Knížky od téhle autorky jsou jedinečné a neuvěřitelně čtivé, proto jsem si ji taky tak oblíbila.
September 17, 2020
Very well written, reading this makes me realise why a whole generation took to heart the character of Tracy Beaker. She is so fierce but also so witty. Her vocabulary is superb, she is so obviously an intelligent child yet sadly one who is overwhelmed with feelings of inadequacy. She deep down knows that her fantasies about her mum are just that, fantasies, yet she resolutely hangs on to them, even if it alienates the people in her life who do truly care for her.
This is a nice story, it is nice to read about some more Dumping Ground escapades, but I would rather have seen the character of Tracy grown up and develop more after the events of The Dare Game.
This is a nice story, it is nice to read about some more Dumping Ground escapades, but I would rather have seen the character of Tracy grown up and develop more after the events of The Dare Game.
November 13, 2021
This is a cute little short story following Tracy Beaker in her preparations for the school Christmas play, and the potential for her mum to be in the audience to see her.
There’s a lot in any story about Tracy Beaker that is quite formulaic and repetitive from other stories, but that fits in to the fact that these stories are written as if they are the diary entries for a young girl in care.
And seeing her go up against the people around her is actually an eye opening experience for looking into how young children in care do see the world.
Plus the fact that the story is set around a Christmas play really helped to get me into the festive spirit.
There’s a lot in any story about Tracy Beaker that is quite formulaic and repetitive from other stories, but that fits in to the fact that these stories are written as if they are the diary entries for a young girl in care.
And seeing her go up against the people around her is actually an eye opening experience for looking into how young children in care do see the world.
Plus the fact that the story is set around a Christmas play really helped to get me into the festive spirit.
December 6, 2017
I really regret being peer-pressured out of reading these books as a young boy, because I connect with the character so much. Tracy is the dreamer in us all, and the inner voice of frustration at the world. She is also the epitomatic unreliable narrator, casting doubt on whether reality really is as true as we take it. But as closure, she does to a degree come to terms with reality, so that by the end, she and we come to appreciate her situation as a dream come true in its own way.
I strangely had a bout of hay fever at the end.
I strangely had a bout of hay fever at the end.
May 23, 2019
It is quite good actually.I liked that the writer shows how Tracy acts most of the time like a total pain but sometimes when nobody is seeing she gets her emotions out.It really touched my heart because I felt she is describing me maybe most of us because after all we all show ourselves strong and no-caring people cuz this is life you must play hard but then whenever we have the chance we show our real selves. I liked Tracy so much and I liked how Cam was such an understanding person I think every child should read this book.
April 26, 2021
I said this in another review for the dare game, but I've always thought that Tracey is portrayed as a selfish self-centered bully, who is constantly complaining about all the materialistic things she can't have, and tantrums every time she can't get her own way or isn't the centre of attention. She is also constantly bullying Peter, another child in the care home, and it makes her quite a dislikeable character.
You do end up feeling bad for her though when she waits for her mum to call or come and see her and she never does.
You do end up feeling bad for her though when she waits for her mum to call or come and see her and she never does.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2019
Festive shenanigans are the order of the day with Tracy Beaker and the crew at the Dumping Ground. Tracy’s usually bulldozer style of getting what she wants (starring in the nativity play at school) leads to some very funny situations. But is she any good? Love the illustrations by Nick Sharratt, why can’t adult books have them too!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews