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Megan #1
Megan
Megan is fifteen. One day she finds out in the worst possible way, the worst possible news - she is pregnant. What will she do? How will her friends react? How will her ex-boyfriend react? How will her mum react? How would YOU react? Should Megan keep this baby? In this thought-provoking story, Megan tries to make sense of something that, whichever way she turns, will change her life - forever. A gripping, realistic tale that deals sensitively and compassionately with the controversial issue of teenage pregnancy and the tough decisions one girl is forced to make.
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First published January 1, 1999
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About the author
Mary Hooper
164 books289 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
British children's and young adult author Mary Hooper was born in 1944, in Barnes, then in Surrey, nowadays in South West London. She left school at fifteen, and went to work as a window dresser, and then as a secretary. She eventually returned to school, as an adult student, earning a degree in English from Reading University. Hooper began her writing career with short stories, publishing in women's and teen magazines. Her first book, Jodie, was published in 1978. She is married, has two children, and one grandchild, and lives in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire.
British children's and young adult author Mary Hooper was born in 1944, in Barnes, then in Surrey, nowadays in South West London. She left school at fifteen, and went to work as a window dresser, and then as a secretary. She eventually returned to school, as an adult student, earning a degree in English from Reading University. Hooper began her writing career with short stories, publishing in women's and teen magazines. Her first book, Jodie, was published in 1978. She is married, has two children, and one grandchild, and lives in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 1, 2016
5 Words: Pregnant, bullying, alone, family, love.
Poor Megan.
I didn't like her much in the first few chapters - if I had read only those first glimpses of her, and hadn't persisted, I probably wouldn't have finished.
But I loved this book ten years ago, and I knew there had to be a reason for it so I continued. It's because you really get into Megan's head and you begin to understand everything. You really start to feel for her.
The relationship between Megan and her mother is a little poisonous - they both wind each other up and bring out the worst of each of them. Lorna was great, and her story was so sad.
That ending... If only I had the second book! I want to read on.
Poor Megan.
I didn't like her much in the first few chapters - if I had read only those first glimpses of her, and hadn't persisted, I probably wouldn't have finished.
But I loved this book ten years ago, and I knew there had to be a reason for it so I continued. It's because you really get into Megan's head and you begin to understand everything. You really start to feel for her.
The relationship between Megan and her mother is a little poisonous - they both wind each other up and bring out the worst of each of them. Lorna was great, and her story was so sad.
That ending... If only I had the second book! I want to read on.
June 16, 2020
I first read Megan - Mary Hooper when I was a young teen at school. I absolutely loved the series back then and was pleased to find the series in the school I now work in. I couldn't resist reading the series again! I read quite a lot of books surrounding the topic of Teenage Pregnancy whilst I was at school come to think of it. I must have concerned a few people at some point! My friends definitely thought I would be the first to have a baby but alas, that is not the case.
Megan really gets into the head of our main character and her thought processes. We don't just read about a teenage girl falling pregnant. We read about her shock of finding out, her lack of knowledge surrounding the topic of sexual intercourse, contraception and pregnancy (which just highlights the need for much improved Personal and Social Education in schools, even now), her confusion throughout the pregnancy, her panic and fear about different things and of course, her thoughts, feelings and fears about possibly being single teenage mother. I really enjoyed the first person narrative as we really get to know Megan and watch her mature and grow as a person as the story progresses.
I still really enjoyed reading this book a good 10 years later than I first read it and I will be reading the rest of the series too!
Megan really gets into the head of our main character and her thought processes. We don't just read about a teenage girl falling pregnant. We read about her shock of finding out, her lack of knowledge surrounding the topic of sexual intercourse, contraception and pregnancy (which just highlights the need for much improved Personal and Social Education in schools, even now), her confusion throughout the pregnancy, her panic and fear about different things and of course, her thoughts, feelings and fears about possibly being single teenage mother. I really enjoyed the first person narrative as we really get to know Megan and watch her mature and grow as a person as the story progresses.
I still really enjoyed reading this book a good 10 years later than I first read it and I will be reading the rest of the series too!
June 17, 2011
It’s been years since I last read the Megan books. But for some reason I felt like revisiting them and so I searched them out on my bookcase. I think the first Megan book was one of the first teenage books that I really fell in love with.
I really love the way in which Megan is written. Mary Hooper allows the reader to get inside fifteen year old Megan’s head and to get a genuine idea of the thoughts, feelings and emotions that come from being pregnant at such a young age along with everything that happens to her as a result (the reactions of those around her, exclusion and being sent away). At times I felt the reaction from Megan’s mum was rather over the top and too harsh – reading it now as an adult I felt angry towards Megan’s mum and would have liked to have slapped her and given Megan a cuddle. Although as a young teen the reaction probably would have scared me a little which may have been the point. Which could also be detrimental as it may have put some girls off telling their own mums if they were in Megan’s situation.
One thing that I probably would change about the book is to have included the letters written to Megan during the time she spent with her aunt rather than just being able to read the letters Megan sent in response. But that is just a minor quibble. I do think it was a very good way of being able to pass time in the novel.
Another thing that I think the book maybe could have benefitted from is perhaps they could have shown Megan’s reaction to things such as having her first scan (and seeing the baby) along with maybe how she found antenatal classes and the like as the book doesn’t really touch on these aspects of pregnancy.
I really love the way in which Megan is written. Mary Hooper allows the reader to get inside fifteen year old Megan’s head and to get a genuine idea of the thoughts, feelings and emotions that come from being pregnant at such a young age along with everything that happens to her as a result (the reactions of those around her, exclusion and being sent away). At times I felt the reaction from Megan’s mum was rather over the top and too harsh – reading it now as an adult I felt angry towards Megan’s mum and would have liked to have slapped her and given Megan a cuddle. Although as a young teen the reaction probably would have scared me a little which may have been the point. Which could also be detrimental as it may have put some girls off telling their own mums if they were in Megan’s situation.
One thing that I probably would change about the book is to have included the letters written to Megan during the time she spent with her aunt rather than just being able to read the letters Megan sent in response. But that is just a minor quibble. I do think it was a very good way of being able to pass time in the novel.
Another thing that I think the book maybe could have benefitted from is perhaps they could have shown Megan’s reaction to things such as having her first scan (and seeing the baby) along with maybe how she found antenatal classes and the like as the book doesn’t really touch on these aspects of pregnancy.
June 20, 2011
Wow I read this book when I was 14 and it defenety opened my eyes and made me think. This book is every teenage girl and for every young mum to be. This book prepares you for how life will change when you have a baby. Unfortunately, in this case Megan was only 15 when she found out she was pregnant.
December 15, 2017
I first read this book back when I was in high school, I'd never read a book based on pregnancy and this was a novel subject within fiction. I love the way in which Mary Hooper approaches the subject, making it easy to follow with her simplistic writing style.
We follow a 15-year-old girl, Megan, who is in her final year(s) of high school. She finds out she is five months pregnant, after having sex with her older ex-boyfriend, during a personal development tutorial with the pastoral care teacher. After two pregnancy tests confirming Megan's fears, we follow her journey into motherhood.
We see what it is really like to be 15 and pregnant, Megan becomes the subject of humiliation in school. She becomes isolated and no-one wants anything to do with her. Megan's mother is a single working parent who is disappointed with Megan's news to begin with. We soon discover that her Auntie, an easy-going character is more than happy to support Megan through the highs and lows of her pregnancy after being sent to a specialist school for teenage mothers.
I loved how raw and realistic the topic of teenage pregnancy appears in the book, showing the reader how isolated and confusing pregnancy can be. We also find that Megan's ex, Luke, does not want to live up to his mistake, and how Megan's friends aren't who she thought they were.
This book is a very good stepping stone into more serious literature for younger readers who are ready to make that step from child fiction to young adult literature.
We follow a 15-year-old girl, Megan, who is in her final year(s) of high school. She finds out she is five months pregnant, after having sex with her older ex-boyfriend, during a personal development tutorial with the pastoral care teacher. After two pregnancy tests confirming Megan's fears, we follow her journey into motherhood.
We see what it is really like to be 15 and pregnant, Megan becomes the subject of humiliation in school. She becomes isolated and no-one wants anything to do with her. Megan's mother is a single working parent who is disappointed with Megan's news to begin with. We soon discover that her Auntie, an easy-going character is more than happy to support Megan through the highs and lows of her pregnancy after being sent to a specialist school for teenage mothers.
I loved how raw and realistic the topic of teenage pregnancy appears in the book, showing the reader how isolated and confusing pregnancy can be. We also find that Megan's ex, Luke, does not want to live up to his mistake, and how Megan's friends aren't who she thought they were.
This book is a very good stepping stone into more serious literature for younger readers who are ready to make that step from child fiction to young adult literature.
August 5, 2017
Lo ammetto: me la sono cercata. Non che mi aspettassi chissà che storia, ma avendo cominciato presto a fare figli spesso leggo storie di questo tipo, perché fanno parte di me. La prima parte è stata carina: la presa di coscienza del fatto, le ripercussioni di questo nella vita di un’adolescente, i dubbi. La seconda parte, piena di lettere a genitori, amici e assistenti sociali l’ho trovata piuttosto soporifera. Il finale ha senso, ma è stato tirato via con la velocità del fulmine e ogni situazione a cui la protagonista va incontro (zia fantastica a parte) è totalmente e assurdamente sgradevole. Non lo consiglierei.
March 2, 2020
This was an amazing book about a 15 year old girl that becomes pregnant, she has to get it adopted and gets sent to her aunts lorna, but will she change her mind when she has her baby??
October 10, 2023
Read it when I was around the same age as the main character. Was a departure from my usual, but I remember enjoying it.
July 25, 2024
First proper book I read, will always hold a special place ❤️
May 24, 2025
read as a child - approx '09-'12
July 20, 2009
During a Personal Development lesson that was talks about female reproduction, periods, the pill, and how it all works out, the teacher says something that will change 15-year-old Megan’s life. Of course, it is possible be pregnant and still have periods.
From that point on, everything changes for Megan, because she finds out she’s five months pregnant. How did this happen? What is she going to do? What will the father say? What will her Mum say?
This book is pretty good! It focuses mainly on Megan and how she’s thinking and feeling, and what she’s going to do, and less so on what happens to her physically, but it was good! You have no idea how often I wanted to slap her Mum. She was so nasty, insulting and unsupportive, it was just so awful. Reading this book as a 22-year-old, I wanted to give Megan a hug and knock her Mum’s lights out, but if I had read this book at 15, or maybe younger, it would probably have scared me. It could work that young readers may decide to be extra careful because they wouldn’t want their mothers talking to and treating them like that. It was awful.
Claire, Megan’s best friend, also needs a slap. She enjoyed the drama of it all, and didn’t think enough about Megan’s feelings. It was because of her that everyone at school found out and treated her so horribly. She kept pestering Megan about what she was going to do, and had she told her Mum, she just wasn’t helping at all.
I liked how we got to read the conversations with the social worker, Susie. Through those conversations, everything was explained bout what Megan’s options were; keeping the baby or having it adopted, and what either choice would mean for her as she is 15. Not only does Megan get this information, but so does the young adult reader. I thought it was clever.
I think it would have been better if there was more on what happened at antenatal classes and doctors appointments. It would have been cool to see how Megan reacted on seeing her first scan, and all these other things. However, Megan’s feelings on being pregnant were brilliantly portrayed.
"I’d have given anything to have my own room. I really needed it now; I felt the need to pace about, to shout, rock backwards and forwards and generally cry, yell and make a fuss about what happened to me. And another part of me wanted to get right inside myself and be quiet, try and sort things out in my head."
P 29
There were no sex scenes in the book, as it happened before the book started, but it’s a pretty good story that deals with an outcome of unprotected sex. Over all, Megan is a pretty good book, and maybe good as an introduction to the topic for younger readers. I liked it.
From that point on, everything changes for Megan, because she finds out she’s five months pregnant. How did this happen? What is she going to do? What will the father say? What will her Mum say?
This book is pretty good! It focuses mainly on Megan and how she’s thinking and feeling, and what she’s going to do, and less so on what happens to her physically, but it was good! You have no idea how often I wanted to slap her Mum. She was so nasty, insulting and unsupportive, it was just so awful. Reading this book as a 22-year-old, I wanted to give Megan a hug and knock her Mum’s lights out, but if I had read this book at 15, or maybe younger, it would probably have scared me. It could work that young readers may decide to be extra careful because they wouldn’t want their mothers talking to and treating them like that. It was awful.
Claire, Megan’s best friend, also needs a slap. She enjoyed the drama of it all, and didn’t think enough about Megan’s feelings. It was because of her that everyone at school found out and treated her so horribly. She kept pestering Megan about what she was going to do, and had she told her Mum, she just wasn’t helping at all.
I liked how we got to read the conversations with the social worker, Susie. Through those conversations, everything was explained bout what Megan’s options were; keeping the baby or having it adopted, and what either choice would mean for her as she is 15. Not only does Megan get this information, but so does the young adult reader. I thought it was clever.
I think it would have been better if there was more on what happened at antenatal classes and doctors appointments. It would have been cool to see how Megan reacted on seeing her first scan, and all these other things. However, Megan’s feelings on being pregnant were brilliantly portrayed.
"I’d have given anything to have my own room. I really needed it now; I felt the need to pace about, to shout, rock backwards and forwards and generally cry, yell and make a fuss about what happened to me. And another part of me wanted to get right inside myself and be quiet, try and sort things out in my head."
P 29
There were no sex scenes in the book, as it happened before the book started, but it’s a pretty good story that deals with an outcome of unprotected sex. Over all, Megan is a pretty good book, and maybe good as an introduction to the topic for younger readers. I liked it.
May 12, 2016
Spoilers
I liked this book. I liked how it deals with the strain on families that teenage pregnancy has. Some of the books I've read before about a pregnant teen include supportive families. I liked how in this book, Megan's mother wasn't supportive about Megan's pregnancy because it gives us another view on how hard it is for some girls who do not get the support they need from their families. However, I really didn't like Megan's mom- I felt she boardered on verbal abuse towards Megan especially the names she calls her after she found out she was pregnant.
I didn't really like Claire because she seemed to enjoy the trouble that Megan was in. She was way to eager to tell everyone about Megan and that's just evil. Shes mean and I just really don't get why Megan doesn't just drop her. She's done more bad/annoying things to Megan during her time of need, which shows that she's not a good friend.
I like how Megan flip flops between adoption and keeping the baby. This is a big decision for her and I do like how she's unsure of herself because lets be honest alot of teen mothers and even non teen mothers sometimes face this hard decision. This isn't a one two three decision. This is life alerting and the mother has to be able to deal with her feelings after she's made her decision. I really enjoyed the ending where Megan feels the instant connection with her baby and decides to keep it because I've heard that that is a real feeling when mothers hold their babies for the first time.
Luke was ok. I liked how he wasn't an ass-hat about Megan's pregnancy and saying that it wasn't his. He was stepping up to do the right thing. He even offered to give her money for the baby so he's a good guy in my book in that aspect.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and can't wait to read the next two
I liked this book. I liked how it deals with the strain on families that teenage pregnancy has. Some of the books I've read before about a pregnant teen include supportive families. I liked how in this book, Megan's mother wasn't supportive about Megan's pregnancy because it gives us another view on how hard it is for some girls who do not get the support they need from their families. However, I really didn't like Megan's mom- I felt she boardered on verbal abuse towards Megan especially the names she calls her after she found out she was pregnant.
I didn't really like Claire because she seemed to enjoy the trouble that Megan was in. She was way to eager to tell everyone about Megan and that's just evil. Shes mean and I just really don't get why Megan doesn't just drop her. She's done more bad/annoying things to Megan during her time of need, which shows that she's not a good friend.
I like how Megan flip flops between adoption and keeping the baby. This is a big decision for her and I do like how she's unsure of herself because lets be honest alot of teen mothers and even non teen mothers sometimes face this hard decision. This isn't a one two three decision. This is life alerting and the mother has to be able to deal with her feelings after she's made her decision. I really enjoyed the ending where Megan feels the instant connection with her baby and decides to keep it because I've heard that that is a real feeling when mothers hold their babies for the first time.
Luke was ok. I liked how he wasn't an ass-hat about Megan's pregnancy and saying that it wasn't his. He was stepping up to do the right thing. He even offered to give her money for the baby so he's a good guy in my book in that aspect.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and can't wait to read the next two
January 13, 2015
Incredible book which depicts the journey of a young adolescent child, who accidentally conceives a child during her schooling years. With no support from the birth father, she has to become independent, become a mother, educate herself, and create a future for herself and her baby.
While it isn't necessarily a book I would teach in primary school, teenage pregnancy is an issue which is known in common society to be quite popular. there fore, while I wouldn't necessarily opt to teach this book, it is an issue children at a suitable age should be made aware of, in order to take precautions.
While it isn't necessarily a book I would teach in primary school, teenage pregnancy is an issue which is known in common society to be quite popular. there fore, while I wouldn't necessarily opt to teach this book, it is an issue children at a suitable age should be made aware of, in order to take precautions.
February 28, 2012
Megan is fifteen and one day finds out she is pregnant. The only friend at first who knows is claire. One day she bumps into her ex- boyfriend ( the one that made her pregnant. Whilst she is gonig to tell her mum about her PREGNANCY, Claire is busy telling her secrets to Claire's other friends( Josie). When claire tells her mum, she is shocked because she wanted more for her daughters. Then the mom tells Ellie ( claires younger sister) about her sister's pregnancy , claire gets depressed that no one is with her.
join megan to find out what happens next
join megan to find out what happens next
March 6, 2010
this book made me just want to read on i met mary hooper and she said she sent 1 year research on the subject of being under age and pregent and found out load of different sorry of girls who went to a school where you could care for your baby and get an education she mixed all there storys together i know from reading this book im not getting pregent until im in love and marryed
October 6, 2011
This book was ok, but I think I was just the wrong audience for it. I felt like I already knew where it was going pretty early on. The book also had competition from another book I really wanted to get back to. Which probably affected how much attention I gave it. I can see that for young teen readers however, this would be new to them and therefore more interesting.
July 29, 2013
This book really put me in a place that i wanted to read more and more books like this. i really want people to read this book because it shows how teenage pregnancy can really get you and what boy may do to comfort or discomfort you in that particular moment. im sure when you will read this you will feel the same way i did when i read this book.
March 13, 2012
It was a good book and it was really inteesting to read about Megan's feelings and life when she found out she was 15 and pregnant.
June 28, 2012
Best Book evar Written.
September 17, 2012
It was an alriight novel.
March 25, 2013
I remember everyone reading this series in high-school. I couldn't put them down. Fantastic, enlightening series.
January 17, 2014
A great read for younger teenagers.
June 12, 2014
I am beginning for reading and i found that this book is great and i can understand it easily :)
Currently Reading
August 7, 2014I think this is a great start to the book. it shows how megan can go through the pain at such a young age !!!
fantastic first chapter cant wait to read the next one !! :D
fantastic first chapter cant wait to read the next one !! :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2015
i thought this book was ok and could have been a bit better but the plot was good if a bit strange
August 21, 2016
I liked it, I have the second book to read soon as well.
October 6, 2016
A good teenage quick read, with two further books to read.
Very good book and didn't want to put it down unless I had to.
Very good book and didn't want to put it down unless I had to.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews