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The Jacqueline Wilson Collection: "The Story of Tracy Beaker", and "The Bed and Breakfast Star"
THE STORY OF TRACY BEAKER
I'm Tracy Beaker. This is a book all about me. I'd read it if I were you. It's the most incredible dynamic heart-rending story. Honest.
SHORTLISTED FOR THE SMARTIES PRIZE AND THE CARNEGIE MEDAL
THE BED AND BREAKFAST STAR
I'm Elsa, and I'm hoping to be a big star one day. I tell jokes all the time to try and cheer my family up. Trouble is, no-one seems to laugh much any more. Not since we lost our lovely house and had to move into a bed and breakfast hotel . . .
WINNER OF THE YOUNG TELEGRAPH FULLY BOOKED AWARD
I'm Tracy Beaker. This is a book all about me. I'd read it if I were you. It's the most incredible dynamic heart-rending story. Honest.
SHORTLISTED FOR THE SMARTIES PRIZE AND THE CARNEGIE MEDAL
THE BED AND BREAKFAST STAR
I'm Elsa, and I'm hoping to be a big star one day. I tell jokes all the time to try and cheer my family up. Trouble is, no-one seems to laugh much any more. Not since we lost our lovely house and had to move into a bed and breakfast hotel . . .
WINNER OF THE YOUNG TELEGRAPH FULLY BOOKED AWARD
Paperback
First published September 4, 1997
50 people are currently reading
1110 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 19, 2015
Definitely one of the better Jacqueline Wilson reads - one of the few I've since kept. The Bed and Breakfast Star is the more enjoyable of the two reads for me personally - I've never been a huge Tracy Beaker fan. Especially considering it got a TV series. The theme song was its only saving grace
April 28, 2013
Always have been a huge jacqueline Wilson fan,but didn't really like this book I found Elsa extremely irritating and her jokes didn't curtail the hatred I had for this character,I also didn't think it was well written
June 13, 2016
The Jacqueline Wilson series
I read most of Jacqueline Wilson books when I was in primary school and I loved them! As a primary school child, I recall reading these books with enjoyment. Jacqueline Wilson books were always the books I would have chosen during free reading time. I would often go to the library and sit for hours reading her books if I got the chance.
The Jacqueline Wilson books are an easy read and tell many different sores which I believe all readers could find accessible. I would recommend these books to young girls in primary school as these books were primarily written for young girls. However, I think that these books are accessible to any gender of any age.
These books are easily read and can help develop vocabulary for young children. I would recommend that schools have Jacqueline Wilson books in their library.
I read most of Jacqueline Wilson books when I was in primary school and I loved them! As a primary school child, I recall reading these books with enjoyment. Jacqueline Wilson books were always the books I would have chosen during free reading time. I would often go to the library and sit for hours reading her books if I got the chance.
The Jacqueline Wilson books are an easy read and tell many different sores which I believe all readers could find accessible. I would recommend these books to young girls in primary school as these books were primarily written for young girls. However, I think that these books are accessible to any gender of any age.
These books are easily read and can help develop vocabulary for young children. I would recommend that schools have Jacqueline Wilson books in their library.
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March 31, 2012Sketchy , laughable book , that showed how a family coped after having to live in a one-star hotel.
February 9, 2013
Great, love it how whenever it's 2 stories in 1 book. :D
March 28, 2023
Re-reading your favourite childhood books as an adult never gets old. Jacqueline Wilson has the remarkable ability to relate to both teens and adults and isn't afraid to tackle difficult issues such as divorce and broken families. The reason I gave this 4 stars is because The Bed and Breakfast Star (which funny enough was my favourite as a child) didn't touch me as much as The Story of Tracy Beaker. I'll talk more in depth about each.
⭐The Story of Tracy Beaker ⭐
Rating: 5 stars
Grade: A*
Storyline: Tracy Beaker is the story about a difficult and feisty ten-year-old girl, Tracy, who has grown up in the care system. Everyday Tracy waits in hope for her glamorous actress mother to come and get her. Tracy's chances of being fostered or adopted are low due to her challenging behaviour. However, things change when Tracy meets unsuccessful writer Cam, who is writing an article about children in care.
My thoughts: The Story of Tracy Beaker wasn't actually my favourite growing up, but now I really love it. Way better than The Bed and Breakfast Star. Tracy is a manipulative and troubled though loveable child with a big heart. It's different relating to Tracy as a child and as an adult. As a child I believed her stories about her mum and I didn't question why any mother would abandon their child! I also sided with Tracy's behaviour and was too young to see how manipulative and sneaky she was. As an adult and having worked with kids, many of them difficult, I really got more insight into Tracy's behaviour and psychology.
Jacqueline Wilson sheds insight into children who society casts aside. As Tracy says, "nobody wants to adopt a kid who isn't little and cute and has behaviour problems". Sadly this is very true. However, this story gives hope that despite this sad statistic, there is hope and there are people who want to foster and adopt older and more difficult kids. This story should serve as a reminder that older kids who are not easy to handle deserve a chance.
This book was very heartwarming and although Tracy is a terror, she's loveable at the same time. Tracy and Cam are an unlikely match.
⭐The Bed and Breakfast Star ⭐
Rating: 3.7 stars
Grade: B+
Storyline: Elsa is an outgoing and loud ten-year-old who loves to tell jokes and cheer people up. Elsa tries to be positive despite difficult circumstances. Her family is struggling financially and they have to move into a grotty and dilapidated hotel because there's no housing available from the council. Elsa does her best to cheer everyone up but nobody feels like laughing.
My thoughts: This was actually my favourite growing up, but as an adult I can definitely see the issues in the story. I really hated Elsa's mum for allowing Mack (Elsa's stepdad) to hit her! It's implied that Mack also drinks and gambles the little money that the family has.
I absolutely hated Mack and couldn't understand how a mother could be with a partner who hates their kid and beats them! I had zero respect for the adults in this story. I loved Elsa though and her sweet friendship with her adorable little sister, Pippa, who idolizes Elsa. I have to say that I found Elsa's jokes really annoying. I hate cheesy kids jokes.
The main star Elsa is definitely a loveable character, however there's no moral to this story and things don't seem promising for the future as long as Elsa's mum stays with Mack.
⭐The Story of Tracy Beaker ⭐
Rating: 5 stars
Grade: A*
Storyline: Tracy Beaker is the story about a difficult and feisty ten-year-old girl, Tracy, who has grown up in the care system. Everyday Tracy waits in hope for her glamorous actress mother to come and get her. Tracy's chances of being fostered or adopted are low due to her challenging behaviour. However, things change when Tracy meets unsuccessful writer Cam, who is writing an article about children in care.
My thoughts: The Story of Tracy Beaker wasn't actually my favourite growing up, but now I really love it. Way better than The Bed and Breakfast Star. Tracy is a manipulative and troubled though loveable child with a big heart. It's different relating to Tracy as a child and as an adult. As a child I believed her stories about her mum and I didn't question why any mother would abandon their child! I also sided with Tracy's behaviour and was too young to see how manipulative and sneaky she was. As an adult and having worked with kids, many of them difficult, I really got more insight into Tracy's behaviour and psychology.
Jacqueline Wilson sheds insight into children who society casts aside. As Tracy says, "nobody wants to adopt a kid who isn't little and cute and has behaviour problems". Sadly this is very true. However, this story gives hope that despite this sad statistic, there is hope and there are people who want to foster and adopt older and more difficult kids. This story should serve as a reminder that older kids who are not easy to handle deserve a chance.
This book was very heartwarming and although Tracy is a terror, she's loveable at the same time. Tracy and Cam are an unlikely match.
⭐The Bed and Breakfast Star ⭐
Rating: 3.7 stars
Grade: B+
Storyline: Elsa is an outgoing and loud ten-year-old who loves to tell jokes and cheer people up. Elsa tries to be positive despite difficult circumstances. Her family is struggling financially and they have to move into a grotty and dilapidated hotel because there's no housing available from the council. Elsa does her best to cheer everyone up but nobody feels like laughing.
My thoughts: This was actually my favourite growing up, but as an adult I can definitely see the issues in the story. I really hated Elsa's mum for allowing Mack (Elsa's stepdad) to hit her! It's implied that Mack also drinks and gambles the little money that the family has.
I absolutely hated Mack and couldn't understand how a mother could be with a partner who hates their kid and beats them! I had zero respect for the adults in this story. I loved Elsa though and her sweet friendship with her adorable little sister, Pippa, who idolizes Elsa. I have to say that I found Elsa's jokes really annoying. I hate cheesy kids jokes.
The main star Elsa is definitely a loveable character, however there's no moral to this story and things don't seem promising for the future as long as Elsa's mum stays with Mack.
January 20, 2018
I'm gonna read this book
April 21, 2018
Excellent childhood classic
August 23, 2015
*Spoiler Alert*
This collection includes the Bed and Breakfast Star and Tracey Beaker. Both stories are about young girls in poor Socioeconomic situations who both have big dreams. Their obstacles are their lack of opportunities in life and they take them out on their caregivers. However both come achieve their dreams and realise the positives in their lives.
These stories are very good books for young girls. These books allow for the reader to relate to characters who may be similar to themselves or in similar siutations. It allows the readers to learn and understand about children in poor economic situations. The illustrations of the book are simplistic but colourful and imaginative almost like they were drawn by children. The language is simple and easy to understand and colloqiual to the characters who are speaking giving it a more realisitic edge to the stories.
Overall, I would recommend this to older children as it gives a great insight into socioeconomic situations and context into the characters.
This collection includes the Bed and Breakfast Star and Tracey Beaker. Both stories are about young girls in poor Socioeconomic situations who both have big dreams. Their obstacles are their lack of opportunities in life and they take them out on their caregivers. However both come achieve their dreams and realise the positives in their lives.
These stories are very good books for young girls. These books allow for the reader to relate to characters who may be similar to themselves or in similar siutations. It allows the readers to learn and understand about children in poor economic situations. The illustrations of the book are simplistic but colourful and imaginative almost like they were drawn by children. The language is simple and easy to understand and colloqiual to the characters who are speaking giving it a more realisitic edge to the stories.
Overall, I would recommend this to older children as it gives a great insight into socioeconomic situations and context into the characters.
October 3, 2010
Very funny!!!!
Want to read
July 17, 2012Read this!
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September 21, 2012Great 2 in 1 book
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January 24, 2015its good
August 29, 2021
Childhood memories reading Jacqueline Wilson growing up. The author touches upon deep societal issues, through the eyes of children.
May 19, 2022
I loved it
November 29, 2023
literally read all of her books growing up...they made me happy but lowkey traumatised me at the same time lol
October 10, 2010
HBn elsa is funny but has to be responsible
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May 6, 2025Jacqueline Wilson’s The Story of Tracy Beaker and The Story of the Bed and Breakfast Star are both powerful reads about young girls dealing with tough situations. Tracy Beaker tells the story of Tracy, a rebellious girl living in a care home, who is desperate for love and a real family. Her tough exterior hides a lot of vulnerability, and the book really captures her emotional journey and growth. In The Bed and Breakfast Star, Elsa and her family are struggling with financial difficulties and a sense of not fitting in. Like Tracy, Elsa is figuring out who she is while dealing with difficult circumstances. Both books explore themes of family, identity, and resilience, and Wilson’s writing balances humor with real emotional depth, making the characters feel very real and relatable. I loved it.
January 24, 2021
This book contains The Story of Tracy Beaker and The Bed and Breakfast Star. Both stories explore a young girl who is deprived - for Tracy, she is in a children’s home, and for Elsa, she lives in a shabby bed and breakfast hotel due to her family being poor and having nowhere else to live.
Both characters can be a little annoying but overall, they have a good story. The Bed and Breakfast Star is my favourite out of the two, although Else’s jokes get a bit irritating after a while.
Both characters can be a little annoying but overall, they have a good story. The Bed and Breakfast Star is my favourite out of the two, although Else’s jokes get a bit irritating after a while.
December 26, 2017
This book is absolutely amazing. Jacqueline Wilson targets little minds by making the book funny and relatable for young people, but she writes it in a mature way that also targets teenagers for an easy read. Highly recommend this book xx
February 26, 2018
I remember reading and rereading this when I was little. Some of the subject matter scared me a little, but at least it wasn't Judy Blume scary. I have fond memories.
March 28, 2018
I have the bed and breakfast star book I'm just reading clean break first
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2018
Absolutely loved reading these growing up!
January 7, 2019
It is brilliant a
It is brilliant!!!
It is brilliant!!!
January 26, 2019
Handy double volume of classic Jacqueline Wilson novels.
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July 3, 2019Jacqueline Wilson is my favourite author ever I absolutely love her.
October 14, 2019
Amazing
June 19, 2020
I loved the Tracy Beaker story in this one but that was undoubtable because I loved the show.
The bed and breakfast star isn't one that's aged well for me and I just did not enjoy it. Whilst I appreciate that Wilson puts key themes into her children's stories, I increasingly find that the issues are never dealt with and these children always seem to be left in awful lives with no real changes. It just sends such a weird message for me to children reading this and I wish they were dealt with a bit more. Whilst i'm enjoying re-reading her stories I don't think i'll be holding onto all of them anymore...
The bed and breakfast star isn't one that's aged well for me and I just did not enjoy it. Whilst I appreciate that Wilson puts key themes into her children's stories, I increasingly find that the issues are never dealt with and these children always seem to be left in awful lives with no real changes. It just sends such a weird message for me to children reading this and I wish they were dealt with a bit more. Whilst i'm enjoying re-reading her stories I don't think i'll be holding onto all of them anymore...
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November 17, 2020I really enjoy reading this book
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January 18, 2021its a really great book. Wilson is a fine writer. Best of all is her Hetty feather series, with Clover Moon, Rose Rivers and Diamond.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews