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Sleepovers #2
The Best Sleepover in the World
A long-awaited sequel to the hugely popular book Sleepovers!
Daisy's worst ever enemy Chloe is desperate to win back her friends so she announces she's going to have THE BEST SLEEPOVER IN THE WORLD. There's going to be a swim in a luxury pool, a special makeover for every guest, and a real live meeting with a social media superstar.
All Chloe's old friends are invited, even Daisy's best friend Emily. But Daisy is left out.
Daisy's sister Lily is non-verbal but she's learned Makaton at her new special school. She signs to Daisy that she wants a sleepover. Will family and friends somehow make Lily's party THE BEST SLEEPOVER IN THE WORLD?
A moving look at friendship, sleepovers and siblings from the much loved, bestselling Jacqueline Wilson.
Daisy's worst ever enemy Chloe is desperate to win back her friends so she announces she's going to have THE BEST SLEEPOVER IN THE WORLD. There's going to be a swim in a luxury pool, a special makeover for every guest, and a real live meeting with a social media superstar.
All Chloe's old friends are invited, even Daisy's best friend Emily. But Daisy is left out.
Daisy's sister Lily is non-verbal but she's learned Makaton at her new special school. She signs to Daisy that she wants a sleepover. Will family and friends somehow make Lily's party THE BEST SLEEPOVER IN THE WORLD?
A moving look at friendship, sleepovers and siblings from the much loved, bestselling Jacqueline Wilson.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2023
38 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Wilson
398 books5,713 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 72 reviews
March 17, 2024
One is never too old for Jacqueline Wilson books.
I grew up reading this author and love that not only is she still writing, what's even more awesome is how we are getting spin-offs and sequels for our childhood favourites. Same delightful characters, same engaging writing style, same wonderful illustrations.
I really enjoyed this sequel to Sleepovers, featuring our beloved ABCDE girls. There's a short recap of the first book so it's not a must to read that first, though I would still recommend doing so.
I loved all the characters, but wish they were less one-dimensional (especially Chloe's stereotype as a mean girl). Still, the book does a great job discussing the complexities of friendships, girl cliques, bullying and peer pressure. Daisy's dad was hilarious and made even more so by that illustration of him imitating Chloe 😂
A very wholesome one-sitting read!!! ❤️
I grew up reading this author and love that not only is she still writing, what's even more awesome is how we are getting spin-offs and sequels for our childhood favourites. Same delightful characters, same engaging writing style, same wonderful illustrations.
I really enjoyed this sequel to Sleepovers, featuring our beloved ABCDE girls. There's a short recap of the first book so it's not a must to read that first, though I would still recommend doing so.
I loved all the characters, but wish they were less one-dimensional (especially Chloe's stereotype as a mean girl). Still, the book does a great job discussing the complexities of friendships, girl cliques, bullying and peer pressure. Daisy's dad was hilarious and made even more so by that illustration of him imitating Chloe 😂
A very wholesome one-sitting read!!! ❤️
September 4, 2023
(Small spoilers ahead)
I loved this book so much!! I’m definitely outside of the intended audience at 20 years old but I was obsessed with the first book when I was younger (I read it at least 30 times lol) so when I found out there was a sequel I knew I had to read it!!
I absolutely loved it! I loved how Lily was a much more developed character this time around; last time, she was talked about a lot but we never really got to know her very well. But this time she was more developed and I absolutely loved how she communicated with those around her using Makatron. I had never heard of Makatron before this book so it was so good to learn about it!!
I loved Natalie - and it was so good to see some goth representation as well!
Uncle Gary is amazing, and i loved how his drag queen persona was brought into the book as well, that was so good to see!
The only issue I have - I found a few small inaccuracies. The main one is how much more modern this book is than the other - there’s tiktok and mobile phones and social media etc. I get how many years later it is but the difference is huge.
Secondly, Daisy speaks about how Lily has teddies in her room and a teddy bear nightlight. Of course things could have changed but in the first book Lily is so terrified of bears and gets so upset when she sees Emily’s bear that she has to go to bed. Has that really changed? Another thing - after eating a strange chocolate and crisp sandwich at Bella’s (?) birthday party in the first book, Emily gets really sick and after that hates chocolate. There was a whole part where Daisy asked her mum to make Emily something else instead of hot chocolate because “Emily doesn’t like chocolate any more”. Of course that could have changed especially because they’re so young but it seemed a bit strange that this was all forgotten about especially as the book doesn’t seem to be that long after the original…
But overall I LOVED it. A cute, easy little read that really made me feel nostalgic!
I loved this book so much!! I’m definitely outside of the intended audience at 20 years old but I was obsessed with the first book when I was younger (I read it at least 30 times lol) so when I found out there was a sequel I knew I had to read it!!
I absolutely loved it! I loved how Lily was a much more developed character this time around; last time, she was talked about a lot but we never really got to know her very well. But this time she was more developed and I absolutely loved how she communicated with those around her using Makatron. I had never heard of Makatron before this book so it was so good to learn about it!!
I loved Natalie - and it was so good to see some goth representation as well!
Uncle Gary is amazing, and i loved how his drag queen persona was brought into the book as well, that was so good to see!
The only issue I have - I found a few small inaccuracies. The main one is how much more modern this book is than the other - there’s tiktok and mobile phones and social media etc. I get how many years later it is but the difference is huge.
Secondly, Daisy speaks about how Lily has teddies in her room and a teddy bear nightlight. Of course things could have changed but in the first book Lily is so terrified of bears and gets so upset when she sees Emily’s bear that she has to go to bed. Has that really changed? Another thing - after eating a strange chocolate and crisp sandwich at Bella’s (?) birthday party in the first book, Emily gets really sick and after that hates chocolate. There was a whole part where Daisy asked her mum to make Emily something else instead of hot chocolate because “Emily doesn’t like chocolate any more”. Of course that could have changed especially because they’re so young but it seemed a bit strange that this was all forgotten about especially as the book doesn’t seem to be that long after the original…
But overall I LOVED it. A cute, easy little read that really made me feel nostalgic!
August 27, 2023
As an avid JW fan for over ten years, I still buy and hugely enjoy every new book she writes... but Sleepovers was the first book I ever read of hers, and the one which got me hooked. When I saw the sequel was coming out, I pre-ordered straight away, and I absolutely wasn't disappointed.
The book perfectly captures everything I felt as a primary school kid. It brought back memories of betrayal and hurt and anger, anger that kids will always follow the crowd, will do anything to fit in. And in a way, that was... healing. It was healing to read the book from an adult perspective and understand the hurt others caused you was never your fault, but simply kids being kids, and making mistakes.
I know some have found the transition to modern life a little jarring, as the original book was set in the early 2000s and the sequel includes references to TikTok and drag queens, but to me it didn't read as weird or out of place, simply a different aspect of life at the primary school not shown in the first book. I think the addition of a drag queen was interesting, as I don't think all parents will necessarily enjoy the talk about nightclubs and might find the switching pronouns complicated. I'm not a parent, so I really don't know where I stand on this. I think maybe a little more explanation could've been nice, as I know as a child I would've been very confused by Uncle Gary's appearance as a woman and the use of she/her to refer to him, on and off!
But none of that takes away from the fact this was an incredible sequel, and handled both Bella's weight and Lily's disabilities in a much subtler and more educated light, such as explanations of Makaton and Lily's school. I wish I'd had this book to read as a child, because I think it would've made me feel so much less alone.
The book perfectly captures everything I felt as a primary school kid. It brought back memories of betrayal and hurt and anger, anger that kids will always follow the crowd, will do anything to fit in. And in a way, that was... healing. It was healing to read the book from an adult perspective and understand the hurt others caused you was never your fault, but simply kids being kids, and making mistakes.
I know some have found the transition to modern life a little jarring, as the original book was set in the early 2000s and the sequel includes references to TikTok and drag queens, but to me it didn't read as weird or out of place, simply a different aspect of life at the primary school not shown in the first book. I think the addition of a drag queen was interesting, as I don't think all parents will necessarily enjoy the talk about nightclubs and might find the switching pronouns complicated. I'm not a parent, so I really don't know where I stand on this. I think maybe a little more explanation could've been nice, as I know as a child I would've been very confused by Uncle Gary's appearance as a woman and the use of she/her to refer to him, on and off!
But none of that takes away from the fact this was an incredible sequel, and handled both Bella's weight and Lily's disabilities in a much subtler and more educated light, such as explanations of Makaton and Lily's school. I wish I'd had this book to read as a child, because I think it would've made me feel so much less alone.
August 21, 2023
yes i’m 24 yes i continue to read every single new jacqueline wilson book
i love the juxtaposition in new jacqueline wilson books between the posh, old-fashioned way the characters talk and the weird pop culture references she makes for some reason (seriously i swear there’s way more than there used to be??)
the new illustrations are very cute, not what i’m used to with nick sharratt but i liked the little details in the backgrounds
sleepovers wasn’t one of her strongest books and i was surprised to see it get a sequel and it’s all just a bit… meh. it’s a sleepover, big deal.
is this book going to be banned in america because of the drag queen uncle??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2025
15 ans plus tard je retrouve ma madeleine de Proust !! Merci mille fois
April 15, 2025
Love Jaqueline Wilson books and I just had to read it when my daughter got it 🥰 very nostalgic
June 20, 2025
It's dead nostalgic reading the sequel!
October 27, 2025
read this for nostalgic reasons because i loved the first book… wasn’t all that ngl
August 25, 2023
Jacqueline Wilson inspired my love of reading as a child and it is her I have to thank for my lifelong love for it. Sleepovers is one of the first Jacqueline Wilson books that I remember reading as a child - and rereading over and over again! So despite the fact that I am now 27 years old, I requested the ARC for this follow up on NetGalley and was delighted to be approved! 🤩
The Best Sleepover In The World centres of the same set of friends, The Alphabet Club girls - Amy, Bella, Chloe, Daisy and Emily. It brushes over the events of the first book where Daisy joins the school and they all have a sleepover for their birthdays, and focuses on mean girl Chloe declaring she is going to be hosting the best sleepover in the world - luxury pools, makeovers, and Tik Tok stars included! Only Daisy is NOT invited. Daisy’s sister Lily senses Daisy’s upset about this and decides that she will have her own sleepover to rival Chloe’s. Daisy and Lily’s parents are unsure at first as Lily has additional needs, and inviting her best friend Natalie who also has additional needs could prove logistically tricky. But they find a way to make it work, and Daisy, Lily, Emily and Natalie have their very own best sleepover ever.
I loved the focus on children with disabilities, and the highlighting of the importance of Makaton. I am a firm believer that Makaton should be taught to all children from a young age. I also LOVED the fact that Uncle Gary was a Drag Queen! Lots of diversity was explored and celebrated in this book, and that’s exactly what children need to be exposed to within their reading for pleasure. Children need to know that everybody is different and that that’s more than okay.
My only gripe about the book is the dialogue between the children, because as a teacher, I know very well that this is just not the way that children talk to each other! It wasn’t representative of children today and it made it more stilted to read. More realistic dialogue would have made this a five star read!
The Best Sleepover In The World centres of the same set of friends, The Alphabet Club girls - Amy, Bella, Chloe, Daisy and Emily. It brushes over the events of the first book where Daisy joins the school and they all have a sleepover for their birthdays, and focuses on mean girl Chloe declaring she is going to be hosting the best sleepover in the world - luxury pools, makeovers, and Tik Tok stars included! Only Daisy is NOT invited. Daisy’s sister Lily senses Daisy’s upset about this and decides that she will have her own sleepover to rival Chloe’s. Daisy and Lily’s parents are unsure at first as Lily has additional needs, and inviting her best friend Natalie who also has additional needs could prove logistically tricky. But they find a way to make it work, and Daisy, Lily, Emily and Natalie have their very own best sleepover ever.
I loved the focus on children with disabilities, and the highlighting of the importance of Makaton. I am a firm believer that Makaton should be taught to all children from a young age. I also LOVED the fact that Uncle Gary was a Drag Queen! Lots of diversity was explored and celebrated in this book, and that’s exactly what children need to be exposed to within their reading for pleasure. Children need to know that everybody is different and that that’s more than okay.
My only gripe about the book is the dialogue between the children, because as a teacher, I know very well that this is just not the way that children talk to each other! It wasn’t representative of children today and it made it more stilted to read. More realistic dialogue would have made this a five star read!
August 25, 2023
'Sleepovers' was such a prominent book of my childhood that I knew as soon as it was announced that I had to read the sequel. And I'm so glad I did!
Although the book doesn't offer anything too different from the original, it's clear that changes have been made to make the story more suitable for readers today. The changes to Lily's character are especially prevalent, and I loved how here Wilson made her into a true character of the story, interacting with Daisy and their friends using Makaton, and showing a personality she wasn't granted in the original book.
I think these changes are so important, and the representation that Wilson is striving to include in her novels today is so telling of her development as a writer and a person. This book has such wonderful disability and queer representation for a very young audience, and it is for this reason that I would so highly recommend it.
(Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this eARC!)
Although the book doesn't offer anything too different from the original, it's clear that changes have been made to make the story more suitable for readers today. The changes to Lily's character are especially prevalent, and I loved how here Wilson made her into a true character of the story, interacting with Daisy and their friends using Makaton, and showing a personality she wasn't granted in the original book.
I think these changes are so important, and the representation that Wilson is striving to include in her novels today is so telling of her development as a writer and a person. This book has such wonderful disability and queer representation for a very young audience, and it is for this reason that I would so highly recommend it.
(Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this eARC!)
May 14, 2024
The best sleepover in the world by Jacqueline Wilson was a fun read. This book was all about friendships and kindness and always being there for one another. I like the writing style of this book it was very creative and well thought out Wilson did a good job on that.I liked the illustrations too they were very imaginable and detailed. My favourite character was Daisy because she was brave, kind and caring towards her sister Lily and her best friend Emily and she stood up for Chole who was the mean girl. Emily and Daisy were best friends. My favourite part was when Daisy and lily's uncle came to their house dressed as a women and they had a party and they danced and the uncle gave them a makeover that was a really funny part. Wilson has done a amazing job on this book this is a book that little children can read but also older children can as well. It is for all ages.
August 14, 2023
I loved 'Sleepovers' so it was great to see there was a sequel coming all of these years later.
I love that it included Makaton and Lily was a fully realised character this time around.
Bonus points for the baby goth and drag queen guncle too.
I love that it included Makaton and Lily was a fully realised character this time around.
Bonus points for the baby goth and drag queen guncle too.
August 17, 2023
i reread sleepovers and instantly bought this and you know what? i have no regret
even gayer than the first one, but not enough chloe content (and too much drag queen i said what i said)
giving lily a goth gf was such a good touch tho it's what she deserves
even gayer than the first one, but not enough chloe content (and too much drag queen i said what i said)
giving lily a goth gf was such a good touch tho it's what she deserves
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2023
Such a lovely sequel to 'Sleepovers' which I must have read about 20 years ago! Jacqueline Wilson does a fantastic job of including and celebrating disabled characters in this book, and the drag queen uncle was pretty fun too!
July 18, 2024
I read this book with my friend and my dad . this is the first time I've read a JW book and first impressions are quite good . I'd like to read more of this author before I pass judgement on this author.
January 7, 2024
took me straight back to primary school, loved the way disabilities and communication aids are discussed - the cutest! ☀️
February 22, 2025
The Best Sleepover In The World by Jacqueline Wilson is a wonderful read for girls aged eight years and over. It follows on from Sleep-Overs but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the first book first as this one follows on swiftly where that one finished.
Once more we join the five familiar faces as playground politics continue. There is still the character who bullies and is sneakily mean.
The characters do face moral dilemmas. Do they do the right thing? Or do they follow the crowd?
We witness the difference a good school that caters for special needs makes as we once more meet Daisy’s sister, Lily, who has, possibly, cerebral palsy (from the sounds of it). Her love still shines brightly as we see the sisterly bond. How Lily is treated by Daisy’s friends says a lot about their individual characters. Young readers learn that we are all different, and all valued.
The action is told in the first person through the voice of Daisy. She is believable, likable and easy to empathise with.
The Best Sleepover In The World is a book that can be used to promote discussions with our girls about playground politics and about the value we all have.
I enjoyed the book and will be passing it on to my young granddaughters.
Once more we join the five familiar faces as playground politics continue. There is still the character who bullies and is sneakily mean.
The characters do face moral dilemmas. Do they do the right thing? Or do they follow the crowd?
We witness the difference a good school that caters for special needs makes as we once more meet Daisy’s sister, Lily, who has, possibly, cerebral palsy (from the sounds of it). Her love still shines brightly as we see the sisterly bond. How Lily is treated by Daisy’s friends says a lot about their individual characters. Young readers learn that we are all different, and all valued.
The action is told in the first person through the voice of Daisy. She is believable, likable and easy to empathise with.
The Best Sleepover In The World is a book that can be used to promote discussions with our girls about playground politics and about the value we all have.
I enjoyed the book and will be passing it on to my young granddaughters.
February 23, 2025
Now I know being almost 27 this book definitely wasn’t aimed at me but with JW being my favourite author growing up and sleepovers being my all time favourite book of hers I read it so much I wrecked the book I knew when I found this I had to read it.
This book does definitely follow on from the first book but my gosh it’s just as good not one of them terrible sequels that comes out years and years later. This book continues on as if no time has past, however it is up to date with the mentions of TIKTOK and even a drag queen!
This book is also amazing I think for those pre-teen girlies or boys who are going through struggles within their friendship groups as it proves everyone has their struggles.
Daisy is the main character yet again but I feel like this story is really about the decisions she makes at points and her realising that following the crowds can really have an effect on other people around you!
Reading this has really made me want to go back and read all my JW books for some light reading
This book does definitely follow on from the first book but my gosh it’s just as good not one of them terrible sequels that comes out years and years later. This book continues on as if no time has past, however it is up to date with the mentions of TIKTOK and even a drag queen!
This book is also amazing I think for those pre-teen girlies or boys who are going through struggles within their friendship groups as it proves everyone has their struggles.
Daisy is the main character yet again but I feel like this story is really about the decisions she makes at points and her realising that following the crowds can really have an effect on other people around you!
Reading this has really made me want to go back and read all my JW books for some light reading
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2025
This book was an amazing addition to my list of books! I would give it ∞/5 if I could. It was that good. I think this is a book that every child should read at least once in their lives. Amazing!!
Also check out my YouTube Channel for more reviews but in detail. Remember there may be some spoilers. But if you want one with or without a spoiler just type it in the comments of my video or any of my Goodreads posts. The name of my YouTube Channel is 'The Obsessed Reader.
You can also check my website at ayatnoors.com. Remember: I will be waiting for some comments, likes, shares, friend requests and subscribers. If you want to talk to me personally just email me at my email address which is ajarmurtaza@gmail.com.
See you soon, my friends! Bye!
Also check out my YouTube Channel for more reviews but in detail. Remember there may be some spoilers. But if you want one with or without a spoiler just type it in the comments of my video or any of my Goodreads posts. The name of my YouTube Channel is 'The Obsessed Reader.
You can also check my website at ayatnoors.com. Remember: I will be waiting for some comments, likes, shares, friend requests and subscribers. If you want to talk to me personally just email me at my email address which is ajarmurtaza@gmail.com.
See you soon, my friends! Bye!
November 28, 2025
A story about the different dynamics of a friendship. This is definitely a book which shows how friendships aren’t always smooth sailing. However, if they’re important, then they might be worth fighting for. A great read for older children, especially those growing up and realising changes in their relationships with different people.
November 16, 2024
great read and so positive
This was a really good read. Very positive although I have a different disability. I highly recommend it. I am looking forward to the next story with Lily and Natalie
This was a really good read. Very positive although I have a different disability. I highly recommend it. I am looking forward to the next story with Lily and Natalie
January 4, 2025
The Sleepover was one of my favourite Jacqueline Wilson books, so seeing she'd released a sequel I had to read! I absolutely adore that JW is introducing queer themes into her novels now, and this was adorable.
December 20, 2024
I love the makaton representation!
January 2, 2025
I love the use of Makaton, but namedropping tiktok in books should be banned.
January 4, 2025
It was good
January 5, 2025
extremelyyyyyy long awaited and did NOT disappoint
May 4, 2025
The last few chapters were a pure joy to read. A lovely sequel with great representation of disability, accessibility, drag and differences.
June 28, 2025
I'm sorry, it's just not the same without Nich Sharretts drawings style. I just can't get into it. Something just felt off.
August 11, 2025
slightly different tone from the original. suited to modern day
August 11, 2025
little did I know I’d be meeting her at an event for the sequel to this
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews