The Suitcase Kid

Jacqueline Wilson treats fraught family relationships sensitively, realistically and positively. Lesley Dunlop's accessible narration adds to the sympathetic impact of this first-person story. Ten-year-old Andrea is split in two between recriminating parents. One week she's with Mum and Not-her-Dad, sharing her loathed new sister's bedroom; the next it's Dad's turn with his new pregnant wife and her brawling children. Not surprisingly, Andrea starts dropping out from school and withdraws into dreams of her old home with its mulberry tree and Mum, Dad and her as a happy family. The story works convincingly towards an encouraging resolution.