Jacqueline Wilson is one of the UK's best loved children's authors. Her books have hundreds of five star reviews from young readers on Toppsta, have won multiple awards and she was even made a Dame in 2008, in recognition of her services to children's literature.

Her latest book The Runaway Girls is set in 1851 in Victorian London. It is the heart-rending, thrilling story of two girls, left alone and unloved - one rich and one poor - who find each other on the city's streets, becoming firm friends and helping each other survive the dangers of Victorian London.

The Runaway Girls is out in paperback this February and is proving a hit with readers already:

"As a Jacqueline Wilson mega-fan I enjoyed this Victorian-style book as one of my favourites."
Bookwormjos, aged 10

"I highly recommend anyone who is a fan of friendships and adventure should read this book or even if you are looking for your next book, READ THIS!"
BookWanderer, aged 17

"I loved this book because Jaqueline Wilson creates a vivid picture of life in Victorian England, bold and determined main characters and a rollercoaster of emotions."
Polkdot Pheasant, aged 9

"I love Jacqueline Wilson books that are set in Victorian London and this one has to be my favourite so far!"
ShiningC, aged 9

Discover more about the book and Jacqueline's inspiration for the story in her guest blog below and you can also read an extract here

Georgina Atwell

Toppsta

2022-01-26

2022-01-24

Guest Blog from Jacqueline Wilson

guest blog by jacqueline wilson

I’ve always loved writing books set in Victorian times. When my daughter Emma was very little, she liked to play that we were both whizzed back to the nineteenth century but still lived in the same house. She was very artful, even at five - she made sure she always played the rich Victorian lady, while I was the poor humble maidservant. She would give me her orders and I had to curtsey and say ‘Yes, Miss Emma,’ and do as I was told.

When I came to write Victorian books I felt just as if I were play-acting again. I’ve generally chosen to write about poor girls, the most popular character being Hetty Feather, but occasionally I’ve written about rich girls too – Rose Rivers. I decided it was time to write about a rich girl and a poor girl who become best friends and wrote my new paperback story The Runaway Girls.

Lucy lives in a grand London House with her father, and her stepmother. Lucy dislikes her because she sent her beloved nurse away. She calls her the New Mother. Lucy leads a life of luxury but has very little love or care and feels very lonely. Kitty is a street child, fending for herself. She’s a lively spirited girl who survives by begging. She’s very bold and carefree, but she’s hiding a sad secret.

They meet up in bizarre circumstances (all Lucy’s clothes have been stolen!) and runaway together. They concoct a street act, Lucy singing while Kitty does an acrobatic display, and are successful. But when they go to the Great Exhibition to perform to the crowds they are arrested and sent to the Junior House of Correction run by the terrifying Mrs Turnover. All eventually ends well – and there’s an encounter with a delightful circus star who will be familiar to Hetty Feather fans.

I do hope you enjoy The Runaway Girls. I have several more exciting books coming out this year and can’t wait to share them with you!

Georgina Atwell

Toppsta

2022-01-26

2022-01-24

Guest Blog from Jacqueline Wilson

The Runaway Girls

The must-have new Victorian novel from bestselling, much-loved children's author, Jacqueline Wilson.

Victorian London, 1851. Queen Victoria is on the throne and the Great Exhibition is about to open!

Lucy Locket lives with her father, the New Mother and the New Baby. They sent away her beloved Nurse and replaced her with a horrid governess. Lucy desperately wants someone to be kind to her, and to have some fun - there's very little of that in her house.

Kitty Fisher is a street performer who earns tin for her supper by tumbling. She has always lived on the street and on her wits, with only the kind Gaffer to help her. But now Gaffer is gone, and Kitty is all alone.

When Lucy runs away from home, Kitty shows Lucy how to survive - where to find the best picnic leftovers in the park, and which trees makes the best beds. Lucy learns quickly and shows Kitty her own skills - befriending families to get free meals and singing beautiful melodies for the crowds.

But the streets of Victorian London are dangerous and soon the girls find themselves under threat from thieves - and even worse, the Workhouse!