Both Belinda and Jeannie take the younger Laura under their wing during her stay at Heathcote House. Heathcote House is a home for pregnant teenagers, although Laura is the youngest at fourteen; the others vary from fifteen to seventeen. When Laura meets a French exchange student, Leon, she is flattered by his interest in her. She's never had any sort of boyfriend before. The rear of the book includes a note on sexual consent and some (UK only) organisations and resources available for anyone needing support or information. Don't bring up aunt Susannah around Laura's mother; she even storms angrily out of a shop without paying when they have a chance encounter.

Baby Love - Jacqueline Wilson - Google Books Baby Love - Jacqueline Wilson - Google Books

The book looks at quite challenging topics such as consent, abuse and forced adoption yet does so in a way which a younger reader will be able to absorb it without being traumatised. I will always wonder at her ability to understand and translate such tough subjects and emotions into her words so beautifully.

LoveReading4Kids Says

Of course once the pregnancy is known no more is heard of Léon. Laura’s parents are outraged. She has betrayed the moral standards of the family. There is no question of Laura giving birth at home. Instead her parents send her to live for the remainder of her pregnancy and to give birth at a mother and baby home called Heathcote House, where Wilson unfolds the rest of her narrative. When her family learns her secret, they are horrified. Sent away to save them from shame, Laura meets girls just like herself, whose families have given up on them - and they become a family for each other at the most difficult time in all their lives. Annoying Younger Sibling: Averted with Little Richard, who is a sweet and cheerful kid who tries to cheer his older siblings up when they're unhappy. Nina does seem to find him annoying at times, while Laura wishes that she was her little brother.

Baby Love by Jacqueline Wilson | Goodreads Baby Love by Jacqueline Wilson | Goodreads

An emotional and moving tale for fans of Dear Nobody and Juno. Not suitable for younger readers. About This Edition ISBN: A heartbreaking, compelling and timely story for older readers about teen pregnancy, family trouble and unlikely friendships, set in 1960. When Laura meets a French exchange student, Leon, she is flattered by his interest in her. She's never had any sort of boyfriend before. One night, Leon walks Laura home - and her life will never be the same again. year-old Laura comes from a proud working-class family. Young for her age, Laura hasn’t had any experience of boys until she befriends glamorous, wealthy Nina, the daughter of two doctors. Laura is incredibly flattered by Nina’s attention, but aware she lives in what’s known as the “Shanty Town”, while Nina has everything she could possibly wish for, and kissing experience to boot. The dynamics between the two girls is incredibly realistic, perfectly capturing the differences between them.Hello Yellow - 80 Books to Help Children Nurture Good Mental Health and Support With Anxiety and Wellbeing -

Jacqueline Wilson | Waterstones Jacqueline Wilson | Waterstones

Marilyn starts out being quite stern and under Miss Andrews thumb, but she does grow to like Laura and the other girls in her care, and eventually tearfully agrees that Laura should be allowed to keep her baby. Before her parents learn Laura’s deadly secret, the family take a holiday. Her father is a coach driver, so their holiday takes place in a coach. Completely by chance they encounter Aunt Suzanna, the estranged younger sister of Laura’s mother. The estranged aunt will play a significant role later in the story. So how would I sun this up … honest , gut wrenching yet sweet at times , emotional and heartbreaking! Driven to Suicide: Apparently the windows are nailed shut at Heathcote House because some young mothers-to-be become suicidal. This generation was always remembered as so ‘stiff upper lip’ and trying always to do the ‘decent’ thing but it made me question, decent for who?Age-Gap Romance: While less of a romance and more of a brief sexual encounter, Laura is only fourteen when she has sex with the seventeen year old Leon. She also has a crush on Daniel, who is around the same age. The first half of the book builds up a realistic picture of 1960s Britain and takes time to develop the characters, which really helps you to understand the decisions Laura makes over the course of the novel. Sheltered by her overprotective parents and eager to fit in with new best friend Nina and appear more grown up, you can see how things spiral out of control. Laura and Nina's friendship begins to falter in the next few months as Laura realises how controlling her friend is. As school resumes, this rift grows bigger. Laura has tried to ignore it, but soon has more important worries. Something else she's tried to ignore has been discovered. She is pregnant. Yes it was in an easy to read format but the writing was highly emotive and the plot was gut wrenching

Baby Love | Jacqueline Wilson | 9780241567104 | NetGalley Baby Love | Jacqueline Wilson | 9780241567104 | NetGalley

When and why do we suddenly decide what we should and should not read , do , say and dress . Is it peer pressure or do we do this ourselves ? I always loved her books but why did I stop reading them ? I can’t understand how JW can completely understand teenage anxiety and make her characters come to life in such a fluid way. This book is dark but real and I was captivated by all of the themes surrounding the main plot (don’t worry I won’t give away any spoilers!)

Published

Things start to change for Laura - first her moods, and then her body. Laura isn't prepared for what she learns next - and doesn't even know how it could have happened. The winners of The Farshore Reading for Pleasure Teacher Awards 2023, highlighting the work schools are doing to encourage a love of reading, have... Jailbait Taboo: The pastor who sexually abuses and eventually impregnates Sarah blames her for tempting him. She's just fifteen years old. Worse, she believes him and tells Laura that he's a wonderful man and his actions are all her fault. Abusive Parents: Laura's mother slaps her a couple of times, even if she's immediately apologetic about it. Oh My Gosh I adored this book. I have read Jacqueline Wilson since I was a child and Tracy Beaker has always been a firm favourite, one that Wilson has not, for me, been able to topple off of the top spot, until now. This is possibly one of the best books of hers that I have ever read, it is incredible. It is so well written with such well developed chatacters and a uplift, yet in many ways heartbreaking storyline.