Opal Plumstead

Description

A brilliant wartime story from one of the nation's best-loved authors, starring her most outspoken, fiery and unforgettable heroine yet- Opal Plumstead, schoolgirl, sweet factory worker and Suffragette. From the beloved children's author of Hetty Feather, Tracy Beaker and Rose Rivers. Opal Plumstead might be plain, but she has always been fiercely intelligent. Yet her scholarship and dreams of university are snatched away when her father is sent to prison, and fourteen-year-old Opal must start work at the Fairy Glen sweet factory to support her family. She struggles to get along with her other workers, who think she's snobby and stuck up. But Opal idolises Mrs Roberts, the factory's beautiful, dignified owner. The best thing about Mrs Roberts? She's a suffragette! Opal's world is opened to Mrs Pankhurst, and the fight to give women the right to vote. And when Opal meets Morgan, Mrs Roberts' handsome son , and heir to Fairy Glen- she believes she's found her soulmate. But the First World War is about to begin, and will change Opal's life for ever. A brilliantly gripping wartime story from the bestselling, award-winning Jacqueline Wilson.

Jacqueline Wilson (Author) Jacqueline Wilson wrote her first novel when she was nine years old, and she has been writing ever since. She is now one of Britain's bestselling and most beloved children's authors. She has written over 100 books and is the creator of characters such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather. More than forty million copies of her books have been sold. As well as winning many awards for her books, including the Children's Book of the Year, Jacqueline is a former Children's Laureate, and in 2008 she was appointed a Dame. Jacqueline is also a great reader, and has amassed over 20,000 books, along with her famous collection of silver rings. Find out more about Jacqueline and her books at www.jacquelinewilson.co.uk Nick Sharratt (Illustrator) Nick Sharratt has written and illustrated many books for children including Shark in the Park, You Choose and Pants. He has won numerous awards for his picture books, including the Sheffield Children's Book Award and the 2001 Children's Book Award. He has also enjoyed stellar success illustrating Jacqueline Wilson's books. Nick lives in Hove.

Her ability to create interesting, lovable characters who navigate 9 to 12-year-olds through key moments in history is unmatched * The Times * Oh my goodness! Opal Plumstead is Jacqueline Wilson's 100th book! That's prolific, right? I first discovered her work when I read The Illustrated Mum. It made me laugh. It made me cry. And, more than anything else, it felt truthful. I've been a fan ever since. So I'm proud to be reviewing her centenary story . . . [Opal is] a fabulous central character - bright and sparky and an original thinker . . . You can't help but root for her as she beats her own path through a rapidly changing world with real heart and determination . . . Oh, and it reads like a breeze. Of course. What else would you expect? -- Jill Murphy * The Bookbag * Her ability to create interesting, lovable characters who navigate 9 to 12-year-olds through key moments in history is unmatched * The Times * Oh my goodness! Opal Plumstead is Jacqueline Wilson's 100th book! That's prolific, right? I first discovered her work when I read The Illustrated Mum. It made me laugh. It made me cry. And, more than anything else, it felt truthful. I've been a fan ever since. So I'm proud to be reviewing her centenary story . . . [Opal is] a fabulous central character - bright and sparky and an original thinker . . . You can't help but root for her as she beats her own path through a rapidly changing world with real heart and determination . . . Oh, and it reads like a breeze. Of course. What else would you expect? -- Jill Murphy * The Bookbag *